Chapter 44
However, before the Holy Maiden could speak, the major stationed in the royal army, who was connected with them, spoke first, "Your Highness, we have discovered that the Holy Maiden's starship has intruded into the airspace above the Royal Forest without authorization, and we strongly suspect that she has aggressive tendencies."
They had neither a pass nor a permit. Although they held an entry permit for the Imperial capital star, they couldn't possibly be unaware of how far the Church of Light was from the Empire, or how much energy the starship would require to travel from the Church of Light to the Imperial capital star. It was impossible for them not to check before setting off.
How could there be a shortage of energy? There's only one possible reason why a starship might run out of energy.
It was done on purpose.
However, despite the major's accusations and the gazes of the elders, the Heavenly Maiden remained calm, inexplicably like a replica of Hughes, her eyes always showing a calm demeanor no matter what happened.
Xia Qian couldn't help but make comparisons.
At the same time, the saintess looked over and calmly asked, "Why does my starship's insufficient energy and emergency landing mean I intend to attack?"
Her voice was melodious and pleasant, with a hint of coldness. "Isn't this a bit unreasonable?"
"I am quite familiar with Prince Hughes, why would I do this?"
The Celestial Maiden subconsciously looked at Hughes, but at that moment, a figure blocked her way—it was Elder Gao.
Although aged, his towering figure represented a pinnacle of the empire in the eyes of countless people; his position as the head of the Elder Council was not merely a title.
“Even if the energy supply is insufficient,” Elder Gao said gently, “this is not a reason for you to barge in so rashly, Holy Maiden.”
"According to the Imperial Air Defense Forces Law, what you've done constitutes an invasion. We have the right to take appropriate action."
His tone was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority. In contrast to his gentle tone was his serious expression. He stood in front of Hughes, preventing the Celestial Maiden from seeing him, as if silently implying that she was not worthy to speak to Hughes.
Hughes is the crown prince, the most beloved prince in the empire. Who is she then?
Having broken away from the Church of Light and no longer within the territory of the United Kingdom, her status as a saintess was limited to speaking only in accordance with Elder Gao.
To speak in accordance with their Crown Prince?
Unworthy.
“Let them handle things here,” Hughes said softly, holding the girl’s hand beside him. “Let’s go do what we need to do.”
"Let them come?" Xia Qian seemed unable to believe what she had just heard. She stared blankly at Hughes, her eyes repeatedly scanning his expression. The boy's expression remained unchanged, but the situation was different now. The female lead, the Heavenly Maiden, had appeared before him.
Why does Hughes look exactly the same?
Aren't they soulmates?
Why is there absolutely no spark of chemistry...?
Before Xia Qian could react, Hughes had already taken her hand, turned around, and continued towards the mechanical platform, seemingly unconcerned about what was happening outside, or more accurately, completely disregarding the Church of Light.
Elder Gao seemed to still be saying something, but Xia Qian couldn't hear it anymore. She subconsciously turned her head, as if she wanted to take another look at the image of the Holy Maiden projected on the electronic device screen behind her. Just then, the Holy Maiden of Heavenly Melody spoke clearly in the hall, "Your Highness Hughes, I want to speak with you."
The saintess's voice clearly echoed in the hall, and before anyone could react, another voice rang out, this time a cold, mechanical one. It abruptly began to beep, and a clear, cold mechanical voice announced, "System reminder: The countdown to the test has begun. Testers, please prepare as soon as possible."
The Celestial Maiden was startled. Her face, which had been cold and indifferent for millennia, showed a crack for the first time, as if something had suddenly slipped out of her control. Her expression was somewhat difficult to control, but it vanished in an instant, so quickly that it was almost invisible.
She raised her head, adopting her usual aloof expression, and was about to continue speaking when a gaze was fixed on her, as if it had been watching her all along, taking in all her actions. The saintess subconsciously followed that gaze and found that the person looking at her was the girl next to Hughes.
Delicate and beautiful, she was clearly a flower raised in a greenhouse. She was unbelievably beautiful, yet also unbelievably delicate, as if she could be crushed with a single touch. Like a porcelain doll, she had fair and delicate skin, a slender and frail body, and a waist that could be encircled with one hand.
She is a beautiful young girl, a very pretty girl.
"What needs to be said, others will tell you properly." The boy's cold voice fell, his long, narrow, deep blue eyes staring at her, like a dark abyss, nothing could escape his eyes. His hand, representing the boy's possessiveness, gently pulled the girl into his arms, not allowing others to see.
"That's all, what else do you want to say to me?"
His voice was cold and indifferent, as unapproachable as ever.
They showed absolutely no respect.
At the same time, the mechanical voice came from the hall again. However, before the saintess could speak, the voice was clear enough for her to hear clearly: "The spiritual energy purity test is about to begin. You will have five minutes to prepare. Please place your blood on the system identification platform."
Spiritual energy purity test?
That's a test that ordinary people are only required to take when they want to break through their social class.
Hughes is helping the girl take tests, helping her jump social classes.
The Celestial Maiden lowered her eyes, her long hair obscuring her eyelids, so no one could see what she was thinking.
So Hughes has spoiled that girl to this extent?
"It might hurt a little later." He spoke to the girl in a low voice, holding her small hand as if playing with it, yet also as if gently holding it. His slender fingers held her small hand with gentle care. Hughes said, "We need to draw some blood from your index finger for a purity test."
"Hughes..." Xia Qian's voice was soft as she looked at his handsome face, as if she couldn't understand him.
There should be sparks.
But why did they look at each other without any spark between them...?
But reality didn't give Xia Qian more time. Her figure and the Heavenly Maiden's figure had gradually faded into the distance, until they were no longer visible.
Unbeknownst to Xia Qian, at the same time, on the Light Church's starship, the Holy Maiden stood alone at the control panel, her back to everyone on the starship. Apart from the Empire's side, no one on the Light Church's starship could see the Holy Maiden's expression.
At the same time, a warning gaze silently descended, fixing on the slender back of the Heavenly Maiden.
It was as if it were a warning, a final reminder of danger.
The Celestial Maiden lowered her eyes. Although her face was usually cold and aloof, when she lowered her head, she evoked a feeling of tenderness. "Our starship is running out of energy, and I'm not feeling well either. I'd like to resupply and rest for a while."
The saintess paused, her voice, which had always been cold and aloof, now revealed a hint of vulnerability, "I hope the elders will agree."
Before the other elders could exchange bewildered glances and offer an answer, the saintess spoke again, "I spoke with His Highness Hans before I came, and he agreed to let me stay for a while."
Hans?!
The other elders looked at each other, each seeing a sense of helplessness on the other's face.
Therefore, the Illuminati's starship did not intrude rashly, but rather had already made arrangements with Hans beforehand.
What does this mean?
Is Hans a pig?!
They've actually gotten involved with the Church of Light!
When did they board the plane?
And yet he still wants to officially become the Crown Prince of the Empire from second in line to heir? What a fool!
The elders' expressions were not good. If it weren't for Elder Gao's long-standing experience and his gentle expression, he would probably have looked like the others. He smiled gently and said, "Then stay here. Let the royal army follow you and guide you."
The faces of those aboard the Church of Light starship immediately turned grim, so this was also their intention not to withdraw.
Everyone looked at the Celestial Maiden with complicated expressions, no one understanding what she was planning to do.
Why bring up Prince Hans all of a sudden? They know he's the second in line to the throne, so mentioning him at this sensitive time is sensitive not only to him but also to them. It's clearly a great trump card, but it's been suddenly released.
What was supposed to be a lethal attack has now become completely ineffective, and has only made the people of the Empire more wary of them.
What is the saintess thinking?
They can all figure it out, so how could the Holy Maiden, who is so intelligent, not understand it? What is she up to?
This incident, caused by the sudden intrusion of the Church of Light, has thus come to a peaceful temporary end. The Royal Navy warships continued in their original posture, always ready to attack, and supervised the proper landing of the Church of Light starships.
Meanwhile, Xia Qian's side was unusually quiet.
It was as if nothing from the outside could reach this place.
The machine had already set up the identification platform. All Xia Qian's blood needed to do was drip it onto the dropper. However, the boy held that small hand, her pink fingers intertwined with his slender fingers. He entwined the small hand, as if playing with it, or as if reluctant to let it go.
A drop of blood must be dripped from here.
Hughes's eyes darkened; what was he to do?
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