Isavel’s wicked charm left Nora momentarily stunned, shaking the conviction in her heart.
Yet after hesitating for a moment, she still spoke:
“Is it really not? Then where is she now?”
Seeing her so persistent, Isavel sighed softly and chose to avoid the question:
“…How should I know? I am myself, and she is herself. Why should I pay so much attention to her whereabouts?”
She tried to stand up, her voice deliberately distant.
“Don’t think about these things. It’s getting late; you should rest.”
As she finished speaking and tried to shake off Nora’s hand, she stumbled from moving too forcefully and fell right into Nora’s arms.
A gentle fragrance and soft sensation enveloped them at the same time, and both froze in surprise.
In the end, it was Nora who regained her senses first and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
“N-nothing, it’s just a bit windy.”
Isavel awkwardly stood up from her arms, hurriedly straightening her disheveled hair with trembling fingers as she fumbled for an explanation.
But Nora noticed her ragged breath.
What shocked her even more was that this Saintess, who was supposed to wield the power of a demigod, seemed to be struggling just to break free from her grasp.
All of this pointed to a single reason—she was severely injured.
Frowning, Nora asked, “You’re hurt?”
Isavel withdrew her hand, turned away, and replied softly, “No.”
Of course she is!
A wave of anger surged in Nora’s heart. She took a step forward, wanting to ask what had happened, but seeing the silent, stubborn figure before her, that anger melted into a sharp pain and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Now that she knew, what could she do?
Anything that could injure the Oracle Maiden was surely not something she should meddle with.
Isavel’s silence—was it not, in a way, a form of protection?
In that moment, Nora felt her own smallness more keenly than ever before.
She once believed that, with magic above level seventy, she could live freely among mortals. Now, she realized she had been wrong.
Such strength might be enough to protect herself, but it was far from enough to protect the ones she wanted to keep safe.
Isavel and Selis, to her, were one and the same. This, she thought, was the truth.
But at this moment, such truth had lost its meaning.
She was too weak. The truth lay before her, yet she was powerless to seize it.
She still had to move forward, relentlessly, until she could one day stand alongside the Oracle Maiden.
Only then, perhaps, could she grasp the truth and truly protect this—
She didn’t press any further. Watching Isavel walk out of the garden and gradually disappear from her sight, Nora clenched her fists, and deep in her heart, the longing for strength was born once more.
……
Two days later, within the Saintess’s bedchamber at the Oracle Hall.
A faint, fragrant breeze wafted in as Queen Flandre, dressed in a luxurious gown, entered with graceful steps.
At the sight of Isavel, she immediately wrapped her arms around Isavel’s neck and pressed her down onto the soft bed.
Their hair intertwined, their fingers locked together. Isavel looked up at the Queen looming above her and smiled:
“What brings you to see me today?”
“I missed you, can’t I?” Flandre replied coyly, her fingertips trailing lazily across Isavel’s collarbone.
“Feeling lonely?”
Flandre’s body trembled, and a rosy blush quickly spread across her cheeks.
She shot Isavel a playful glare, her fingers sliding down her neck, tracing over her fragrant shoulder and chest.
“To be disrespectful to the Queen is grounds for hanging, you know. But if it’s you… hmph, you know what to do to make up for it.”
She gave her a seductive look, then loosened her own ribbon, letting her royal gown slip to the edge of the bed, revealing her graceful figure.
Isavel showed no restraint. She caught Flandre by the waist and, amid the Queen’s surprised gasp, pressed her down, reclaiming the dominant position.
A thin nightgown slipped atop the fallen dress. Moonlight hid itself among the stars, while white skin and rosy blushes traded places beneath the swirling mist.
The next morning, the tangled bedsheets bore witness to last night’s passion.
Flandre lay contentedly in Isavel’s arms, a sly smile lingering at her lips.
“Well then, what brings you to me?”
After pleasure comes business.
Flandre gave a light huff, sounding a little resentful:
“The Norwich Empire suddenly raised troops and attacked two fortresses on the imperial border. Their momentum is overwhelming, and I suspect some of the nobles are behind it.”
“Incited? The Emperor of Norwich must be ambitious too. Besides, to launch an attack on the Aos Empire at such a time—I don’t believe Demons aren’t involved in this.”
Isavel sneered.
To start a war against the Aos Empire now, knowing full well that Demons had already invaded the mortal realm—no matter how you looked at it, it made little sense.
There was only one explanation: the Norwich Empire had already fallen into the hands of the Demons.
After all, if she hadn’t saved Queen Flandre, the Aos Empire could have become the puppet of the Demons even earlier.
Her suspicion was justified.
Flandre had obviously considered this possibility too, and her tone grew anxious:
“What should we do then?”
Before the Oracle Maiden, Isavel, Flandre always seemed to forget she was already the Empress, showing the vulnerable side of a young girl.
Anyone unaware might have thought the true master of the Empire was the Oracle Maiden.
“I was just worrying about the Rose Knights not having anything to do next. Sending them to the battlefield might be the perfect solution.”
The battlefield is always the best place for knights to temper themselves.
Only by enduring the blood and flames of war can they keep advancing, and finally become heroes capable of dragon-slaying!
No sooner had she spoken than Flandre joyfully threw her arms around Isavel’s neck, planting a fragrant kiss on her collarbone.
“Wonderful! With the Rose Knights there, won’t the Norwich soldiers be forced to surrender obediently?!”
The Rose Knights.
After over a year of strict training, the Rose Knights had already been reborn. With them on the battlefield, the outcome of this war was almost certain.
Relieved, Flandre’s fingers began to wander restlessly once more. Isavel arched a brow and once again caught her wrist, pressing her back onto the bed.
The morning sunlight was just right; today, Her Majesty the Queen was destined to be absent from the court.
……
The fortresses attacked by the Norwich Empire were Bliss Fortress and Snow City Fortress.
Although they launched a surprise attack in the dead of night, their offensive was met head-on by the mighty Aos Empire army, and they still failed to take either fortress.
Now, the war had reached a stalemate.
Isavel had originally planned for the Rose Knights to support Bliss Fortress. Everything was in place, and the imperial reinforcements were heading to Snow City Fortress.
But at this moment, something unexpected happened.
Isavel lounged lazily in her chair, one hand supporting her cheek as she tapped her fingers on the tabletop, her eyes downcast, gazing at the young girl kneeling on one knee atop the plush carpet—Iserine.
“You want the Rose Knights to go support Snow City Fortress?”
Her voice carried a hint of casual confirmation, sounding especially clear in the quiet room.
“Yes.”
The girl kept her head bowed, her tone deeply respectful.
Isavel’s gaze swept over the kneeling girl.
She wore a tailored mage robe, the fabric clinging to her figure. Her kneeling posture accentuated her curvaceous silhouette—full bust, slim waist, incredibly alluring.
But that was not what made Isavel remember her.
What impressed her was that, beneath that captivating exterior, lay a magical talent nearly on par with Teresa’s—perhaps even superior in some ways.
Iserine, the most outstanding mage among the Rose Knights.
“Why?” Isavel asked.
Iserine didn’t hesitate and answered directly:
“Because I have a close friend inside Snow City Fortress. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
Narrowing her eyes, Isavel studied her for a moment, then said:
“Iserine, you should know you’re a tool under my command. Your thoughts or emotions cannot influence my decisions.”
Her tone was calm, even a little unfeeling.
But Iserine didn’t flinch.
“I know. That’s why I brought you a message that’s very important to you.”
“What message?”
“In the Snow City Forest behind Snow City Fortress, there’s a secluded village. In that village is a divine artifact called ‘Pure Heart’.”
“Any spring water that flows through it gains special effects, such as strengthening the body and extending life.”
“If that spring water is used to forge weapons and equipment, it grants them a more divine power, making the Rose Knights’ attacks against Demons far more effective.”
“Weapons and equipment—aren’t those exactly what the Rose Knights lack most right now?”
At her words, Isavel’s pupils shrank ever so slightly.
Indeed, the knights’ standard equipment came from the Aos Empire, which sufficed against ordinary enemies, but against ever-stronger Demons, it was no longer enough.
If they could obtain equipment enhanced by Pure Heart, the entire Order’s strength would leap forward, and their chances at dragon-slaying would greatly increase.
Moreover, she had heard the legends about this artifact. She just hadn’t expected it would reappear today.
“How do you know all this?”
“To be honest, I was once a resident of that village. It’s just that… I accidentally revealed my ability to control magic before them, and they branded me a witch.”
At this, Iserine’s gaze darkened, betraying complex emotions.
“The day before my fire execution, I escaped.”
“You’re not afraid that, after telling me this, I’ll not only refuse your request, but also send people to take Pure Heart? After all, I’m no saint.”
Isavel’s voice was tinged with amusement, even a little malice.
But Iserine shook her head with determination.
“My experience over the past year tells me you’re not that kind of person.”
The villainous Saintess—trusted?
She was supposed to be the villainess that countless girls feared, the nightmare they desperately avoided! Not some considerate, loving sanctuary.
It was practically a silent mockery.
Isavel snorted, feeling oddly defeated.
But as Iserine believed, she finally agreed.
After all, any villainous acts that didn’t help train the Rose Knights were meaningless in her eyes.
“Very well, I agree. The Rose Knights’ next destination will be Snow City Fortress—the mission is to repel the Norwich Empire’s advance.”
“Thank you, Lady Saintess!”
Iserine’s tense shoulders finally relaxed, her voice full of relieved excitement and gratitude.
After she left the Saintess’s resting chamber with light steps, Nora, who had been quietly standing to the side, stepped forward. Her brows were furrowed, her expression full of disapproval.
“Isavel, if we change plans now, what about Bliss Fortress? Everything is ready. If the Rose Knights don’t go, that fortress may not hold.”
Going back on decisions and missing the right moment are grave mistakes in war.
Moreover, the Aos Empire had not sent reinforcements to Bliss Fortress. If the Rose Knights didn’t go, the imperial army there would be utterly isolated.
The fall of the fortress would only be a matter of time, and Saintess Isavel would be nailed to the pillar of shame in the Empire.
Yet, Isavel seemed to have expected her worries, her face still calm.
“It’s fine.”
She slowly rose, her skirt trailing as she walked gracefully to the glass window, gazing into the distance.
“If the Rose Knights don’t go, I will.”
“You… plan to act personally?!”
Nora’s surprise quickly turned to deeper anxiety.
Isavel stood with her back to her, her figure blurred in the mottled light and shadow, but her voice was steady and brooked no refusal:
“What, is that not allowed? You and Renia will lead the Rose Knights to Snow City Fortress. Leave Bliss Fortress to me.”
“The Oracle Maiden shouldn’t intervene in secular wars so lightly—isn’t that against the rules? And besides… your injuries—”
“The Norwich Empire chose this moment to attack. There must be Demons stirring things up behind the scenes.”
Isavel cut her off, her tone growing colder.
“My actions are meant to reveal this truth to the world. As for my injuries…”
She slowly raised her right hand, and through the black lace glove covering it, one could almost see the ominous mark of the abyss.
“This little nuisance is far from enough to affect me.”
Her tone was calm, yet carried the confidence of an absolute powerhouse.
Still, for some reason, the unease in Nora’s heart only grew stronger.
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