Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 289 - 276: Rejection

"I said that out loud," Aurianna gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

The High god smirked. "I’m actually much cooler with you than you might think. After all, I knew your ancestor. She was... captivating, but insufferably arrogant. All those empty promises, only for her to die in the end. But I’ll admit, she had a way of mesmerizing people."

Aurianna tensed, her voice unsteady. "I don’t know if I can remove that."

’Damn it, damn it, damn that woman,’ Aurianna cursed inwardly, her thoughts swirling with frustration toward the White gemaris.

"Just try," the High god urged, his tone laced with both impatience.

Swallowing, Aurianna stepped closer to him, extending her arm toward the white crystal embedded in his hand. The moment her fingers made contact, a jolt of energy surged through her. Pain flared as her crystal arm shattered into glittering shards, scattering around her.

"Ah, so she’s rejecting you," the High god observed with a disappointed sigh, his gaze flicking to the fragments. "Not surprising. I expected this of her."

Aurianna winced, staring at her injured arm. "I—"

"No need to sulk," the High god interrupted, waving dismissively. "It’s no big deal. You can try again in a few years. Honestly, I was foolish to think someone in your youngest form, as you are now, could undo something she created at her peak." He chuckled softly.

Aurianna lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah..."

’Thank you! Let this end already!’ she screamed inwardly. ’Wait... maybe this isn’t all bad, it’s probably even good. I’m the second generation gemaris, so as long as that thing is on his hand he can’t dare to harm me as long as it’s on his arm. Maybe that woman wasn’t entirely useless after all.’

"Well, that’s that!" the High god declared, clapping his hands together. "You may now end the World Summit!"

The murmurs in the crowd began to rise, but he lifted a hand to silence them, his expression suddenly cold. "But before you all scuttle off, I have a warning." His voice dropped, sending a chill through the room. "In ten years, there will be a monster flood. A catastrophic one. Entirely my doing."

gasps rippled through the assembly. One brave voice dared to protest, "But half the population will be wiped out! It would be another world disaster like the war 300,000 year ago!"

"What if some people die? As long as the strong survive, it will all be worth it!" The High god declared, his expression twisting into something almost deranged. "I can’t protect you all forever, not from those beings as strong as me living out there in space. They’ll come here eventually—probably in about twelve years. They want something I have, and... I’m not handing it over!"

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking into everyone. Then, with a sudden tilt of his head and a disconcerting smile, he added, "So get strong before the monster floods, okay?" Without waiting for a response, he vanished in an instant, his presence dissipating like a storm clearing from the skies.

The angel host, still trembling, hurriedly stepped forward to address the room. "Thank you all for gathering here today! I do hope you have a... pleasant day!" Her voice wavered as she finished, her nervousness clear.

The gods began disappearing one by one, their figures fading.

"Aurianna, are you okay?!" Peter asked, catching her just as her knees buckled.

Her breathing was shallow, her face pale and slick with sweat. Her eyes fluttered as she managed to choke out, "My arms... I can’t control them anymore. They won’t stay together..." She sighed as her remaining arm cracked and shattered, scattering shards of crystal to the floor.

’Damn it, damn it, damn it!’ Aurianna cursed inwardly, her frustration mounting. ’I still couldn’t digest that blasted marble!’

"Hey, it’s okay," Peter reassured her, carefully carrying her into his arms. "We’ll get you back and find a healer."

"It’s no use," Aurianna muttered. "Healing magic doesn’t work on me. If I can’t heal myself, no one else can."

Peter’s expression darkened with concern, but he nodded. "Let’s just get you back, alright?"

Aurianna shifted slightly, her cheeks flushing. "I feel shy..."

Peter’s own face reddened at her words, his mind leaping to conclusions. "Oh, uh, I—sorry, I didn’t mean to—"

Elena’s mischievous voice interrupted him. "Why’s that, Aurianna?"

Aurianna’s face turned even redder. "Because everyone is staring so damn much!" She said and glared at the curious gazes of those around them, causing them to immediately turn their gazes.

Peter, Elena, and Juvin exchanged blank stares before Juvin finally spoke up. "Well, you did casually talk with the High god. Most people can’t even dream of doing that."

"Yeah, no wonder they’re staring," Elena agreed, smirking.

Zeche’s curiosity got the better of him. "Were you able to understand him? Like... what he really meant?"

Aurianna groaned, burying her face in Peter’s chest. "Very clearly. That man is completely insane."

"Hmm, kids, where are you going?" Grat asked as he appeared before them, his sudden presence halting their steps.

"Sacred Grat! We were just about to look for you!" Christopher said eagerly, his posture straightening.

"Oh, no need to trouble yourselves. Would you like to join me for the after-dinner meal? It would do you good to stay nourished." Grat’s voice was calm, almost warm.

"I wish I could, Sacred Grat, but my body..." Aurianna trailed off, her voice faltering as she nervously avoided his eyes.

Grat’s gaze shifted to her, his sharp eyes narrowing as he noticed the faint cracks spreading along her face. "Oh yes, it’s crumbling. And your original body parts—what happened to them?"

"They... won’t be back for a few days," Aurianna admitted.

"I see, I see," Grat muttered thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "Let me try something."

Raising his hand, a glowing magic circle appeared. A translucent clock materialized above it, spinning rapidly as a golden light enveloped Aurianna’s body. But just as quickly as it began, the glow flickered and died. The magic circle shattered like glass, sending faint shards of light scattering into the air and disappearing.

Grat frowned deeply, lowering his hand. "Hmm, my time magic was cancelled out. How unusual..."

Aurianna stared at him, startled. "Cancelled? Why?"

Grat’s gaze sharpened. "Perhaps... is it connected to the time magic the High god mentioned? The one you’re using?"

"You could understand him?" Aurianna asked, a mix of surprise and suspicion in her voice.

"Of course. I’m a Sacred, after all," Grat replied with a slight smirk.

"It’s not my time magic," Aurianna huffed.

"Ah, I see, I see," Grat said nodding.

Their conversation was interrupted by a cheerful voice. "Grat, how are you?"

A figure stepped gracefully into view—a beautiful, middle-aged spider woman. Her humanoid form was adorned with a vibrant orange gown resembling the attire of a nun, and six shimmering eyes glinted on her elegant face. Long spider legs arched from her back, and a soft layer of fur framed her neck like a collar.

"Good, and you, Patricia?" Grat replied, a rare genuine smile spreading across his face.

"Oh, I’m doing well, just busy, as always. It’s a pity you don’t visit anymore," Patricia sighed, pouting.

"I’ve been occupied lately," Grat said with a soft chuckle. "And when I’ve tried to visit, you’ve been just as busy."

"They really don’t give us Sacreds a break, do they?" Patricia lamented, shaking her head.

Her six eyes shifted to the group, curiosity sparking in them. "And are these the children of fate you spoke about?"

"Yes, indeed," Grat confirmed, gesturing toward Aurianna and the others.

"Pleasure to meet you all! I’m Patricia Bioteille, the Sacred of Wisdom," Patricia greeted warmly. Aurianna immediately noticed the orange cross glowing faintly in Patricia’s eyes.

"She’s so adorable!" Patricia exclaimed, her six eyes sparkling with delight as she suddenly grabbed Aurianna’s cheeks and squeezed them gently.

Aurianna flinched, her brows twitching in irritation. "Are all Sacreds this casual?" she muttered, trying to sound polite but clearly annoyed. If she weren’t so weak right now, she’d have shoved Patricia’s hands away, but she couldn’t sense any malice from her.

Patricia chuckled, finally releasing her grip. "Not really. Most of them are just a bunch of meanies these days," she said with an exaggerated sigh, shaking her head.

Patricia’s expression shifted, her tone becoming serious as her lips curved into a smile. "Let me get to the point. Aurianna Vanluad, I’d like to propose a peace pact between you and my entire church."

Aurianna blinked in confusion. "Ehh? Why’s that?"

Patricia’s enigmatic smile lingered. "I’ll discuss the details later. There are too many prying eyes here right now."

"Alright," Aurianna replied with a small nod, though suspicion lingered in her gaze.

"See you later, Grat," Patricia said, waving as she turned and walked away. Grat’s eyes followed her.

Aurianna’s lips twisted into a frown. "Lecherous old man."

"What?!!" Grat gasped, his tan complexion flushing as his green eyes widened.

Peter, standing nearby, looked flustered. "Aurianna, I think he just admires her—"

"Says who!" Grat interrupted, his voice rising defensively.

Before their banter could escalate, a cold yet beautiful voice interjected. "Oh, Grat, it’s been a while."

All heads turned toward the approaching figure. A tall, beautifully dressed man strode toward them. His luxurious attire shimmered in the light.

"Kielbasa," Grat acknowledged coldly, his gaze narrowing. "

Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen your face."

’The Sacred of Beauty, Kielbasa,’ Aurianna thought grimly, her eyes locking onto him.