Chapter 157: Let's All Submit to the Goddess's Feet!
Investigating the surrenderists is a very dangerous thing, because Loria not only has to deal with the armies they control, but also the assassins sent by the Hidden Leader.
With her current strength and skills, she doesn't feel any pressure dealing with those average quality armies.
She enters the situation at full strength, and it won't take long for her to exhaust those thousands of people, then she can walk out rejuvenated. Any succubus who sees her would obediently bow down and praise her while licking her feet.
However, she didn't dare to enter the enemy camp openly because of the assassins sent by the Hidden Leader.
Loria had already conducted multiple simulations on her way back to Count Lidilia's territory, and the results were quite terrible.
Although the rebel army organized by the surrender faction was facing only one path - defeat, their destructive power before their defeat can only be described as terrifying.
No matter how careful Loria was in the simulations, whenever she went up against these people, she would inevitably end up with a broken head and blood flowing.
Even if she had the support of the God Descending Card, it was useless because the opposing side had more people and was very cunning. They never attacked all at once. Once the effect of the God Descending Card ended, she would immediately become fish on the chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered.
How can this be played?
There were several times when Loria was unharmed, but those rascals just bypassed her and directly attacked the guildmaster and the others, which made her grind her teeth in frustration.
The thing that made her most angry was a Hidden Leader assassin called Red Cat.
This assassin is very powerful and has a lot of authority. Whenever Loria is blocked by her, there is absolutely no chance of escaping.
Usually, Red Cat wouldn't kill her right away. Instead, she would capture her and take her back to her own place. Then, she would often come to find her and practice their skills together.
This thing naturally couldn't be finished in just a day or two. Because Red Cat showed great restraint, Loria couldn't implement her plan to knock her unconscious and escape. In the end, she could only accept this outcome helplessly.
Although this outcome gave Loria a total of 7 endurance points, she still felt very upset.
"What does this woman think of me?"
A pleasure handling machine?
Can't I just find a succubus or geisha instead?
How annoying.
"Treating me like a succubus or geisha is bad enough, but not even paying a single penny? That's totally unfair! Even the monsters outside Creek Town are better than you. I will never forgive your behavior!"
Loria gritted her teeth and wanted revenge.
The best way to deal with these people is actually to escape, and then come back and mock them when they are almost wiped out by the empire. But Loria couldn't swallow her pride.
She was very forgiving.
However, her physical tolerance was strong, not her mental tolerance.
Those who offend me will have their rice eaten up!
Of course, the most crucial problem is that once she runs away with the guildmaster and the others, Count Lidilia's estate will be destroyed by the rebels.
The rebels passing through are like a swarm of locusts, and Count Lidilia's family's centuries of savings will all vanish into thin air.
And then...
And then, the guildmaster went bankrupt!
"Ah!"
On a hot day, Loria felt angry and cold.
She had wanted an easy and comfortable life relying on the wealthy the guildmaster, but if the guildmaster suddenly went bankrupt, she would not only lose the opportunity to live an easy life, but also have to find a way to make money to support the guildmaster.
"I still have a few days to strategize, I will never give up easily!"
For a better future, for a happy life, as soon as Loria returned to the big mansion of the guildmaster, she didn't have time to greet Miss Plump Sheep and immediately plunged into the room to find a solution to the problem.
Since she couldn't solve the problem on her own, she decided to seek help from others.
In the game, these assassins were defeated by knights sent by the empire and the church. She could contact them in advance and catch these assassins off guard.
The idea was perfect, but Loria encountered a problem as soon as she started to execute it.
[The knight from the royal knight group asked you if you have any evidence to prove that Count Norton has secretly joined the Hidden Leader. If you don't have direct evidence, your actions may be considered as defaming the noble of the empire, and you will face legal consequences.]
"？？？"
[You try to explain, but since you don't have direct evidence, the other person doesn't believe what you say and prepares to call someone to arrest you.]
"Oh my goodness, what kind of world is this? I kindly reminded you, and if you don't believe it, it's fine, but now you're actually calling people to arrest me?"
Loria became very angry.
This terrible emperor is not worthy of being called a human being. At this moment, it would be better to rebel directly, go to the imperial capital, and take the emperor's position!
This is what she thought, and this is also what the Loria in the simulation thought.
[After considering the strength of the royal knights, you decide to seek revenge later. So, before the people who are trying to capture you arrive, you escape.]
Since there is no breakthrough from the royal knight group, Loria can only try to find a way with the Goddess Church.
This time she wasn't being troubled by anyone, but the problem is, unlike the royal knights who are stationed in various places, the golden knights of the Goddess Church stay in the imperial capital every day.
The news spread from the Count Lidilia's vicinity to the imperial capital, and after some time, it reached the ears of the golden knights. When the golden knights rushed over upon hearing the news, Loria had already been taken away by that red cat.
After a big battle, she was rescued, but with her body drenched, clothes disheveled, and her bosom fully exposed, her reputation was completely ruined.
"This is not okay, that is not okay, can't anything go well for once?"
Loria was tired of it.
But it's not time to give up yet. She can only search for evidence while finding a way to quickly contact the golden knights.
In the evening, Loria's door was knocked.
She walked over and opened the door, seeing Tracy standing outside with a rigid expression. "Your friend came to see you."
"Thank you."
Loria never expected that the person knocking on the door would be Tracy.
She walked to the door and closed it behind her, just as she was about to go downstairs, Tracy called out to her.
"What did you and sister do at the military academy?"
"Not much, just went to see some old friends and paid homage to the goddess."
Loria felt it was better not to tell Tracy about the dangerous thing, and obviously the guildmaster had no intent to tell her either, or Tracy wouldn't have come asking.
"Why are you saying the same thing?"
Tracy's face showed displeasure.
Loria snorted lightly, it's an adult matter, why are you, a child, getting involved? Go back and practice your piano.
She made a gesture to leave, but Tracy suddenly stepped in her way.
"Things definitely can't be this simple. When my sister left and came back, she was completely different. Something must have happened between you two. Tell me!"
"Nothing happened between us!"
Loria looked very serious.
This time she wasn't lying. She and the guildmaster had taken baths together before, and Tracy had even seen it with her own eyes.
Tracy naturally didn't believe her. Not only did she not let Loria off the hook, but she also tried to push her forward, giving Loria a big bump.
But unfortunately, facing the pressure from Tracy, Loria had no intention of backing down. She even lifted her head and straightened her chest.
Isn't it just playing with a ball?
You make it sound like I'm afraid of bumping into you.
Although you can use your height advantage to pressure me from above, the thickness of my body can easily push you away. Not everyone has a big chest like the guildmaster.
After a brief standoff with Loria, Tracy was the first to surrender. She retreated repeatedly, still trying to find a way to force Loria, when suddenly the door in the distance opened and Countess walked out.
"Tracy? What are you doing here?"
Her gaze wandered between Loria and Tracy, then she quickly walked up to Tracy.
"Don't talk to strangers with unknown backgrounds."
And just like that, Tracy was forcibly dragged away by Countess.
Ha, I, a stranger with an unknown background?
Loria puffed her cheeks and after a few seconds, decided not to stoop to Countess' level.
"Hmph, foolish woman, do you even know what terrible entity you've provoked? It's only because I'm magnanimous, otherwise I would make sure you never leave your bed again!"
Loria went downstairs and left.
Miss Plump Sheep and Lady Luciene came to find her.
With the idea of staying wherever, she first went out to eat a big meal with Miss Plump Sheep and them.
After eating, Loria started the third simulation at Miss Plump Sheep's temporary residence.
She thought that fighting alone wasn't enough, so she focused her attention on Count Lidilia.
Count Lidilia has been hiding his true strength all these years. In reality, he is a B-tier sword saint, even ten the guildmasters combined wouldn't be enough for him.
Loria didn't really expect Count Lidilia to take care of the assassins sent by the Hidden Leader, she mainly wanted to use Count Lidilia's connections.
There is strength in numbers.
Unless absolutely necessary, Loria didn't want to face the enemy alone, it's too lonely.
[You told Count Lidilia that Count Norton next door had secretly joined the Hidden Leader. Initially, Count Lidilia didn't believe it, but he fell silent after you mentioned the guildmaster.]
[You say this is also for the good of the guildmaster. Once Count Norton openly rebels, Count Lidilia will inevitably be impacted. the guildmaster has gone against Province of Claren and Hidden Leader before, surely becoming a thorn in their side. Even if the guildmaster can escape by then, the inheritance will also be greatly diminished.]
These words directly caused a change in Count Lidilia's attitude, and also changed Loria's heart.
She finally understood.
From the very beginning, Count Lidilia believed that the guildmaster was his heir.
No matter the relationship between the guildmaster and him, he didn't change his mind.
"Thinking this way, Countess and Tracy are a bit pitiful."
Loria was unsure of how Tracy thought, but Countess clearly had the idea of wanting her daughter to replace the guildmaster in inheriting Count Lidilia's estate written all over her face.
For this reason, she worked hard to train Tracy and shaped her into an "all-rounder."
However, it was in vain.
Perhaps it was because Count Lidilia felt that the guildmaster was his eldest daughter, or maybe it was because he thought the guildmaster was his legitimate daughter, or perhaps it was because he felt the guildmaster was similar to him. No matter how hard Tracy tried, she couldn't bridge the gap between them, not even by a single centimeter.
"It's so awful, so terribly awful."
Loria silently shook her head.
If Tracy knew the truth, would she regret all the effort she put in, feeling that it would have been better to have enjoyed life from the very beginning?
Just like her.
After all, Tracy is the daughter of the count. Even though she can't inherit the family business, it's quite easy for her to live a comfortable life.
But Loria had no intention of gossiping, so she decided to let things take their natural course.
With the help of Count Lidilia, she finally managed to find assistance from the royal knights in this simulation.
Through the investigation of the royal knights, Count Norton inadvertently revealed a flaw in his panicked state.
The surrender party also had differences, but this surrender party didn't do well. He just got asked a few questions and his face changed, which immediately caught the attention of the royal knights.
With no other choice, the assassin sent by the Hidden Leader could only strike early.
To deal with these royal knights, they couldn't hold back at all.
Loria didn't participate in it, but instead hid to gather information. This observation made her realize that she couldn't confront them head-on because there were two assassins on the level of B-grade adventurers on the other side.
After using the God Descending Card, she can only temporarily withstand one person at most.
But it's not a big problem, with Count Lidilia and the royal knights, she has great potential.
"And..."
Loria opened her inventory and checked the goddess statues stored inside.
She learned from Vita that the people of the Hidden Leader believe in Weaver. If these non-core member assassins also believe in Weaver, then the goddess statues in her hands should be very useful.
"Oh mighty goddess, please grant me the power for this land that you love. I will make all the treacherous people bow at your feet!"
Loria bowed to the empty space and continued looking at the simulated content.
When she raised her head, she was startled to find that it was pouring rain outside the window.
"Just a moment ago, it was sunny out. What kind of strange weather is this?"
Even though she didn't need to hurry to pick up her clothes, it was time for her to go back. Otherwise, the guildmaster would worry.
Loria said goodbye to Miss Plump Sheep and walked into the rain, holding an umbrella.
She stopped by a café and through the glass wall, she saw someone familiar—
Countess！
The countess had specifically changed her clothes and appearance, but Loria still recognized her at a glance. She was sitting with someone, sipping coffee—a man.
"？"
Loria instinctively touched her head.
Is Count Lidilia's head turning green?
With curiosity burning within her, she approached, undeterred by the strong wind and rain. With her abilities, she could still hear what the countess was saying.
"Madam, please consider it again. This is not just for you and Tracy, but for the entire Lidilia family's well-being."
The man pushed a piece of paper in front of the countess.
The countess pressed her hand onto the paper, remaining silent.
"Please make sure to keep it safe."
The man nodded, put on a polite face, and left the café.
"What is written on the paper?"
Loria wanted to take a peek, but the countess directly put the paper into her sleeve.
After about five minutes, the countess got up and left the café. She stopped by a trash bin, looked around, and took out the paper, staring at it blankly.
It seemed like she would stare at it for a whole year.
Finally, she sighed and tore the paper into pieces, then threw it directly into the trash bin.
As soon as her figure disappeared in the rain, Loria rushed over, trying to piece the torn paper shreds back together.
But she quickly gave up on the idea because the paper was torn into pieces, soaked together by the rain, and the words on it became completely blurred.
"Why the heck is it raining? Did we eat too much and get stuffed?"
Loria muttered angrily.
Drip, the sky suddenly flashed with lightning.
"Still thundering, I'll hit you with a hammer!"
She kicked the trash can in anger, then walked towards the guildmaster's house. This was very unusual and needed to be investigated seriously.
Just as she had walked a short distance away, another lightning bolt tore through the rain, straight and hit the trash can.
