Chapter 37: Does this seem to be correct?

Count Phoenix’s furious roar echoed from afar. Though the twelve pillars were shattered, the giant abyssal demon’s body swelled, its leaking magic more than doubling in intensity.

Aphrosia’s spear had somehow reverted to a staff, its tip sprouting white wings, carrying her swiftly toward the orphanage.

In the night sky, the wings traced a silver trail. The orphanage’s silhouette flickered in thick smoke, and a sharp whistle of vines tearing through the air sounded below. She dodged a crimson sword aura, catching a glimpse of the Arbiter’s greatsword hovering at Ifrora’s neck.

In the cherry-haired girl’s pupils, the blonde girl’s charging figure reflected.

“Don’t bother with me, run!”

Ifrora’s voice was drowned by the demon’s maniacal laughter. The Arbiter’s crimson form swelled, twelve purple light streaks rising from the ground—pillar runes now turned into chains binding Ifrora tightly.

“Heh, you broke the array?” The Arbiter eyed Aphrosia, staff charged, realization dawning. “Saintess’s blood… perfect to wipe you both out!”

He cleaved the earth, revealing a web of crimson runes beneath the orphanage, each matching the children’s marks perfectly.

Aphrosia aimed her staff at the Arbiter, vines surging from its tip, forcing open the closing crimson chains. Ifrora bit her fingertip, golden blood splashing the runes, triggering a massive explosion—but the Arbiter’s greatsword pierced her right shoulder.

Aphrosia’s pupils shrank, panic breaking through.

“Hahaha, don’t worry, you’re next!” The Arbiter’s grin froze as Aphrosia drove her spear into her own heart. Her lips curled with resolve, blue eyes blazing gold, her killing intent nearly igniting the air.

Golden light and phoenix fire coiled along the spear, engulfing both in blinding radiance.

When the light faded, the Arbiter’s body was crystallizing. Aphrosia, gripping her bloodied spear, approached the wounded Ifrora, but a soft touch came from behind.

She spun, spear charged with emerald plant magic, only to relax upon seeing who it was.

“Not that weak, Miss Blonde Aphrosia?”

The wounded figure bound by chains vanished in a flash of firelight.

A decoy spell? Or an illusion from the start?

Aphrosia couldn’t tell. But Ifrora was safe—that was enough.

“The orphanage kids and the dean…” Before she finished, a slender finger pressed her lips.

“Don’t worry~ They’re safe with the church.”

Ifrora had noticed the child’s oddity while evacuating hostages, luring him out by lowering his guard.

“Miss Ifrora, a heads-up, that guy won’t die so easily…”

Aphrosia warned, hoping Ifrora wouldn’t let her guard down, but Ifrora only flashed a sly smile.

“Hmph~ No need to worry. I used a teleport scroll on him—sent him straight to my father~”

Aphrosia fell silent…

After a long pause, she muttered, “What a filial daughter…”

“Since this is out of us youngsters’ hands, how about tea at my place, lovely miss~?”

“No thanks, I’ll pass.”

Kidding? As Ifrora’s rival, Aphrosia knew her game. Going to her place meant no return!

Was this little copper-hearted girl into her?

It felt a bit conceited, but every girl close to Aphrosia had been lured to the Phoenix family, cutting ties to become Ifrora’s loyal “puppies”…

At least she could rest now, but no way was she letting Ifrora torment her further. She said goodbye and left, leaving Ifrora with only a graceful silhouette.

Ifrora watched her go, eyes glinting with subtle affection, lost in thought…

For Aphrosia, this was a wrap. Count Phoenix didn’t need worrying about—his strength, backed by skilled adventurers, church bishops, and kingdom generals, with the array broken and enemies outside subdued, made the battle’s outcome clear.

How did Aphrosia know? How did she find Ifrora?

The Rainbow Cloud Birds chirped: “We escaped, not died! Don’t underestimate our bond!”

Their scouting and intel were second to none—well, maybe first!

Something off? Whatever! They saw everything, owning the intel game!

The long chaos ended with a phoenix’s piercing cry at the orphanage…

Exhausted, Aphrosia dragged herself home, worn out because…

That damn Little Pink Chicken kept trying to track her! The torment she endured to shake her off—no one could understand!

She collapsed on her bed, ungracefully, eyelids heavy. The two Rainbow Cloud Birds chattered incessantly, annoying her.

“Hey, woman! How’s that? Aren’t we awesome? Got the skills or what?” The red bird hopped excitedly.

“Stop bouncing, Sister…” The blue bird stared, exasperated, at her hyper sister.

What, was the blue bird being considerate, wanting Aphrosia to rest?

Not a chance!

“I totally carried this one!”

“What? Picking a fight? Wanna go?” The red bird loomed over the blue, pushing her back.

But the blue bird wasn’t a pushover! She was no saint!

“Hmph! Bring it! Think I’m scared just ‘cause you hatched a few seconds earlier?” The blue bird bared her claws, adorable yet fierce.

“Heh, when I hatched, you were still an egg!”

…No fault there, technically?