Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Episode 78.
A blue mist streaked across the ink-black night sky.
Azure qi—the unique energy of a gumiho—scattered a beautiful radiance, much like its owner.
Since Ilmi had been released and no essence had been absorbed, it was a faint cerulean hue.
Even so, it was breathtaking—but Saya was unsatisfied.
Not because of its appearance, but because its performance fell short. Compared to aura or chain energy, it was fundamentally superior, being a higher form of qi. But it was still a pitifully weak force when it came to protecting her beloved in danger.
By her standards, it was too slow and imprecise. Only Aiden could solve this problem. Her tails needed to bloom for her qi to grow.
Saya frowned. Right now, no scent of blood lingered—but that wouldn't always be the case.
What if her beloved was harmed before she arrived? The mere thought was unbearable. It was one of the reasons she was in such a hurry to deepen her relationship with Aiden.
How much longer...?
Her patience was evaporating. But forcing him wasn't an option. Saya exhaled deeply and pushed her speed to the limit.
Siron sat by the lakeside, wiping blood off her halberd.
Her lord's blood.
Her fist clenched tightly.
She hadn't even been able to follow Aiden's movements with her eyes. The gap between them shouldn't have been this vast—yet now, he was impossibly far ahead.
The day she first met him surfaced in her memory.
The Iyslann territory. Back then, she honestly believed she could defeat him.
In Ilyas, they had been evenly matched. By the time he destroyed the Grand Duchy, he had already begun pulling ahead by a few steps.
Since then, the gap had only widened—until today, when she couldn't even come close.
Siron had lived her life being called a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
At her age, reaching the second rank of Holy Knight wasn't an exaggeration. But lately, that title felt shameful. She saw herself as pitifully inadequate.
Because an incomprehensible monster stood right beside her. Maybe it was just relative deprivation.
Of course, that monster was also the person she respected most—so jealousy had no place in her heart.
But what tormented her was the fact that her weakness had wounded her lord. A knight cutting her master's flesh? It was unthinkable, even as a joke.
Siron stared down at her reflection in the water with a complicated expression.
The calm surface mirrored her face. She lingered like that for a while—until ripples began trembling across the water. Soon, they churned violently, mirroring the turbulence in her heart—before settling back into stillness as if nothing had happened.
Then, she saw crimson pupils.
Her expression twisted in shock.
Those blood-red eyes were burned vividly into her memory—the eyes of the Archdemon Gusian, flickering in the water's reflection.
Siron jolted upright, reaching for her halberd—but someone seized the back of her neck in an iron grip before she could react.
A voice, smooth and cold, followed.
"Wait—where have I seen you before?"
The grip hurled her into the reeds without hesitation.
Siron rolled several times before crashing against a rock. The impact rattled through her body, but she forced herself up immediately.
Gripping her halberd tightly, she glared ahead.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman watched her with an inscrutable expression.
The Ain woman Aiden had revived.
Slowly, she spoke.
"Little insect—what did you do with that axe?"
Her keen senses had detected traces of Aiden lingering on the blade.
Siron didn't answer, tightening her stance instead. She wasn't oblivious—she had pieced together Saya and Aiden's relationship. She knew this woman wasn't an enemy.
But she had no desire to offer petty excuses. I was too weak, so I hurt my lord—please understand. Those words were too humiliating to say.
Saya's face twisted in irritation. In the same breath, she closed the distance until she was right in front of Siron.
"Not answering? Someone like you couldn't possibly wound Aiden—so what happened?"
Siron's fists trembled. Saya studied her gaze before curling her lips into a faint smirk.
"Well, well."
She snatched Siron's face in an instant. Blue pupils bore into her like blades.
From inches away, Saya murmured in a low voice.
"Something strange is inside you. Did he put it there?"
At that moment, Aiden's voice boomed across the lake.
"SAYA—!"
Saya whipped her head toward him. The coldness in her expression vanished instantly, replaced by a radiant smile.
She had already confirmed Aiden was unharmed before landing—she always checked his condition first.
Casually releasing Siron, she spread her arms wide toward Aiden as he sprinted over.
Though they had only been apart for three hours, she missed him unbearably. She wanted to make up for the two years they'd lost.
But Aiden didn't even glance at her. He rushed straight to Siron instead.
Grabbing her arm, he pulled her away from Saya and spoke.
"Siron, I'm sorry. I forgot about you for a moment."
Hiding behind Aiden's back, Siron answered quietly.
"No... I'm the one who should apologize, my lord. It's all because I was too weak."
Aiden turned to look at her.
"Are you hurt?"
"...No. I'm fine."
Nodding, he shifted his attention back to Saya.
She still had her arms outstretched. Her smile wasn't as bright as before, but she waited patiently for her turn.
Aiden stepped forward and gently lowered her arms.
Disappointment and confusion flickered across Saya's face. She couldn't understand why he was being so cold.
She remembered Siron—Aiden's subordinate. That's why she hadn't killed her and had even given her a chance to explain. But Siron was the one who had ignored her kindness.
Carefully, Saya spoke.
"Aiden... did I do something wrong again?"
Aiden shook his head.
"You held back well."
In the past, Siron would've been dead before Aiden could intervene. Though she still had room to improve, this was undeniable progress.
Only then did Saya relax. Beaming, she demanded another hug.
"Hurry up—my arms are tired."
Aiden hesitated. Yuriel was running toward them from behind. Now that he knew her feelings, openly showing affection felt awkward.
It was basic courtesy.
Lowering her arms, he spoke.
"Saya, there's something you need to know."
Her ears and tail drooped. Then, her nose twitched slightly.
"...Huh? Wait."
When she had first been revived, she'd been too overwhelmed to notice—but now, she detected it clearly.
The scent of another female on Aiden's lips.
Her expression twisted instantly.
Her gaze snapped toward the woman approaching behind Aiden. Yuriel's ragged breaths carried a thick, unmistakable scent.
Saya felt her rationality fray at the edges.
Her blue pupils frosted over with cold fury as elongated claws slid from her fingertips. Pale-blue qi coiled around her.
Aiden immediately seized her wrist in a crushing grip.
"She's the woman who saved your life. Don't do anything reckless."
The current Aiden wasn't inferior to Saya in terms of raw power—he might even be stronger. He was confident he could control the situation.
If he had been weaker than her, he wouldn't have dared to create this scenario in the first place.
Saya's deep-blue eyes locked onto his.
"Don't you dare shield her. If you do, I won't be able to hold back."
Aiden swallowed a sigh.
"Saya, gumihos repay both kindness and grudges. That's what you always say. Yuriel is your life's benefactor."
"She saved me? Fine—I'll spare her life in return. But that's it. Nothing more. Don't let her cling to you again."
That was impossible. Yuriel was a companion who would remain by his side until the end.
"I need Yuriel. Calm down first—I have things to explain."
Saya's tail bristled. Aiden tried to soothe her by stroking it, but she stepped back, refusing his touch.
"Don't. Not now."
Clicking his tongue, Aiden shouted toward Yuriel.
"Don't come any closer! Siron, stay with the Saintess."
Saya's pupils frosted over completely. She hated how Aiden was shielding Yuriel.
Her voice dripped with ice.
"...What's your relationship? No—I'll find out myself."
In the same instant, she wrapped her arms around Aiden's neck and kissed him—all while staring straight at Yuriel.
Yuriel's face paled in shock.
The moment Saya saw her expression, she pulled away and let out a hollow laugh.
"How amusing. Aiden—what's this? She's in love with you. Did you know?"
This wasn't the time for lies. He had to be honest and settle things clearly.
Aiden answered as calmly as possible.
"I found out today."
"Then she can forget about it today. She never existed. I'll make sure of it."
Aiden tightened his grip on her arm.
"I told you—I need her."
The pain in her arm was nothing compared to the agony in her chest.
"Is she that precious to you? Then tell me—do you want her, or just need her? Be precise."
Before Aiden could respond, Yuriel shouted.
"W-Wait a moment!"
A flicker of panic crossed Aiden's face. Saya stared at Yuriel in disbelief.
Killing intent speared through Yuriel's heart. She felt like she was suffocating—but she forced herself to speak.
"...I belong to God."
"Then you're a blasphemer, aren't you? Vacheksar would be delighted if I tore you apart."
Yuriel took a step forward, struggling to sound firm.
"No. My God... is Lord Aiden."
"...What?"
"You heard correctly."
"You've lost your mind. Hold still—I'll fix it for you."
Aiden cut in.
"I've attained divinity."
Saya stared at him. This was unbelievable. She had witnessed Aiden's rapid growth—but he was nowhere near the level required to claim a divine throne.
He hadn't been born a deity.
"How?"
"It's the truth."
Saya paused before speaking again.
"So—you're saying she's your Saintess now? Is that what you're telling me?"
"Yes. So please—calm down."
Saya let out a dry laugh. Yuriel spoke up.
"Look at Lord Aiden's face. You're making him uncomfortable. If you love him, shouldn't you care about his feelings? What you're doing isn't love—it's obsession. At least let him explain."
Saya was stunned by her audacity. Yuriel pressed on.
"...Are you afraid she'll take him from you?"
The moment those words left her mouth, Saya ripped her hand free from Aiden's grasp—too fast for him to react.
By the time Aiden turned, Saya was already inches from Yuriel's face.
The gumiho lifted the Saintess by the throat.
"Say that again."
Aiden grabbed Saya's shoulder. Yuriel met his eyes and spoke with difficulty.
"...Don't interfere."
Saya's lips curled into a chilling smile.
"Look at this. She's interesting."
Still suspended in midair, Yuriel clutched Saya's wrist and gasped out:
"Let's settle this between us. If you're not confident—then kill me. Do whatever you want."
Saya immediately pointed at Siron.
"That little girl—there's something inside her head. I need to check. I'll be back soon."
Yuriel coughed out her next words.
"Don't... follow me."
Aiden felt utterly dizzy.