Chapter 321: The Saintess’s Thoughts
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 321: The Saintess’s Thoughts
“Is she finally gone?”
Watching Liya’s figure gradually vanish into the distance, Muen let out a long sigh of relief. “She’s more stubborn than I imagined.”
He looked down at his hands.
His skin was split open, blood flowed freely, and his arms hung limply at his sides.
This was the backlash of forcibly executing the Twenty-Stack Thunder Roar.
And yet… the injuries were still much lighter than he had anticipated.
At the very least, he could still grip a blade.
“Holy Light… truly a convenient power.”
If not for the empowerment of Liya’s Holy Light, that last move would likely have crippled both his hands permanently. After all, it had doubled his power output; no matter how many cheats one had, in the end, everything relied on one’s own physical foundation.
“Truly, how… touching.”
The Priest had stopped his assault. He simply watched Muen with a calm expression, like a predator toying with prey driven into a corner.
“Exerting every ounce of your strength, only to sacrifice yourself to give that young lady from the Church a chance to escape—is this the refined upbringing of a Duke’s son?”
“Heh, that’s the first time I’ve heard anyone describe me as refined.”
Muen moved his arms, his expression as casual as ever, as if he were completely unaware of the impending doom.
“However, I never said anything about sacrificing myself.”
“You believe there is still a way out for you?”
“How will we know if we don’t try?”
“True. Fair point.”
The Priest nodded. “But I am not the only one who thinks so.”
A sharp, grating sound rang out, like steel cutting through solid stone.
From the corner of his eye, Muen glanced back. He saw the Hyena, now fully transformed into a monster, dragging claws at least a foot long. With bared teeth and eyes glowing with a blood-red light, the creature blocked his path of retreat.
His wounds had completely healed. Covered in scales and sharp bone spurs, he looked more hideous than ever.
On the other side, a green glow brimming with life flickered. Fullar was healing her own wounds while casting a venomous gaze in his direction. It was only a matter of time before she regained her combat effectiveness.
All around them, the storm raged and giant trees twisted.
A terrifying atmosphere permeated the clearing, relentlessly pressing down on Muen’s nerves.
He had only been able to suppress these people earlier by using clever tricks. After all, an insurmountable chasm existed between the Third and Fourth Tiers.
And now, they likely wouldn't give him another such opportunity.
Furthermore, there was now the addition of the unfathomable Priest.
No matter how one looked at it, this was a true dead end.
“You have nowhere left to run, Muen Campbell,” the Priest said with pity. “I acknowledge your excellence, but you made a mistake. Had you joined forces with that young lady, you might have caused us a bit of trouble. But now, without the empowerment of her Holy Light, how do you intend to bridge the gap in strength between us?”
“Like I said, how will we know if we don’t try?” Muen smiled. “Maybe I’m just the type who’s stronger when fighting solo?”
Muen’s arm movements grew more pronounced, as if those two limbs on the verge of collapse were being stimulated by some force, recovering at an incredible speed.
A spark of fire ignited in his eyes, though no one noticed.
“Admirable courage… I wonder if it is genuine confidence, or if you are merely stalling for time to save your companion. However…”
The Priest’s expression suddenly turned meaningful. “Regardless of the possibility, do you really think she can escape?”
“Hmm?” Muen frowned. He looked around, seemingly discovering something, and came to a sudden realization. “I see… was that your instruction?”
“No.” The Priest’s smile was brilliant, as if he were admiring the opening of a grand performance. “I am merely allowing the seed you planted with your own hands… to take root and sprout.”
“Is that so?”
Muen simply shrugged. He chuckled softly, appearing entirely unconcerned. “I think you’re overthinking it.”
*
Within the dark woods, the young girl ran without pause.
She looked fragile and slender, yet her chest was exceptionally bountiful, which seemed to add a degree of difficulty to her sprint.
However, under the empowerment of the Holy Light, her speed was remarkably fast.
She moved so quickly she left afterimages in her wake. It was only when she finally saw the patch of brightness beyond the dense forest in the distance that her consciousness finally returned to her body.
“Is that… the forest exit?”
Liya stopped in her tracks. Her chest heaved with every breath as she stared blankly into the distance.
That light was so dazzling, so warm.
To someone who had wandered in the darkness for so long, that light was like an oasis in a desert, filled with temptation.
Her halted feet began to move again instinctively.
Yes, that was the exit. Based on the distance and her speed, she could leave this forest in less than half an hour.
Leave this forest filled with poisonous insects, wild beasts, and death.
That’s right.
She just had to keep moving forward.
As long as she stepped out of this forest, everything would return to normal.
She could continue to the Holy City, participate in that important ceremony, and with Ariel’s help, compete for the prestigious position of Saintess.
Yes, everything would go according to plan. There would be no more accidents.
As long as…
“Caw—!”
A piercing crow’s cry startled the vacant-eyed girl. Her whole body shivered. Looking at the light in the distance, her advancing feet suddenly faltered, and then… she collapsed.
“What… what am I doing?”
She lowered her head, her fingers sinking deep into the mud mixed with rotting leaves.
The girl, who usually cherished cleanliness, was completely oblivious to the filth.
“I actually… really ran away?”
Leaving that guy behind—the guy who had saved her so many times, helped her so many times, and brought her warmth so many times… I ran away alone?
How could I…
“No… that’s not right.”
“He told me to go first. He said he would catch up. He said he had a way.”
“Believe in me, just as I believe in you.”
Muen’s words echoed in her mind, causing a joyful smile to flicker across her face.
“That’s right… that’s what he said.”
“I just need to believe in him.”
“Believe in him…”
“Believe…”
But the smile lasted only an instant before she lowered her head again, on the verge of tears.
“How could I possibly believe that?”
It was just like that time they met by chance in the restaurant.
Just like that time in the carriage.
He would say things that sounded perfectly logical, but if she thought about it carefully, those words about equality, about needing a musician, about placing bets—they were all just lies he made up on the spot to help her.
That’s right. You’ve become so accustomed to using these white lies on me. Who’s to say your words this time… aren’t just another deliberate deception to save me?
After all, the disparity in strength was plain to see.
He was definitely in danger.
“Then at a time like this, I should…”
“Right, the most rational thing to do right now is to get out and find help.”
“As long as I can find help quickly—Mr. Pink Bear, or perhaps that gentleman Muen invited—if I can find them in time…”
Light returned to Liya’s eyes, but it died out just as quickly.
“If I can find them in time…”
But…
How could it be in time?
At her speed, it would take at least half an hour to fully exit the forest. Even if Pink Bear and the powerful gentleman Muen invited happened to be waiting outside for her…
A Crown Bearer could not enter the forest. To save Muen, they would still need to mobilize a team.
How much time would that take, back and forth?
Could Muen hold out?
He was so strong. It was only an hour or two. If he just held on a bit longer, he could…
Of course he couldn't hold out.
In a battle between life and death, how could it possibly drag on for that long?
“So… it’s too late.”
Liya whispered, “This path to survival is very close for me, but for him… it is infinitely far away.”
Which meant…
At this very moment.
In this vast world, among countless people.
The only one who could help him…
Was me.
“But…”
Liya curled up, her hands gripping her shoulders as her body trembled uncontrollably. “But what can I even do?”
If only… Ariel were here.
If it were her, she would definitely be able to help Muen escape this crisis.
But of all people… it was me.
And I am so useless.
So cowardly.
All this time, I’ve done nothing but hide behind Ariel, burying my head in my studies.
Watching Ariel fight, watching Ariel face life and death, watching Ariel resolve every trouble like a hero.
I only needed to follow her and keep moving forward.
Like a parasite, I can do nothing without Ariel.
Nothing at all.
“Ha… haha…”
Liya let out a sound between a sob and a laugh, looking lost at her own hands—her hands that wouldn't stop shaking.
At this moment, the dense Holy Light on her body flickered in and out, mirroring her wavering state of mind.
“Goddess… what should I do?”
Liya closed her eyes and prayed to the Goddess.
“Please tell me, does a useless, timid, and weak person like me really have the right… to become a Saintess?”
“Can someone like me really…”
【Of course.】
As always, she offered a devout prayer.
However, what appeared in her mind was not the Goddess’s benevolent figure.
Instead…
【Liya is so amazing. If I could just appoint the Saintess directly, I’d definitely choose you.】
【You can definitely do it.】
A blond figure smiled at her.
Brilliant as the morning sun.
【I believe in you.】
Believe in you.
Just as you believe in me.
*
The forest was dark.
Yet Liya felt the light before her eyes was blindingly bright.
“It hurts.”
She clutched her chest tightly. Large tears fell from the corners of her eyes, which she quickly wiped away with her sleeve.
The Holy Light shone brightly, keeping her free from dust.
She slowly stood up.
“I really am useless.”
“I’ve studied so much, read so many books, yet I still don’t understand… why my heart hurts so much just thinking that I might never see you again.”
“But… now, I think I know…”
“Compared to danger, compared to death, compared to the cowardice in my heart, I am more afraid… of experiencing this pain.”
So…
I’m going back.
Back to that place.
And this time,
Not behind him.
But—by his side.