The thought of this made Eileen panic.
She couldn't care less about winning over Aldrich right now; her priority was to protect her reputation, at least... to get that idiot Dolores to give in for her!
Eileen realized what was going on and quickly ran to Ruan Qing'an's side, reaching out to grab her arm: "Dolores, I know you're still angry with me because of what happened last night, but this matter is important, and now is not the time to be angry with me."
"Old stories are often subject to much debate, and the truth of the matter cannot be summarized by a single document. Moreover, Aldrich was just a child back then, mentally incomplete, and had no memory of what happened. How could he possibly explain it clearly?"
Eileen paused, then said seriously, "If we really want to investigate what happened back then, Dolores, we should at least do some more research. How can we so arbitrarily decide someone else's life?"
Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow: "Really? In that case, Eileen, how do you intend to resolve this?"
Seeing that Ruan Qing'an did not refute her, Eileen was secretly pleased. She then said, "How about this, let's leave it at that for today. Once we get to the bottom of this, we will definitely stand up for Aldrich. Is that alright?"
Kevin, standing nearby, nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes!"
He knew perfectly well that as long as Ruan Qingan could leave first and give him some time to prepare, Kevin would always find a way to escape!
Seeing that Ruan Qingan did not speak, Eileen assumed it was because of Aldrich, so she turned to Aldrich and advised, "So many years have passed, Aldrich."
"Don't live in hatred forever. Your future is still long and bright. You must learn to look forward."
“Aldrich, think about it carefully. Even if you kill Kevin today, will your mother come back? Will you really be happy? I don’t think so. By the God of Light, the true way to face hatred is to let go of hatred and forgive sin.”
“Aldrich, don’t let hatred turn you into that kind of person. You must believe that the God of Light will punish him.”
No matter what Eileen said, Aldridge remained unmoved.
Then he suddenly said, "I don't know if I'll be happy if I kill him, but I definitely won't be happy if I don't kill him."
Eileen, who was practically drooling from talking: ? ? ?
She paused for a moment, probably because she hadn't expected Aldrich to be so stubborn and difficult to deal with, just like Nguyen Thanh An.
Eileen then pointed to the slave market behind her, especially the largest trading area marked out by Kevin in the center, and said, "Aldrich, do you know what happens to these slaves if their slave owners die?"
“They won’t be released; instead, they will lose all protection and won’t even be able to get enough to eat. They will lose their value as commodities. Who will pay for their survival?”
“Aldrich, you were also born a slave. Why can’t you think about them? If they could be sold to a good master, like you, it would be a change of fate.”
Ruan Qing'an looked at Eileen, who had been speaking up for Aldrich last night, but was now talking about the commodity value of slaves and the benevolence of slave owners. He couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes filled with intense sarcasm—compared to Dolores's blatant malice.
Eileen is the one who truly destroys one's spirit.
Eileen was speaking earnestly when she suddenly heard laughter. She instinctively looked up and asked, "Dolores, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, Eileen. I think you're amazing."
"Dolores, the fact that you understand is the best—"
Ruan Qingan interrupted her: "You have a fairly flexible moral bottom line and principles, and my talent is indeed no match for yours."
Stuck Eileen: Are you two both so good at talking?
Nguyen Thanh An stood up and put one hand on Aldrich's shoulder. The tall man was silent at this moment. Without the innocence of a child, a sense of oppression and aggression came over him.
She laughed and said, "Eileen, I don't want to hear it anymore. I think Aldridge doesn't need you to replace him and forgive the hatred of the past."
"But--"
Before Eileen could finish speaking, Ruan Qingan turned to Aldridge beside him and said in a deep voice, "Go do what you want to do."
"...Yes, Master."
Aldridge did not refuse.
Ruan Qing'an could even more keenly perceive that the active black light spots around her were becoming more excited, as if... something had been awakened, but she simply lowered her eyes, her gaze flickering slightly.
The Lancaster family servants no longer hesitated because of Eileen. They quickly stepped forward and surrounded Kevin, blocking all his escape routes. For a moment, Kevin had no way to escape!
Just then, Aldridge stepped forward.
Although Kevin knew that this slave was neither a magician nor a warrior, the mere sight of his demonic eyes, seemingly filled with viscous darkness, sent chills down Kevin's spine.
He instinctively cried out, "Saintess Irene! Saintess Irene!"
Seeing Kevin pleading for help, and Aldrich drawing his longsword from a servant and walking toward Kevin, Eileen's face turned completely ugly—this was a slap in the face!
"Murder in the street? The Church of Light will never allow it!"
Eileen gave a sharp rebuke, and as Aldrich stepped forward, she immediately clasped her hands together, bowed her head, and silently recited a prayer. Light elements gathered around her, and then—
A golden lightsaber suddenly materialized and then slashed down directly in front of Aldrich with tremendous force.
Enraged by being ignored, Eileen lost her temper and used excessive force.
"When will you be able to represent the Church of Light?"
Just then, Ruan Qing'an's sneer rang out. The instant the lightsaber fell, a fiery red magic circle appeared beneath Aldrich's feet. Immediately afterward, fire snakes formed from condensed fire elements emerged from the circle, affectionately circling around Aldrich—
With a loud 'boom'!
The fire serpent met the lightsaber head-on, easily crushing it to pieces, and even continued its momentum, charging straight towards Eileen!
Its immense power is almost irresistible.
Eileen screamed and instinctively backed away, only to fall flat on her backside, soiling even her pristine saintly robes. The fire serpent stopped right in front of her, so close that Eileen could feel its intense heat.
Her face turned deathly pale with fright, and she stared blankly at Ruan Qing'an: "Instantaneous magic circle, superb power control, you..."
"When...did you become...stronger...?"
Eileen's throat was parched, and she could barely speak. Why was it that while she was striving to become a high-level mage, Ruan Qing'an had advanced even further ahead of her?!
Ruan Qing'an offered no explanation, but simply looked at Aldrich and said in a deep voice, "Go and take your revenge."
"Today, I'd like to see—"
"Who among those I, Dolores, want dead dares to protect him while he's under my protection!"
Upon hearing this, the nobles who had been watching the spectacle in a circle all took a half step back. Even Eileen's words had no effect, so who would dare to act recklessly? When Kevin saw that his proud "connections" were actually like this, his face instantly turned deathly pale.
Who else would dare to protect him...?
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