Chapter 21: Goblin Lair
“Also, that would be my self-introduction, Yuri Preston, from the Preston family. You two hold high positions among humans; you should have heard of the Preston family, right?”
When mentioning the Preston family, Yuri closed his eyes and tilted his head high, as if already enjoying the worship from the two women before him.
Nora frowned and murmured:
“Preston? That reclusive family always claiming to be gods? You’re their envoy?”
“Correct.”
“Anything? Speak quick. Oracle saintesses are busy.”
Nora’s coldness far exceeded Yuri’s expectations. He stared incredulously at Nora’s beautiful face. Realizing it was genuine, he felt somewhat defeated.
What did she mean Oracle saintesses busy, tell him to speak fast if something?
This cold attitude—even in Preston family, he’d never faced!
“…Truly rude. This the Oracle’s attitude toward gods?”
“Gods? Mr. Yuri, don’t you think calling yourself god is hilarious? Where do you resemble legendary gods? Strength? Appearance?”
“…Hmph, gods care not for strength or looks, saintess miss.”
“Sorry, I’m not the Oracle saintess. She is.”
“You’re not you…”
Yuri fumed. Wanted to mock Nora more, but realizing he’d lose argument, forcibly shifted gaze to Celis beside.
Celis kept smiling throughout, one glance like spring breeze comfort. Yuri thought this fit saintess image. As for Nora…
Hmph, ill-mannered shrew!
“Fine fine, saintess miss, I’ll be direct. Your Rose Knights have one of our clan. We take her back—specially notify you.”
“If I disagree?”
Saintess still smiled, but words made Yuri brow twitch, displeased.
“Notification, not discussion.”
“So, if disagree, you force take her?”
What ghost? This saintess also so tough?
Seems Preston reclusive years, world forgot their prestige?
Yuri sized Celis, light laugh: “Why not? Saintess miss… seem no strength?”
Saying, casually released body magic, intend suppress Celis.
But magic not reach—another extreme strong magic like giant wave crashed.
Under magic impact, he rolled off sofa, cane slid aside.
“Legends gods, magic level only 30?”
Nora laughed.
This magic she released.
Dare harm Celis before her?
Die!
Clumsily rise, Yuri red face, raged:
“You, you know what doing! Oppose Preston! And you, saintess miss, no strength—careful.”
“If someday bump hurt, no one responsible!”
Eyes narrowed, faint kill intent filled room. Nora before Yuri, hand silent on waist.
There no longsword, but she could make one appear.
“You threaten Oracle saintess?”
If he nodded, blade cross neck, take life.
Situation critical, Yuri stubborn—one side guide hurried to Yuri, shouted:
“Sir, sir! Yuri sir no intent, he, he just family long, rarely out, saintess, please, forgive offense.”
Glared him, Yuri: “You mean?!”
Wanted scold guide, but Nora kill intent too obvious—legs soft, lower body uncontrollable.
This guy… really dare kill…
…Preston prestige truly useless?
Good, this time saintess Celis spoke.
“Nora, let them go.”
“Saintess magnanimous, spare lives. Dare such words before saintess again, my sword maybe add soul.”
Nora overlooked Yuri, turned back sofa.
“Renia, see guests out.”
With Celis words, Yuri and guide enveloped unknown magic.
Blink—they on Oracle outside street.
Lying wretched seen passersby clear, Yuri quick rise, teeth gritted like rat slink nearby shadow.
…
Night, Rose Knights base.
Second floor, Teresa gazed sky full moon, body moon white veil like mist, seem next second vanish.
“Captain, you leaving Rose Knights?”
Pera behind, face complex.
“How know?”
“Lady Celis told us, want us retain you.”
Thought Isabelle break promise tell Pera them, but Celis—she understood, that saintess truly no want her leave.
But pity, more no want leave, she must.
Not rebellious, just stay harm them.
Preston no mercy family.
“Pera, sorry.”
Turn, Teresa hugged Pera, latter reluctant tense persuade:
“Know family strong, seem Pre, Pres something, but Oracle strong too, saintess no let you leave.”
“We Rose Knights plus you, complete whole!”
Watching Pera naive eyes, Teresa soft:
“So mean, Lady Isabelle for me, ordinary tool, oppose Preston, yes?”
Saying, self-mock laugh.
Preston she used discarded tool, Rose Knights still no escape tool fate.
Saintess Isabelle eyes only profit.
But… no regret.
Time reverse, choice again—still come.
Here, met cherishing girls.
Teresa rubbed Pera head, seem resolved smile: “Fine, wait family come, decide.”
“Really?!”
“Of course.”
Like coax child, Teresa face unspeakable doting.
Pera unreal change—pinched cheek. Pain—not dream!
Excited jump.
Night dorm: Pera dreamed.
Begged—Teresa stayed. Cold Isabelle helped block Preston.
Gradual: dream.
Dreams opposite reality.
Phrase echoed. Panic—eyes open.
Sun glare. Window: Teresa silhouette—butterfly vanish.
Rush—Teresa bed: badge, letter, folded quilt. Empty.
Heavy loss. Badge: Rose pin. Letter: farewell.
[To cherished Rose Knights:
Letter seen—lone return. Forgive unannounced, last night lie.
‘Rose Knights’: sole warmth cold life. Cannot shatter glass…
No search, no sorrow. My share—live, happy…
—Forever loving, Teresa]
“Liar…”
Finished. Pera fist tight. Eyes red.
Next: letter, badge—left dorm.
Find Celis. Only hope return.
…
Crimson Forest town. Teresa hooded black. Tavern.
Pera plead—leave anyway.
Simple: stay harm.
Wait family—too late.
Escape then—Oracle hold.
Cannot caught.
Revenge.
Parents smile flash. Forehead scar touch. Fist.
Preston divine—internal strife.
Parents naive—kin killed.
Dead: goddess power stripped. Freedom chained. Suicide impossible.
Spared: marriage pawn.
Greed: escape chance. Empire recruit—Knights.
First Isabelle: tiger to wolf.
Girls: paradise.
Revenge: lone.
Last night leave: carriage Isabelle.
Lamp dim. Gold light—jeweled beauty.
Teresa arms wrapped—wretched.
Pass: no glance.
Saintess strength—impossible miss.
Cold only.
Expect retain? Better escape, revenge.
Self-mock. Ordered water.
“Guest—clear water.”
Sipped. Faces: Leanna, Pera, Melin…
Fate meet—later.
Knights live.
Gulp.
Cup heavy. Life: bitter water. Divine—no favor…
Water bitter?
Wrong. Cup—eyes black. Head table crash. Faint.
Fade: distant sneer.