Ren looked at the terrified group of women, more than two hundred in total, and said, "Those from Priestella, and those who wish to stay in Priestella, stand up."
Not a single person dared to move. Although they had heard the screams outside just now, they hadn't seen anyone die, so they wouldn't act recklessly. That man was too terrifying.
Ram used wind magic to blow the corpses into the room, showing a look of extreme disgust.
Unfortunately, Ren had struck the face, leaving it unrecognizable, but everyone present could tell from the strange body that it was the demon.
As one trembling girl stood up, more and more girls followed. For the sake of killing Regulus, they were willing to risk their own lives, and Ren was their savior.
"Do any of you still have a family?" Ren asked softly.
"Wah… no… he killed my parents," one girl cried.
As one person began to vent, sadness spread across the room. They lamented all the evils Regulus had committed over the years, while hating themselves for even forgetting their own names.
They vented their hatred by insulting Regulus's corpse.
Those who could use magic even bombarded the body, leaving nothing behind for him.
"From now on, everyone will settle in Priestella. There are suitable jobs for you, meals and lodging are provided, and you won't have to worry about being homeless." Ren smiled, though it looked more like a merchant's calculating smile than kindness.
Ram, though young, had begun to understand the cruelty of the adult world.
Using a lifesaving favor to secure cheap labor—she felt the same, and it seemed utterly shameless.
Since Priestella wasn't far, Ren instructed Ram to take the two hundred or so people back while he contacted the current nominal City Lord to make arrangements.
At that moment, Rem shivered. Not far away stood a silver-haired girl in white cloth. Compared to this girl, Rem felt Ren showed more emotional depth.
"Archbishop Ren, Archbishop Regulus was a perfect Sin Archbishop. Why did you kill him? Don't you feel sorry for him who is as perfect as you?" Pandora's words sounded regretful, though her expression never changed.
Rem swallowed and hid behind Ren, as if that could give her some sense of safety.
"Lady Pandora, his actions made it difficult for me to achieve my goals. For that reason, I needed to remove obstacles," Ren replied calmly.
"Clearly, this could have been solved with words. Among the Sin Archbishop, he poses no real threat to you, right, Archbishop Ren?" Pandora still didn't understand. People like him, perfectly suited to the Witch Factor, rarely appeared.
"Words can teach what needs to be taught. But he seems unwilling to learn, so I decided to kill him," Ren said calmly.
"Is that so, Archbishop Ren? Next, you must carry out your duty," Pandora said as she withdrew the witch factor, then looked at Rem.
"Next, you will sleep through an entire memory wipe, forgetting everything about me."
In the next moment, Rem collapsed forward. Ren caught her in his arms. Looking at the sleeping girl, he shivered.
This kind of verbal power was far too strong before knowing its limits.
"Archbishop Ren, I wish you all the best," Pandora said, and then her figure vanished, as if she had never been there.
Ren only relaxed after the woman had gone a long distance away. In this world, he feared no one—even the Sword Saint—but this woman, the one who could strike at the heart with words, he greatly feared.
Yet, on the other hand, he felt gratitude toward her. She had given him the Witch Factor, granting him immortality, which allowed him to live for over a hundred years.
Because of his Authority and his unchanging appearance for over a century, Ren feared this kind of rule-based ability even more. This was not something strength alone could overcome.
The Sword Saint was strong. Even a witch could only match him fifty-fifty. But with his Authority, Ren could survive the Sword Saint's attacks.
Even someone of the Sword Saint's level could be affected by such a rule-based power.
"Lord Ren, what happened to Rem?" Ram asked as she returned, seeing Rem lying in Ren's arms, and quickly ran over.
"She's asleep," Ren replied.
Seeing Rem sleeping peacefully, Ram looked around. "Lord Ren, did another Sin Archbishop come?"
"Yes, one came. After taking Regulus' witch factor, she left."
"Was that person the one who put Rem to sleep?" Ram asked, extremely perceptive.
"Don't worry, Rem is fine. Has anyone arrived?" Ren couldn't help but admire Ram. Without losing her strength, she was simply unstoppable, both in power and sharp intuition.
"They're here, outside," Ram said, lowering her head. She had sent some people back, handed them over to the people of Priestella, and brought others over to receive Regulus' treasure.
Ren handed Rem to Ram and then walked to the door. He looked at a few people— all his witch cult followers, their bodies exuding the aura of witches. Ren nodded in satisfaction.
Priestella was now everywhere under his control; it was completely his territory.
"Collect all the treasure here. Each of you can pick one spot," Ren said generously.
Regulus was simple-minded, but he had lived a long time and had countless treasures. One spot could mean financial freedom.
Everyone worked with full effort. They weren't just doing it for themselves but for the growth of the witch cult.
"Lord Ren, where will those people be arranged?" Ram asked, recalling the hopeful eyes of the more than two hundred women.
"Go to the streets tomorrow and you'll see. They'll work in their own ways to support themselves," Ren said.
He meant the maid cafés—proper establishments where merchants and ordinary people could experience the life of nobility.
Many people spent a lot for this. At first, some nobles of Priestella hesitated, but seeing Ren make money effortlessly, they joined in, even bringing out their own maids.
Regulus' death caused no real impact. Though he had been a tyrant, the actual destruction he caused was far less than the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. He hadn't been very active; stealing women outside was something even street thugs would do.
The next day, Priestella was livelier than ever. Regulus might have been low intelligence, but his eye for beauty was spot on—every girl was stunning.
On the city streets, maid cafés, restaurants, and hotels suddenly had beautiful maids. Some were shy, some introverted, but their smiles were genuine. Most visitors couldn't help but be drawn to them.
"Ram, how is it?" Ren asked, naturally bringing the twins to see where the girls from yesterday had gone.
"Lord Ren has a dark heart," Ram whispered.
"I give them a place to stay, proper work, meals, and even pay. You call that dark-hearted?" Ren joked, probably from living this long.
Ram thought for a while. What he said wasn't wrong, but something still felt off.
Some maids learned quickly and immediately recommended other dishes to customers. Not only could they earn commissions, but they also got tips.
Some girls were not only fast learners but also very hardworking.
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