Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 137: Nice Guy Card (5k4)

Luo Xiu never thought that he would see such a rare scene just when he was looking for Anthony to pass on a message.

Although Connor always behaves like a reckless man, I didn't expect that he would have such thoughts about little Marilyn...

No wonder every time Connor’s emotional life is sacrificed, good stuff always comes out!
It turns out, it turns out that this is a real sacrifice...

……

Luo Xiu suddenly felt a strong sympathy for Connor.

"This poor child..." Luo Xiu muttered to himself. He mourned for Connor silently for a moment, and felt his guilt eased a little.

While he was still thinking about whether he should be gentler with Connor during the next "sacrifice", Luo Xiu suddenly felt someone patting his shoulder lightly.

Luo Xiu's hair stood on end instantly!
He was so absorbed in thinking about Connor that he didn't notice the sounds and movements around him.

Luo Xiu then quickly mobilized the spiritual power in his body, turned around in a battle-ready posture, and looked vigilantly at the person who patted his shoulder.

But the moment he turned around, a familiar figure entered Luo Xiu's sight.

Luo Xiu only saw that Anthony suddenly appeared behind him. His expression was the same as his own, full of complex emotions of compassion and joy.

"Captain Anthony..." When he saw that it was an acquaintance, Luo Xiu let down his guard, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "You scared me."

"Haha, good morning, Luo Xiu." Anthony smiled and said, "Just now, I was taking a walk around. I saw you and thought of coming to say hello to you..."

"By the way, why are you here?" Anthony asked immediately.

"I'm here on behalf of Priest Leonard to convey an important matter to you." Luo Xiu replied.

He paused, then continued, "But... there's no rush. So, what happened to Connor?"

When Luo Xiu finally mentioned the word "Connor", Anthony couldn't help laughing anymore.

Anthony seemed to realize that he was being impolite, so he quickly stopped smiling and said:

"Ahem... Connor has been absent-minded since the day we returned from Red Maple City."

"A few days ago, Connor found me. He told me: 'After seeing the power of Starro, the [Spirit Adventist], he always felt that as a [Holy Judge], he might die at any time. This is indeed a very dangerous position.'"

"But Connor never thought of retreating or leaving. He just wanted to make sure that he had as few regrets as possible before his true 'death' came."

"Well... Connor's feelings for little Marilyn should be well known among us Holy Judges. Although Connor doesn't usually show this,... everyone knows about it."

No, I just don’t know… Luo Xiu muttered in his mind, but his face still showed an expression of listening attentively.

"So, Connor came to me. He said he was finally going to confess his feelings to little Marilyn, so he wanted me to help him."

"He wants you... to help him?" Luo Xiu tilted his head slightly and looked at Captain Anthony opposite him with strange eyes. The captain exuded the temperament of a gloomy poet.

This is the legendary wingman!
At this time, Luo Xiu realized something belatedly - Anthony, with his clean light brown curly hair and deep blue eyes, had the maturity and stability that middle-aged men have. Coupled with his natural poetic temperament, he was indeed quite in line with the aesthetic taste of young women in the empire and the upper-middle class.

Luo Xiu had also felt this feeling from his teacher, the priest Ivan Jimel, but that was on the premise that Ivan paid attention to his appearance.

Perhaps this is why Connor asked Captain Anthony for help...

Anthony seemed to sense the strange look from Luo Xiu Carlos in front of him, and he smiled self-deprecatingly and said:

"Don't look at me like this... I am quite popular among female believers."

I see... Luo Xiu nodded slightly, then asked casually: "And then?"

"Then, I told Connor some tips on pursuing women."

"I told him that young women, especially girls, are naturally romantic."

"In our city of Sina, I think the place that can create the most romantic atmosphere is the river bank of the Vanilla Orchid Market..."

"Well, think about it, Luo Xiu."

"When Connor and little Marilyn finished shopping at the Vanilla Orchid Market, they came to the riverside for a walk. They strolled quietly and leisurely under the cherry trees, chatting..."

Anthony was interrupted by Luo Xiu before he could finish his words.

"Stop, Captain, stop for a moment..."

Luo Xiu spread his hands and said with a somewhat helpless expression:

"Sorry to interrupt you, Captain. I've been thinking of something bad."

In Luo Xiu's mind, as he listened to Anthony's talk, he put Connor's image into his mind, and instantly formed the picture of "the Viking pirate and Miss Sparrow's romantic talk about cherry blossoms".

Luo Xiu felt that he might have seen some overly abstract and beautiful images, so he mercilessly stopped Anthony from continuing.

"I think Connor... with his looks and personality, it might be more effective if he just expressed his feelings to little Marilyn directly," Luo Xiu said.

"Oh... is that so?"

Anthony scratched his head, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Perhaps you are right. That's why Connor scared little Marilyn away. They will probably be sad for several days."

"Let's not talk about Connor for now."

Anthony waved his hand and said, "Luo Xiu, you said you came to see me this time. Priest Leonard, what message do you want to convey to me?"

"Oh, that's right."

Seeing that Anthony had finally opened up about Connor's topic, Luo Xiu became a little more serious and said:

"That's right, Captain. I found a map from a large base of 'Blood of Thorns'."

"..."

Luo Xiu told Anthony everything about the "Blood of Thorns" map, just as he had told Priest Leonard.

Anthony's expression was first surprise, then realization, and then joy and excitement.

When Luo Xiu finished speaking, Anthony said excitedly:
"Luo Xiu! I think when Priest Leonard asked you to tell me this, he must have been very excited! This is crucial information, we should confirm it as soon as possible..."

"Oh, right."

Anthony suddenly seemed to remember something. He smiled at Luo Xiu and said, "I almost forgot. Luo Xiu, congratulations on your promotion to the 'Triple Destiny'! Now, you are the 'deacon' of the church and the 'Holy Inquisitor' of the Holy Inquisition, just like me."

The captain was really slow to react. His reaction was much calmer than that of Priest Leonard... Luo Xiu smiled calmly, nodded and said, "Thank you, Captain."

"Advancing to the third level of destiny is something that will happen sooner or later for you."

Anthony still smiled and said, "I have always been optimistic about you."

"So, let's get back to the point."

Anthony put away the smile on his face and said seriously, "Regarding the information you conveyed, I think it is most important to confirm its authenticity as soon as possible."

"I hope we can start the operation tonight. Luo Xiu, what do you think?"

Anthony was now in a negotiating tone. Among the "Holy Judges", Luo Xiu's position was now on the same level as Anthony's, and Anthony no longer had the authority to directly order Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu noticed the subtle difference and replied with a friendly smile as usual: "I think there is no problem."

"Okay, that's decided then."

Anthony nodded and said, "I will go back and inform Pamier. And Connor will go with me."

"And you, Luo Xiu... please come to the church at about 10 o'clock in the evening."

This time arrangement is relatively relaxed. Luo Xiu nodded and said:
"Okay, Captain."

……

After discussing some specific details of the operation with Luo Xiu, Anthony said goodbye to Luo Xiu and went to find Connor, who had suffered a heartbreak, to comfort him and inform him of tonight's action plan.

Luo Xiu left in the opposite direction from Anthony. For some psychological reasons, he did not want to meet Connor at this time.

However, at this moment, Luo Xiu inexplicably thought of another person.

——Leonard’s daughter, the intellectual little Marilyn.

Luo Xiu felt a little guilty about Connor, but he didn't feel anything about little Marilyn. After rejecting Connor, the little girl ran away in a panic.

Maybe... he could get some help or learn something from her.

As Luo Xiu thought about this, a rare surge of pure kindness arose in his heart.

Little Marilyn was now wandering outside alone. At this critical moment when the war was about to come, as an exchange student between the "Alchemy Academy" and the "Holy See Church", it was still a bit dangerous for Marilyn to be alone.

There was still plenty of time. Luo Xiu's only schedule for today was to find the "Dwarf Blacksmith" Mir, give him the materials dropped by the "Colorful Royal Spider", and ask him to help forge new weapons. This would not take too long.

As for little Marilyn, she should return to the church and her father Leonard.

Just consider it as a favor... Luo Xiu thought.

After all, um. After all, Connor will still have to be used as a sacrifice in the future...

If you change it to a metaphysical sacrifice, it might not be so easy to get good stuff!

This is called "sustainability sacrifice"!
"..."

Thinking this, Luo Xiu walked in the direction where little Marilyn left.

……

...Little Marilyn, after rejecting Connor's confession, ran to a small park not far away.

She was wandering around aimlessly, with a distracted expression on her face.

Suddenly.

"—little Marilyn?"

A soft voice came from behind Marilyn.

At the same time, someone tapped her shoulder gently.

"--ah!"

Little Marilyn, who was as cute as a sparrow, suddenly screamed and her body trembled slightly.

Little Marilyn looked back in fear. When she saw that the person who spoke and patted her shoulder was the new deacon and inquisitor of the church, "Rosius Carlos", her nervous heart finally calmed down a little, and she stroked her heaving chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's you... Mr. Luo Xiu." Little Marilyn said with some fear, "Please, please don't scare me..."

"Mr. Luo Xiu?" Luo Xiu was slightly stunned. Since he came to Sina City, as a "clergyman" of the church, he had not been addressed like this for a long time.

The last time he was addressed like this was by the rich young man Alardin from the "Golden Country"... and little Marilyn, she is still as socially anxious as ever... Luo Xiu thought secretly.

Luo Xiu then half-knelt down, so that his eyes were at the same height as Little Marilyn. He asked Little Marilyn in the gentlest tone possible: "Little Marilyn? Why are you here?"

"me……"

Little Marilyn's cheeks turned red, and she said in a staccato voice, "Because, because Mr. Connor..."

"Because of Connor?" Luo Xiu imitated a puzzled tone, and after making a slightly thoughtful expression, he said to little Marilyn:
"Little Marilyn, if you don't mind, you can treat me as a tree hole and tell me anything."

"But now..."

"I suggest you return to the church and your father, the priest. The situation is special now and it may be dangerous outside."

"..."

"Uh... yeah, okay."

Little Marilyn nodded seriously. "Well, thank you very much, Mr. Luo Xiu. Please take me back to the church..."

"This is what I should do." Luo Xiu responded with a smile.

Little Marilyn followed Luo Xiu and the two of them walked slowly towards the church.

Luo Xiu also released his senses to detect possible dangers around him. He did detect some abnormal spiritual surges, but there was no hostility towards little Marilyn.

The two then returned to the Vanilla Orchid Market and walked towards the Triumphal Square.

During this time, little Marilyn kept her head down and remained silent.

After turning the corner of the main street of the Vanilla Orchid Market, little Marilyn finally spoke timidly:
"Mr. Connor, he, he confessed to me..."

The word "white" was stuck in little Marilyn's throat and she couldn't utter it.

"Hmm..." Luo Xiu nodded in agreement, without expressing too many personal opinions. He just quietly performed his duties as a "tree hole".

"...Mr. Connor, he invited me and Mr. Anthony to come to the Vanilla Orchid Market last night to purchase some supplies for the church."

When she realized that Luo Xiu seemed to be just listening quietly, little Marilyn gradually calmed down and became less nervous.

"Well... I was thinking at the time that I really needed to come to the Vanilla Orchid Market to buy some alchemy materials, so I agreed to his request."

"At the beginning, we were all very happy and the shopping process went smoothly."

"Then, then Mr. Anthony...he, he suddenly said he had something to do and had to leave..."

"So, there are only me and Mr. Connor left, um..."

"At that time, I felt that Mr. Connor...he seemed to be trembling a little..."

"As an alchemist whose major is Pharmacy, my first reaction was to think that Mr. Connor was feeling unwell..."

"But when I was about to ask him, Connor...Mr. Connor, he suddenly knelt down in front of me!"

"I was shocked! Mr. Luo Xiu... Do you know? At that time, Mr. Connor was really scary..."

"He keeps telling me that he likes...likes me..."

"He, he actually, actually said that to me..."

"And even... Mr. Connor, he always talks about 'until death', 'only hope', 'Sparrow Princess', 'eternally loyal love'..."

"These are all the love poems left by the bards... Mr. Connor, he actually recited a love poem for me!"

"Mr. Connor at that time was a completely different person! He was no longer like the Connor I knew..."

"The Mr. Connor I know would never, ever say something like that..."

"He should be a more sincere, cheerful, and straightforward person. Although he is not as gentlemanly as Mr. Anthony, I think that kind of Connor is the most real and reliable..."

"And when Mr. Connor...he, he said those words, I was terrified..."

"You know, Mr. Luo Xiu, I was terribly scared! That wasn't Mr. Connor, it was a stranger who looked like Mr. Connor! So..."

"So, I ran away..."

"..."

Luo Xiu had been listening quietly to what little Marilyn said.

When little Marilyn finished this last sentence, Luo Xiu felt a deep sense of helplessness in his heart.

What have you taught me, Captain Anthony... Luo Xiu complained in his heart.

Following Little Marilyn's statement, Luo Xiu's inner guilt had mostly faded away, and was replaced by another feeling.

——This is all Anthony’s fault!
When little Marilyn finished her story, her cheeks were lightly flushed, and she bit her lips tightly, as if she didn't want to continue.

Luo Xiu then asked little Marilyn at the right time:
"So, little Marilyn..."

"In your heart, what kind of person is Connor Rune?"

"..."

"Mr. Connor, what kind of person is he?"

Little Marilyn's tone sounded doubtful, and she lowered her head as if she was thinking about something seriously.

After a while, little Marilyn raised her head and said with clear eyes:

"Mr. Connor, he's a good man."

……

As they chatted, Luo Xiu had unknowingly brought little Marilyn safely to the door of the church.

Little Marilyn then walked into the church door and turned back to wave goodbye to Luo Xiu.

"Thank you, Mr. Luo Xiu! Thank you for listening to me..."

Without waiting for Luo Xiu's response, little Marilyn went deeper into the church like a sparrow.

After watching little Marilyn disappear, Luo Xiu turned around and left, walking towards the direction of the "Authentic Dwarf Blacksmith Shop".

Along the way, Luo Xiu's expression changed several times, appearing a little complicated.

——Nice guy card! In front of him, little Marilyn gave Connor a nice guy card!

This is not a good sign... Luo Xiu pondered.

However, this seems...

I can feel more at ease sacrificing Connor's emotional life? !

After all, after this incident, Anthony was the culprit for Connor's "failed confession", and the "good guy card" was given to him by little Marilyn herself...

This has nothing to do with him, Ross Carlos!

"..."

While thinking this, Luo Xiu had arrived at the door of the "Authentic Dwarf Blacksmith Shop".

Mir's blacksmith shop was still as deserted as usual. Luo Xiu then walked up the steps and gently knocked on the door of the blacksmith shop.

With a creaky sound, a gap half the width of a face opened in the dilapidated door.

Mir poked his head through the crack in the door and took a peek at the visitor.

When it was clear that the visitor was the "priest" from before, the door opened completely.

The dwarf Mir, who was holding a hammer in one hand and one hand on his waist, raised his head, pointed his nose in the direction of Luo Xiu, and said unhappily:

"--why is it you again?!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)