Chapter 278: Back to Full Health!

“With me here, do you really need to worry about Wendy’s youth and lifespan?”

Astreia’s voice wasn’t loud, but it hit like an invisible slap across Laxana’s face.

The subtext of those words boiled down to just three syllables.

You don’t matter.

Wendy, still suspended midair, watched the about-to-explode Seven Luminaries Witch and the fully unleashed Astreia Empress, feeling his scalp crawl, as if he might be torn apart by both sides at any second.

No good!

I have to do something!

Wendy’s gaze swept downward frantically.

By the Bone Altar, Layana and Aurelia lay sprawled on the ground, their frail forms like guttering candle flames in the wind—one touch and they’d shatter.

Layana was Laxana’s mother. Aurelia was the woman who had saved Astreia.

I absolutely can’t let them get caught up in this!

“Um… Astreia…”

Wendy glanced cautiously at the Astreia Empress on his right, pleading weakly. “Can we… maybe move somewhere farther away? I’m afraid that if you two start fighting, it’ll reach Dean Layana and Dean Aurelia…”

He paused, stole a quick glance at Laxana, then added.

“After all… it was the two of them who risked their lives to release you. If they got hurt… wouldn’t that be… bad?”

Wendy thought his words were absolutely watertight.

He’d shown concern for both deans, hinted at Astreia’s debt of gratitude, and even placated Laxana on the side—see, I haven’t forgotten your mother either.

It was a perfect proposal that any normal person would nod and praise.

But the ones he was dealing with had never been normal.

“Wendy!!!”

A roar exploded from the depths of Laxana’s throat—a cry saturated with extreme agony and Betrayal burst forth from her mouth!

Boom!

Her irises, shimmering with seven colors, were instantly engulfed by a furious scarlet!

Wendy!

Why are you saying this to Astreia?!

Why won’t you come and beg me?!

They saved Astreia! They’re my enemies!

They turned me into what I am now!

And now you…

Now you’re worried about my enemies?!

In Laxana’s logic—already twisted beyond repair—Wendy’s kindness was favoritism! It was picking sides! It was unforgivable Betrayal!

“You… every single one of you… you’re all on her side! All on her side!!!”

“I’ve had enough!!!”

In her manic shriek, Laxana raised her arm, aiming at Wendy. A Chaos Spear, formed from seven elements compressed to their breaking point, materialized in an instant!

Space itself rippled under the strain of such overwhelming Power.

The next second, the spear shot out, carrying the wrath of annihilation, straight for the Prince’s heart!

“Wait, what did I even do?”

Wendy was completely dumbfounded.

Why did this explode out of nowhere?!

But just as Wendy thought he was really going to die here this time—

A violet-black afterimage flashed in front of him.

Astreia hadn’t even changed her posture. She simply raised her hand, almost casually.

The Chaos Spear, capable of warping space itself, collided with her slender, fair palm—and didn’t even raise a ripple. It simply annihilated, dissipating without a sound.

Not even a single mote of light remained.

“Hmph.”

Astreia let out a disdainful snort, her gaze like that of someone watching a child throwing a tantrum.

“You…!”

Laxana trembled with rage, her silver teeth nearly ground to dust.

That look of condescending dismissal, like a Dimensional Reduction Strike, infuriated her more than any vicious curse ever could!

But Astreia’s next words made Wendy—who had just exhaled in relief—feel his heart leap right back into his throat.

The Witch Queen didn’t continue mocking Laxana. Instead, she slowly turned her head, those eyes burning with violet-black demonic flames gazing thoughtfully at the Prince behind her.

“The one who wanted to use that Goddess Veil necklace to Seal me… that was the people down there, wasn’t it, my Prince?”

Wendy shuddered all over.

Damn it!

Time for the reckoning!

“Y-yes…”

He lowered his head, not daring to meet Astreia’s eyes, his voice as thin as a mosquito’s buzz.

“B-but it was just for research… and… and you didn’t exactly refuse either…”

That last part was squeezed out through clenched teeth.

“Oh?”

Astreia’s demonic flame pupils narrowed slightly.

She reached out and grabbed the back of Wendy’s neck, lifting him up in front of her like a kitten caught doing something wrong.

The next second, a cold palm with an oddly pleasant texture gently brushed against his cheek.

Astreia’s face was inches away. Her flawless features betrayed no emotion, but Wendy could hear something extremely dangerous in her words.

“It seems… the little kitten has grown bolder, thinking it can misbehave without consequences.”

“Looks like I’ll have to… Punish you properly!”

Wendy’s face went pale with fright, his mind flashing through one hundred and eight indescribable tortures he’d endured with Astreia in the past.

Given Astreia’s current personality, this “Punishment” was definitely not going to be some simple spanking!

Especially with Laxana watching like a hawk nearby—if he got “punished” on the spot today, he might as well die of social embarrassment!

His survival instinct in overdrive, Wendy frantically waved his hands.

“No! No, Astreia!”

“Whatever it is, let’s talk about it back home! Once we’re back, you can Punish me however you want!”

“Right now! Right now let’s get the two deans to safety, then figure out how to get Laxana back to normal—that’s what really matters!”

He was on the verge of tears, desperately playing the emotional card.

“And before, making you wear the Goddess Veil was out of good intentions—there was no Malice in it…”

“Besides, the two deans just freed you moments ago. If they got hurt… that wouldn’t be great either.”

“Heh…”

Hearing the phrase “back to normal,” Astreia suddenly let out an unreadable laugh.

She released Wendy’s neck and simply waved her hand toward the altar below.

Two pigeon-egg-sized spheres of violet-black energy drifted lazily toward Layana and Aurelia.

At this moment, by the altar.

Layana was sprawled on the ground, using the last shred of her strength to gently stroke her old friend who had completely fallen unconscious.

The once dignified and radiant Cardinal Aurelia was now withered beyond recognition—wrinkled skin, gray hair, her entire body reduced to little more than skin and bones, as if the flame of her life could flicker out at any moment.

Layana let out a sigh heavy with exhaustion and regret.

“Sigh… who knows how today will end… If I’d known it would come to this, I should have…”

She regretted that day in the Library when she’d detected the Demon Race’s aura but only tested Wendy. Her absolute Trust in her daughter had made her overlook Laxana.

It was that very oversight that had led to today’s catastrophe.

Just as Layana’s heart was turning to ash, lost in bitter lament—

The two violet-black orbs drifted to them, merging silently into their bodies.

Layana didn’t even have time to react.

The next second.

An indescribable, warm and overwhelming surge of Life Energy erupted through her exhausted body like a detonation!

Her drained Magic sea was instantly refilled!

Her parched mental strength swelled to fullness!

The hidden wounds left by forced teleportation and magical backlash were being repaired and healed at an impossible speed!

Layana’s eyes flew wide, her face painted with utter disbelief.

“Wh—?!”

She looked down at her hands. The aged, wrinkled skin from burned-out life force was visibly smoothing out, regaining its suppleness and elasticity.

Then, as if struck by a thought, she whipped her head toward her old friend.

What she saw left her frozen in place.

The previously dying Aurelia—barely holding onto her last breath—was inflating like a balloon, her shriveled body rapidly filling out and plumping up.

Her gray hair regained its healthy luster. Her frail breathing became strong and powerful.

Nine seconds later.

Aurelia’s eyes snapped open. She sprang up from the ground with a perfect kip-up, then even did two sets of arm stretches on the spot.

Not a trace of the Cardinal’s dignity remained!

The Dean of the Holy Studies Branch rolled her shoulders, feeling the vitality in her body—even more abundant than in her prime—her face filled with the wild joy of Survival After Calamity.

“I’m alive again!”

“Layana! I feel like I could punch a dragon to death right now!”

“Aurelia?!”

Layana stared at her old friend, who was now bursting with energy—even more spirited than before—completely stunned.