Vyea reached out and supported the unconscious Lania, neither glancing at the circle of trembling Arbitration Knights around them nor at Hua Shiyu and the others.
The traces left by the Violet Surge in the night sky had already vanished, replaced by a golden beam shooting high above the city center, pointing toward the highest mountain of Antler City.
At first, the pitch-black night sky was merely marked by a small round golden spot where the beam struck. But that golden spot spread rapidly, like golden ink poured into the dark night, frantically invading the deep black sky, almost as if it were replacing the sun to light up the night!
At the same time, Vyea sensed the dormant magical energy within her body begin to boil, as if it wanted to break free from her physical limits and evaporate into the outside world.
However, the surging magical energy was immediately forced back into calm upon touching the Hero’s Mark on her chest.
Holy Attribute attacks are a natural counter to monsters.
Without the reactivation of the Hero’s Mark, Vyea dared not imagine how badly her body would be suppressed.
There might even be a risk of losing to a student.
If defeated in such a situation, there would truly be no hope of recovery.
Fortunately, the unconscious Lania couldn’t move, and her weight was light. Ever cautious, Vyea could lift her easily with one hand, like carrying a sandbag.
“Hey, you short Minister over there, come here.” Vyea shouted rudely at the Arbitration Knights, casually tossing aside a knight’s sword that had reached its lifespan limit.
“M-me?” The pink-haired dwarf looked around in a panic, her finger pointing at her own face growing weak.
Wuwu, what to do now?
This villain had beaten the Brave to her knees and was definitely going to take her back to be a sex slave or something!
Hua Shiyu felt despair and anger, mixed with a touch of sorrow and relief.
Luckily, she hadn’t chosen to resist forcefully back then; otherwise, she might have already become a pretty girl specimen.
“Stop looking around—it’s you!”
Vyea stood there with one hand on her hip and the other carrying Lania, looking like a victorious war goddess holding her prize:
“You’re the shortest here. Don’t you have any self-awareness?”
“…”
Am I short enough to eat your rice?
Pinched in her sore spot, Hua Shiyu felt gloomy but dared not provoke her. Under the worried gaze of the Judges nearby, she lowered her head and, like a Death Row Convict heading to the Execution Platform, hesitated and shuffled forward.
Having unexpectedly encountered an evil great Slime, ghostlike in form and stronger than monsters, she gave her all and still couldn’t win.
Hua Shiyu could only pray that she and the poor Brave Lady would be treated gently after being taken to the Monster Lady’s Goblin Nest, and not be handled roughly.
And that someone would guide them in time.
“Wuwu, we were wrong, big sister~”
Just as she reached Vyea’s side, Hua Shiyu shamelessly started wiping tears, letting small pearls fall.
Combined with her cute appearance and gentle pink hair, she was a pure white flower in bloom.
“When the Brave Lady wakes up, I’ll actively counsel her to cooperate and not resist…”
“Hmph, good.”
Vyea was satisfied with her answer; she was indeed worthy of being the Human Alliance’s Minister of Weapons. With Lania’s current state, she wouldn’t wake anytime soon.
And since she couldn’t bring Lania along, the best choice was to hand the defeated Brave Lady over to someone more reliable.
Although Minister Hua was undernourished and short, she wasn’t foolish and was worth employing.
Moreover, Lania’s mind was stubborn. Having someone thoughtful to guide her would make it easier to emerge from the shadows.
Above the ninth rank lies the God of the Mortal World.
A Brave Lady who successfully walks out of the darkness will surely ascend further, breaking through the eighth rank and catching a glimpse of the Stairway to Godhood.
“Then I’m counting on you.”
Thinking this, Vyea didn’t even realize her tone had softened.
Hua Shiyu nodded repeatedly. “I promise not to let the Brave Lady become withdrawn due to humiliation!”
With her accompanying and support, the suffering the Brave would endure in the nest would surely be lessened, the pink-haired dwarf kindly thought.
“…”
The sincerity of her attitude made Vyea feel a bit guilty. She should have taken it easier earlier; after all, this was just a clever ordinary girl.
A mature adult shouldn’t make too much fuss.
“Sorry about that.”
Vyea found a sturdy stone slab and laid Lania on it, then glanced at them one last time before turning away.
Eh?
But Hua Shiyu was utterly confused.
What is big sister playing at?
You’re supposed to leave with the spoils, not empty-handed!
“Eh—hey! Wait!” She shouted with eyes closed in surprise.
“Hmm!”
Vyea paused, as if remembering something, then turned back. She understood the hidden meaning behind Hua’s call—You can leave however you want, but can you return what you took from us?
The All-Seeing Eye, huh?
Sorry, I still need her help.
Vyea sighed. “Don’t worry, I’m borrowing the All-Seeing Eye for now. I’ll return it after some time.”
“Eh?” I wasn’t talking about that…
Hua Shiyu glanced at Vyea’s departing figure, then looked at the sleeping Lania on the ground. Finally, she stretched out her pale hand to take a look.
Did she… misunderstand?
The high-level Holy Attribute Magic Array of Antler City had been fully activated. The entire night sky above shimmered with a faint golden glow, reflecting off the gray-black clouds, like a sky after a heavy rainstorm yet to clear.
Billions of droplets of golden light rained down from the heavens, striking every inch of the land below.
The Goblins wailed, turning to white bones in the light rain before dispersing into wisps of smoke.
The whole city was being purified.
Vyea walked beneath a black umbrella. The light rain couldn’t harm her, yet she deeply wished not to be touched by it.