Chapter 444 - 209: Change of Master

This incident showed Sean that while times may change, some things never do. For example, the church Nuns were still as outwardly demure and dignified as ever, but were secretly terrible gossips.

Everyone would say, "I’m only telling you, so don’t tell anyone else," and by the next day, the entire town would know.

Such an excellent, and free, rumor mill—wouldn’t it be a waste not to use it?

Sean wanted every resident of Gothra Town to know by the next day that the church had burned down the previous night and the Master had done nothing to save it. That way, even if no one said anything out loud, their faith in the Master’s existence would be shaken.

"Got it," Elise said. "You want me to play the part of a ghost."

Sean said, "A demon that crawled out of Hell would be best. Put on some good makeup before you go—the scarier, the better."

"Once the church is on fire, we’ll leave immediately and go after that cavalry troop."

Anna, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. "No. I object."

’Why won’t this guy listen to reason?’

’I already told him he’ll get himself killed, but he still insists on going.’

She had no objections to playing ghosts or throwing people out of the church. But when it came to provoking the Captain of the Forbidden Guard, Fan Ke’er, she was dead set against it. She didn’t want Sean to go get himself killed.

"Sorry, your objection is overruled." Sean couldn’t be bothered with what Anna thought.

’When does Mr. Carl Black ever need someone’s permission to act?’

Anna tried to reason with him. "I’m a member of this team too, you know. Shouldn’t you at least consider my opinion?"

Sean mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. "You’re right. You’re my teammate. I have to consider your feelings, otherwise I’ll look like a dictator."

Hearing this, Anna thought Sean had finally come to his senses. Just as she was about to praise him for turning over a new leaf, she heard Sean say, "Alright then, let’s put it to a vote."

"On the matter of kicking Miss Anna from the team."

"As Miss Anna is the subject of this vote, she is not eligible to participate. As for the rest of you, please raise your hand if you object to kicking Miss Anna from the team."

Elise, of course, did not raise her hand.

Sean pretended to count, then said, "Miss Anna, you don’t seem very popular. Not a single person is on your side."

Then he announced loudly, "Zero votes in opposition."

"I hereby declare that the lovely Miss Anna is, as of this moment, kicked from the team."

"There. Now I don’t have to consider your opinion."

Anna: "???"

Her eyes widened. She never dreamed Sean would pull a stunt like this.

’Did I hear him wrong?’

’This bastard actually ganged up with another woman to kick me, his *proper wife*, off the team?!’

"Sean!"

Anna gritted her teeth. "Do you have any idea what you’re doing?!"

But Sean pretended not to hear her. "Oh?" he said, looking into her eyes. "How have I never noticed before? You’re actually quite cute when you’re glaring."

Anna’s fists clenched.

’Not only did he kick me off the team, he’s now complimenting "another woman" on her cuteness.’

’That just makes his crime even worse!’

"Alright," Sean said languidly. "Let’s leave it at that, Miss Anna."

"We’re not doing the other material-gathering mission. If you want to go, you can go by yourself."

’Since we can determine the corresponding locations between the two worlds using the Black Fruit Rainforest and Alding Castle, there’s no need to make a special trip to World’s End. Elise and I can’t stay here too long, or we might not be able to get back, just like last time.’

"After we burn the church tonight, we’ll go our separate ways."

"You do your thing, we’ll do ours. We can still be friends when we meet again."

Sean extended his hand to Anna in a gentlemanly manner and winked. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Anna."

This was, in a way, an early farewell.

He figured that since he’d already said the words "kicked from the team," a noble lady like Anna, who had surely never been wronged like this before, would definitely be furious. She probably wouldn’t join them for their operation tonight.

As it turned out, he was right.

Anna was furious.

Her full chest heaved.

"Sean, you’ll regret this."

She shot Sean a deep, meaningful look, then turned and left the hotel without a backward glance.

SLAM!

The door was slammed shut.

The floor seemed to tremble from the force.

Talk about storming out.

Hoyev, who had been watching the drama unfold the entire time: "..."

’Did I get it wrong?’

’That young woman, Anna, wasn’t Sean’s girlfriend? They were just teamed up for a mission?’

’Then why are there three pillows on the bed?’

’How strange...’

As Elise listened to Anna’s fading footsteps, she looked at the seemingly heartless Sean and couldn’t help but laugh to herself.

’This guy. He clearly didn’t want Anna to join them on this dangerous venture, yet he insisted on saying he was kicking her off the team.’

’This way of his—saying the opposite of what he means for someone else’s good—it’s such a classic, protective father move.’

"You should head back too."

After driving Anna away, Sean turned his attention to Hoyev. He smiled and said, "Thank you for all the information, Mr. Hoyev. I’ll have to treat you to a meal next time."

Hoyev hesitated.

He still wanted to try to persuade Sean, but he didn’t know what to say.

’Most people would run for the hills at the mention of a Grand Mage, but not Sean. Oh no, he’s actively walking right into the line of fire...’

Seeing Hoyev’s hesitation, Sean thought he wanted to tag along and said half-jokingly, "Mr. Hoyev, you’ve been out for so long. If you don’t go back soon, I’m afraid you’ll be added to the missing persons list."

"Everyone on Back Street misses you."

"Besides, something big happened in the city recently. I bet you don’t know about it yet, do you, Mr. Hoyev?"

"Hm?"

Sure enough, Hoyev took the bait. "What is it?"

Sean dropped his "bombshell." "Mr. Blake is back."

"?"

Hoyev’s eyes widened instantly. "What did you say? Who’s back?"