Chapter 65: God of Fate, Opening the Cave!

If she weren’t tied up, unable to move, Ina would’ve pinched herself to check if she was dreaming.
But the girl standing before her, staring with surprise, was so vivid.
Coupled with that unmistakable voice, Ina had every reason to believe this was real.

“Ah… it’s so good to see you right now, Cynthia-chan~”

Ina’s brows lit up with uncontainable excitement, her voice quickening.
“What? Did you really come all this way to save me?”

Cynthia glanced around.
This place looked like a dungeon, and with Ina bound, they were likely in Holy Church territory.
“…If I said I dug this hole by accident, would you be disappointed?”

She sighed lightly, stepping forward to untie Ina while answering her question.

“Wow… then we’re fated to meet! I never thought your promise to find me would actually come true.”

Once Cynthia freed her, Ina stretched her stiff shoulders, sore from the restraints, and spoke with emotion.
“Fate really is amazing.”

“So, your sorry state… is it true the Holy Church captured you again?”

“Ahem… a mistake doesn’t count as getting caught! Spying always comes with slip-ups, doesn’t it?”

“Then how’d you get caught?”

“I passed out after drinking black tea.”

Their eyes met, and though neither spoke, a shared understanding passed between them.

Before the silence settled, Prim, who’d been standing behind Cynthia, suddenly spoke up, as if struck by a realization.
“Um… you two, this doesn’t seem like the place for a trip down memory lane, does it?”

let them escape!”

The monks, stirred by the voice, began to act.
Some even started channeling light magic, ready to attack.

Cynthia was about to step in when, unexpectedly, Rustia, silent until now, moved first.
She tapped her staff, and blue ripples spread rapidly from its tip, enveloping the dungeon in an instant.

The temperature plummeted.
Rustia gave the monks no time to react, swinging her staff forcefully.
Crystal-clear ice orbs materialized among the monks without warning, exploding like bombs a second later.

“Ugh!!!”

Ice shards scattered like shrapnel.
The monks, slowed by the cold, couldn’t dodge.
Those closest to the orbs screamed, struck by the blast.

Whether Rustia controlled her magic deliberately or not, even the monks nearest the explosions only suffered wounds, their lives spared.
But without exception, none could stand.

After the ice orbs detonated, Rustia had frozen the floor.
Even the lightly injured monks were stuck to the ground, transformed into ice sculptures.
Judging by their positions, they wouldn’t be moving for hours.

Only then did Rustia swallow hard and call out weakly.
“How dare you show such disrespect to Her Royal Highness the Princess…”

“Tia, they’re all down. You can drop the act.”

“Oh, right, right.”

Rustia took a deep breath and turned to Cynthia and Ina.
“You two, let’s move. We can talk more once we’re out.”

“Got it…”

Cynthia followed Prim and Rustia out, but as she passed the ice sculptures, she couldn’t help commenting.
“Didn’t expect you to be this capable.”

“Of course! Tia’s the court magician I personally appointed~”

Before Rustia could reply, Prim answered proudly, clearly pleased with her performance.

“Hmm, guess I need to see you in a new light… By the way, where are we exactly?”

“This should be inside the Barlia branch cathedral.”

As the group left the dungeon and ascended to the surface, Ina took in the unfamiliar surroundings and suddenly recalled Celia’s parting words.
“No! Cynthia-chan! We have to get to the palace!”
“Saint Celia and their archbishop are gathered there right now. Who knows what they’re up to!”
“Judging by Celia’s behavior, it’s definitely not good!”