Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Chapter 616: A Foolish Girl’s Facade

Third Person’s POV

A faint glimmer flashed deep within her green eyes before disappearing just as quickly.

She lowered her head slightly before speaking with an embarrassed expression, her voice becoming increasingly softer as though she was ashamed to admit the truth.

"I... I was searching for that violet-haired senior whom I saw for the first time in the academy today."

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her cheeks gradually turning red.

"I... wanted to know his name... and... who he really was..."

The final few words left her lips no louder than the buzzing of a mosquito as she lowered her head even further and began absentmindedly fidgeting with her fingers.

Her thumbs rubbed against each other nervously while she occasionally stole timid glances towards the deacon before immediately lowering her gaze again.

She perfectly portrayed the image of an inexperienced young girl who had become infatuated with a handsome senior at first sight, and, in her foolishness, had wandered all the way into the High Moon Palace without considering the consequences of her actions.

The act was so natural that not even the slightest flaw could be found in it.

As Aurelia had expected, the stern expression on the deacon’s face gradually softened.

The suspicion that had lingered within his eyes disappeared little by little before he finally let out a faint sigh, looking at her as though he were looking at another naïve junior who had become blinded by youthful admiration.

"So that was the reason."

He shook his head helplessly before speaking in a calmer voice.

"That young man already left the High Moon Palace together with Princess Arlene immediately after the Headmaster announced the evacuation order."

He paused briefly before looking at Aurelia with a rather meaningful gaze.

"And since you appear to be a sincere girl, let me give you a piece of advice as your elder."

His voice turned slightly more serious.

"Stay away from him, and forget about these childish fantasies and instead focus on your studies and your future path."

"That senior of yours is someone far beyond your reach."

"No matter whether it is talent, status, background, or future achievements, the distance separating the two of you is simply too great.

So stop wasting your time indulging in daydreams that can never become reality."

His tone remained calm throughout, showing that he had no intentions of mocking or ridiculing her.

Instead, Aurelia could clearly sense the sincerity hidden beneath those words.

The deacon genuinely believed he was offering advice that would spare an innocent young girl from unnecessary heartbreak.

Seeing that her little performance had completely fooled even an experienced Sky Realm Deacon, Aurelia secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, the lie she had fabricated wasn’t something outrageous.

The mysterious violet-haired senior had already become the center of attention throughout the academy the moment he stepped through its gates.

With his striking appearance, unusual crimson eyes, and the mysterious aura surrounding him, it would have been stranger if no young girls had become curious about him.

Therefore, her explanation sounded perfectly reasonable.

More importantly, she had already obtained the information she truly wanted.

The mysterious senior had indeed been inside the High Moon Palace earlier, and now, he had left together with Princess Arlene.

That single piece of information alone made her risk worthwhile.

"Enough wandering around."

The deacon finally spoke once more as he turned around.

"You have searched enough already.

Come with me.

I will personally escort you to the academy gates."

Without waiting for her response, he began walking toward one of the palace’s side corridors that led outside.

Aurelia hurriedly followed after him without the slightest complaint.

Seeing her obediently keeping pace behind him, the deacon casually raised one hand.

A crimson magical formation briefly appeared beneath his palm before dissolving into countless tiny sparks of fire that quietly descended around Aurelia’s body.

Within moments, a thin crimson barrier enveloped her figure.

Warmth instantly spread throughout her surroundings.

The biting cold that had continued pressing against her body became noticeably weaker.

The deacon didn’t even glance back after casting the spell.

In his mind, this foolish little girl would most likely collapse from the abnormal cold long before reaching the academy gates if he left her unprotected.

Although the Molten Core Potion was already shielding her from the freezing atmosphere, Aurelia wisely chose not to dispel the deacon’s misconception.

Instead, she simply lowered her head and quietly accepted his protection.

As they continued walking through the frozen pathways of the High Moon Palace, Aurelia pretended to hesitate for several moments before finally gathering enough courage to speak again.

"S-Sir Deacon..."

Her timid voice reached him from behind.

"If... if I may be bold enough to ask you something..."

The deacon didn’t stop walking, and neither did he turn around.

His gruff voice simply echoed through the icy corridor.

"What is it?"

Aurelia bit her lower lip as though embarrassed before asking in an expectant voice,

"Sir...do you happen to know who that violet-haired senior really is?"

Unlike her earlier performance, the anticipation filling her eyes this time wasn’t entirely fake.

She genuinely hoped that a deacon associated with the High Moon Palace would know something about Ethan’s identity.

Unfortunately, the answer she received caused her heart to sink slightly.

"Hmph."

The deacon snorted before speaking in an almost lecturing tone.

"Didn’t you hear a single word I told you earlier, foolish girl?"

"I already advised you to stop thinking about him."

"If you believe your pretty face alone is enough to make someone like him notice you, then you are far more naïve than I initially thought."

He continued walking without slowing his pace.

"And as for who he actually is..."

He remained silent for a brief moment before finally shaking his head.

"I don’t know, but I do know one thing, and it is that he is certainly not an ordinary Purple Batch student."

The deacon’s expression unconsciously became somewhat solemn.

"The Crystal Formation Batch itself consists only of monsters among monsters, yet even among those monsters, that young man stands out."