Chapter 44 :Borrowing from Lady Celeste

Rain ceased, winds faded. Teresa’s divine aura ebbed; she collapsed backward.

Pale-blue hair bloomed. Exhaustion closed eyes. Faint murmur before coma:

“…Won?”

“Won.”

Leanna’s reply—peaceful sleep. She too slumped, gasping.

Wet strands clung forehead. Drops slid—rain? sweat?

Hazy sight: clouds pierced by sun.

Dawn.

“We… did it.”

Hand to light. Murmur. Sleep claimed.

…

Camp: Mars punched air.

Cassius rose—opposite.

Hands head, eyes wide:

“Impossible! Cheat!”

Mars snort.

“Cheat? All saw. Obvious cheat—spotted.”

“Bull! Mars—unfit commander!”

Staggered. New demons—lifeline.

“Not lost! Others remain—can’t clear all!”

Pitying stares.

Obvious: victory.

Rest, re-enter—easy.

No dragonkin left.

Cassius mad—denial.

Soon: girls recovered. Hunted hidden. 132 → 30+.

No waves.

Cassius knelt, mumbling:

“Impossible… why win…”

Isabelle cheek-propped.

“Bet—mine.”

“No…”

Powerless.

Fail: Emperor abandon. Enemies stone-dropping.

Allies watch.

Nobles share sweet, not bitter.

Miserable end—saintess, Knights fault!

Death glare.

“Won—but after? Vanguards. Seals weaken. Dungeons riot.

Low-tier? Mid, high next. Knights die. World ends—time.”

“Yes—yes!”

Self-convince. Blood spit—fainted public.

Guards carried.

Isabelle shrug—no intent.

Gap vast—ant roar.

Mission near end—no stay.

Rose—Mars chased.

“Saintess! Liberation banquet—attend?”

“Other saintess will.”

Vanished.

Fortress freed.

Knights out. Third Army, nobles in—rescue, hunt.

Disguised demons blocked by Sight.

Fifth day: all demons dead, survivors saved.

Banquet night—no Cassius faction.

“Hard work.”

“Our duty.”

Celis tilted smile, cared. Leanna shook head.

Girls dressed—butterflies, focus.

True focus: Celis. Beauty drew eyes.

Especially Nora.

“Captain—borrow Lady Celis.”

Melin grabbed wrist. Leanna puzzled—balcony corner.

Hidden.

“What, Melin?”

Blink—caught fear.

Yes.

Hand heart, head low, sob:

“Lady Celis—final with captain vs demon—thought never see you.”

Memory—Celis hugged, patted.

“No fear—I always beside.”

Average <20—face friendship, death. Fear normal.

Comfort now.

Next: deer-lift.

“Secret.”

“Hm?”

Lower—lips cheek.

Hand cheek. Melin giggled, spun free. Skirt arc night.

“Hee—lied. No fear then.”

“Knew—you guarded outside, right?”