After work, start to speedrun the other world-Chapter 209 - 68 Sorrow and Despair_3

Regardless, her task was completed.

"We meet again, Michael." Xi Mu maintained a smile as he greeted Michael beside the Divine Throne:

"I’m glad to see you’re safe and sound."

"My friend, I also..." Michael smiled, but then noticed his sister, who had somehow already made her way to Ahtal’s side.

"Ah, you two seem to have quite the connection." He was momentarily stunned, watching Mist hold Ahtal tightly and immediately realized that his sister had different feelings towards Ahtal.

"Your only blood sister is about to be taken away." The Blood Pope chuckled, "Michael, don’t you have any thoughts about it?"

"Ahtal is a man worthy of trust." Michael answered with a smile, "I have no reason to oppose."

His words were very sincere.

"Is there anything more gratifying than entrusting your most treasured family member to a friend you trust?"

"That man is not trustworthy." The voice of the Blood Pope was cold, scoffing as he said:

"Do you know how many people Ahtal has killed?"

"Yes, I’m quite aware." Michael responded, having a rough guess about Ahtal’s actions.

He knew that Ahtal must have killed many people, but that wasn’t a reason to dislike Ahtal or to think he wasn’t worthy of trust.

"Hmph." The Blood Pope snorted, turning his attention to the two young people embracing each other; only after a good while did Ahtal and Mist let go of each other reluctantly.

"Mist, were you captured?" Xi Mu cast his gaze towards the Divine Throne, focusing on the God of Blood, who appeared almost like a corpse.

He knew the God of Blood was not dead yet and retained a certain degree of fighting capability, currently just concentrating on fighting against death.

Mist fell silent for a moment, then explained:

"The Blood Pope is the companion of the God of Blood; they still possess great power."

"If you already have a companion, why capture Michael?" Xi Mu inquired in confusion, looking at the Blood Pope:

"Don’t you mind your partner’s infidelity?"

The Blood Pope: "..."

This human was somewhat annoying; now, he wanted to strangle Ahtal, but he maintained the calm a strong person should have.

"A companion doesn’t mean a spouse." He explained, tapping the ground with his staff, "Ahtal, let’s make a deal."

Xi Mu frowned and asked, "What do you want?"

"Have the Witch of Death lift the deadly poison that has contaminated my god." The Blood Pope gave his answer, "You have a way to contact the Witch of Death, right?"

"Fine." Xi Mu was extremely forthright, "Give me a sacrifice, and I can summon the Witch of Death right now."

"You seem to have misunderstood my words." The Blood Pope shook his head, "You need to find a way to persuade the Witch of Death to lift the deadly poison from my god."

Xi Mu with an expressionless face, countered: "What makes you think the Witch of Death will listen to me?"

"You have that value." The Blood Pope’s voice was even, as if he had already determined Ahtal’s value in the eyes of the Witch of Death to a certain extent.

The expression on Xi Mu’s face was subtly telling: "You don’t believe that yourself, do you?"

"I believe," the Blood Pope lied without a change in his expression, although he didn’t actually think that Ahtal was qualified to make the Witch of Death change her mind. But since the God of Blood saw value in Ahtal and had explicitly ordered that he be captured alive to threaten the Witch of Death, there was no choice.

"So you’re saying... I matter... right?" Xi Mu realized, and immediately placed the Sword of Light against his neck.

"Release Mist and Michael, or I’ll die right before your eyes."

The atmosphere grew tense.

The Blood Pope widened his eyes; this man’s first counterattack was to threaten them.

"Do you think you can threaten me like this?" he sneered, only to see Ahtal penetrate his own heart without hesitation.

"I’ll probably be dead in about ten seconds, you choose."

"Fine," the Blood Pope agreed without hesitation, watching as Ahtal pulled the Sword of Light out of his heart and used the Healing Prayer to heal the pierced heart.

But as soon as he confirmed that Ahtal’s heart was healed, his tone changed:

"However, we can only allow Mist to leave."

"..."

Xi Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was considering piercing his heart again.

"The God of Blood will not allow Michael to leave," the Blood Pope spoke, "We also need a bargaining chip to bind you."

His voice was calm.

"If you wish, you can choose to let Mist stay," he offered.

"No way," Xi Mu refused subconsciously, then felt it was not right to say so, and awkwardly turned his head away.

"I mean... Mist, no, it’s just... well... it’s complicated," he fumbled.

"It’s okay, I understand," Michael smiled and nodded. He felt no resentment towards Ahtal for choosing to let his sister go; on the contrary, he was pleased.

"Let’s do it this way," Xi Mu turned around, showing a smile to Mist, "Mist, you..."

"I want to stay," Mist shook her head. She wanted Michael to leave while she stayed with Ahtal to face everything.

However, with the sword against his neck, Ahtal’s voice revealed his helplessness:

"Leave this place, or I leave this world."

"..."

Mist was silent for a long time; her eyes, once resolute and firm, dimmed, like a dazzling gem covered in dust.

She had never felt so powerless.

Not only had she failed to save her brother, but she had also put Ahtal in danger—a complete failure.

"Trust me," Xi Mu’s smile was gentle as he locked eyes with the dim-sighted Mist, "I will be fine."

"...Understood," Mist nodded lightly. She did not believe Ahtal’s reassurance, instead, sinking into deeper despair.

But still, she responded to Ahtal with action, turning away and leaving the Temple of Blood, disappearing under everyone’s gaze.

That Valkyrie-like figure, at that moment, seemed incredibly... sad and desperate.