Across the table, Joan cautiously observed Luo Shu. When she saw his expressionless gaze fixed upon her, she quickly lowered her eyes.
To be honest, though this was her first meeting with Luo Shu, she couldn't help feeling nervous.
After all, this was an existence even the Origin of Gods, the Great Will, addressed as the Lord of Calamities and King of Order.
Even if he was only in the initial stages of revival, such a being likely possessed terrifyingly immense power upon awakening.
That being said, because of the bizarre stone Bard had produced earlier, Joan still felt somewhat awkward inside.
A supreme being having thoughts about her... wasn't that a bit beyond expectations?
Would she transition from being the Great Will's shrine maiden to becoming the Lord of Calamities' shrine maiden?
Counting from being God's Chosen, this would make it three identity changes already.
Moreover, would the Lord of Calamities, like the Great Will, still permit her to maintain faith in the Lord?
Normal deities wouldn't allow their shrine maidens to worship other gods, would they?
As Joan's thoughts ran wild, Luo Shu exhaled deeply before asking:
"Did the Great Will say anything else?"
Startled by the question, Joan immediately straightened her posture and replied with bowed head:
"Other than instructing me to deliver the Thunder Spirit, there were no other orders."
Luo Shu then inquired:
"Why was it the Thunder Spirit that was sent?"
"Perhaps... because it would aid your revival?" Joan ventured uncertainly.
For the Lord of Calamities, commanding thunder would be perfectly normal, right?
If so, his revival might require the Thunder Spirit's power, which would explain why the Great Will actively awakened during this period of extreme suppression to command her to deliver it.
Hearing Joan's speculation, Luo Shu frowned in contemplation before asking:
"Does the Thunder Spirit count as a Nature Spirit?"
"Ah, yes, it does." Joan nodded hurriedly, then explained: "The Five Great Spirits bestowed by the Great Will are essentially derivatives of their Authority. In terms of Authority, they far surpass Nature Spirits and even the Spirit Kings - they are the origin of all Nature Spirits."
"Thus, all essences of Nature Spirits can be attributed to the Five Great Spirits. Calling them Nature Spirits wouldn't be incorrect."
Though technically, it was Nature Spirits that belonged to the Five Great Spirits...
Joan didn't correct Luo Shu's misunderstanding; instead, she wondered if she might be mistaken - perhaps the Five Great Spirits truly were Nature Spirits?
From Joan's explanation, Luo Shu gained clarity.
The Great Will had sent the Thunder Spirit to facilitate his ascension.
Since Nature Spirit Essence Blood was one of his ascension materials, by extension, that meant the Thunder Spirit's essence blood.
But using blood from an Angel-level Thunder Spirit as an ascension material...
Luo Shu couldn't shake a sense of suspicion.
After all, subordinates from past lives might not remain obedient in this lifetime... The possibility of rebellion couldn't be ignored...
Still, with the Thunder Spirit delivered to his doorstep, he would certainly accept it - but only after first sending it into the Divine Kingdom for inspection.
"I understand. I shall accept the Great Will's gift."
After Luo Shu finished speaking, Joan of Arc hastily pushed the Thunder Spirit's vessel towards him, then sat there primly, staring at him with eager eyes.
Raising an eyebrow, Luo Shu looked at her with some surprise and asked:
"Is there something else?"
Seeing his inquiry, Joan cautiously observed Luo Shu's expression as she replied:
"You haven't decided on my arrangements yet?"
"???"
Luo Shu was momentarily stunned.
'What does your arrangement have to do with me? Aren't you the Star King chosen by the Great Will? Why do I need to arrange anything?'
'Wait a minute... Did the Great Will send you along with the Thunder Spirit?'
'Hiss!!'
'Are you sure you're the Will of the Stars and not Wei Zhongxian or Zhao Gao?'
'Gifting with such precise calculation?'
Admittedly, if Joan were a 'gift', Luo Shu would absolutely swallow the sugar-coated offer.
After all, who could refuse a golden-haired Saintess?
This is practically an invitation to sin...
Though a torrent of unspeakable thoughts raced through his mind, Luo Shu maintained a calm exterior:
"How would you like to be arranged?"
Hearing this, Joan tentatively asked: "Freely accompanying you?"
If you're following me, is that really 'free'? Luo Shu internally complained, but nodded nonetheless:
"That's understandable. And then?"
Relieved by his response, Joan was startled to hear there was more. She then ventured eagerly:
"Well, apart from that... may I continue to worship the Lord?"
"Eh?" Luo Shu blinked, then said, oddly: "Do you need my permission for that? Isn't that entirely up to you?"
At these words, Joan abruptly stood up and bowed deeply to Luo Shu:
"Thank you for your mercy!!!"
Luo Shu fell silent for a moment. Seeing her reaction, he realised what seemed trivial to him was clearly of great importance to Joan.
Curious, he asked:
"Speaking of which, you seem to be a follower of the Christian faith's deity. How did you end up as the Star King chosen by the Great Will?"
Moreover, it appeared Joan hadn't converted, which piqued Luo Shu's interest further.
"Actually, it's mainly because of me."
Joan scratched her cheek somewhat awkwardly:
"When I was being sent to the stake, the Will of the Stars asked if I'd be willing to become a heroic spirit to protect this planet."
"After I agreed and opened my eyes again, I'd become the Star King chosen by the Great Will, tasked with wielding their Authority during their slumber, following divine decrees to maintain natural order and prevent this world from being consumed by the Abyss."
"Since I'd already agreed, I didn't refuse this responsibility, and the Great Will doesn't interfere with my faith."
"It seems to Him, all Star Kings are His children, so He doesn't mind who I worship."
'So you were essentially poached by the Great Will while becoming the Moon Cell's Counter Guardian...'
'And stop looking at me like that when mentioning unchanged faith—I get the hint...'
Luo Shu's mouth corner twitched slightly before he sighed:
"If you follow me from now on, won't the Patch Tribe have objections?"
Hearing this, Joan looked puzzled and asked, "Shouldn't the Patch Tribe obey my words? Why would they have objections?"
Luo Shu froze momentarily before realising the crux of the matter.
'So that's how it is. The nominal Saintess, the actual father figure, and the Great Will as grandfather?'
'Good grief, so I'm the grandfather's father, the Patch Tribe's great-grandfather, their ancestral patriarch...'
Having figured it out, Luo Shu covered his face with his hand before saying:
"In that case, this makes things simple!"
"Come with me to see Lacus. After all, having you stay by my side requires informing her."
Joan of Arc's expression faltered slightly at this, and she hesitated before saying:
"Lacus, she..."
Hearing this, Luo Shu glanced at her meaningfully:
"She's similar to you."
"She's the Star King I've chosen!"