After the Lord of the Abyss Awakens - Chapter 79.2

Sensing the movement, two cat heads poked out from the gap in the nearby door, one red and one white.

The red cat, upon seeing that big guy, became furious and almost rushed out.

The white cat reacted and pressed down on the red cat in time, asking, “Why are you so agitated?”

The red cat grumbled, “People from Roman are all perverts.”

The white cat was puzzled. “Perverts?”

They saw the big guy who called himself Francis scratching the back of his head and smiling, saying, “It’s like this, Mr. Yi Xiusi, our country is about to launch a wandering poet themed event. Would Mr. Yi Xiusi be interested in coming?”

Xiu Si had just seen this event in the news. If asked whether he was interested, of course he was.

But he didn’t have time to go now, as he was busy learning alchemy.

Francis seemed to know this point and continued, “Our country is a powerhouse in alchemy. Three of the best alchemists in all of humanity are in our country. Is Mr. Yi Xiusi interested?”

Oh, is that so?

Xiu Si indeed didn’t know this. He had just started to learn about alchemy and wasn’t aware of these specifics.

Francis smiled and explained. “Most of the alchemy books here in Oedipus were actually donated by our country. If Mr. Yi Xiusi comes to our Roman Kingdom, you can see the most cutting-edge alchemy knowledge.”

It must be said that Xiu Si was tempted internally. After all, advanced theoretical knowledge could make his learning twice as effective with half the effort, but…

He looked into Francis’s eyes and said directly, “What you say sounds good, but why offer me this convenience specifically?”

There’s no free lunch. Xiu Si believed that at only level 40, he had nothing worth recruiting by various countries in terms of personal strength, except for the identity of “Matros’s student”. Although he still hadn’t met Matros until now.

Francis didn’t hide it either, now getting to the main point. He said honestly, “We heard that Mr. Yi Xiusi’s spiritual power value is as high as 97, and we have a favor to ask.”

Xiu Si: “What is it?”

“We want to ask Mr. Yi Xiusi to help remove a curse from someone.”

As he spoke, a trace of sorrow flashed in Francis’s eyes, as if that person was someone extremely important to him, someone he had to save no matter what.

But Xiu Si shook his head, “I don’t know anything about removing curses.”

Francis said, “Learning the method would be quick, Mr. Yi Xiusi doesn’t need to worry about that. We have prepared everything else, we just lack someone with strong spiritual power.”

As he spoke, he suddenly bent down, as if making a grand gesture, saying solemnly. “I’m very sorry for using this as an excuse to seek help, but we’ve run out of options.”

After hearing his words, Xiu Si didn’t reveal any expression, just continued to ask, “What kind of curse is it?”

“A curse from an otherworld god,” Francis raised his head and explained. “The king’s brother, Duke Luo Ke, went on an expedition to subspace and unfortunately was cursed by Otherworld God Number 002. His life is in danger. He only returned two days ago. We’ve found the best curse breakers in the country and even worldwide, but nothing has worked. There’s only one method left, which requires someone with strong spiritual power to help.”

“…”

Xiu Si seemed to be pondering the truthfulness of these words.

Francis spoke nervously, “Currently only the royal family knows about this matter. Duke Luo Ke is the strongest military force in the Roman Kingdom. If it becomes known that he’s cursed and dying, our country will be in danger.”

Most people hearing this would probably feel sympathetic and agree to help.

Who would have thought that behind the seemingly hedonistic facade of the Roman Kingdom, there was such a heavy matter.

It seems that not everyone in a country can be carefree and at ease. Behind peace, there are always some people carrying heavy burdens forward.

However, Xiu Si continued to ask. “Why was Duke Luo Ke cursed by an otherworld god?”

He looked at Francis, his gaze gentle yet forceful.

Francis thus understood that Mr. Yi Xiusi was indeed gentle as rumored, but at the same time, he had his own independent judgment, not easily fooled by appearances, and even less easily swayed by certain things.

Francis became even more cautious and continued. “We’re not clear on this point either, but we definitely didn’t provoke the otherworld god. Otherworld God Number 002 is the God of Curses, often releasing curses indiscriminately. Every time there’s an expedition to subspace, people die from His curses for no reason. This happens not only in our country but worldwide. Duke Luo Ke was returning when he stepped outside the ship and accidentally saw the otherworld god in the form of an aurora, which is why he was cursed.”

Xiu Si thought for a moment, and finally spoke, “It’s like going out and unfortunately getting caught in a heavy rain.”

Francis paused, “Yes, a rain of curses.”

As everyone knows, subspace is such a dangerous place. Humans there are more fragile than paper, and just returning alive is considered a success.

However, humans still have to challenge subspace, for knowledge, for development, for survival.

Or for the fate of their country, for personal ideals and pursuits.

“I understand the general situation now.”

Xiu Si nodded, looking at Francis with a calm gaze.

Francis couldn’t tell what Xiu Si was thinking and felt nervous inside, “So, Mr. Yi Xiusi…”

Xiu Si didn’t agree, he just said, “I’ll consider it.”

Francis’s eyes immediately dimmed, and he nodded. “Alright…”

Then.

Xiu Si added. “There are many children at home, can’t move around carelessly.” As he spoke, his gaze lowered to the short-legged cat who couldn’t understand their adult conversation at all.

Francis paused, shocked by the mention of “children”, because Xiu Si didn’t look like a father with children no matter how you looked at him.

He followed Xiu Si’s gaze and finally understood.

Ah, by “children” he meant the cat cubs? Francis was shocked for a moment, but realized it wasn’t wrong. They were indeed as cute as one’s own cubs.

The short-legged cat shrank its feet when he looked at it.

The white cat in the gap of the adjacent door became furious, raising its cat fist wanting to hit someone, but the red cat pressed it down instead.

Red cat: “What are you excited about?”

White cat: “Despicable human!”

Fortunately, Francis only glanced for a moment before raising his head to change the subject.

“If Mr. Yi Xiusi feels it’s inconvenient to go, we won’t insist.”

Xiu Si stood up, “Thank you for understanding.”

Francis smiled and said, “However, our Roman Kingdom is also a first-class cat-loving country. If Mr. Yi Xiusi agrees, we will definitely take good care of your children, let the cats live in the best cat houses, and eat the most delicious cat food.”

Xiu Si’s gaze changed slightly.

Francis: “Speaking of which, it’s also time for cats to find mates. If Mr. Yi Xiusi’s cats need it, I guarantee that our Roman Kingdom’s cats are first-class in looks and personality!”

Before he finished speaking, the short-legged cat’s pupils trembled.

The white and red cats next door were about to curse. This stupid human actually thought we needed mates, ah ah so stupid!

“If there’s anything that offended the children, I’m very sorry.”

Francis seemed to have realized and scratched the back of his head embarrassedly.

Xiu Si shook his head and only said, “They’re still young.”

The red cat strongly agreed upon hearing this. Who says we’re not? We’re just babies over eight thousand years old.

Francis had just turned to leave when his eyes suddenly changed. He turned his head to Xiu Si and said, “I just remembered, we have space magicians here. It’s no problem to freely travel between the two imperial cities within a day.”

To this, Xiu Si still said calmly. “I’ll consider it.”

“If Mr. Yi Xiusi is willing, please contact us anytime. This is the contact method. I hope we have a chance to cooperate.”

Francis took out a black card with several layers of complex magic arrays carved on it.

No instructions were needed. Any magician would know how to use it.

Xiu Si nodded, “Okay.”

“And these meeting gifts.”

Francis was well-prepared. He took out several newly printed books from his personal space, full of sincerity, truly seeking help.

Xiu Si didn’t refuse, but raised his eyes to look at Francis and asked, “If I may ask, is Duke Luo Ke someone very important to you?”

Francis lowered his gaze, his expression complex, and spoke calmly, “Yes, he’s an extremely important person, more important than my life. I’m willing to give everything I have just to save him from the painful divine curse.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the three cats showed varying degrees of curiosity in their eyes.

It sounded like Francis wasn’t just a simple diplomat, he had a deep relationship with that Duke Luo Ke.

This seemingly frivolous big guy seemed to have some story.

Xiu Si nodded, “I understand. I’ll consider it.”

After about ten minutes of conversation, Francis bid farewell to the bookstore.

Xiu Si looked at the books on the table, his eyes thoughtful.

He flipped through a few pages and found that, indeed as Francis had said, these books were of higher quality. Just the definition of alchemy alone surpassed the ordinary books here in Oedipus, and the other content that followed was also telling.

“But a god’s curse… I probably can’t solve it either.”

And it was a curse from Otherworld God Number 002, doesn’t that sound very dangerous?

As a father of many children, Xiu Si couldn’t casually risk himself, although Francis seemed very confident that it wouldn’t endanger his safety.

Speaking of divine curses, it reminded him of the royal family of the Aust Empire.

Because of previous grievances, the bloodline of the Aust Empire’s royal family had been cursed. He wondered how they were doing now, if the curse had been lifted.

Otherworld gods were indeed not to be trifled with.

How should he describe his impression of otherworld gods? Mostly survival of the fittest, fierce and terrifying, even indescribable. It certainly wouldn’t be right to judge Them by human standards.

… Wait, didn’t he have an otherworld god little daughter among his cubs?

His little baby was quite cute though. Could it be related to education?

Xiu Si suddenly realized he seemed to have some fate with otherworld gods.

He just didn’t know where the father of the little light body, Otherworld God Number 007, had gone.

****

The red cat next to him fell silent, then looked at the white cat. “What do you think?”

The white cat shook its head. “Doesn’t matter, if Father needs books, we can get them easily.”

Red cat: “We can snatch books, but should we also snatch alchemists for Father?”

The white cat smacked its head, “That’s going a bit too far.”

Kidnapping people, if Father found out, it would definitely add to their black history, wouldn’t it?

However, the white cat finally thought of a key point and suddenly asked the red cat. “How did you know Aelioge and Beelzebub had returned?”

The red cat tilted its head and said matter-of-factly. “Botis told me.”

The white cat paused, its expression suddenly changing drastically, “Did you say Botis?!”

The red cat nodded, “Yes, what about Him?”

The white cat only felt a chill down its back, and then, sensing something odd, looked towards the door and actually found a sneaky Siamese cat at the top of the door!

Damn, when did He get there!

The white cat was shocked, clutching its face with both paws, wearing an expression of “this is bad”.

The red cat didn’t understand the white cat’s agitation. It was just Botis, what was there to be afraid of? Would He dare to eat Father?

They saw the little Siamese cat staring intently at the young man reading a book, then suddenly turning its head to look at Them after a few seconds, its fierce eyes like those of a vicious dog startling Them.

Botis’s original form was a poisonous snake, the darkest crawling sibling among Them. His power was also the most outrageous, actually being [Sin] and [Punishment], dangerous to an extreme point. Even the white cat didn’t dare to offend Him lightly.

And His dangerousness was one thing, but He was also the most father-obsessed, the only big poison! If He knew They were hiding from Him and monopolizing Father, He would surely explode with anger.

And sure enough, that Siamese cat chuckled, its cute and adorable face revealing a sinister aura, its green eyes flashing as magical power erupted.

The white cat was about to say “be careful” when in the next second, a magic array suddenly appeared beneath it, connecting to an endless falling abyss thousands of feet deep!

At the same time, one appeared under the red cat too.

They hadn’t even reacted when [Sin] and [Punishment] suddenly took effect. The two of Them disappeared in an instant, falling!

The next second, the passage closed.

“Hehe,” Botis looked fierce and evil, cursing angrily, “Monopolizing Father, you deserve it!”

He was fuming, but when He turned His head to look at Xiu Si, His expression instantly changed to gentle and enraptured.

Wuu wuu wuu Father, my dear Father, my great Father, You’re alright, You’re still alive, I’m so happy!

He stared infatuatedly from the doorway, like a pitiful little dog. The Siamese cat’s appearance did indeed resemble a small dog. From the top of the head to the nose and mouth formed a triangle, the face fur was black, mainly composed of black, brown, and white, the colors smooth and evenly distributed. It had once become the royal family’s exclusive pet due to its unique appearance.

Looking from afar, it really looked like a little puppy watching its owner.

Who could know the surging emotions in His heart?

Most of His body was hidden behind the door, with only His head poking out, His gaze filled with mist.

And just then, Xiu Si seemed to sense something and turned his head to look towards the door.

He was startled for a moment, instinctively shrinking His head back, His heart pounding. He felt that if He made eye contact with Father for even a second, He would die from excitement! His mind was full of nothing but Father, Father, what should He do!

Xiu Si didn’t see anything, but his gaze kept fixed on the doorway, because he felt there was something there.

What could it be?

Uneasy, he put down the book in his hand and walked towards the door.

As He heard footsteps coming towards Him, the Siamese cat’s fur was about to stand on end. He smelled it, He smelled it, it was really Father’s scent.

Xiu Si was about to reach the door, and the Siamese cat was nervous to the point of heart explosion.

He… He hadn’t seen Father for so many years, would He die from excitement seeing Father up close!

His current mood was simply the most excited He had been in eight thousand years.

But the footsteps finally stopped, stopping two steps away from Him.

He was stunned, thinking hadn’t Father discovered Him?

His mood changed from joy to sadness seemingly in an instant.

The Siamese cat’s face fell, His paws clutching tightly.

And suddenly, although the footsteps clearly hadn’t come any closer, He raised His head and the face of the black-haired young man appeared in His eyes.

He froze.

He saw the young man smile faintly, His eyes only reflecting Him, “Welcome home, Botis.”