After repeatedly confirming that Lette didn't want the money, the Pope placed several more restrictions on the Holy Light Library and then led them downstairs.
After Joanna fell into a deep sleep, she was placed on the top floor of the Pope Palace's Holy Tower, where the world's highest Holy Altar resides, known as the place closest to God.
The staircase was long, and as they climbed the tower, Lette took the opportunity to give a detailed report on the Witch's intelligence to his mentor.
The Pope sighed sorrowfully after listening, filled with a senior's loving care as he glanced at Emily.
"Child, you've suffered."
He then looked at Lette: "From what you've said, we can basically conclude that Joanna is also one of the seven Witches."
"I have a question about that. I didn't feel comfortable asking Taylor, but you should know. Are Joanna and Taylor biological siblings?"
"No... In fact, Joanna is an orphan. Her father was comrades with me and Taylor's father.
Joanna's mother indeed passed away after giving birth to her, and later, her father died in battle for the Church Court when she was older.
Taylor's father adopted her, and it's been like that until now."
Lette sighed with some heartache: "Then it's basically confirmed."
The Pope quickly asked, "Do you have any good ideas, young man?"
Lette pondered for a moment: "I have prepared three strategies, divided into best, middle, and last resorts.
The best strategy is to find a way to understand the workings of the Witch Curse and then dismantle it perfectly like a bomb.
Since it's a man-made thing, there's no reason we can't crack it.
Moreover, we have a Witch helping us.
Right, Emily?"
Emily seemed to have something on her mind and didn't respond to Lette.
Lette didn't mind and continued explaining: "The middle strategy is to beseech the Holy Light Goddess for help in the name of the Church Court.
It's not necessarily for her to wake Joanna, just to ensure that in a moment of crisis, Joanna's soul can be preserved.
As long as the soul is preserved, everything else is manageable."
"And the last resort?"
"The last resort... is to have the Demon Realm ready, and in an emergency, directly let Joanna undergo Demon Ascension!
This way, her soul will undergo a mutant reformation, but her self-awareness can be preserved.
This method ensures one hundred percent escape from the curse; once the soul is reorganized, any curse will become ineffective.
But... Joanna is so devout to the Holy Light. Taking her to the Demon Realm would be more painful than death.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, we can't use this method."
Lette took a deep breath: "Rest assured, whether it's the middle or last strategy, they are just backups. I will undoubtedly carry out the best strategy to the end!"
The Pope nodded in affirmation, pointing to the large door at the end of the staircase.
"It's right ahead."
As the door to the highest room of the Holy Tower was pushed open, what met the eye was a large bed draped with gauzy curtains. Behind the bed was the Holy Altar flowing with Holy Water, and the gigantic Holy Light Goddess Statue.
The Pope patted Lette's back: "Go and see her."
Lette didn't speak, but his gradually quickening steps betrayed his inner feelings.
Behind layers of curtains, a beautiful girl lay quietly there.
Her silvery-white hair was still as smooth as ever, and her exquisite face remained stunningly beautiful.
Lette reached out to place his hand on Joanna's wrist, quietly watching her.
Her vitals were stable, her complexion rosy, and her skin full of luster. She truly seemed merely asleep, waiting for her beloved to kiss her awake.
But Lette knew, without fully understanding the details of the Witch Curse, rashly waking her wasn't saving her but placing her in even greater danger.
"Did you... not know how to run if you couldn't win? In matters of life and death, how could you be so inflexible?
Always lecturing me, forbidding this and that.
Now you're in trouble?
By the way, you've yet to finish the secret remodeling of my house. Once I sort everything out, you must write me a reflection.
Over eight hundred words, excluding punctuation, and any genre is acceptable except poetry or prose.
Additionally, I prepared a gift for you... I'll give it to you once you wake up."
Lette stood there for a while longer before turning back.
When he returned to the Pope's side, he found someone missing.
"Where's Emily?"
Lilith pointed outside the door: "She just said she was feeling unwell and went out for some air."
"I wanted her help in sensing any new changes. Please wait for a moment while I look for her."
Lette quickly walked to the entrance and saw Emily sobbing on the stairs.
"Emily, what's wrong?"
Lette sat down next to her: "Why are you crying?"
Emily wiped the tears from her eyes: "It's nothing... I just... miss my mother."
Lette immediately understood; it was likely the conversation with the Pope about Joanna's background had stirred Emily's memories.
For a moment, Lette didn't know how to comfort her.
"Lette, I think Joanna may have already known about the Witch Curse."
"Wait! Slow down, I'm a bit behind your pace! How do you know?"
Seeing Lette's bewildered face, Emily, with a slightly hoarse voice, lowered her head.
"I've never met my mother; all I have is a half-knitted blanket. It's incredibly warm and comforting.
My father said it was hand-knitted by my mother. I used to cry a lot when I was little, but whenever the blanket was near me, I would calm down quickly...
My mother was a true noble lady! But she learned to knit from scratch alongside the maids just to finish the blanket herself."
Upon saying this, Emily's voice choked up, and she took a moment to calm herself.
"It was only recently I understood something about the Witch Curse.
I think, even though my mother didn't know about the curse, she must have sensed something.
That's why she pushed herself to learn knitting as her body grew weaker, so she could at least leave something for me."
Emily took a deep breath and said softly: "I believe Joanna, too, must have known about the witch's matter.
That's why she prepared four baby cribs, as the Knight Captain mentioned; she hoped to give birth to quadruplets for you because she might not have another chance.
Knowing she couldn't accompany you long, she prepared clothes for the children from infancy to adulthood.
She knew her end, so she wanted to do what she wished before it arrived.
Like a grand wedding, like a warm marital home.
I don't know what kind of emotions she had while preparing these things.
At least, on that wedding portrait she smiled happily, wanting you to be happy too.
Lette, I believe Joanna didn't want to be with you for any redemption.
She genuinely cared for you deeply, wanting to marry you.
Because, for a witch, love is something given by exhausting everything."
Lette sat there, stunned, unable to collect his thoughts for a long time.
After quite a while, he slowly stood up and walked silently towards the bed in the center of the room.
Looking once more at that familiar face, Lette's thoughts had entirely shifted.
He gently caressed Joanna's cheek, then walked over to the Holy Altar, channeling the Holy Light into the Holy Water.
The Pope, worried about him, followed closely behind. Seeing him activate the altar, he was taken aback.
"Lette! What are you doing!"
He was about to step forward, but Lilith blocked his way.
"Lilith, step aside! I'm afraid he'll do something foolish!"
"Don't worry, Master."
Lette didn't turn around, but his voice was clear and firm: "I know what I'm doing and what I should do."
As the Holy Water transformed completely into gold, a pillar of light shot from the Holy Tower, piercing the sky.
In the sacred white light, the Holy Light Goddess Statue came to life. She looked at Lette in front of the altar, utterly amazed.
"Oh? You, surprisingly, summoned me voluntarily?"
"Afra, does the deal you proposed three years ago still stand?"
The Holy Light Goddess immediately became excited: "Of course, you've finally made up your mind?"
Lette nodded solemnly: "I agree to your deal, but I would like to change the reward..."