Chapter 53: The desire to go out and explore can’t be contained.

Isabelle left. Merik aura fade—vanished. Yuri rise flee—Leanna sword neck.

No spine. Kneel instant. Tears snot.

Leanna frown. Sword press—skin cut.

“Yuri? Death ready?”

“No—no kill! Forced! Family order—compelled!”

Yuri leg-hug urge—sword pinned.

Leanna no believe.

“Forced? Attitude earlier?”

“I…”

Teresa approach. Yuri turn plead:

“Teresa! No betray parents! Threatened. Remember kid—I sneaked treats…”

“Go.”

“Teresa?!”

Flat—no soft. Decision puzzled.

“Why release?”

Pera angry. Teresa shake. To Yuri:

“Preston return.”

“Thanks—Lady Teresa kind!”

Sword off. Koto endless. Fled forest—regret fear.

Isabelle broke gall.

Merik idol—capital pride. Gone.

God family? Divine? Demigod?

Laughable.

Dormant—world changed. Pride brittle.

Back vanish. Teresa sun gaze. Explain:

“Revenge strength—personal return. Live longer.”

Soft—firm. Pera front. Palm chest heavy.

“Here—thrown badge.”

Fumble catch. Cool metal burn palm. Stare—fingertips tremble.

“Pera… sorry.”

“Hmph liar—apologies more.”

Arms cross. Chin high.

Rare captain guilt—savor.

But…

“Today forgive.”

Hand out. Whisper:

“Return, Teresa.”

Small hand. Ritual. Badge firm left heart.

Grip Pera. Nod light.

No release again.

…

Night Oracle lounge.

Renia report.

“Miss—Novich capital tentacles mostly gone. Some fled. Queen hunt.”

“Hm. Preston early Teresa—tentacles merit.”

Mock. Sigh.

“Train Knights—why hard?”

Knights sole abyss resist—hinder destroy?

Abyss collude?

Temples rub. Hope yes—goddess name vanish.

Pity no.

Seals intact. Low demons—no sway.

Renia clearer.

“Not all noble you. World fate irrelevant—profit eyes.”

Fortress: nobles bet abyss side.

Absurd!

Oracle kind.

Selfish pigs—potential demons. Heretics burn stake.

“Mills mentors ready?”

“Yes. Knights tomorrow Mills city. Settle—full teach.”

“Mills…”

Mills family obvious.

Chin prop. Consider—agree.

Knights outing good. Base stuffy—young wild hearts uncage.

Next goal set.

3 months: all >LV30. Rep Mills beat Galvin. Magic pass.

“Enter. Eavesdrop useless.”

Voice. Footsteps. Click—door.

Renia step back—vanish.

Moonlight veil. Blue hair ripple lake.

Eye Teresa. Isabelle pose. Cool:

“Late—what?”