Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 290 - 277: I want to join you

"Yo, Aurianna!" another voice called out.

Aurianna turned to see Gray waving enthusiastically. As always, her bald head gleamed under the light, an odd yet familiar sight.

"Madam glGray?" Aurianna gasped, momentarily caught off guard.

"I’m so glad you remember me!" Gray said with a hearty laugh, stepping closer.

"You’ve officially become a Saintess of our church, so now I’ll be your church big sister!" She grinned proudly, standing before Peter, she was almost as tall as Grat.

"Ah... yeah," Aurianna replied, her tone disinterested as her eyes darted between Gray and Kielbasa.

"Do leave her in our care, Grat. After all, she is our Saintess," Kielbasa said smoothly, his tone calm as his radiant smile charmed nearly everyone around him.

"And who said I was interested in going with you?" Aurianna shot back, her frown deepening.

"Well, you are our Saintess," Gray chimed in, looking slightly confused as if the answer was obvious.

"And that automatically makes us friends? Yeah, no," Aurianna scoffed.

Gray’s cheerful demeanor faltered slightly, but she pressed on. "My, my, don’t be so mean, child. You’re lucky to have been blessed by Paige with such beauty. She’s chosen you to serve her! What greater honor could there possibly be?"

Aurianna’s expression darkened. "I know what you do to your Saintesses. After all, the last one died in my arms. But that’s beside the point—I don’t trust you," she said coldly.

The cheerful light in Gray’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a hard, calculating look. "Don’t worry. You definitely won’t end up like her. After all, you’re much more useful. Besides, the High god seems to favor you," she stated bluntly.

"Yeah, well, I’m still staying with my friends," Aurianna retorted, her voice icy.

"But—" Gray started to speak, only to be interrupted by Kielbasa’s calm hand on her shoulder.

"It’s fine, Gray," Kielbasa said with a reassuring smile, his tone silencing any objections. His pink eyes shifted back to Aurianna. "We’ll hold your coronation in your homeland. That way, we can leave together and attend the ceremony in a few days."

His dazzling smile seemed to enchant everyone present, and Aurianna noticed, to her irritation, that even Peter and the others appeared captivated. It was no wonder he was the Sacred of Beauty; his appearance was just majestic.

However, Aurianna remained unfazed, narrowing her eyes. "Gonna reject that offer, sorry sir. I’ve got some plans before I head home," she said bluntly.

Kielbasa’s perfect smile didn’t falter, though a faint flicker of irritation crossed his eyes. "Just make sure you’re back within a month," he replied.

"Deal," Aurianna said, nodding once.

Gray folded her arms, raising an eyebrow as she stared at her. "What exactly do you plan to do?"

"I don’t want to tell you," Aurianna huffed, sticking her tongue out like a child.

Gray sighed heavily, shaking her head. "So mean."

"Aurianna, your eyes... they’re bleeding!" Peter gasped. His face twisted with concern as crimson streaks marred her cheeks.

"Damn," Aurianna grumbled.

"Master, you need to teleport out of there immediately! You’re entering evolution!" Queen’s urgent voice rang in her mind.

"What? Right now?" Aurianna gasped telepathically, her thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief.

"Yes!" Queen said.

"Dammit," Aurianna muttered, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists in frustration. The heat in her body surged, her heart pounding as she tried to focus.

’Shit! My teleport isn’t working!’ A wave of panic swelled in her chest, her breath becoming unsteady.

"Peter, put me down—now!" she demanded, kicking herself off his arms before he could protest.

The moment her feet hit the ground, her entire body glowed with a brilliant light, then crystalized. A cocoon of shimmering crystal enveloped her in a matter of seconds.

A loud clang echoed as the cocoon landed gently, suspended just above the ground. Its surface shimmered beautifully but was blurry so the inside couldn’t be seen, and delicate crystal roses bloomed along its surface.

"What happened to her?!" Juvin’s voice cracked with shock as he stared wide-eyed.

"I heard this happened to her once before," Peter murmured, fidgeting nervously. "But I don’t know what it means."

"Is she... alive?" Kielbasa asked hesitantly, his usual stoic demeanor faltering.

"She definitely is," Peter affirmed, his eyes locked on the cocoon.

"Master..." Queen materialized in front of them.

"It’s you!" Peter exclaimed, recognizing her immediately. "What’s going on with Aurianna? Is she safe?"

"She’s merely sleeping," Queen said calmly, though a hint of worry flickered in her gaze. "But she won’t wake up for a year."

"A year?!" Peter gasped. "Why so long?"

’In this state, she’s unable to teleport to my space,’ Eva said, filled with frustration, while she was in her space. ’Why didn’t I sense her evolution sooner?’

Eva stood before a glowing screen, her face drawn in concern as she observed Aurianna’s cocoon. "Should I reverse time?" she muttered to herself, her fingers twitching with the temptation to act.

[There’s no need for that. It’s fine.] The system’s voice resonated in her mind.

"Alright, system," Eva sighed reluctantly, her gaze softening as she watched Aurianna. "But still..."

"No need to cry, children. She’ll be fine," Grat said, his gruff voice surprisingly gentle as he patted the heads awkwardly, because they were silently crying.

"So, what do we do with this?" Grat asked Queen, while standing beside the cocoon.

"If I can find a secure place to protect her, that would be best," Queen replied, her tone firm.

"I can help with that," Peter offered, stepping forward.

"She’s our Saintess," Kielbasa interrupted smoothly, his lips curling into a smile as his eyes flicked to the cocoon. "Why not leave her in our care?"

Queen’s gaze hardened, her voice cold. "My master showed great hostility toward you. I will not entrust her to your hands."

"Seems like her coronation will have to be delayed by a year then," Kielbasa sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration.

"Isn’t there a way to wake her up faster?" Juvin asked, his voice edged with worry as his gaze lingered on the shimmering cocoon.

"No," Queen replied, her voice tinged with hesitation. "But..." she paused, her eyes narrowing in thought.

’Eva, if you use your magic into the cocoon, you could potentially shorten the time she sleeps.’ Queen said telepathically.

"Oh, true!" Eva’s voice echoed back, her tone brightening.

"I can wake her in ten days," Queen announced aloud, her tone decisive, "but I’ll need a secluded space."

"Alright," Kielbasa nodded, his sharp gaze settling on Queen. "Just make sure she’s back in her kingdom before the next month begins."

"Understood," Queen said.

_____

In the dark room back in Nervon City the Diondraff family’s castle, Eva stood alone, her golden eyes glowing faintly as they locked on Aurianna’s crystal cocoon. Aurianna’s peaceful face was just visible through the clear surface. Her expression was calm, as if she were merely dreaming. Her body was submerged in the liquid within the cocoon causing her to float inside. Compared to the previous day when the cocoon was just the side of her body. It was now ten times her former size but her height remained the same inside of it.

Eva extended her hand, summoning time magic circles. The circles glowed brilliantly for a fleeting moment before shattering into fragments of light, dissipating into the air. She frowned deeply.

"My time magic isn’t working on her," she muttered in frustration, her fingers twitching as she considered her next move.

A soft creak echoed behind her, and Eva’s eyes narrowed. Without turning around, she spoke. "You’d better have a good reason for entering uninvited."

Grat stepped into the faint light, his posture relaxed but respectful. He observed the shadow woman before him with mild fascination. The golden clock in her eyes and the remnants of shattered magic circles were unlike anything he’d seen. They were too detailed, because even his god Barbados had never taught him such time magic, ’So she’s truly a time goddess,’ Grat mused. He was clearly aware that her techniques were leagues beyond his own.

"I came to check on her," Grat replied with a polite smile. His eyes flicked toward the cocoon.

"When Queen, told no one to enter?" Eva asked, arching a brow.

"If I were hostile, do you think Queen would have allowed me in?" Grat countered smoothly.

Eva huffed, dismissing his words with a slight wave of her hand, before turning her attention back to Aurianna.

Grat’s curiosity deepened as he tried to assess Eva’s level. His attempts were met with cascading error messages. ’What kind of goddess is she?’ he thought, his admiration tempered by unease.

"Will she wake soon?" Grat asked, breaking the tense silence.

"I don’t know," Eva admitted, her voice tinged with annoyance. "I’m still trying."

Her mind raced. *If I could bring her to my space, it would be faster. But this damned cocoon won’t let me.’ She tapped her fingers against her chin, her golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully. ’What if I bring my space to her?’ The idea sparked a rare moment of excitement, her expression softening.

"Leave," Eva said coldly, her voice abruptly curt.

Grat raised a brow but complied, stepping toward the door. Before exiting, he paused walked back and knelt down, his head bowed low. "I wanted to say... I wish to become a subordinate of Aurianna’s."

"You’ve already seen your future?" Eva asked, her golden eyes narrowing as she regarded Grat.

"Yes, and it seems that if I don’t join you both, I’ll die in the near future," Grat chuckled, scratching his cheek awkwardly. His tone was light, he was fully aware of his fate if he didn’t take any actions.

"You’re smart," Eva remarked, her voice turning icy. "But know this—if you join us, betrayal is not an option. The penalty for betrayal is immediate death, with no chance of reincarnation. Unless, of course, Aurianna allows it," she added coldly, her piercing gaze fixed on his face