Chapter 17:The ever-merciful but wicked saintess

Oracle Hall. Maid Renia stood hands folded at her waist, head bowed.

“Miss, intelligence says Duke Nora left Talmac Manor. Heading to Marquess Vanessa’s domain. Shall we act?”

“No. Plan unchanged. Focus on training the Rose Knights. It was just impersonating Vanessa for one soirée. No issues.”

As Isabelle thought, post-soirée, Nora—obsessed with “Vanessa”—set off from the manor to find her in the Aust Empire.

Once found, the fake would be obvious.

But irrelevant now. Her goal: in the remaining days, grow the knights to defeat low-tier abyss demons.

“Let’s see the little knights.”

At the Rose Knights’ training ground, atop the platform, Isabelle surveyed. All assembled.

Indifferent face smiled. Villain aura returned. Sweetly, she outlined the task.

“You’ve heard. Next days—in the Golden Dungeon. Groups of five.”

“Ten floors. By the last day, each group reaches floor ten. Magic level 15. Fail one…”

She paused, toying with their nerves.

“Future training—doubled.”

Silence from discipline. But faces paled. Some whitened.

Current training was hellish—death risked with missteps. Double? Driving them to death!

Isabelle knew. But no concessions.

“Of course, I’m merciful. For your lives—each group gets a golden magic amulet.”

Wave. Eight amulets flew to captains.

“True life danger—crush it. Teleports you out. One use. No more later.”

“Live or die—your choice.”

“That’s all. Renia leads to the dungeon. Hope you all survive.”

Isabelle vanished from the platform. Tense girls relaxed.

Renia—true ice beauty to them. Only orders, no words or expressions.

Under her lead, via teleport array, they reached the Golden Dungeon outside Vanessa’s domain.

Monster dungeons formed from breaking abyss seals—space twisted by abyss magic. Dangerous.

Hecate’s entrance pulsed with power. Obvious peril.

Golden Dungeon? Plain mine cave.

Feature: surroundings golden.

In Leanna’s five-girl team, Joyna smirked at the entrance.

“This the famed Golden Dungeon? All that glitters… I expected terror. Less atmosphere than our training ground.”

“Adventurers say monsters here—miners long-term—pathetic fighters. Weaker than Hecate’s. Looks true.”

Aaliyah—once punished for sparing monsters—in Leanna’s team. Gripped her sword.

“Really? No humanoid ones?”

Captain Leanna serious.

“True or not—no carelessness. Even humanoids—kill without hesitation. Intel: cunning. Ambush using environment.”

“Cunning? Useless against strength. You’re too timid. Forget our brutal training?”

“Joyna’s right. Let’s compete—who kills most today. Loser cleans team swords a month!”

Seli, team member like Joyna. Trusted training over rumors.

Monsters—brainless. How cunning?

Last, Melin silent. Brows furrowed, scanning surroundings. Until a white figure—joy on her face.

“Wait!”

“Lady Celis?!”

Unexpected—Celis, gone two days, appeared before them.

Panting, she reached the front. No time to breathe.

“I—huff—heard you start today. Rushed here.”

“Everyone—careful. Golden Dungeon monsters are cunning. Relax—big loss.”

More warnings?

Joyna tired of it. Drew sword, tip to depths.

“Relax. We’re no rookies needing constant coddling. And—we’ll show Lady Isabelle she underestimated us.”

Some nodded.

They’d trained in Hecate. Early on, monsters troubled. Now?

Slaughter like chickens.

Hecate’s first two floors, at least.

Plus, Isabelle was their demon. Daily drive: prove her wrong.

They weren’t weak!

Seeing confidence, Celis’s worry deepened.

Step forward. Opened palm. Eight gems.

“Magic jewels. Take them. Useless, but… my wish for your safety. Hope all return safe.”

Despite finding Celis naggy, Joyna frowned, took one. Others followed.

“Wait—we’ll return safe!”

“Let’s go!”

Waving, girls entered the cave. Darkness swallowed them.

Melin and Aaliyah glanced back reluctantly.

Celis smiled warmly.

But once all vanished—her smile grew meaningful.