Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 279 - 265: lost old man?

"Aurianna," Jugi called out as Aurianna stood before them, her knights behind her.

"What is it, Jugi?" Aurianna asked.

"There was no need to show off like that," he said, his expression utterly blank.

Aurianna’s cheeks flushed crimson, her composure faltering for just a moment. "Who said I was showing off?!" she yelled.

"Anyone with functioning eyes could see it," Jugi replied, his tone dry.

"You...!" Aurianna seethed, her glare narrowing.

"And while we’re at it, you’ve suddenly become a Saintess. Care to explain that?" Jugi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aurianna folded her arms, scoffing. "Apparently, the Goddess of Beauty gives the Saintess title to the woman she deems the most beautiful in the world. Lucky me." Her words dripped with sarcasm.

"Isn’t that a good thing? Why do you sound so angry about it?" Juvin chimed in as he was curious.

"Oh, you’re still here? I assumed you’d all left," Aurianna said a bit surprised.

"I had to stay! The fight was incredible!" Shuwi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she scribbled furiously in her notebook.

"And what about you all?" Aurianna asked, her gaze sweeping over the rest of the group.

"I was just worried," Peter admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Worried? About me?" Aurianna scoffed. "You shouldn’t bother."

"Well, I did. Your eye, legs, and arms are now gone," Peter countered, his voice tinged with genuine concern.

"It’s impressive, though," Zeche interjected. "The way you made magic body parts for those missing on your body is insane. That kind of magic requires immense mana."

"I’m used to it," Aurianna said nonchalantly, waving a hand.

Suddenly, her gaze shifted upward. "Hey, Queen, get this ridiculous mark off me. I know you can." she said pointing to the cross in her eye.

Queen stepped forward without hesitation. "As you wish, Master," she said, kneeling before Aurianna. She extended a finger, gently touching Aurianna’s face. The cross embedded in Aurianna’s eyes shattered instantly.

Aurianna rubbed her eyes, grimacing. "Ugh, it’s so itchy."

"How was she able to remove a goddess’s branding?" Yelina wondered aloud, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Queen tilted her head, her expression calm. "Shall I remove the one on your neck as well?"

"No. Leave that one," Aurianna said coldly. Her gaze darkened as a faint smirk tugged at her lips. "It’ll serve a special purpose."

Avriel gestured toward the Archeons, who were eerily still as they watched the group. "Can you retract your space? I totes don’t like how your monsters are staring at us."

"Oh, right. Sorry about that," Aurianna replied. She snapped her fingers, and the chaos Realm vanished in an instant.

"Imagine doing all that just to beat some Grand Humans. Now you look like one of those pirates who loses all their body parts!" Jugi laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.

Aurianna glared at him. "Shut up, Jugi! My hand will grow back in, uh..." She paused, her confidence faltering. "Eva, when does the Domain Prison open again?"

Eva’s voice echoed in her mind. "In ten days."

Aurianna puffed out her chest, regaining her composure. "My hand will grow back in ten days!" she declared proudly.

Jade, standing nearby, smirked and gestured toward Aurianna’s knights. "And what about them? Why didn’t they disappear?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"We can stay in this world for a month!" Nia chimed in.

Aurianna frowned, her eyes narrowing. "Can you guys shrink? You’re way too tall. You’re attracting attention."

Jugi tilted his head, looking both confused and exasperated. "Seriously? After all that destruction you all caused, their height is what you’re worried about?"

"Of course!" Aurianna snapped, ignoring his incredulous look. She turned to her knights, her tone firm. "Now, shrink!"

"As you wish, Master," the knights said. In a flash of light, they reduced their bodies to a more manageable 10 feet, now just slightly taller than Hadina.

Hadina crossed her arms, glaring up at them with annoyance. Queen, unbothered by Hadina’s attitude, leaned down and patted her gently on the head.

"Master, she’s adorable," Queen said, her tone genuinely affectionate as she continued petting Hadina.

Hadina huffed, turning her head coyly. "Humph. I suppose we shall not be enemies, then."

Aurianna rolled her eyes, but her attention shifted as she noticed unfamiliar faces among the group. "And who’s that lady over there? And those people with you Saem?"

"This is Princess Penelope," Batholem said, stepping forward. "The one we mentioned earlier."

"These people are Faston and Candy’s families," Saem said.

Penelope smiled warmly, her striking black sclera and vibrant red eyes giving her a regal, otherworldly beauty. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and two elegant horns adorned her head. "It’s a pleasure to meet you," she said with a polite nod.

Aurianna gave Penelope an appraising look before her gaze flicked to Peter, who spoke up. "Could you remove your mark from her? I doubt her parents would appreciate it."

"Fine." Aurianna waved her hand, and the mark in Penelope’s eyes dissolved into faint wisps of light.

"Hey, Jade," Avriel called out, folding her arms as she sidled closer. "If Aurianna and I fought, who would win?"

Jade didn’t hesitate, his voice calm and sure. "You, obviously."

Avriel’s face lit up with a proud grin. "Thought so."

"So that’s New Era, huh," Shuwi muttered, her pen scratching across the pages of her notebook. She glanced briefly at Aurianna, who was deep in conversation with Peter and Saem, while the rest of the group fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Huh, that girl?" Elena asked, her voice tinged with surprise as she followed Shuwi’s gaze.

"Well, it’s obvious. Why else would Sacred Grat be here pretending to be an old man?" Shuwi replied, her sharp eyes darting toward the elderly figure sitting nearby, seemingly harmless yet oddly watchful.

"You’re right," Elena murmured, nodding in agreement.

Grat rose from his seat and approached Aurianna. "My child, are you sure you’re alright?" Grat asked, his voice soft.

Aurianna raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with irritation. "Who’s this lost old man?"

Peter’s group stiffened, hearing what she called him.

"Well, he claims he’s lost," Saem said hesitantly, his tone uncertain. "But I don’t buy it."

"Should I kill him, Master?" Hadina asked, stepping forward.

"No," Aurianna said flatly before turning to Nia. "Where are the dead bodies I told you to bring?"

"Here," Nia said cheerfully, materializing the mangled remains of the five Grand Humans in front of her. "Why, you planning to eat them?"

"Nah, I’m a Saintess now, remember? I’ll just get rid of their consciousness, revive them, and voilà—fully functional Grand Humans at my command!" Aurianna announced with a grin, clasping her hands together in delight.

Grat’s expression darkened, his tone calm but firm. "I can’t allow you to do that, child."

"Eh? Why not, old man? And who even are you?" Aurianna asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

"They’re dead. Let them rest," Grat replied, his voice steady. "You’ve already achieved something by killing five Grand Humans. Do you really need their bodies when you have these knights of yours?" He gestured toward her summons.

Aurianna considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I guess you’re right. Their flesh is weak anyway."

Peter stepped forward, adjusting his space ring. "In that case, can I have their bodies? They’ve got hefty bounties on their heads. Leave the rest of this mess to me, Aurianna."

Aurianna’s grin returned. "Of course! What would I do without you, Peter?" she said.

But then, with a sudden shift in mood, she clapped her hands. "Well, I guess this is where we part ways!"

"I doubt that," Peter said, shaking his head.

"Why?" Aurianna asked, tilting her head in genuine confusion.

"Because..." Juvin interjected, stepping into the conversation. "We’re all supposed to attend the World Summit."

"The what now?" Aurianna asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

Grat folded his arms. "The World Summit is an event where the High God meets with all the leaders of Deirion. It’s not something one can even get access to yet you were all given the chance to go."

"And why am I part of this?" Aurianna asked, her tone filled with annoyance and confusion.

"Well, you are part of the eight Pillars. Do you not know that?" Grat asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nah, never heard of it," Aurianna said, shaking her head dismissively.

Jade, standing with his arms crossed, spoke up without taking his eyes off Grat. "I’m sure they’re referring to some sort of prophecy."

"Yes, a prophecy that will shape the future of our world," Grat explained patiently. "All eight pillars must attend. However, we haven’t been able to locate Prosperity yet—she’s in the Dark Depths. For now, the seven of you will suffice."

Aurianna leaned toward Batholem and whispered, "Why is this old man talking like he’s some big deal?"

"Because he is," Batholem replied nervously, glancing sideways at Grat.

"Huh?!" Aurianna’s voice shot up, her expression shifting to one of shock as she turned to eye Grat with suspicion.

Before she could ask further questions, Batholem gasped and pointed at her. "Hey, Aurianna, why are your eyes bleeding?"

"Shit," Aurianna cursed under her breath. Without hesitation, she shoved Batholem away just as black spikes erupted from her body, piercing through her skin. Dark chains followed, snaking out of her and tightening around her.