Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 374 - 311: Fine you can stay

"Of course I’d be fine. Why are you so worried?" Aurianna asked, her voice laced with a playful, teasing edge as she tilted her head, her empty light blueish white eyes glinting with mischief.

Batholem shifted uncomfortably, scratching his cheek. "I doubt my worry’s needed, but... I suppose I can’t help it," he admitted, his gaze lingering on Aurianna’s unsettlingly pale eyes.

"Glad you know it’s not needed," Aurianna huffed, crossing her arms with a mock pout.

"Sister, how heartless!" Leila scoffed, shaking her head in disapproval.

Aurianna blinked, genuinely puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Leila?"

Leila turned to Batholem, her expression softening. "Sorry for my sister’s inconsideration. She can be a bit... blunt."

"No, no, please don’t worry!" Batholem gasped, waving his hands frantically, his cheeks flushing. "It’s fine, really!"

Zeche, who had been quietly observing, piped up. "So, do we get to stay here?"

"No way!" Aurianna snapped, her tone firm. She hesitated, her mind racing. The idea of letting them stay felt like a burden—the cons far outweighed the pros. And without her soul binding power if they were to stray too far from her and she’s unable to revive them in time she won’t feel too happy about it. So she was still cautious.

Christopher, leaned forward. "What about one year? A trial period?"

Leila nodded thoughtfully. "A year sounds reasonable."

Aurianna’s shoulders slumped slightly, but she didn’t outright refuse. Meanwhile, Kiana’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can I go to Aquarius?" she asked, her voice brimming with hope.

"Sure, go ahead," Aurianna said with a dismissive wave. Then, as an afterthought, she snapped her fingers. "Oh, let me teleport you there." In an instant, Kiana vanished in a shimmer of light.

Aurianna sighed, crossing her arms again. "Fine. I guess you lot can stay for a year."

"Yes!" Juvin cheered, his usually stoic face breaking into a rare, proud grin—a sight that made even Aurianna pause.

Curiosity piqued, she tilted her head. "So, you’re really okay being here? I’ll be leaving you guys with Carol."

Elena scratched her fluffy afro, her expression dazed. "Honestly? I’m still trying to process everything that’s happened."

"Same," Shuwi nodded, her quiet voice echoing Elena’s sentiment.

Peter, meanwhile, was lost in his own thoughts, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ’To think I met her again Iris,’ he mused, his heart racing with past memories.

How did he meet her? Well we’d have to go before the world time reverse.

Peter sat in his opulent office, quill in hand, signing documents with the steady rhythm. As an elf, his ageless features remained sharp and youthful making him look the same as he did now, his blue hair neatly tied back. But his mind was elsewhere.

"How’s Aurianna’s situation?" he asked abruptly, glancing at the elven guard standing by his side.

The guard’s lip curled in disdain. "Master Peter, I wonder why you’d keep tabs on an insignificant Saintess of the Goddess of Beauty."

Peter’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping coldly. "What did you say?"

The guard faltered, stammering under Peter’s icy blue gaze. "I-I mean, someone of your caliber shouldn’t—"

"I didn’t ask for your opinion," Peter cut him off, his tone sharp. "I asked a question. Answer it."

The guard swallowed hard. "The Saintess... she’s to be burned at the pyre for her alleged evil deeds."

Peter’s heart stopped. "What?" He shot to his feet, his chair scraping against the floor. "And you didn’t inform me?"

The guard sneered, emboldened by his own prejudice. "She’s nothing but a mere human, beautiful or not. A dirty slut who deserves to burn."

Before the words fully left the guard’s mouth, Peter’s hand lashed out, delivering a resounding slap that sent the guard crashing into the marble wall. The impact echoed through the room, but the guard emerged unscathed—physically, at least. He didn’t dare meet Peter’s eyes.

"What kind of incompetent subordinates do I have?" Peter roared. "Get in here, now!"

Fifteen guards in matching armor filed into the room, their faces pale with dread. One stepped forward, bowing low. "Your Highness?"

"We’re going to save her. No objections," Peter snapped, his voice trembling with fury. "When we return, I’ll deal with your punishment."

"Yes, sir!" the guards chorused, their voices tight with fear.

’I hope I make it in time,’ Peter thought, storming out of his office, his guards trailing behind. His mind drifted to the first time he met Aurianna, a memory that burned brightly despite the years.

____

In the outskirts of a bustling city in Sandeph, Aurianna stood in a clearing, yelling at a massive tree as though it could answer her. Peter, perched on a branch above, watched with amusement.

"Argh, everyone’s so ungrateful!" Aurianna ranted, her white hair glinting in the sunlight. "They don’t appreciate a cutie like me! Making me work so hard—damn it! I just wanna sleep and eat all day!" She was nineteen, her cheeks puffed out in an adorable pout.

Peter couldn’t help himself. "If you call what you do hard work, I’d laugh!" he called down, chuckling.

Aurianna whipped around, brandishing her staff. "Who’s there?"

"Relax, I’m not going to hurt you," Peter said, leaping gracefully from the tree to land before her. His elven elegance was undeniable, his green eyes sparkling with mischief.

Aurianna huffed, pulling her veil over her face. "Humph!"

"Why cover your face? You’re beautiful," Peter said casually, not out of flattery but simple honesty.

"None of your business," she shot back. "A random man doesn’t get to see my face just like that!"

Peter smirked. "If I were as pretty as you, I’d show it off."

"Having a pretty face doesn’t always invite good company, you know," Aurianna replied, her tone softening slightly.

Peter nodded, conceding her point. "Fair enough. So, what’s your name?"

She straightened, her voice brimming with pride. "I’m Aurianna Vanluad, the Saintess who’ll save the world!"

Peter grinned, already knowing her identity. In Sandeph, who hadn’t heard of the white-haired princess? Some say she’s lazy, others concur and say she’s hard working. Mixed views amongst the population.