Chapter 48: The Maidens Who Treasure Her

“That’s true. Well then, allow me to introduce myself—Yuri Preston, from the Preston Family. The two of you hold high positions among humanity, so you must have heard of the Preston Family, right?”

As he spoke of the Preston Family, Yuri closed his eyes and lifted his chin high, as if already savoring the adoration from the two women before him.

Nola furrowed her brows and murmured,

“Preston? The reclusive family that’s always claimed to be divine? Are you their envoy?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have business here? Make it quick—the Oracle Maiden is very busy.”

Nola’s coldness far exceeded Yuri’s expectations.

He stared incredulously at her beautiful face, and upon realizing she truly meant it, his composure began to crack.

What did she mean, the Oracle Maiden is busy, so if you have something to say, hurry up?

Even within the Preston Family, he’d never encountered such indifference!

“…How rude. Is this how the Oracle Hall treats the divine?”

“Divine? Mr. Yuri, don’t you think calling yourself divine is rather ridiculous? In what way do you resemble those legendary deities? Is it power? Or appearance?”

“…Hmph, deities don’t care for power or appearance, Saintess.”

“Sorry, but I’m not the Oracle Maiden. She is.”

“You’re not, you…”

Yuri grew flustered. He had meant to retort and mock Nola, but realizing he might lose the argument, he forcibly shifted his gaze to Selis.

A gentle smile remained on Selis’ face, so soothing that a single glance felt like basking in a spring breeze.

Yuri thought this was how a Saintess ought to be. As for Nola…

Hmph, an uncouth shrew!

“Fine, fine, Saintess, I’ll speak plainly. Among the Rose Knights under your command, there’s one who belongs to our family. We’re here to take her back, and thought it proper to inform you.”

“And what if I refuse?”

The Saintess before him still wore that gentle smile, but her words made Yuri’s brow twitch in displeasure.

“This is an announcement, not a discussion.”

“So, if I refuse, do you intend to take her by force?”

What nonsense? Why was this Saintess also so unyielding?

It seemed that after all these years of seclusion, the world had forgotten the might of the Preston Family.

Yuri sized up Saintess Selis, then let out a soft chuckle. “And why not? Saintess, if I may—seems you don’t possess much strength, do you?”

As he spoke, he casually released a surge of mana from within, intending to use it to suppress Selis.

But before his power could even reach her, another overwhelming force crashed in like a tidal wave.

Under the impact, he tumbled from the sofa, his cane slipping from his hand.

“Is the so-called divine power only at level 30?”

Nola burst out laughing.

That surge of mana came from her.

Harm Selis in her presence?

Courting death!

Scrambling up from the floor, Yuri’s face flushed with anger. He shouted,

“You… you two better realize what you’re doing! You’re defying the Preston Family! And you, Saintess, with your lack of strength, you ought to be careful.”

“If something unfortunate were to happen to you, no one will take responsibility!”

Narrowing her eyes, a faint killing intent filled the room. Nola stepped up to Yuri, one hand quietly moving to her waist.

There may not have been a sword there, but she could summon one at any moment.

“Are you threatening the Oracle Maiden?”

If he so much as nodded, a blade would cut across his neck and end his life.

Sensing how dire things had become, Yuri stiffened. His guide rushed to his side, shouting,

“Milady, milady! Mr. Yuri meant no offense—he’s just spent too long in the family and rarely ventures out. Please, Saintess, please forgive his rudeness!”

Yuri glared at him, “What do you mean by that?!”

He’d wanted to snap at his guide, but Nola’s killing intent was too palpable. His legs grew weak, his lower half almost beyond control.

She really would kill him…

…Had the name of the Preston Family truly lost all meaning?

Fortunately, Saintess Selis finally spoke.

“Nola, let them go.”

“Saintess is merciful, sparing your lives. But if you dare say such things before her again, my sword might claim another soul.”

From her lofty position, Nola looked down on Yuri, then turned and sat back on the sofa.

“Renia, see them out.”

As Selis finished speaking, Yuri and his guide were suddenly enveloped in a strange surge of mana.

In the blink of an eye, they found themselves on the busy street outside the Oracle Hall.

Their wretched state, sprawled on the ground, was clear to every passerby.

Yuri scrambled to his feet and, biting his lip, slipped into a dark corner like a frightened rat.

……

Nighttime, Temporary Encampment of the Rose Knights.

On the second floor, Teresa looked up at the full moon in the sky. Moonlight Veil draped over her, as misty as if she might vanish at any moment.

“Captain, are you really leaving the Rose Knights?”

Pella approached from behind, her expression complicated.

“How did you know?”

“Lady Selis told us. She wanted us to try and persuade you to stay.”

She had thought maybe Isavel had broken her promise and told Pella and the others, but if it was Selis, then she understood.

After all, that Saintess truly didn’t want her to leave.

But, the more they wished for her to stay, the more she had to go.

It wasn’t out of rebellion. She simply believed that if she stayed, she would only end up hurting them.

Because the Preston Family was ruthless in their methods.

“Pella, I’m sorry.”

Turning around, Teresa embraced Pella, who, a little anxious and reluctant, pleaded,

“I know your family is amazing—I think it’s called Pr… Prus-something?—but the Oracle Hall is strong too, and Lady Saintess definitely won’t let you go.”

“Our Rose Knights are only complete when you’re with us!”

Gazing into Pella’s innocent eyes, Teresa softly replied,

“So what you’re saying is, Lady Isavel would stand against the Preston Family for me—for an ordinary Tool?”

As she spoke, a self-mocking smile appeared on her lips.

In the Preston Family, she was just a Tool to be used and discarded. Even among the Rose Knights, she hadn’t escaped that fate.

In Saintess Isavel’s eyes, everything was just about profit.

But… she had no regrets.

If she could turn back time and choose again, she’d still come here.

Because here, she’d met a group of girls who truly cherished her.