"You... What are you?"
"What? Woman, you are my possession."
Tabitha's face froze momentarily, her beautiful features showing a trace of anger.
"I am Tabitha, the High Priest of the Papal States. I am not your possession."
Li Meng grinned, reaching out to pinch Tabitha's chin.
"Woman, it's not up to you. The Papal States' envoy group has already been destroyed by me. You are the only survivor."
Hearing this, Tabitha's face turned pale.
The envoy group of the Papal States was wiped out? The culprit was this man in front of her?
Tabitha looked at the strange man before her with terror.
"That's right. You should be afraid of me. Woman, I'll give you two choices: one is to become my slave—you are so beautiful it would be a waste to kill you. The second choice, of course, is death. After all, you've seen me and know I’m the culprit behind the attack on the Papal States' envoy group. As a villain, I won't let you go. Wahaha!"
The unrestrained feeling was truly exhilarating.
Looking at the beautiful woman before him, Li Meng grinned.
Perhaps he was born to be a bad seed.
When he assumed the role of a villain, it was as natural as breathing.
Li Meng released the woman's chin.
"Now... I'll give you five seconds to decide!"
Li Meng extended five fingers, slowly counting down in front of Tabitha.
As the countdown continued, Tabitha's expression shifted repeatedly.
She was the High Priest of the Papal States—how could she become a slave?
At the moment the countdown ended, Tabitha felt an overwhelming killing intent engulf her.
Her body trembled, and her survival instincts made her kneel involuntarily.
Her curvaceous waist and hips arched high, revealing enticing curves under her tattered robe.
Tabitha called out with humiliation on her face.
Crystal-clear tears flowed from her eyes.
She, a person of high status, had lost her dignity just to survive.
"Living sure feels good, wahaha!"
The woman's humiliation made Li Meng laugh heartily.
From his black robe, Li Meng pulled out a silver collar and personally placed it around Tabitha's neck.
The collar was tight and delicate, its surface adorned with golden runes.
To outsiders, it would appear to be an expensive magical artifact.
"You should know what this is, right?"
Tabitha knelt on the ground, touching the smooth collar around her neck.
"This is a wonderful item. It can enhance your magic recovery rate."
A magical artifact that increases mana recovery?
Tabitha could feel the light magic in the surroundings becoming more abundant.
Li Meng grabbed Tabitha's hand and pulled her up, then scooped her into his arms.
"I'm taking you back to Leo City. After that, you're free!"
Held in Li Meng's arms, Tabitha’s expression brightened but soon dimmed again.
Now that the entire Papal States' envoy group had been annihilated, how could she explain her survival? Even if she returned, she would be scrutinized and suspected.
"It's not unusual for a large envoy group to have a few survivors. You're not the only one who lived; a few stable hands survived as well. I let them go on purpose. I don't need you to stay by my side. You're still Tabitha, the High Priest of the Papal States."
Hearing this, Tabitha fell silent.
What was this black-robed man's purpose? Was he trying to use her to overthrow the Papal States?
"I have no interest in the Papal States!"
Tabitha’s expression flickered, her face full of exasperation.
Was he a worm in her stomach? How could he guess her thoughts so easily?
A loud noise echoed through the forest.
A figure shot up into the sky and disappeared into the distance in the blink of an eye.
High in the air, Tabitha clung tightly to her master's neck.
Heavens, was this flying?
The vast sky made Tabitha feel a deep sense of awe.
Even a Sword Emperor wouldn’t have such a physique.
With just one leap, the distant Leo City came into view.
That night, Leo City, Westwind Inn.
Leo City was bustling in the early evening.
Travelers and adventurers passing through filled the city with vitality.
Tonight, the Westwind Inn welcomed two peculiar guests.
"A superior room for three nights, with premium meals every day."
The innkeeper, a plump woman, curiously eyed the two figures before her.
Both were cloaked in black robes, though their builds differed.
Li Meng placed a gold coin on the counter.
The innkeeper’s face lit up with a smile.
She quickly stashed the coin and handed Li Meng a room key.
Taking the key, Li Meng led Tabitha upstairs.
"Would you like dinner served now, guests?"
"Bring it in two hours."
As one of Leo City's top inns, Westwind Inn boasted a fine environment.
Magic lamps lined the hallways, emitting a soft glow.
Humans seemed to find crystal endlessly useful—it could convert into various elemental energies.
Even the city’s wells were powered by crystals, providing magic-driven water.
The underground sewer system also carried a strong water-elemental aura.
The inn was quiet, with barely a sound in the hallways.
Li Meng and Tabitha reached Room 307.
"Even the doors have magic barriers?"
Li Meng sensed the faint magical aura on the door.
Though the defensive power was minimal, it was enough to deter ordinary people.
Li Meng swiped the key across the door, dispelling the barrier, and pushed it open.
The room was spacious—a worthy superior room.
It featured a sitting room, a bedroom, and a bathroom.
The bathroom included a small bathing pool, with a crystal embedded at its base.
Water constantly flowed from the crystal, keeping the pool filled with fresh water.
"Master, may I bathe?"
Tabitha removed her black robe, her gaze fixed on the bathroom.
Li Meng grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist.
Tabitha blushed but nodded lightly, her eyes showing a hint of anticipation.
If they bathed together, she might finally see her master’s true face.
Li Meng led Tabitha into the bathroom.
Before long, the sound of running water echoed through the room.
In the pool, Li Meng leaned back against the edge, enjoying the cool water.
Beside him, Tabitha wore a helpless expression.
She had thought bathing together would allow her to see her master’s face.
But her master remained the same enigmatic figure, his true appearance hidden.
Though the black robe was gone, he was still wrapped in bandages.
Soaking in the water, he resembled a mummy with a silver orb for a head.
"Are those bandages?"
Tabitha tentatively touched her master’s arm.
The bandages felt smooth, their material unknown.