Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 260 - 246: Meeting Peter’s group

"Imagine if someone sent a Primordial Human here because they sensed a Grand Human? That would be totes bad, y’know?" Avriel had reasoned, and Aurianna had grudgingly agreed.

Now, Aurianna sighed, trying to resist the urge to explode in rage. Instead, she slipped from the woman’s grasp effortlessly, her movements so fluid that her captor stumbled in shock. She bent down, picked up what remained of her cake, and nonchalantly finished it, ignoring the horrified looks of the cloaked group.

The male partner of the black-cloaked woman looked on in disgust, his lip a frown. ’She’s actually eating food off the ground? Isn’t she supposed to be some noble? What is she—a beggar?’ he thought, repulsed.

Unfazed, Aurianna turned to Peter with a raised eyebrow. "Peter, who are these clowns?" she asked, gesturing at the group of twenty black-cloaked people as she noted Peter’s group of ten, including all the Seven Pillars, Batholem, Nae, and Panz.

The cloaked figures shifted uneasily, trying to slink away unnoticed while Aurianna’s attention was on Peter. But, as if rooted by an unseen force, they couldn’t move. Aurianna clenched her hand, her crystal-tipped nails shimmering.

"You ruined my snack," she grumbled, her voice laced with irritation. In an instant, crystalline spikes shot from her nails and pierced into the cloaked figures’ bodies.

"What... what is happening?" one of them gasped as their flesh began hardening into crystal, their screams echoing through the marketplace. Within seconds, each of them was encased in translucent crystal, frozen in grotesque expressions of agony.

As Aurianna summoned a saber, prepared to shatter the statues, Batholem laid a cautious hand on her shoulder. "Wait, Aurianna—don’t destroy them. We actually need their bodies to confirm our mission," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Aurianna arched an eyebrow, then gave a small nod. "Fine, but who were they anyway?"

Peter chuckled, crossing his arms. "Just a group of rogue Arc Human criminals we’ve been tracking. Looks like you did the job for us."

"Our plan was to lure them outside the city," Peter added, glancing around at the now-scattered, fearful marketgoers. "You know, to avoid causing a scene and putting civilians in danger."

Aurianna rolled her eyes. "How considerate of you, Peter," she said with a hint of sarcasm.

Batholem, rubbing the back of his neck, cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um... since you helped us out, would you... like it if I bought you another cake?" he offered shyly.

Her face instantly lit up, and she rushed to his side, gripping his arm. "Of course! I was eyeing that fancy cake shop downtown—Moincherry. Super expensive. But since you’re offering, how about it?" She batted her eyelashes innocently.

Batholem blinked, his cheeks turning red. "Uh... sure, I guess."

"Heh, rich boy secured!" she laughed, playfully poking his arm.

"Wh-why is that my title?" Batholem mumbled, his face red as he looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Because you’re rich!" Aurianna huffed, folding her arms.

"But you’re a princess too. Doesn’t that also make you rich?" Batholem asked with a smirk.

Aurianna’s lips quivered, and her eyes grew wide. "But must I really spend my money?" She gave him a pleading look, eyes glistening with fake tears.

Batholem sighed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "I don’t mind buying you the cake!"

"Heh, you’re too easy to tease," Aurianna chuckled, nudging him playfully.

"Stop making fun of me," he muttered, cheeks tinged with a hint of red ince again.

"So, where’s the shop?" Batholem asked, looking around.

Aurianna scratched her head. "I have no idea!" She grinned, giving a thumbs up, as if that solved everything.

Just then, a mechanical voice chimed in dryly. "So did we all just magically become invisible to them?" Zeche asked, his face expressionless as he watched the two of them bicker.

"He’s so gullible," Elena sighed, shaking her head.

Meanwhile, Nae’s fists clenched, her knuckles white as she bit her lip, trying to keep her irritation in check. She marched over, grabbed Batholem’s arm, and glared at Aurianna. "Batholem, we’re quite busy!" she snapped, her voice laced with barely contained jealousy.

Aurianna raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? Am I interrupting something?"

Nae’s eyes narrowed. "And don’t commoners like you know how to greet royalty properly? Or are you just an uncultured... sluzy," she sneered, her words dripping with disdain.

Aurianna smirked, giving an exaggerated, mocking bow. "Oh, do forgive my rude behavior." Her tone held no respect, and Nae noticed it immediately.

With a confident smile, Aurianna straightened and placed a hand over her heart. "I’m Aurianna Vanluad, first daughter of Girsal and Amber Vanluad, rulers of the Sandeph Highlands," she announced, her voice cool and steady.

Nae’s lips curled. "Isn’t your father the one who developed those new types of forbidden weapons? If you’re not careful, your family will fall into ruin."

Aurianna’s eyes darkened, and a wicked grin spread across her face. "I honestly couldn’t give a damn. The sooner they’re gone, the better. And if no one else does it, I’ll kill them myself."

Nae’s jaw dropped, her expression frozen in shock. "You... you’re—"

"Are we done now?" Aurianna interrupted, shooting her a chilling glare. "Don’t waste my time with your petty shenanigans." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

An awkward silence settled over the group until Juvin stepped forward, eyeing Aurianna curiously. "You’re with the New Era, aren’t you?" he asked.

Aurianna raised an eyebrow. "New Era? Never heard of it." She tilted her head, studying him. "Hmm... aren’t you that boy with the bad haircut back at the market?"

Juvin’s eye twitched. "Please, do not refer to me as that. I have a name, and it’s Juvin," he replied, irritation simmering in his voice.

Aurianna smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Well, Juvin, maybe it’s time for a better haircut. Now, are we heading to this shop or not?"

"And I’m Elena!" she announced, stepping up to Aurianna with a gleam in her eye. "You’re strong—fight me!" she challenged, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Aurianna crossed her arms and frowned. "I refuse."

"Aww, come on! Just a spar!" Elena pleaded, giving her best puppy-dog eyes.