Chapter 139: Soothe Evan Adler and the Others
In the end, Cillian Forrest didn’t say anything more. Sophie Wexler was itching to know what he meant, but she was too embarrassed to ask.
The matter was dropped just like that. And though they never brought up the topic again, Sophie Wexler still had a vague inkling that something was up.
But neither of them ever said it out loud.
Although Cillian Forrest and Sophie Wexler chose not to publicly announce their marriage contract after signing it, the secret wasn’t exactly airtight. Some people were bound to find out.
People like Evan Adler, for instance. They had their suspicions long ago, and this news only served as further confirmation.
Every single one of them was thankful they hadn’t done anything too drastic at the matching banquet.
Looking back, it made perfect sense that Miss Wexler’s match was the Marshal.
Shane Thorne also found out. Listening to his subordinate’s report, he clenched the fist resting on his thigh, his eyes filled with a dark malice. "Cillian... Forrest!" He spat out each word through gritted teeth.
He had prepared everything, dead set on acquiring that Healer-class individual. He’d even gone so far as to activate the Healer-class locator, only for Cillian to snatch her from right under his nose!
’Come to think of it, the punishment I received from His Majesty a few days ago must have been his handiwork. Who else would have the authority to investigate the matter?’
"Have the commanders from the major military districts all arrived on the Capital Planet?" Shane Thorne asked.
"Yes," the person beside him replied. "His Majesty will be holding a meeting next week."
"Have we made contact with all of them?" Shane Thorne asked, his fingertips tapping rhythmically.
"Yes. We’ve secured their support for our proposal."
"Good. My efforts all this time won’t have been for nothing." Shane Thorne narrowed his eyes. "And the Seventh Legion?"
"Felix York said he would consider it."
The Seventh Legion’s power had been growing steadily in recent years. His Majesty had wanted to recall them to the Capital Planet on several occasions, but Felix York had refused each time.
The man had always remained neutral in the Capital Planet’s political struggles, never once declaring his support for any side.
But recently, his tune had started to change. If they could win his support, their odds of success would be much higher.
"Keep lobbying him. If necessary, sweeten the deal."
"Understood."
"Right, also investigate that Healer-class and Cillian Forrest."
If nothing else, he had a decent understanding of how Cillian Forrest operated.
Cillian Forrest had never attended a matching banquet before. It wasn’t just because no one’s Level could match his; it was also because no one had ever caught his eye.
’For him to match so easily with a complete stranger this time... it wasn’t his style.’
’With Cillian Forrest around, I definitely can’t do anything to that Healer-class, Sophie Wexler.’
’I’ll have to find a breakthrough from another angle.’
———
For the next few days, Sophie Wexler’s life went on as usual.
They had signed a marriage agreement, and according to the laws of the Empire, they were officially partners.
But Sophie Wexler’s life was no different than before. Cillian Forrest was also very busy—or rather, he hadn’t had a moment’s rest lately. She had no idea what he was up to, only that he left early and came home late every day.
There was no follow-up to their last conversation, making Sophie Wexler wonder if she had misunderstood him entirely.
But after mulling it over for a bit, she put it out of her mind. ’Whatever he meant, I’m sure I’ll find out eventually.’
One morning, Sophie Wexler was surprised to find Cillian Forrest still at home when she woke up—a rare occurrence.
"Don’t you have work to do today?"
"I’m off today," the man said.
’Everything that needed to be handled has been taken care of. All that’s left is to spring the trap.’
Sophie Wexler just said, "Oh."
"Perfect. It’s time for your toxin cleansing anyway. Come on." Sophie Wexler patted the spot next to her, the motion fluid and practiced.
Cillian Forrest was speechless.
He still walked over and sat down beside Sophie Wexler. By now, Sophie’s cleansing process had become incredibly proficient. She could even manipulate her spiritual power while casually chatting with him.
Then, as if remembering something, Cillian Forrest called her name. "Sophie Wexler."
Sophie Wexler looked up. "Yes?"
"Do you..." Cillian Forrest hesitated for a moment. "Do you remember Evan Adler and the others?"
Sophie Wexler nodded. ’Of course, I remember them,’ she thought. ’They were the potential matches Cillian Forrest had listed for me.’
’They sent me so many gifts back then. How could I possibly forget?’
"What about them?"
As soon as she asked, Cillian Forrest handed her his communicator. Sophie lowered her gaze to read the screen.
"They want me to help soothe their spiritual power?" Sophie Wexler looked up, surprised.
"Yes." Cillian Forrest took back the communicator. "The Empire has never had a 3S Healer-class before, so people with High-level Spiritual Power had no way to soothe their Disorder Periods. They could only rely on medication for suppression."
Sophie Wexler nodded. She knew that. The higher the rank, the more excruciating the Disorder Period. Forcibly suppressing it with medication caused immense trauma to their Spiritual Sea.
"Even though they’ve asked, the final decision is entirely up to you."
"I’ll do it."
The two of them spoke at once. Cillian Forrest looked at Sophie Wexler, surprised she had agreed so quickly.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Is it so strange that I agreed?" Sophie Wexler asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My Level is high enough, so of course I’m willing to help soothe them. Besides, spiritual power grows and changes. Using it actually increases its activity. It’s a win-win. Why wouldn’t I agree?"
It was true. Just like when she did her live streams, the spiritual power she expended would eventually replenish to its original Level.
"Besides, I only cleanse your toxins once a week, so I have plenty of spiritual power to spare. It’s the perfect opportunity to help them."
’I was just wondering what I could do to expend some spiritual power and increase its activity,’ she thought. ’I’ve discovered that my Spiritual Power Level only increases through a constant cycle of use and replenishment.’
"Alright."
Cillian Forrest started to say, "But you have to be careful..."
"I know, I know. Pace myself. Don’t overdo it and pass out like last time," Sophie Wexler said, giving him a wink. "Don’t worry, I get it."
"See? I’ve been doing a great job pacing myself during your recent toxin cleansings."
’It was true,’ he thought. ’Aside from the first time when she tried to push her limits, she had been very measured since. She would always stop when she felt her spiritual power was nearly depleted.’
"Just send me their communicator numbers, and I’ll get in touch with them," Sophie Wexler said.
Cillian Forrest grunted in affirmation and sent her the communicator numbers for Evan Adler and the others.
After she finished cleansing Cillian Forrest, Sophie Wexler immediately went to contact Evan Adler and the others, putting Cillian completely out of her mind.
’After all, these people were prime candidates for her to practice using her spiritual power.’
Cillian Forrest, for his part, wasn’t worried about his own identity being exposed. He had already given them a warning in advance.
Evan Adler was as shrewd as they come; he knew what to say and what to keep to himself.