“I’m here.”
As everyone responded, the gentle voice that belonged solely to Selis came from behind Duchess Nola.
She instinctively turned around, and upon seeing Selis’s face, she became excited.
“Selis, is it really you?!”
Silver hair, golden eyes—just one glance was enough to be warmed by that kind face.
It was exactly the same as the girl she had met that night.
Sure enough, she was the new Saintess of the Oracle Hall, Selis!
“I heard Duchess Nola came to the Capital of the Ost Empire looking for me?”
Selis smiled softly, and Nola was momentarily stunned.
But she quickly regained her composure.
“Yes, Miss Selis. At that banquet, you left a very special impression on me, which is why I came searching for you here.”
“But now that I know your identity, what I really want to know is whether Isavel mistreated you? And what are these rumors going around the Capital?”
When it came to love, Nola still cared more about the abuse and the Capital’s gossip—after all, those were matters that truly affected Selis.
Just as Nola thought, Selis shook her head and said:
“Isavel did not mistreat me. As for the rumors in the Capital, they are nothing but the Empire’s nobles trying to slander the Oracle Hall.”
“Really?”
Nola was somewhat doubtful.
“Of course it’s true. Don’t you trust me, Miss Nola?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Miss Selis. It’s just that you’re too kind, and you might be hiding the truth for some reason.”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“Then what about these training methods? I’ve never seen training that puts life and death on the line. Is that also Isavel’s doing?”
Staring into Selis’ eyes, Nola seemed to want to find some clue in them, but regrettably, all she saw was sincerity.
Speaking of these training methods, Selis lowered her gaze, a hint of pity appearing in her expression.
“Do you know who they are?”
“The Rose Knights?”
“Mm, they are the Rose Knights.”
Repeating Nola’s words, Selis looked at the girls who had returned to their training and sighed:
“They are the ones in the Oracle who can save the world, but time is too short. The Abyss won’t give them a chance to grow. If they don’t choose this kind of training, they will only die at the hands of the Abyssal Demons.”
As she spoke, she turned to Nola.
“Miss Nola, you know how difficult it is to become a demigod from scratch within six years, right?”
“T-That still doesn’t mean… such training methods should be used, right?”
“So, do you really think they would die during training?”
Selis blinked, and Nola was instantly stunned by the question.
Right—given Selis’ character, how could she really let them perish during training? Perhaps she only used these methods to put enough pressure on the Knights.
After all, if someone wants to improve their strength, pressure is indispensable, and the pressure of life and death is the most terrifying.
Faced with life and death, countless people awaken their potential and step into realms they never imagined!
The reason Nola herself became a Legend at such a young age was largely because she had experienced life-and-death battles countless times over the years.
So, could it be that she misunderstood Isavel?
“They will depart for Sand Fortress to slay the Abyssal Demons in four days. How about we make a bet? I bet they will succeed in defeating those demons. As for the stake…”
Selis thought for a moment and said:
“When the Rose Knights need help, I hope you can lend a hand.”
The bet wasn’t for herself, but for the Knights?
Nola looked at the slightly frowning girl before her, feeling even more certain of her kindness.
She was like a light, shining on the Rose Knights and giving them endless warmth.
If only she were a member of this Order of Knights.
Gradually, she began to envy them.
But… heading to Sand Fortress to fight Abyssal Demons in four days?
Nola had heard some rumors lately about demons breaking through their seals and wreaking havoc among humans.
In her impression, demons were extremely cunning.
These seemingly fragile Knights were actually going to fight them?
And even dared to hope for victory?
“Fine, if they fail, then you…”
“Hm?”
“Will have to go on a date with me.”
The moment the words left her mouth, not only Nola’s maid Jenny behind her but even Nola herself was a little stunned.
As the daughter of a noble family, she didn’t know why she proposed such a bet—it even felt somewhat like taking advantage.
After all, the Rose Knights were obviously too inexperienced right now and couldn’t possibly stand against the Abyssal Demons.
If they all died on the battlefield, the Saintess Selis would surely be heartbroken. In that state, could she really go on a date she would enjoy?
…That seemed unlikely.
Then why did she make such a bet?
Could love really lower one’s IQ?
Nola pinched the back of her hand in regret just as she was about to change the bet, but Selis agreed immediately.
“Alright, I accept.”
“You don’t have to. I can change the wager.”
“No need, because I don’t believe they will fail.”
When talking about those Rose Knights, there seemed to be a light in Selis’ eyes, radiating absolute confidence and a sense of control.
Nola found this a bit strange.
Could the gentle and kind Saintess Selis really possess such a controlling aura?
…Perhaps it was just her imagination.
Suppressing this strange feeling in her heart, she grew even more envious of those Knights.
If only she were one of them, would she be trusted like this?
Sometimes, she really hated her own background.
“Come walk with me here. Maybe you’ll understand Isavel better. But please keep what I just said a secret from the Rose Knights.”
Selis reached out her hand, placed her index finger against her lips, and tilted her head with a playful ‘shh’.
Nola immediately took her hand.
Soft, fragrant, and more comfortable than she had imagined.
But… understand Isavel?
As if. How could she possibly understand her?
Even now, she still felt Selis was hiding something, and that the former Saintess Isavel was still playing the villain.
After all, Selis was just too kind.
With that kind of personality, she would be bullied wherever she went—especially inside the Oracle Hall at the peak of power.
The former Saintess Isavel would certainly make a move against her.
But all of this was just Nola’s own assumptions.
Now that Selis had invited her, she wasn’t against trying to understand Isavel a little.
Of course, walking around the Temporary Encampment of the Rose Knights wouldn’t really help.
What she was looking forward to was the scene four days later, when the Knights would go to slay the Abyssal Demons.
Was Isavel’s villainy truly only to train them and keep them alive?
Only then would the truth be revealed.
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