Chapter 47:Marry me, Saintess Celis

Clatter-clatter.

A lavish carriage rolled leisurely down the imperial capital’s main avenue. Inside, a gaunt man lifted the curtain with a black-gold cane, surveying the scenery.

“Yuri-sama, this is the Aust Empire’s capital.”

Beside him, a shorter man grinned.

Yuri nodded. “Not bad. Besides our family, others can build decent cities.”

“Mediocre. This capital wasted countless lives. Preston estate—mere hundreds.”

Yuri straightened proudly, eyeing the guide. “True. You mortals need eons to catch up.”

Preston: famed reclusive clan.

Divine descendants—human form, god selves.

Yuri one. Checked watch, snorted. “Teresa, that discard—at Oracle?”

“Precisely: Rose Knights under saintess.”

“Difference? Demand Oracle.”

Guide twitched. Hesitant. “Yuri-sama—if Oracle refuses? Goddess-founded.”

Guide not Preston.

Admired clan—knew divine blood. But Oracle: goddess earthly voice.

Provoke Oracle—worse than Preston.

“Goddess-founded? Saintess mere walker. We—divine blood!”

Mad glint.

“In this era—we true gods. Humans mere humans. Oracle dares not refuse.”

Dares not?

Guide unease.

…

Oracle lounge. Celis furrowed.

“Mills Academy sends mentors—Knights represent Mills, defeat Galvin delegation?”

Sought mentors via Nora—came with strings.

Post-exchange: Knights vs. Galvin.

Headache.

Mills: Mills-funded, world-class. Galvin: dwarfed.

Galvin: ancient supreme duo. Dean equals emperors.

Six-person oracle council: one Galvin dean.

Knights magic-beat Galvin?

Celis coughed. “Fail?”

“Fail…”

Nora averted, flushed.

“Hm?”

Celis sensed odd. Nora lips, head lower.

Jenny blunt: “Lord says—fail, Lady Celis weds Duke Nora.”

…

Oh—Nora Mills.

Celis forehead. Bigger headache.

Nora knew burden. Explained:

“Quarreled father—no yield. Sorry, Celis.”

“Family overreach. Ask Queen Frandor? Isabelle close?”

Celis hesitate.

“Frandor…”

Little help.

Domestic academies inferior—waste time.

World-class independent—strings for ties.

Oracle no secular taint.

Supreme duo—worse.

Deans eye Knights control.

Options: wed Nora.

Pah!

Mills.

“Fine. Goal: save world. Magic-lose Galvin—can’t save.”

“…Accept?”

“Yes.”

Nora lit—near leap.

Seemed loss—force-marry saintess.

Caught Celis meaningful gaze. Suppressed joy—stoic.

Heartbeat betrayed.

Knock-knock.

Renia: “Lady Celis—Preston envoy.”

“Enter.”

Renia gestured two men.

“Many rules.”

Yuri strode. Guide smiled apology—bowed in.

Saw two ladies—Yuri chuckled. Sat sofa, legs crossed.

“Beautiful misses—which Lady Celis?”

Rude bold—guide gaped. Nora excitement gone.

Cold glance. “Self-introduce first?”