Ailiya sheathed her sword and turned to walk toward the fallen group.
Orikxis was the most seriously injured, with a blackened wound on his chest deep enough to see bone, large patches of silver scales fallen off, and edges curled and charred.
But his vertical pupils were still bright, and though his breathing was heavy, it was steady. The silver dragon clan’s vitality was indeed tenacious.
Ailiya crouched down and pressed her palm against the edge of his wound. She switched her crimson lotus battle aura to healing mode.
The battle aura turned into a warm current that seeped into the torn muscles, slowly forcing out the dark magic remaining in the wound.
Black mist rose from the injury and dissipated upon contact with the air.
Orikxis grunted, his tense dragon body gradually relaxing.
“Thanks, human.”
“Don’t talk.”
Sylvia and Zephion were less injured. Sylvia had exhausted her magic power and was leaning against a broken stone pillar with her eyes closed, regulating her breathing.
Several scales on Zephion’s dragon wings were broken, and the wing membrane had a few tears, but the bone structure was unharmed.
When Ailiya walked over, the young silver dragon waved his hand.
“You go check on the Holy Maiden. I’ll handle myself.”
Seraphina was kneeling in front of the teleportation platform. She remained in that one posture, her hands propped on the cold stone slabs, head bowed, golden hair falling forward to cover her face.
The hem of her holy robe was torn in several places by the light arrows, revealing her calves still oozing blood.
She hadn’t healed herself; holy light flickered weakly inside her, like a candle in the wind.
After a long while, Ailiya walked up behind her and said nothing.
“What do we do now?”
Seraphina’s voice was so hoarse it was almost unrecognizable.
Ailiya didn’t reply. She crouched behind her and placed her palm on her calf. Warm battle aura seeped into the wound, forcing out the residual shadow toxins. The muscle tissue began to heal at a visible rate.
Seraphina didn’t move and didn’t refuse.
“The enemy’s high-level combat power definitely isn’t limited to her alone.”
After treating the calf wound, Ailiya took Seraphina’s hand, whose nails were broken, and continued to channel battle aura.
“One diamond-rank fallen angel, five platinum-tier magical beasts, one diamond-rank death knight—these are the confirmed forces.”
“How many more are unconfirmed? No one knows.”
“Just the few of us aren’t enough.”
“So I’m asking you, what do you plan to do next?”
Silence. Then Seraphina spoke.
“I’ll find a way. You all don’t worry about it.”
Ailiya’s hand stopped.
“I’m going to find the Temple Master.”
Seraphina’s voice was very light, as if she were talking about something unrelated to life and death.
“He knows what that sacrifice ritual is and how to stop it.”
“He’s the only one who can tell me where Yisela was teleported.”
“I am the only one who has to go.”
Seraphina finally lifted her head.
“Do you know what you’re saying?”
“I know.”
There were no tear stains on her face. But the burning thing in her eyes made Ailiya’s breath catch.
It wasn’t anger, not sorrow. It was a determination that had already prepared for everything.
“My teacher is the mastermind behind all this.”
“He planned and captured Yisela. He turned Shirley into a puppet.”
“The dead in the Borderland, the tens of thousands of souls sacrificed—he did it all.”
Seraphina spoke each word deliberately.
“I am his disciple. I’ve enjoyed his teaching and protection for over a decade.”
“This matter was always meant to be ended by me.”
“So you want to go alone to the Temple of Holy Light, confront him face to face, and then use your life to buy time for Yisela?”
Seraphina didn’t deny it.
“You’re insane.”
“I’m not insane.”
“Your magic power is already exhausted. You can’t even maintain a holy light barrier.”
“If you go to the Temple of Holy Light, you’ll be captured before you even meet the Temple Master.”
“Everyone there is his trusted follower—the Elder Council, the Inquisition Tribunal, the Knights Order. Every one of them listens to him.”
“What are you going to use to question him? What are you going to use to buy time?”
“My life.”
Seraphina looked at Ailiya, her gaze unwavering.
“I am the Holy Maiden of Light.”
“In the Code of Holy Light, the Holy Maiden is the only one who has the right to initiate divine questioning against the Temple Master.”
“This is the authority granted by the God of Holy Light to the Holy Maiden. No one can stop it, not even the Temple Master.”
“If he refuses to answer or lies before the God, the holy light itself will deliver divine punishment.”
“He doesn’t care.”
Ailiya frowned.
“He’s already a fallen one. Would he still care about divine punishment?”
“But he needs to maintain his identity as the Master of the Hall of Holy Light.”
“Before he completes the sacrifice and truly becomes a god, he cannot let the believers know his true face.”
“So he has no choice but to accept my divine questioning.”
“On the surface, he must obey the Code of Holy Light.”
“Once I initiate the questioning, the entire Temple of Holy Light’s attention will focus on the altar.”
“He cannot kill me in full view. He has to speak with me.”
“Right now, Yisela is in his hands. I only have this life to fight for a chance for her to live.”
“If we just wait for reinforcements, Yisela will…”
Seraphina didn’t finish. The answer was clear.
Ailiya stood up, walked aside, and kicked a piece of rubble away.
She turned around, her red eyes fixed on Seraphina.
“So this is how it is. Followers of the God of Holy Light are all so rigid.”
Seraphina’s fingers tightened slightly.
“That fallen angel Shirley, she was also a Holy Maiden before.”
“When she died, where was the God of Holy Light?”
“After she became a puppet, where was the God of Holy Light?”
“Is the god you believe in really worth betting your life on?”
“I don’t need the God of Holy Light to save her.”
She said softly.
“I’ll go myself.”
Ailiya stood still, her chest heaving violently a few times.
Then she strode back, crouched down, and pinched Seraphina’s chin, forcing her to look up at her.
“Listen carefully. Remember every word I’m about to say.”
“That little evil dragon is an opponent I have to defeat.”
“She once used two fingers to catch my sword, making me lose my sword heart.”
“I traveled across mountains and rivers to get here, not to collect her corpse.”
“If you want to go die, fine.”
“But remember, if you die, that little evil dragon will cry.”
“She’s annoying when she cries. I can’t stand it.”
She let go and stood up.
“So please don’t die, Seraphina.”
“Even if you have to surrender to your teacher, make sure you keep yourself alive.”
Seraphina stared at her, lips trembling slightly.
Heavy footsteps came from behind.
Orikxis had managed to stand up, though his chest was still wrapped in temporary ice bandages, and he had shifted back to human form.
Sylvia and Zephion also stood up.
The three silver dragons walked to Seraphina and knelt on one knee.
“Your Highness the Holy Maiden.”
Orikxis lowered his head, silver hair falling.
“The silver dragon clan will not forget your kindness.”
“I haven’t done anything yet!”
Seraphina was stunned.
“You have already decided to do it.”
Sylvia’s voice remained cool, but her slightly lowered eyelashes betrayed her emotion.
“This courage, the silver dragon clan will remember.”
Zephion raised his head. His young vertical pupils still held the fatigue of injury, but his tone was especially serious.
“No matter the outcome, the silver dragon clan owes you a life.”
“Any time you need us, just say the word.”
Seraphina’s eyes finally reddened.
She didn’t speak, only nodded lightly.
“Alright.”
Ailiya clapped her hands, breaking the heavy atmosphere.
“Since the plan is set, let’s divide the tasks.”
“Seraphina goes to the Temple of Holy Light to initiate the questioning, buy time, and give Yisela a chance to live.”
“Three of the silver dragon clan—”
“We’ll return to the Dragon’s Nest.”
Orikxis took over.
“The Four Great Elders are already summoning the strong of all clans.”
“The main force of the silver dragon clan will assemble as quickly as possible.”
“No matter where the Temple Master teleported the princess, we will find her and bring her back.”
“I’ll also continue contacting my teammates to have them gather support.”
Ailiya paused, looking at Seraphina.
“But there’s one thing you must promise me.”
“What?”
“Before you go to the Temple, at least restore your magic power to the platinum rank.”
Seraphina was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“Don’t collapse before you even see the Temple Master’s face.”
“I will.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Ailiya turned and looked at the empty space above the teleportation platform.
Yisela’s presence was completely gone, not even a trace remained.
“Little evil dragon, hold on a little longer.”
She said softly.
“That idiot sister of yours is coming to save you right now.”