In the staff cafeteria reserved for internal personnel.
Luo Shu sat upright on the sofa, expressionlessly watching the golden-haired Saintess who had brought him here, speaking in an utterly flat tone:
"So this is what you call a private chat?"
As Luo Shu spoke, Bard sat to his left, wearing feathered ornaments and thick robes.
To his right sat Obagiu with her bull-horned headpiece.
The two flanked Luo Shu on either side, surrounding him. If not for their attire and the absence of handcuffs, Luo Shu might have suspected he was being treated as a criminal.
Though the current situation didn't seem much different from being a prisoner.
Facing Luo Shu's question, Bard was the first to respond:
"Allowing the Saintess to be alone with unfamiliar men is a serious matter."
"Even for conversation, we must ensure the Saintess isn't contaminated by external influences."
Hearing this, Luo Shu retorted drily:
"Then why didn't you stop her when she was talking with Lacus just now?"
"Lady Clyne is a paragon of purity, thus exempt from this regulation."
"What about Kirika?"
"Miss Tachibana is the Saintess's close friend and a devout follower of God."
"So it's just me being singled out, is it?" Luo Shu's mouth twitched as he forced a smile.
At this moment, Bard solemnly produced a red stone, gazing intently at Luo Shu:
"Do you know what this is?"
"This is the Stone of Desire."
"A stone naturally formed in the Sacred Land, requiring a year of carving by our Patch Tribe's chieftain using Spirit Arts to complete."
"Its function is to glow red when someone with impure thoughts approaches the Saintess. The closer they are, the brighter it shines."
Luo Shu turned to examine the so-called Stone of Desire.
Immediately, the already red stone emitted an intense yet non-glaring crimson light.
Joan of Arc's expression across from them seemed to freeze.
'The Patch Tribe had such peculiar items? And it actually lit up...'
'This is awkward...'
Bard leaned closer to Luo Shu, his voice grave:
"Any explanations, you who harbour sinful desires?"
After a brief silence, Luo Shu replied: "Is there a possibility... that it's actually you making the stone glow?"
Hearing this, Joan of Arc blushed and softly reminded Luo Shu:
"Mr Luo, the Patch Tribe's Spirit Arts purify the soul while eliminating worldly desires..."
Luo Shu instantly understood, then clicked his tongue expressionlessly:
"I see... impotent then..."
"Facing a woman like Joan of Arc without any thoughts... how pathetic..."
Bard and Obagiu's faces darkened as they glared at Luo Shu.
Across from them, Joan of Arc had turned completely red.
This was practically admitting to having indecent thoughts about her...
"Enough. Bard, Obagiu, withdraw... no, retreat to the entrance... somewhere you can still observe from."
"Lady Joan!" Bard grew frantic upon hearing this. "How can we allow you to be alone with such a desire-ridden man?!"
Obagiu raised an eyebrow. Though he remained silent, his meaning seemed to align with Bard's.
Joan of Arc could only sigh in exasperation:
"I believe I made it clear to find a place where you can keep an eye on both me and Mr Luo Shu."
"Do you truly think Mr Luo Shu would attempt anything against me here, right under your watch?"
At this, Bard hesitated.
Instead, it was Obagiu who spoke gravely:
"But he possesses a Top Tier Class."
"If he were to use Concept Entanglement at such close range, while you're still in the midst of the ritual..."
Luo Shu showed mild surprise at this: "Can the Patch Tribe directly discern someone's Class?"
To immediately confirm he was a Top Tier Class holder—now that was interesting.
Moreover, from Obagiu's words, Joan of Arc didn't seem to be a Demigod yet, but rather in the process of completing the ritual...
Didn't that mean there was a real possibility he could defeat Joan and take her away?
At the same time, Bard noticed the red glow from the stone in his hand seemed to grow more intense.
Witnessing this, Joan of Arc, seated across from him, had no idea what to say to Luo Shu.
'Knowing full well the Stone of Desire would react, yet still doing this...'
'Just what were you thinking about me, Mr Luo Shu?'
"We of the Patch Tribe have our own methods for identifying Top Tier Class holders."
Obagiu seemed unwilling to answer the question, instead fixing Luo Shu with a warning glare:
"And please refrain from continuing your... fantasies in our presence."
"Disrespect towards the Saintess is a grave crime!"
"Even just thinking about it is a grave crime?" Luo Shu dropped the pretence and retorted directly.
Bard chose this moment to chime in: "For mere thoughts, the maximum penalty is ten lashes."
"For it to qualify as a grave crime, one would at least need to... expose themselves before the Saintess—"
BANG!
The table shuddered under a heavy slam.
"Enough! All three of you, silence!!"
Joan of Arc stared impassively at the trio of troublemakers before her, pointing at Obagiu and Bard:
"You, and you—half an hour standing guard outside the door!"
"That's an order!!"
"...Yes, ma'am." x2
Bard and Obagiu rose obediently, though with visible reluctance, and trudged towards the entrance.
Once the two had obediently left, Joan's finger swivelled to point at Luo Shu's face:
"And Mr Luo Shu, from now on, could you please keep your language... dignified?"
"Even if you have certain thoughts, refrain from expressing them—not even with your eyes. Preferably, don't stare at my face either..."
Luo Shu nodded in understanding, then let his gaze drift downward from Joan's face...
Huh? Was this even more stimulating than looking at her face?
Within three seconds, Joan's voice abruptly softened:
"...Wait, never mind. Just look at my face."
Clearly, the Saintess had realised the dire consequences of not having her face be the focal point.
With visible reluctance, Luo Shu raised his eyes to Joan's now slightly flushed face and asked:
"So this is acceptable?"
"It's fine."
Joan sighed lightly, adjusted her posture, picked up the orange juice on the table, took a sip through the straw, and then met Luo Shu's gaze again:
"You're completely different from how I imagined you'd be before we met."
Luo Shu regarded her curiously: "I'm rather interested in where your impressions came from."
"Don't tell me Lacus filled her letters to you with endless praise about me?"
"Lacus isn't the type to inject personal emotions into her correspondence."
Joan sighed again, shook her head, and then looked directly at Luo Shu:
"Aren't you curious about why I requested this private meeting, Mr Luo Shu?"
Luo Shu chuckled: "Would you actually tell me?"
Joan nodded solemnly in response:
"I intend to explain."
After a brief pause, she continued:
"Did Kirika mention to you that before she left for Japan, she received a prophecy—that she would encounter the catalyst to change the SDS there?"
"I've heard of it. What about it?" Luo Shu nodded, looking at Joan of Arc with confusion.
"There shouldn't have been any issue with that."
Joan stared at Luo Shu's face, speaking with utmost seriousness:
"The problem is, the person in the prophecy... wasn't you."
"And yet, here you are."