Celestial God Creis quietly followed behind Olivia.
Although her presence put many knights on high alert, she didn’t feel the slightest embarrassment.
Most of the knights only glanced at her briefly before turning away.
After all, a cold, floating maiden like Creis wasn’t exactly uncommon in the skies.
Creis paid the humans no mind.
She simply watched Olivia’s figure and the unconscious Gabriella cradled in her arms.
She trailed the knight procession, following Olivia and the others through the castle gates.
Once they reached the knight camp untouched by the fighting, she slipped into an inconspicuous corner and quietly observed the scene inside the room.
Gabriella had been temporarily placed on a comfortable bed.
The door had been left open—whether forgotten or left that way on purpose, no one could say.
“Saint Son, I never imagined you were actually a Heavenly Oracle Envoy. Truly impressive.”
Holy Queen Simona’s voice came from inside the room.
“Should I address you as Heavenly Oracle Envoy Leader now?”
“There’s no need, Your Majesty. The gap between Heavenly Oracle Envoys and ordinary humans has always been negligible.”
“Miss Olivia~”
Then the door closed, leaving Celestial God Creis standing foolishly outside.
Several knights walked past her, momentarily blocking her view.
She was about to step forward and open the door when more knights arrived to report the battle situation to the Holy Queen.
The room grew lively once again.
Olivia tucked the blanket around Gabriella and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, as if she hadn’t noticed Creis waiting outside at all.
She was being ignored.
Creis’s face showed almost no emotion.
She listened carefully to the knights’ reports, doing her best to understand the current state of the world.
“Other than the missing Saintess, the whereabouts of the Grand Commander and Ice Saint are unknown. No one died. Dozens were injured… The only one missing is the Flame Saint. The Fourth and Seventh Knight Captains have also left. No one knows where they went… In any case, successfully retrieving the Silver-White Sword Empress is our greatest victory.”
While speaking, the Holy Queen returned to her desk to tally the reports.
Olivia remained where she was, stroking Gabriella’s head with open affection on her face.
Only after the knights had left the room did Celestial God Creis prepare to enter.
But before she could follow, the Holy Queen set down her documents.
Olivia suddenly stood up and left the room with the knights.
Creis thought for a moment, then finally spoke.
“I don’t believe we’ve met, miss. May I ask who you are?”
“I’m looking for Olivia and Gabriella.”
“They’ll be heading back soon to rest at the Holy King Capital’s sanatorium. I’ve already arranged the best attendants for them.”
Celestial God Creis asked no further questions.
She turned quickly and left, leaping onto the roof of the building.
From there she gazed in the direction Olivia had flown and followed after her.
Olivia seemed to be deliberately avoiding her.
The moment she sensed Creis’s presence, Olivia shot higher into the sky.
She protected Gabriella with mana, making it look as if she were carrying a coffin.
Faint blue energy flickered around Creis as she gave chase, only to catch a few of Olivia’s falling feathers.
The two figures traced beautiful arcs across the sky.
Below them lay the bustling human streets, filled with crowds and the rise and fall of carriages—an image of a thriving mortal world.
The Holy King Capital was even more prosperous.
Ten-story buildings and grand structures rose everywhere, while the Holy King’s Palace stood in the center of a moat like a luxurious fortress.
Intricate golden patterns adorned its white brick walls, proclaiming humanity’s greatness and glory.
A train passed beneath them, ringing with the cheerful chime of arrival.
Olivia descended into the royal forest of the Holy King Capital, landing in an artificial woodland estate.
The royal knights on guard bowed their heads in respect.
“Saint Son, we received instructions from Simona. I can show you the way.”
“No need.” Olivia shook her head, ignoring the knights’ words.
They bowed slightly and returned to their posts at the white stone gate.
Olivia retracted her wings and walked toward a three-story mansion in the residential district.
The place was completely empty, like an unoccupied villa, yet the walls and floors were spotless.
It was a room Holy Queen Simona had specially prepared for esteemed guests from afar.
Of course, it was not actually a “sanatorium”—it was simply an ordinary mansion.
Olivia settled Gabriella into the bedroom on the third floor.
The moment she turned around, she ran straight into Celestial God Creis who had followed right behind her.
“Olivia.”
This time, Creis took the initiative.
“Why won’t you listen to me?”
But what Creis never expected was for Olivia to simply look at her with those melancholy eyes—eyes filled with anger and cold indifference.
Olivia asked:
“Who are you?”
“Holy Queen Simona did not invite a guest like you. Gabriella needs rest. Leave before the guards notice you.”
Seeing Olivia about to step inside and close the door, Creis hurriedly said, “You’re lying to me.”
But Olivia paid her no further attention.
The door slammed shut.
Creis stood motionless outside, staring into the bedroom.
Then, realizing waiting like this was pointless, she said softly, “Olivia, I only want to see Gabriella. I want to know about our daughter…”
The door opened again.
This time Gabriella had already been tucked into the covers.
“Daughter~?”
A faint smile appeared on Olivia’s face, but it was overshadowed by accusation and coldness toward Creis.
“Are you her mother?”
“I know I wronged you in the past, but it was for the sake of the entire world—and for balance.”
“Yes, Creis, you always say that. But is Gabriella really your daughter?”
At this point Olivia could no longer hold back.
Her voice stayed low, yet the anger in every word was unmistakable.
“In your eyes she was nothing but a tool—a perfect container of flawless genes and mana. You never once treated her as a daughter!”
Olivia’s furious eyes looked as if they could kill Creis on the spot.
“If you only want to see her for a moment, then look. After that I will drive you away and continue maintaining the balance of your world.”
Olivia left the door open for her but said nothing more.
She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at Gabriella with deep concern.