After returning home, Eros strolled toward the inner courtyard. Passing through the garden, he happened to see Estelle sitting on a stone bench, enjoying her morning tea.
Because the entire Duke’s Manor was equipped with underground heating, the outdoor temperature remained pleasant even in November. Combined with the rare appearance of the sun today, Estelle had chosen to have her tea amidst the greenery.
She wore an elegant, simple pale-yellow gown, sitting with a poised and calm demeanor. The warm sunlight bathed her soft profile, lending her an extra touch of gentleness.
When she saw Eros walking in from the outer court, a smile flickered in her water-like eyes, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, her brow soon furrowed as she looked behind him and saw no one else.
Fortunately, she knew her children well. Seeing Eros’s casual, wandering gait, she knew her daughter was likely fine. As Eros drew near, Estelle asked with a hint of confusion:
"Why are you back so soon? Wasn't the assessment supposed to last a few more days? And where is your sister?"
Eros plopped down beside Estelle, grabbed a few sweets from the table, and ate them in quick succession. He followed it with a gulp of tea before sighing in satisfaction.
"There was an issue with the Sin Realm, so the assessment ended early. I returned to Intiles through the Spirit Realm with Lord Regexima, the Storm High Priest of the Church of the Sea, so it was faster."
"Undine should be back tonight, but she’ll likely head straight to the Academy. She probably won't come home until the Academy finishes processing the compensations."
Estelle’s gentle eyes widened in shock. She sat stunned for a good while before asking in an uncertain tone:
"A Storm High Priest?"
"Yeah! A Storm High Priest!" Eros confirmed with a nonchalant nod.
Estelle’s gaze wavered. After a moment, she spoke with some difficulty, "That is a High-Positioned One of at least Sequence 2! Why... why would a High-Positioned One be involved? What exactly happened?"
She couldn't fathom why a problem in a low-level resource realm used for student exams would alert someone of that caliber. It was as absurd as hearing the Emperor had dispatched ten million soldiers just to catch one wild boar. It was an utter overkill, bordering on the ridiculous.
Eros glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then sighed softly. "Estelle... do you know? Undine and I almost didn't make it back this time."
Estelle’s heart hammered against her ribs. She didn't even notice Eros using her first name, asking urgently, "What happened?"
Eros gave a brief summary of the anomalies in the Sin Realm. When he mentioned an Evil God slumbering for ten thousand years suddenly awakening and casting a gaze upon the realm, Estelle nearly forgot to breathe. Hearing that the realm had begun sinking toward the Abyss due to that contamination, she felt as if a hand had gripped her heart.
After a long silence, Estelle let out a long, shaky breath. "Thank goodness you’re both safe... thank goodness."
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Looking at her, Eros gave a cheeky grin. "I have some good news to tell you!"
"What good news?" Estelle asked, blinking.
"The Ling accumulated in my body has already met the requirements for Sequence 6. As long as I get a Profane Spark (亵渎火种), I can consume the potion and advance!" Eros said with a touch of pride.
Estelle’s mouth hung open. "How... how is it so fast?"
Indeed, how? Eros had only advanced to Sequence 7 recently. Even with the baptism from the Great One, this speed was beyond comprehension.
Eros’s expression stiffened for a second. He coughed and muttered vaguely, "I encountered some... opportunities during this trip."
Disgusting opportunities, but opportunities nonetheless.
The reason he could fill his Ling reserves so quickly was the Spirit Worms he had consumed. Those worms contained the bulk of a powerful Specter’s spiritual essence. Even though he only digested a tiny fraction, it had maxed out his Sequence 7 progress bar. The rest had been devoured by Barbara.
Of course, this method was unique to him. Spirit Worms carried severe contamination—the kind that would turn anyone else into a mindless Specter or cause them to explode instantly. Only someone like Eros, who was immune to such corruption, could treat them like a snack.
Estelle didn't doubt him. Replacing her shock with a look of maternal pride, she said, "I’ll have people prepare the potion for you immediately. Though for Sequence 6, some materials might need to be sent from the main family estate, so it might take a while."
Eros waved her off. "No need! Why go through all that trouble?" Seeing her confusion, he grinned. "I’ll just go to the Church and ask for it! Surely they won't deny their God-Son his advancement potion, right?"
Estelle blinked. That works? I guess... it does! Eros’s words had opened a new door of logic for her.
As they chatted, the air settled, and Estelle suddenly sniffed the air. Her expression turned peculiar. She glanced at Eros but said nothing.
Her movement wasn't hidden, and Eros realized it instantly. He had spent the night with Natalia and hadn't bathed; he was likely still carrying the scent of her perfume. Estelle hadn't noticed earlier in her excitement, but now that she was calm, the scent was unmistakable.
Eros’s expression turned wooden. He let out a dry laugh and quickly found an excuse to bolt. "I haven't washed up yet this morning. I'll go do that now. Also, this priest robe is a bit uncomfortable; I’m going to change."
With that, he made his escape.
Estelle watched his retreating back. She reached for her teacup, but as it touched her lips, she remembered his comment about "not having washed up yet." She set the cup back down, replaced it with a fresh one, poured new tea, and only then took a sip.
As Eros hurried toward his room, a glamorous, mature woman stepped out from around a corner. It was Lady Florica, looking several years younger. Her face appeared no older than twenty-four or twenty-five.
"Good morning, Lady Florica," Eros greeted with a nod.
Florica was about to reply when she, too, sniffed the air. The greeting died in her throat. Her eyes curved into crescents as she chuckled softly. "It seems Your Highness had a very... wonderful night."
Eros gave a forced laugh. "Not at all! I just happened to share a carriage with a lady this morning. Her perfume must have rubbed off on me."
Lady Florica rolled her eyes, her gaze playful and teasing. "Do you want to bet if I can tell the difference between perfume and... something else?"
She trailed off suggestively. Eros could only continue his awkward chuckling. Florica then let out a soft sigh, making Eros wonder what was wrong, until she spoke in a slightly melancholic tone:
"Would Your Highness rather seek out women on the outside than come to me? Do you find me distasteful?"
Eros’s mouth twitched. He whispered awkwardly, "My Lady! Irina can hear you."
Florica burst into a giggle, tapping Eros on the chest with a finger. "I’m just teasing! Alright, I see you're heading off to wash up, so I won't delay you. Thank you for your 'miracle'—I truly feel much younger now."
With that, she walked away, her high heels clicking rhythmically. Once she disappeared around the corner, Irina emerged from Eros’s shadow, staring at him with a perfectly expressionless face.
Eros could only keep up the dry laugh. "You heard her. She was just joking."
Irina gave a curt nod, her voice devoid of emotion. "I know she was joking."