"Uh... because I came across an old hunter," Vic said, "he told me I was deceived by Wildfire cultists and said that the ceremonial site has already been taken over by them."
Then, Vic told Ivana everything that Ryan had previously mentioned to him, which made Bai Wei shake his head off to the side.
Really, he spills everything out without any sense of caution.
If he encounters someone with a bit of scheming, like Hewinia for example, he’d even be stripped of his underwear.
And Ivana almost seems to have "suspicious" branded on her forehead, yet this guy still shows no sign of wariness.
After all, with me watching over, and he still needs the Holy Daughter Ivana to help him complete the final step.
Sure enough, upon hearing Vic’s words, Ivana immediately shook her head: "That hunter is wrong, he’s deceiving you."
"Huh?" Vic’s brow instantly furrowed, and his tone turned discontented, "But Mr. Ryan is a good person."
Noticing this, Ivana quickly spoke up: "If that’s the case, then he’s the one being deceived. At the very least, he doesn’t know the real situation here. The hunter’s legacy at the sacrificial arena has always been there, and the power of the God of Senluo hasn’t completely vanished. Otherwise, why are the Wildfire cultists just watching? They would have already invaded to seize the God of Senluo’s authority."
Vic was left stunned by Ivana’s words: "Is... is that so?"
Though his tone was still hesitant, that expression was evidently not far from being completely convinced.
"Of course, if you don’t believe me, I can take you to see," Ivana said, "I’m officially the Holy Daughter now; I can accompany you all the way to the end. Whether I’m lying or not, you can witness it with your own eyes."
"Hmm..." Vic was evidently swayed by Ivana and nodded, "I will see for myself, and Priest Ulu will help me."
Ivana looked at Bai Wei and hesitated again.
"What’s the matter?" Bai Wei still wore a full smile on his face, "Am I not welcome here?"
Ivana couldn’t help but shiver.
She really didn’t understand why; Bai Wei outwardly seemed so weak, fragile like a gust of wind could blow him away, and even with a limping leg. Yet, the psychological pressure he exerts on Ivana was immense, truly like he could crush her with just a flick of his fingers.
Originally, Ivana wanted to refuse Bai Wei by using the excuse "He is not of the Senluo, and cannot enter the sacrificial arena," but under Bai Wei’s gentle smile, she couldn’t say those words out loud. Instead, she clumsily said, "He is not of the Senluo, but if he insists on coming along, he must listen to me."
"Of course." Bai Wei continued to speak like the kindest old priest of Rhein, "I’ll follow your words."
"...Fine then." Ivana dared not meet Bai Wei’s eyes and had to look away, reluctantly saying, "In that case, you can come along too."
So, after leading Vic to pay respects to the Senluo Divine Statue before them, Ivana opened the backdoor of the temple and stepped first onto the path leading to the sacrificial arena.
Vic walked alongside her, while Bai Wei intentionally stayed one position behind. Before leaving, he cast a glance at the Senluo Divine Statue, about to be swallowed by darkness, and revealed a meaningful smile.
Upon leaving the first temple, they had officially embarked on the road leading to the sacrificial arena. On either side of the road were stone lanterns, one after another, yet none were lit. Upon closer inspection, it was clear they had been abandoned for a long time, with not even the ash of extinguished flames visible inside, evidently deserted for ages.
Whether it was out of fear or some other reason, Bai Wei noticed that Ivana, who was walking ahead, while talking to Vic, surreptitiously took hold of his hand and increased her pace, putting a few body lengths between herself and the leisurely Bai Wei. She also lowered her voice while speaking, though Vic seemed oblivious, still listening intently to Ivana.
This sight made Bai Wei verge on laughter.
In truth, the reason Ivana was so afraid of Bai Wei wasn’t due to some extraordinary perceptive ability but because Bai Wei was doing it deliberately.
Because Bai Wei knew what plans the Holy Lady had brewing in her mind, and Bai Wei needed those plans too.
Thus, Bai Wei needed to exert some pressure on her, preventing her from acting out her mischief too swiftly, allowing him to address some other pressing issues first.
As he gazed at Ivana’s back, with the help of [Listen], Bai Wei delved into the deepest recesses of her mind.
There lay an elderly woman, curled up on a dilapidated wooden bed, her murky eyes showing little vestiges of vitality.
This scene flickered by fleetingly.
Then it shifted to Ivana’s whispers, which she thought Bai Wei couldn’t hear.
"What’s your connection with that priest anyway? Do you know where he came from?"
"From Rhein? Then why do you trust him so much?"
"You’re just too quick to trust others! You ought to figure out who truly can aid you."
"Of course it would be me! You’re Senluo’s last hunter, and I’m Senluo’s last Holy Daughter. If we don’t establish a relationship of trust now, Senluo is doomed!"
"Hmm... Senluo truly is doomed; in that regard, you’re not wrong."