The defeated saint is also on the way to tame the evil god today

　Chloe nodded, a mixture of confusion and admiration appearing on her face.

　"...I originally thought Miss Jiedeti was a mysterious healer, but I didn't expect she was actually a saint, serving a rarely heard of god."

　That's pretty good. He even had the EQ to say something like "a seldom-heard-of god". Others would have just said evil god.

　Xing Mo complained inwardly, but with an elegant and calm smile on her face:

　"There's no conflict. I'm the healer of this land, and I'm also a saint who teaches the teachings of life."

　"Phew...Since you guys are still here at the Academy, things will definitely get better."

　Chloe sighed, her proud eyes lowered slightly, and her eyes were slightly sad.

　Seeing this, Xing Mo took the initiative to speak:

　"As I said, the main reason for your support of the Citadel is definitely not as simple as humanitarian aid, right?"

　"Of course, I need allies, desperately," Chloe said without reservation.

　"Imperial Army General Darokus joined the front lines four days ago. His hounds are out of the cage. Although they won't be effective in the short term, the guerrillas can foresee their counterattack coming soon."

　"But guess what those New Party members are doing? They're holding a celebration party, believing that the invasion of the Citadel will reduce the Empire's forces on the front lines, and we'll be able to reclaim all of our territory in no time!"

　She looked furious when she said this, with a bright flame flashing in her eyes, as if she wanted to burn all the faces reflected in her mind.

　Staring directly into those eyes that seemed to be burning with flames, Xing Mo whispered:

　"What do you think?"

　"August will return to the throne," Chloe said with a firm look, "After that, I will return the power to them, but I must sit there until the war is over."

　"It doesn't sound like it would be helpful if the academy supported you," Xingmo said.

　"But I need allies," Chloe said without hesitation, "Miss Jadeti, in this situation, can I assume that you represent the Citadel?"

　"absolutely okay."

　"Then, let's negotiate directly," Chloe said with a firm gaze. "First, the guerrillas will provide sufficient water and food, and will also accept some of the refugees from the Citadel in the border area of ​​​​Fallu..."

　She proposed about a dozen items, most of which revolved around how to resettle the refugees in the academy.

　Xingmo knew that the guerrillas probably didn't have enough strength to fight against the Imperials. Chloe's idea was to accept the exiled government of the Academy first. As for how much effect it would have, they could only take it one step at a time.

　Well...if she wants to return to the throne, she needs a strong enough claim.

　It's not difficult to help her build momentum.

　At least, it is not difficult for Xingmo now.

　""

　After listening to Chloe, Xingmo nodded, crossed her fingers, and rested her elbows on the table.

　She looked across the gap between her index fingers and looked directly into Chloe's eyes:

　"I agree to these requests, but I want to add one more."

　"You say."

　"Help me enter the Giant King's Court."

　After Xingmo finished speaking, she saw Chloe's pupils shrink slightly, obviously surprised.

　"What are you doing in a place like that? The giants aren't very... friendly at all."

　"They will be friendly." Xing Mo said calmly.

　"Well... that's not difficult..."

　Chloe cleared her throat, as if she had not expected that the conditions imposed by the powerful Miss Jiedeti would be so simple.

　She thought it would be a troublesome and difficult question.

　After all, with her abilities, the assistance Chloe provided was nothing.

　""

　Xingmo knew what Chloe was thinking, but from her point of view, she thought the assistance the guerrillas could provide was very meaningful.

　True, she could escort all the refugees out of the Citadel and find them places to live in the outside world.

　But the problem is that she can't do both.

　And time is limited.

　"In that case, we can get things done tomorrow," Xingmo picked up the wine glass, "I'll go to Falu with you."

　"So soon? I thought it might take you some time to prepare."

　"Time waits for no one, and the people of the Empire won't wait either." Xing Mo said lightly.

　Chloe nodded, picked up the glass and clinked glasses with Xingmo.

　Then, the two of them drank the wine in their glasses.

　"By the way, the puppeteer of the Red Moon Sect, if I remember correctly, he is still in your hands, right?" Xing Mo put down the cup.

　"Yes, do you have any plans for him?" Chloe asked.

　"After arriving in Falu, I want to meet him," Xingmo said, "I have some small questions to ask him."

　"No problem, I'll take care of it."

　Chloe took a deep breath, stood up, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to Xingmo:

　"Ms. Jiedeti, you and I are both in a critical situation. At least for me, I don't know what will happen next, let alone what path to take."

　"If you help me, Fallu will never forget your name."

　Her eyes became calm again, and the corners of her mouth were slightly pursed, making her delicate yet heroic face look a little sad.

　Xingmo stared at Princess Falu quietly. After a brief silence, she took Chloe's outstretched hand.

　“If you fight for your people, they won’t forget your name either,” she said.

　Back Garden - Nefera Beta Magic Academy

　"Bala."

　The blood flowed into the kettle and spread in the water, like red clouds sealed in amber.

　When the liquid surface calmed down, Merlin saw his own reflected and distorted eyes.

　The flowers deep in his pupils rotated, reflecting his indelible past and the original sin he carried on his back.

　The past will never be far away from you. You may think you have run far away, but as soon as you turn around, you will find that it is still there.

　""

　Merlin wrapped his wrists with the golden silk scarf, picked up the kettle, and found the white flower in the corner of the garden.

　The white flowers were resonating with the barrier surrounding the Nefera Beta Magic Academy. Distorted ripples were flickering in the space, and dizzying white light flashed from time to time.

　Flowers are craving for spiritual power.

　Merlin poured the water mixed with his own blood from the kettle onto the flowers, allowing the spiritual energy to fully saturate the flowers.

　The water disappeared after falling on the flower, as if it was directly swallowed by some invisible existence, without even a drop of water left.

　At the same time, the white barrier became more solid, and the sky outside the barrier became a little blurry.

　""

　After watering the flowers, Merlin put the kettle aside, sorted out the expression on his face, and turned around.

　Professor Ling was standing behind him, petite and with a cold expression.

　"How long will this sacrifice last?" Professor Ling asked mercilessly.

　"Until the day we are free," Merlin said happily.

　"Some of our academic comrades are getting impatient. They don't think anything will change if they keep waiting, especially when the Imperials have placed the String of Truth over our heads."

　Professor Ling leaned his broom against a bench nearby, walked up to Merlin, and looked up at him:

　"The students aren't doing well either. I've already seen the tenth child with shattered faith this week. Mary Jane nearly poked her own eyes out, saying she can't sleep because she can't see the stars. Jefferson now has to sleep under his bed every day. He firmly believes that the goddess's darkness, not the classroom walls, can protect him."

　"So, it's easy to go crazy if you believe in religion. We should promote atheism." Merlin muttered.

　"Merlin, they are all your students," Professor Ling said, becoming more serious. "You have to be responsible."

　The sparse fallen leaves fluttered on the ground, scratching the bricks and grass, like a small boat floating on the water.

　Merlin looked at Ling quietly. After a long while, he smiled and waved his hand:

　"Okay, Ling, when did you stop trusting me?"

　He brushed past Ling and looked up at the sky in the distance, which was blurred by white light:

　"What I'm waiting for is the gathering of the Star Callers. Regardless of whether the White Tower is open or not, only when the Star Callers are in place can the true starry sky be revealed and the Shepherd's String be summoned."

　"How long do we have?" asked Professor Ling.

　"It could be just a few seconds, it could be half a month, it could be a year, who knows?"

　Merlin smiled bitterly and turned back to meet Professor Ling's gaze.

　For the first time, Ling saw the fleeting vicissitudes and fatigue in those eyes. The next second, Merlin shook his collar humorously:

　"Compared to this, I think it's more important to delay the bad guys from doing their evil deeds. What do you think?"

　"What do you want me to do?"

　"Miss Alice seems to be in trouble. Similarly, Miss Vivian disappeared on the night of the Garden Advent. The last news was that she went to the seawall."

　Merlin spoke quickly, and it was obvious that he had already thought about these things:

　"It's almost certain that Miss Alice was captured by Isabella. She's probably using her Tree of Life Mark as a medium to forge a golden body for herself. I'm afraid... she's probably succeeded."

　"As for Miss Vivian, there's no need to worry. She's clearly fine. But judging by the current situation, she's either not in the Citadel or fighting somewhere in there. It's only logical that we should find her. After all, she can't hold on forever."

　"Find Vivian and find a way to rescue Alice," Ling nodded. "I have a plan."

　"We don't have to fight this alone," Merlin stretched. "You really should go see the size of the Holy Tree Cult. Oh, they're doing pretty well now, even able to carve out a piece of land in the North City to shelter refugees. That little evil god easily achieved the shelter I paid a price for. Isn't it true that the young are as fierce as tigers?"

　"They have already sacrificed enough for the Citadel, Merlin," Ling's tone grew a little colder. "I hope you won't treat them as pawns. This displeases me."

　"Oh, how could you think of me like that?" Merlin said a little aggrievedly, "Don't worry."

　"Here, this is a tonic for absorbing spiritual energy," Professor Ling tossed a small bag to Merlin. "Since you've chosen such an easy job as a spiritual energy battery, prepare well. I hope you can do something the next time they need you."

　After saying that, Ling picked up the flying broom from the side and flew away.

　Merlin stared at Ling's receding back, the smile on his face gradually faded, and his expression became as calm as a marble sculpture.

　"We are all pawns, so why should we yield?"

　He basked in the daylight and swallowed the pills in the package down his throat.

　"It's so bitter." He complained.

　...END...

Chapter 274 Nailed Dove on the Cross

　After settling down in Fengyu Town, Xingmo borrowed a few carriages locally and set off for Falu.

　Since it was her first official visit after all, Xingmo decided to keep in sync with Chloe and go there via normal means rather than traveling through the spirit world.

　The carriage traveled through the countryside for three days and three nights, from the rolling hills of Academi to the colorful plains dyed purple by irises. The spring sunshine turned into mottled light and shadows that shuttled through Xingmo's eyes, like a tunnel stretched to infinity.

　During these three days, the years were peaceful and quiet, as if time had plunged headfirst downwards into the deep pool called the past.

　Before we knew it, spring had arrived and flowers were blooming.

　In the past, Xingmo always liked to travel in spring, sometimes with Alice, sometimes with Miriam, and sometimes the three of them went together.

　But more often than not, I am alone.

　She always likes to use fire as her

　With wings spread out, it plunged into the clouds under the brilliant blue sky, and then fell freely on its back.

　Falling between the sea of ​​clouds and the spring light, she bathed in the golden brilliance, with the underlying color of her eyes being warm.

　And now, it is a cold color.

　On the morning of the fourth day, the carriage passed through the border between Faro and Academi, accompanied by sunshine and dew.