Chapter 48: The Goddess Forbids It

After the battle, only ten members of the Broken Blood Knight Order remained able to continue fighting, including Aurelia and Skarn.

Fortunately, with Xiao Hei nearby, no Vampire Beasts dared to approach.

Though they themselves were thoroughly shaken.

“Captain, should we keep moving? Maybe the Elf Tribe allies have already arrived in this forest,” Aurelia asked.

“Let’s rest here. There are too many wounded. At least we should wait for Goda and Bai to finish their treatments before continuing,” Skarn said after a moment’s thought.

He turned to look at the battlefield, where their blood-soaked comrades lay among shattered bodies and limbs, his eyes revealing a hint of sorrow.

After all, these were soldiers he had personally brought out.

The Broken Blood Knight Order didn’t have many members; although not all were deployed on this mission, each one was handpicked and led by Skarn.

He had not forgotten a single name—alive or fallen.

Aurelia obeyed the order and went to assist with the rescue efforts.

They tacitly avoided the area where Xiao Hei was stationed.

After all, even if he wasn’t an enemy, a giant dragon standing there was terrifying enough.

“Captain Skarn,” Vera approached, leaning on her crutch, her body wrapped in bandages.

She smiled awkwardly and scratched her head.

“Oh, Vera. How’s your body? Is Goda’s treatment working well?”

Skarn asked.

Vera quickly waved her hand.

“Much better, much better. Just a minor injury. I’m tough. Hiss—”

She raised her arm to show off her strength, but the wound suddenly throbbed sharply, and she gasped in pain.

Embarrassed, Vera gave a sheepish smile and lowered her head, her face full of guilt.

“Sorry… Captain. I was too naive. I thought I could take on a Vampire alone. After the attack, I didn’t report back immediately. Instead, I wanted to defeat the Vampire by myself and return to win your favor, to impress you and Lady Aurelia. I didn’t expect… to cause you trouble.”

Her voice faltered, weighed down by regret.

She had come here to help the Broken Blood Order, but she almost drove them to the brink of destruction.

Skarn looked at her and reprimanded firmly, “Arrogance is the greatest weakness of a knight. A competent knight must never underestimate the enemy. Even a lion uses full strength to catch a rabbit. And we are no lions, nor are the Vampires rabbits. Your pride could have killed your comrades. That was foolish… but—”

Skarn’s stern expression vanished, replaced by his usual boisterous grin.

He patted Vera’s shoulder encouragingly and continued, “Courage is also a knight’s greatest weapon. You are brave, and you are growing. That’s enough.”

Vera was momentarily stunned, then a smile returned.

She straightened her back and replied excitedly, “Yes! Captain!”

After a brief hesitation, she ventured, “So… do you think I can join the Broken Blood Order directly? Hehe.”

Skarn chuckled and said, “We don’t dare take in Elf Nobles.”

“Huh?”

Vera froze completely.

He had discovered her identity?

When?

Seeing her shocked face, Skarn tapped the sword at her waist and said, “You’re so bold as to openly wear that sword on your waist. You’re making sure everyone knows you’re an Elf Noble. Once the Elf allies arrive, they’ll take you back.”

“Careless of me! But Captain Skarn! I really want to join the Broken Blood Order! Can you give me a chance?”

Vera pleaded, only to receive Skarn’s merciless reply.

“Wait until your lord agrees, then we’ll talk.”

Without looking back, he turned and headed toward the battlefield to join the support efforts.

“Bai, come baaaack!!!”

Vera’s wailing echoed through the forest for a long time.

***

The rescue continued until nightfall.

After consulting with Aurelia, Skarn decided to set up camp and rest until morning before pressing forward.

At night, Bai quietly leaned against Xiao Hei.

A day of healing had left her exhausted.

Xiao Hei lowered his head and affectionately rubbed her cheek.

“Xiao Hei, that tickles,” Bai murmured weakly.

“Roar roar roar ‘Bai, can you answer my question now?’”

Bai said nothing, shifting slightly to find a more comfortable position on Xiao Hei.

Xiao Hei continued his low growl, “Roar roar roar ‘Why did you leave your master to become Yalbera’s Blood Servant?’”

Bai was silent for a moment. Her gray eyes flickered as if recalling something.

She spoke softly, “Yarabella-sama dislikes Bai, and Bai doesn’t want to serve her anymore. It’s as simple as that.”

She said it lightly, but the sorrow radiating from her was sharp enough for Xiao Hei to detect.

He didn’t press further but instead asked another question.

“Roar roar roar ‘Then why follow Yalbera?’”

“My master promised that if Bai became her Blood Servant, she would give Bai three days of freedom every week. Bai hopes to find my sister,” Bai explained slowly, her mind picturing Yalbera’s arrogant figure.

Xiao Hei said nothing.

He knew Bai was hiding something from him, but… he was hiding things from her as well.

One of his pupils constricted sharply.

He knew… Yalbera was watching Bai through his eyes.

“Xiao Hei, do you dislike this Bai?”

Bai suddenly lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

Uncertainty, pleading, and hope filled her gaze.

She was afraid—afraid he might hate her for this, afraid of losing him…

Xiao Hei bowed his head again and gently kissed Bai’s cheek.

“You are my Bai.”

***

Inside the sacred church, crimson light filtered through the stained glass, casting a glow over the Sanctuary.

A Sister knelt before the solemn Statue of the Goddess, hands clasped in devout prayer, the silence absolute.

“Bang!”

Suddenly, the door was thrust open violently, shattering the calm.

A bloodied girl stumbled in, clutching a bleeding wound.

“Save me, Lady Sylvia! I’m not ready to die! Please, save me!”

Sera begged anxiously, limping to the Sanctuary and falling to her knees.

Sylvia slowly turned, her comforting smile unchanged, but her words were cold and despairing.

“Save you? Why? The Divine Will has not told me to save you.”

Sera’s expression froze in shock and fear.

“You ordered me on this mission! Why? You could have just lifted your hand…”

“Sera.”

Sylvia interrupted suddenly.

Her smile twisted into something chilling.

“You crossed the line,” she said softly.

“Huh?”

“I ordered you to eliminate the Broken Blood Order, but you harmed someone who must never be harmed,” Sylvia said.

“Someone who must never be harmed?”

Sera repeated, whispering.

Her mind scrambled through memories of everyone she had met on this journey, finally locking onto a gray figure.

She shook her head frantically, repentant.

“No, Lady Sylvia, I didn’t know she was the one you favored! I truly didn’t know! Please, spare me! I still have value! Please spare me!”

Sylvia smiled faintly.

She stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Sera’s head, eyes narrowing.

Just as Sera thought she would be healed, Sylvia spoke slowly:

“I wish I could save you too… but…”

Sylvia’s gentle smile vanished, replaced by a devilish grin. Her voice was cold and mocking.

“The Goddess does not allow it. Hehehe.”

In the next moment, Dark Flame burst into being.

Sera didn’t even have time to scream before she was reduced to ashes, scattering into the air.