Chapter 695: Jessica’s Plight

“First, tell me what happened.”

Jessica had been telling the truth. In a way, they were the reason she had ended up like this, so Loren felt somewhat guilty and wanted to help her.

“After you left, the Church began purging everyone connected to you... Anyone who had tried to curry favor with you was dealt with.

“It wasn’t just me... Even Princess Sylvia, who had once tried to get close to you, was thrown in prison... A lot of people died...”

Even though Jessica had already been to the battlefield, she still felt afraid when she thought back to what had happened then.

“Our former classmates were all arrested and interrogated one by one. Since I was closest to you, they interrogated me especially harshly...”

Jessica trembled, her voice unconsciously growing agitated.

“That was when they took my parents. I can’t say I never considered betraying you, but I truly didn’t know anything about you, so I made up a few things that sounded plausible...

“They went and checked every single one, but it was no use...”

Jessica was telling the truth. Loren didn’t hold it against her too much for having once considered betraying Luna. After all, Loren and the others hadn’t actually suffered any harm.

Besides, Jessica was willing to tell them about it.

Back then, her parents could have died at any moment, while Luna was only her best friend. Letting her parents die just to keep her friend’s information secret was not something an ordinary person could do.

“They originally wanted to kill me outright, but I told them how strong I really was so I could stay alive...

“Afterward, the people from the Church discussed it and decided to spare me. They sent me to the battlefield to make use of whatever value I had left.

“I haven’t been back since. I’ve been on the battlefield for almost four years...

“I haven’t received any other information during that time. The people in the army treated me as a weapon of war and gave me no authority at all. They often kept vital information from me, so I nearly died several times.

“Sometimes they’d send me things that belonged to my parents, but it was usually hair or fingernails that had been pulled out whole...”

At this, Jessica gave a bitter smile.

“Judging by the blood on the fingernails, they’d been pulled out recently. At least that proves my parents are still alive...”

“Jessica...”

Luna could feel how miserable Jessica’s life had been all this time, and guilt washed over her.

After all, in a way, Luna was the reason Jessica had ended up like this.

If Jessica hadn’t always stood by Luna, she might have missed out on many opportunities, but she wouldn’t have sunk to this point.

“I’m sorry...”

Luna lowered her head and apologized.

Jessica gave a bitter smile and shook her head before continuing.

“This isn’t your fault, and it isn’t mine either. It’s the damn Church’s fault.

“The Church taught us from childhood how evil witches were. I used to believe it completely, but then I met you.

“I can’t speak for the other witches, but you, Luna, are the kindest girl I’ve ever met.

“And I can feel how good you’ve been to me. I hold grudges, but I remember kindness even more...

“Master Mentor, without you, I wouldn’t even have dared to dream of becoming a Mid-Tier Mage, let alone a Sixth-Tier Mage...”

Jessica meant every word. Though none of her abilities were particularly outstanding and she was an ordinary person, she could tell right from wrong.

So Loren decided to help her.

“Jessica, take this and say that you’re willing to exchange the remaining ninety percent of your lifespan for Intelligence.”

Loren placed the Temperance Card in Jessica’s hand. It was the best way to grow stronger quickly. Anything faster wasn’t as safe, and anything safer wasn’t as fast. There weren’t many methods that were even close to being as safe.

“All right...”

Jessica took the Temperance Card and did as he said. She didn’t understand why Loren wanted her to do this, but she would do whatever he told her.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, she felt her understanding of magic suddenly break through, and her mind became clear in an instant.

“And now, this...”

After taking back the Temperance Card, Loren brought out the demon card again. This time, however, he didn’t give her much, only a hundred years of lifespan.

“Good. You should now be about as strong as a mid-level High-Ranking Mage. You’ll be able to fight most beings in this world. As long as you don’t provoke an Angel, you can live very comfortably.

“Next, come with us to fight that monster from the Plague Church. I can create illusions, so you can fake your death there.

“After that, I’ll strike back at the Bountiful Church, teach them a lesson, and rescue your parents. Of course, I’ll have them fake their deaths too.

“Then all of you just need to go live somewhere remote and peaceful, and wait for me to kill all the Orthodox Gods.”

“Th-thank you... Master Mentor...”

In an instant, all the grievances Jessica had been holding in came pouring out, and tears streamed down her face.

“All right. There’s no time to waste. Let’s get going.”

Loren stood up, straightened his black robe, and prepared to leave.

“Wait... How are you going to find my parents? They’re afraid I’ll go back to rescue them, so they’re hiding very well...”

“We’ll grab a high-ranking Church member and interrogate him. Once he tells us, we’ll kill him.”

Loren’s solution was simple and brutal, but it would work.

Luna nodded and clenched her fists, her eyes filled with hatred. Loren even felt like asking Ligoss to give her a hand.

“Luna, call the Commander outside in. Tell him you’re taking Jessica to hunt down that monster. That’ll make taking her with us seem perfectly reasonable.”

“All right.”

Luna nodded, put on the mask that blocked others from recognizing her again, and led Jessica out of the military tent. Loren activated the Hermit card and followed behind them.

“My lord... Jessica is awake?”

The moment he saw Luna come out, the Commander hurried over, his expression turning obsequious.

The other soldiers looked over as well. They were curious to see what the powerful person who had suddenly appeared from nowhere and turned the tide of battle was like.

“Yes. I’m taking her to hunt down that monster from the Plague Church.”

“Why her...”

Hearing Jessica’s name, the Commander looked troubled. After all, her identity was unusual.

“Because she’s the strongest. If you think you’re strong enough, you can come with me too.”

“Forget it, forget it...”

The Commander quickly refused. Continuing to fight here was dangerous, but going to hunt down that monster would mean certain death. At least he had enough sense to know that.

“Are there any brave ones in the army willing to come with me and hunt down that monster?”

Luna shifted her gaze from the Commander to the soldiers and asked. The soldiers immediately looked away.

Loren hadn’t planned any of this, but Luna was right: doing this would leave a stronger impression on everyone and make her taking Jessica with her seem more reasonable.

Loren once again marveled at Luna’s growth.