“We’re back at the camp. There’s no wind here, so you can’t escape anymore.”
Vina lay on the sofa, propping up her chin with both hands, her peach blossom eyes fixed on the blonde girl.
“Miss Leah, you were so crucial back there. If you hadn’t saved Ayla, we wouldn’t have been able to end things so smoothly. But the bond between you two is so strong, it reminds me of our bet. Looks like it’ll come true soon~”
The Saintess kept a straight face and said nothing.
Don’t ask, anyway, she’ll never admit to anything.
As for the bet you mentioned, you’d have to catch her yourself on the spot.
Since they’re all back now and the Chapel is nearby, if you want to, just drag Ayla over and stay a night—could you even manage to catch her?
Leah would never enter a church unprepared!
Seeing her on high alert, Vina decided to find some outside help and waved to the slender girl nearby:
“Zero, do you think I’m right?”
“No.”
“…Eh?”
Zero passed by the sofa and spoke calmly.
“We’re a team. It’s normal for everyone to be as close as family. Miss Leah did her best to save a comrade. That’s only natural.”
Vina lifted her head.
“Is it normal?”
“Normal.”
Zero stopped, then said seriously,
“If it were me, I’d do the same.”
“Of course you would. You…”
Vina rolled her eyes, jumped off the sofa, and went back to her room to rest.
Leah looked at Zero with doubt and surprise, only to find the latter looking back at her.
In those calm eyes, there seemed to be a deeper meaning.
“Do you… do you have something to say?”
The Saintess felt strangely nervous.
“Nothing.”
Zero smiled faintly.
“Go rest.”
Leah nodded.
“Okay?”
So weird!
Ayla and Celes didn’t come back.
After their report, they turned left and went straight to the Sanctuary Hall.
Rolls knew they were coming.
With something as big as a Dragon Hawk flying into the Royal City, of course he had known ahead of time.
Light tea and small pastries were already prepared on the table.
“That’s right, it was all caused by that Evil God.”
Ayla said directly.
“That little girl is called Xisha. She was a bloodthirsty killer from the moment she appeared and killed many, many elves. Fortunately, she only had three days. We used delay tactics to hold out and finally ended her evil.”
Simple and clear.
The words weren’t harsh, but the logic was precise. Anyone could imagine what happened.
Rolls sighed at the terror of the Evil God and the enemy, then looked at the two with admiration.
“Calm under pressure and perfectly coordinated, you defeated the enemy in the end. You two are working better and better together!”
But Celes looked somewhat downcast.
“This victory relied on many lucky factors… You two talk first. I want to visit the Royal Armory.”
With that, the girl stood up and left.
Her desolate demeanor didn’t escape the eyes of the older generation.
Rolls looked at Ayla, puzzled.
“What happened over there? Why is she like this?”
Ayla shrugged.
“She lost in a head-on fight, only lasted one round, and her sword broke.”
For the youngest Sword Saint, it was undoubtedly a heavy blow.
Rolls was incredulous.
“That Xisha was really that strong? Little Celes is said to be the Human Race’s once-in-a-millennium talent…”
“Yes, but Xisha is over thirteen hundred years old this year.”
Ayla spread her hands.
“She’s an elf from a thousand years ago.”
Different pools, different draws—she was a character from the previous Millennium Pool.
After thinking for a moment, she added,
“Also, she exchanged her life for the power of the Evil God, leaving herself only three days. That’s not normal combat power.”
It’s enough.
The Siren Priest of Harbor City also traded life for strength, but once the fight started, Celes still stabbed her all over the place with her sword.
As for Xisha, you could only say her elven bloodline was nobler than a Siren’s, and her talent really was better.
But if you have to exchange life for power, losing is just losing.
That said, the logic is the logic, but Rolls was still worried.
“Little Celes is a strong-willed person. She probably can’t accept this. For a while, she’ll go crazy trying to improve herself.”
Ayla’s gaze wandered.
“Probably.”
Then let her grow stronger.
That’s good.
Once she’s done, she can come work for me and help me retake the Highest Throne of the Demon Race.
Being strong-willed is a good thing. Pressure creates motivation.
“But she really does need a better weapon. I hope she finds one.”
Rolls said.
Ayla nodded in agreement.
After Zero got a Legendary Weapon, her combat power shot up.
Though, it mainly showed in how easily she killed people.
Her own Necromantic Sword had also gained all sorts of new abilities after being enhanced, and its Ultimate Move had leveled up too.
Half an hour later, Celes returned, disappointment clear on her face.
“What is it?”
Ayla blinked in concern.
“Couldn’t find anything suitable?”
Celes shook her head and spat out a sentence.
“All flash, no substance. Useless for real combat.”
In the Royal Armory, all the truly practical weapons were standard greatswords for the Imperial Guard and soldiers—usable, but of low quality.
As for the high-quality and well-crafted “fine swords,” those belonged to royalty and ministers, serving mainly as status symbols.
“Don’t worry. You’ll definitely find your own sword.”
Ayla said softly.
“Just like Zero did.”
Look at Zero wandering around Harbor City—an old senior gave her a special weapon.
You’ll get one too.
With the girl’s comfort, Celes felt a bit better.
After bidding Rolls goodbye, the two returned together to the Bonfire Camp.
“You two are back!”
Leah was the first to greet them.
“Did you finish the official business at the palace?”
“Yes.”
Celes nodded.
“It’s all handled.”
Never letting personal feelings affect business—that was her principle.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Leah glanced at everyone’s positions, sighed exaggeratedly, and said,
“That pillar of light yesterday morning was too intense. The whole Kingdom saw it. The people at the Chapel sent a letter asking about it, so I need to go back and explain. By the way, Ayla, you should come too. Not just to explain, but to thank the Goddess in person. Sounds reasonable, right?”
No one responded.
Leah turned and found Celes hadn’t even stopped to listen, heading straight upstairs.
She went over and grabbed Ayla, asking quietly,
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing. She’s just feeling down and isn’t paying attention to these things right now.”
At that, Leah groaned in frustration.
“You should’ve said so sooner! If you’d told me earlier, I wouldn’t have said all that just now. I would’ve dragged you away directly. If I hadn’t said it, I could use that excuse next time!”
Too bad it’s been said, wasted.
Can’t bet on Celes forgetting next time.