Chapter 34:The Saintess’s Bet

“Here.”

Before others answered, Celis’s gentle voice drifted from behind. Nora spun—heart raced at the sight.

“Celis—truly you?!”

Silver hair, golden eyes. One glance—warmth.

Exact match: that night’s girl.

Oracle’s new saintess—Celis!

“Heard Duke Nora sought me in capital?”

Celis smiled. Nora entranced.

Briefly.

“Yes, Miss Celis. Soirée—you left deep impression. Traced you here.”

“But knowing your role—more: Isabelle mistreat you? Capital rumors?”

Love secondary—mistreatment, rumors affected Celis.

As expected, Celis shook head.

“Isabelle—no mistreatment. Rumors: nobles smear Oracle.”

“Truly?”

Doubtful.

“Of course. Doubt me?”

“Not you—too kind. Might hide truth.”

“All true.”

“Then this training? Never seen life-gambling. Isabelle’s method?”

Eyes locked—sought tells. Only sincerity.

Mentioning training, Celis lowered gaze. Pity.

“Know their identity?”

“Rose Knights?”

“Yes.”

Repeated, glanced at resuming girls. Sighed.

“Oracle’s world-saviors. Time short—abyss won’t wait growth. Without this—die to demons.”

Turned to Nora.

“Duke—know zero to demigod in six years: hard?”

“Still… not this way?”

“So—think they’ll die in training?”

Celis blinked. Nora froze.

Right. Celis’s nature—no real sacrifice. Pressure only.

Growth needs stress—life-death utmost.

Face death—unlock potential, unimaginable realms.

Nora’s youth legend: countless life-death battles.

Misjudged Isabelle?

“Four days—Sander Fortress vs. abyss demons. Bet: they succeed. Stake…”

Thought.

“Knights need aid—you help.”

Stake for Knights?

Nora watched frowning girl—kindness deepened.

Like light—warmed Knights.

Wish she were one.

Envy grew.

Four days—Sander demons?

Heard: seal breach, rampage. Demons cunning.

These frail Knights—subdue? Victory?

“Fine. Fail—you…”

“Hm?”

“Date me.”

Words out—Jenny behind, Nora herself stunned.

Noble lady—why such stake? Opportunistic.

Knights green—demons no match.

All die—Celis heartbroken. Date joyful?

…Unlikely.

Why propose?

Love lowers IQ?

Regret—pinched hand. Change stake—but Celis agreed.

“Yes.”

“…No need. Change.”

“No. They won’t fail.”

Speaking Knights—eyes lit. Absolute confidence, control.

Nora odd.

Gentle Celis—control?

…Illusion.

Buried strange. Envy Knights more.

Her trust—if one…

Hated birth sometimes.

“Walk with me. Might understand Isabelle. But earlier—keep from Knights.”

Hand extended. Finger to lips, head tilt—playful shush.

Nora took instantly.

Soft, fragrant—better imagined.

But… understand Isabelle?

Joke—no way.

Still: Celis hiding. Isabelle villain.

Celis too kind—bullied anywhere. Oracle peak—Isabelle strikes.

Her thoughts.

Invitation—try understanding.

Useless walking grounds. Awaited: four days, Knights vs. demons.

Isabelle’s villainy—train to survive?

Truth then.