Sylas could only promise sincerely that no matter what, his door would always be open for Mirabel.
He repeated again and again: "I will always put you first, I promise…"
Hearing this, Mirabel naturally broke into a delighted smile.
But she still had a shred of conscience, remembering her Auntie Gwendolyn.
"Then Auntie Gwendolyn can be second. You're not allowed to make her sad either."
Sylas, meek and submissive, finally managed to placate Mirabel and send her on her way.
Only then did he cautiously approach Sister Seraphina's quarters.
As the Chancellor of the Left of Stonewold and the steward of the Chancellor's estate, he ought to meet this holy woman who was treating Gwendolyn.
Mirabel had brought her here, but she hadn't bothered to find out what the Sister might need.
Sylas had to ensure their guest was properly attended to.
"Sister Seraphina…" Sylas had just raised his hand to knock when he suddenly heard a coquettish, chiding voice from inside.
"Luna, I think your mind has been clouded! After all my efforts nurturing you, you actually don't want to cultivate sacred arts anymore?"
Sylas was shocked. He knew Luna was spiritual, but he never imagined the cat could actually practice sacred arts?
What astonished him even more was the sound of another girl's voice coming from inside the room.
"Master, didn't you say that only by experiencing the mortal world can one truly elevate their understanding? I was just… taking a little stroll, that's all."
Seraphina: "A stroll? You 'strolled' all the way from the Azurepeak Mountains to Northspire Palace?
All those towering mountain ranges couldn't stop you, is that it?"
"I just… caught a few rides, got sold by a few merchants, that's all."
"Enough. No more excuses. The fact that we, master and disciple, have reunited here is fate.
After I finish healing Gwendolyn, you will come with me to the Hanvale region.
The Governor of Hanvale is preparing a grand convocation. She has invited me to attend."
"This…"
The girl's voice grew much weaker, as if she were muttering to herself.
Then, he heard Seraphina exclaim: "A Puppet-Heart Potion? Are you sure?"
"Positive. I'll have the young master come in right now."
"Yes, quickly, ask him in! If it truly is a Puppet-Heart Potion, then I've found it without a single effort after searching far and wide!"
Before Sylas could even think of fleeing, the door swung open.
He saw a girl with snow-white hair and skin staring at him blankly.
She was as white as a pile of snow, with eyes the color of sapphires.
The icy beauty, Sister Seraphina, now wore an expression of sheer excitement, none of her previous aloofness remaining.
Sylas's mind went blank with a "Boom!"
This snow-white girl before him… was the Luna who had always been by his side?
His cat was a spirit?!
"..."
Sylas's legs gave way, and he stumbled backward.
This girl before him was a monster!
"Young Master!"
Luna dashed forward in a flash, catching him before he could fall.
Seraphina, seated inside, smiled slightly at Sylas's reaction, then waved her hand. A gust of wind swept them both into the room.
Immediately, Sylas felt a wave of warmth flow into his body.
His consciousness, which had been on the verge of fading, sharpened considerably.
He stared dumbfounded at the two women, saying fearfully, "I merely came to ask if the Sister had any special requirements.
The Chancellor's estate can provide for you.
I know nothing of anything else."
One was an accomplished holy woman, the other a shapeshifting cat-spirit.
He couldn't afford to offend either.
Luna sighed helplessly. "Young Master, I didn't mean to hide it from you.
But Master wouldn't recite the shapeshifting incantation for me, so I could only remain in my cat form."
As she said this, she shot a somewhat reproachful look at Seraphina.
Seraphina paid no mind to her disciple's displeasure.
She directly grabbed Sylas's arm, saw the red thread on his wrist, and her face lit up with joy, "Lord Sylas, I have heard of your… experiences.
It truly saddens the heart and brings tears to the eyes. So tragic."
Sylas's mouth twitched.
If it's so tragic, why do you look so happy?
He said resignedly, "Sister, in your benevolence, you must find suffering hard to witness…"
Seraphina hurriedly explained: "No, no, you misunderstand. I rather enjoy seeing all living beings suffer."
She tightly gripped Sylas's wrist, her expression making him genuinely afraid.
"This is a Puppet-Heart Potion. Give it to me."
"I have no objection to giving you the potion, but… how do I do that?"
Sylas asked, bewildered.
He had a growing feeling this holy woman was… unhinged.
"Hmm… Let me study it, study it…"
She released Sylas, clasped her hands behind her back, and began pacing the room, muttering to herself now and then.
Luna softly comforted him: "Young Master, don't be afraid. Master acts a bit… eccentric when she finds something she likes.
Normally, she's not like this. She's perfectly sane."
Sylas looked at the white-haired girl and swallowed slightly. He still couldn't quite reconcile this image with the cat-spirit who had once snuggled in his lap.
Just think about it: the cat you lovingly cared for suddenly turns into a white-haired girl. Isn't that utterly terrifying?
"Young Master, why are you looking at me like that? Ah, do you think I'm a bad cat?
Be honest, have I ever harmed you?" Luna immediately pouted unhappily and nudged him.
Sylas explained softly: "You've helped me several times, but… you're like this, and yet you were in my lap every day…"
Luna stated matter-of-factly: "Your petting felt good! Besides, other women force themselves on you. I've been very ladylike, haven't I?"
"..."
Put that way, she had a point…
"Aha!"
Seraphina, who had been pacing, suddenly turned around. She raised a finger, her eyes shining with excitement. "I have a brilliant idea."
Sylas quickly asked: "What idea?"
"Make you a bowl of noodles. Hanvale Noodles.
Your potion will definitely love it."
Sylas: "Sister, can your words be trusted? This potion is controlled by Her Majesty."
No matter how far he was from Mirabel, if she issued a command, Sylas had to obey obediently.
"Oh, right, right. The Puppet-Heart Potion is indeed that domineering. Otherwise, I wouldn't have searched for it so desperately."
Seraphina propped her chin on her hand, falling deep into thought again.
Then, she became excited once more: "That's simple enough. Luna, you go to Hanvale now. Learn how to make Noodles.
I will stay here for a month. Once you've learned it, return quickly.
The Puppet-Heart Potion adores such noodle dishes.
Did I get that right, Lord Sylas?"
Sylas nodded in surprise: "Yes, I've grown quite fond of noodles lately. Sister, your knowledge is truly vast."
Seraphina said dismissively: "A minor trick. In Ironpeak, you'd have to eat noodles whether you liked them or not."
Sylas: "..."
Sister, are you actually competent?
Then, Seraphina stared at him again.
After a long while, she said quietly, "However, if I wish to cultivate the potion I desire, I will need you to help nurture it, as it has grown accustomed to your body.
In a month, will you come with me to Hanvale? I wonder if you agree?"
P.S.: The last chance to escape.
After this escape, we begin the countdown to the finale.
How fast time flies.