Chapter 26: Hope Never Dies Out.

“Nobody move! Anyone does, and you’ll end up worse than these two!”

The Confessor’s attacks on Flo were lethal, but he deliberately spared the boy—not out of mercy, but to toy with the loudmouthed brat later for fun.

The boy endured the pain, half-kneeling, teeth clenched, refusing to cry out.
His small frame trembled, tugging at heartstrings.
A friend reached out, whispering, “Bite me, it’ll help.”

The boy didn’t hesitate, biting down—but only on his friend’s sleeve, afraid of hurting him.

The friend gave a helpless, bitter smile, then glared fiercely at the Confessor.

The Confessor didn’t care about these kids.
His focus was on Flo, who’d seen through his disguise.
Raising a hand, he summoned a green-glowing dagger, clearly laced with deadly poison.
Ignoring the trembling hostages, he stepped toward Flo, stabbing repeatedly—dozens of wounds, blood dark and black, a sign Flo was already poisoned, teetering on death.

Even then, the Confessor wasn’t satisfied, targeting vital spots until he was sure Flo was gone.
With a kick, he sent Flo’s body sprawling, his sinister grin breaking free.

What? Flo’s dead? That’s it? Story over, roll credits?

Congrats, congrats!

The Confessor’s eyes dripped with disdain as he looked at the broken heap at his feet.
He snatched Flo’s twin blades, plunging them into his ribs.

In that moment, despite the fiery chaos outside, this small space felt chillingly cold.

Headmistress Jenny’s face was tear-streaked.
Flo, the boy she’d practically raised, was gone so simply.

The orphanage children were held at knifepoint, one barely clinging to life.

These dear children, now suffering such torment—she knew this day would come when the mysterious group took them hostage, but not this soon, nor this brutally.
Her face was ashen, as if all hope was lost…

“Laughing so happily, huh, sewer rat?”

A melodious voice, like a night lark’s song, came from the doorway.

It was like winter sunlight, bringing warmth and hope to this cold, grim world.

At the entrance stood a serene girl with radiant golden hair, shimmering brilliantly in the firelight.
Her blue eyes glowed faintly, sending shivers down the Confessor’s spine.

“Ai… Aitelien! No, impossible! It can’t be her!”

The Confessor rubbed his eyes in disbelief, his face a mix of terror and shock.

“Right, her chest isn’t that big! It’s not her!” he shouted excitedly.

But the girl wasn’t pleased.
Her eyes narrowed, a tic mark practically appearing on her forehead.

Sure, her chest wasn’t as… endowed as the Saintess’s, but it wasn’t small—D-cup at least!
Aitelien’s proportions were just too absurdly supermodel-like!

“What? Picking a fight? Wanna go? Huh?”

The blonde girl raised her slender hand, lifting a golden staff.
As mana surged, a hexagonal star array formed at its tip, a blinding beam roaring like a charging dragon.
The sheer force blasted the rude Confessor away, half-destroying the dilapidated hut.
He crashed into a crumbling wall, which collapsed under the impact, burying him.

The girl’s face puffed up with anger.
Her youthful features already made her look like a loli—now she was downright adorable.

So, who was this mysterious, powerful, beautiful, elegant girl, wrapped in a pristine white gown, her gentle kindness and charming smile enough to captivate all?
None other than Aphrosia!

Wait, what?
Didn’t Flo just die, like, super dead?
How’s Aphrosia at the door?

Hmph, think she’s a fool?
If she couldn’t see through such a simple trap, her reincarnation and her mothers’ notes would’ve been for nothing.
This life would’ve been wasted!

Yes, this was her third track—Aphrosia’s creation.

Since building a new railway before the train arrived was impossible without a miracle, why not make the miracle happen herself?
With Ifrora occupied, this dim-witted Confessor wouldn’t notice her switching to Aphrosia.
The hostages, ordinary people, were even less likely to.

And that stabbed-up mess on the ground?
A strawman made with plant magic, of course!

What, you thought Aphrosia couldn’t use magic?
That was Daphne stepping in herself!
Did you think a newbie could make a decoy that convincing?

Aphrosia was now favored by two goddesses, after all!

Oddly, though, she could use Daphne’s power as Aphrosia but not time or miracle powers as Flo.

Talk about favoritism—enough already!

Aphrosia turned to the headmistress and hostages, flashing a sweet smile that rippled through their hearts like spring water, soothing their souls.

“Fairy sister!” a child blurted out.
Aphrosia returned a professional smile, less genuine but still heartfelt.

“Relax, everyone~”

Now, about that attack—only the Cloudbird sisters knew the full story…

Cloudbird Sisters: She’s not human! Not human!

Well, she wasn’t human, being an angel-elf hybrid…

At that moment, a graceful figure emerged from the firelight, battle scars evident, steps unsteady, yet her otherworldly aura undimmed.

“This is trouble…”