Chapter 239: Rinella’s Destiny is Her Own (32)

Chapter 239: Rinella’s Destiny is Her Own (32)

The scene was nothing short of a disaster, with blood staining every corner.

The Saintess rushed about, tending to the wounded. Most of them had lost limbs, broken bones, or were on the brink of death from excessive bleeding, yet miraculously, no one seemed to have actually died— except for those whose heads had exploded in the reception room.

Their fate was sealed.

I wished I could have saved them, but the Dark Order's contract magic seemed more effective than I had imagined.

The mere thought of what might have unfolded had they made that pact at the Gilford Orphanage sent shivers down my spine.

Senior Elsie's face clouded with sorrow as she gently wiped away the blood from my body with a damp cloth.

I was drenched in the blood spilled by others.

"Master, there's no need for you to endure this... I-if you had called me, I could have electrocuted these pieces of trash with ease!"

As she spoke, Senior Elsie clenched her teeth, her blue eyes blazing with hatred and resentment as they scanned over the injured, sprawled in agony.

Even though I emerged unscathed, the sight of my blood-soaked form seemed to fuel her anger.

It was always my duty to restrain Senior Elsie, who was even now murmuring discreetly to cast a spell.

"Stop it, Senior Elsie... What's the use of electrocuting those already on the brink of death."

"B-but, still!"

Senior Elsie, once a fierce beast, now wore a dissatisfied expression. Fiery blue flames still danced in her eyes, a sign of her defiance.

There was only one way to tame this ferocious beast.

Without hesitation, I placed my hand atop Senior Elsie's head. Through her pointed hat, I could feel the softness of her hair beneath my touch.

I gently caressed her head.

"Still, thank you for worrying, Senior Elsie."T/his chapter is updat/ed by nov(ê(l)biin.c/o/m

"Ehehe, hehe... M-Master..."

Senior Elsie melted at once, resting her head against my chest and nuzzling against me. It was a familiar sensation, one to which I had grown accustomed.

The feeling of a lovely girl burying her face in my chest was objectively not bad.

However, there was one person who found the exchange unpleasant.

The Saintess, as she surveyed the injured, furrowed her brow upon turning towards me.

And with a demeanor that was both polite yet brimming with annoyance, she twirled the lock of her hair around her index finger.

"Sigh, while some of us are working diligently, others seem content to play with their pets...."

Naturally, Senior Elsie wouldn't let such provocation slide without response.

She immediately furrowed her brows and then slipped out of my embrace to glare at the Saintess.

"...What did you just say, you bitch?"

But the Saintess was quick to respond, staying one step ahead of Senior Elsie.

With a sweet and compassionate smile, she clasped her hands together and bowed her head slightly.

"I'm not sure what you mean, Sister Elsie. I apologize if there's been any misunderstanding... However, if you're experiencing any hearing issues, please don't hesitate to consult with me. Immanuel."

The rest of the party members turned their gaze towards Senior Elsie, as if accusing her for causing a scene once again.

Although the Saintess had instigated the confrontation, her subtle shift in tone went unnoticed by everyone except Senior Elsie and me.

So naturally, the disapproving gazes fell on Senior Elsie, who was infamous for her volatile temper.

But Senior Elsie paid no mind to their glances.

She scoffed in apparent disbelief before showcasing her unique gift of gab.

"No, big boobs are still big boobs, and now you're adding rudeness to the mix...."

"...And I suppose Sister Elsie lacks manners herself?"

"Well, isn't it better than lacking parents?"

The Saintess replied with a compassionate smile, while Senior Elsie retorted with biting sarcasm.

Despite Senior Elsie's rough demeanor, she couldn't openly swear at the Saintess in public.

Similarly, the Saintess, who had cultivated a certain social image, found it difficult to quarrel openly as well.

So instead, they engaged in a playful exchange of banter, trading whispers and jabs in a somewhat absurd manner.

I flicked Senior Elsie's forehead as she reverted to her usual brash personality after attempting to conceal it.

"Ah, ouch! M-Master!"

"No matter what, you shouldn't bring up someone else's family to insult them."

"B-but...!"

She gestured towards those whom I had personally brought down, and they were moaning in pain.

When I cocked my head in confusion, Ria’s voice rose in frustration.

"Y-You could be in danger... Don't you know how notorious they were around here?! Look! T-There are, like, dozens... dozens! And they all were armed!"

I gazed at the Saintess with a puzzled expression.

The Saintess herself appeared bewildered.

Not only the Saintess, but the entire party also wore expressions of confusion.

Ria's eyes widened in disbelief, her golden irises trembling violently.

Ria implored Sir Reynold.

Her usual dignified demeanor had vanished.

That indicated the magnitude of her shock.

"S-Sir Reynold, please say something to my brother! If he keeps fighting against dangerous people like these alone...."

"If he wants to be a permanent part of the family, then this is what he must do."

Though his tone remained devoid of emotion, there seemed to be a hint of satisfaction underlying his words.

Ria turned to the Saintess in even greater despair.

"S-Saintess... Is it alright for him to risk his life like this? It's dangerous, right? What if something were to happen to my brother... I-I can't live without him..."

"...Ian is not hurt, right?"

Perhaps Ria assumed that the Saintess would naturally provide the answer she desired.

Upon seeing the Saintess genuinely question her back, Ria touched her forehead and staggered backward.

Ria now tearfully clung to Celine.

Despite their strained relationship since childhood, Celine was the last person Ria could rely on for support.

"Ce-Celine Eonni... Please, say something. These people are weird! How can he face dozens of armed forces alone and not be in danger?!"

"Ahaha...."

Celine awkwardly scratched her cheek.

Then, she exchanged glances with Leto, who stood alongside Reynold, before letting out a deep sigh.

"...Ria."

Celine placed her hand on Ria’s shoulder, who was clinging to her, and offered a tender smile.

"You worry too much... Ian Oppa wouldn’t be hurt just by something like this."

"...Just, you say?"

Ria retorted in disbelief, turning her gaze to Leto and Seria as if seeking their opinions.

"B-but there were dozens of them, all former mercenaries armed to the teeth."

Yet, the response from the pair remained the same.

Leto and Seria simply nodded in agreement without uttering a word.

Eventually, Ria slumped down where she stood with a tearful face.

The sight of a beautiful black-haired maiden amidst a pool of blood, blooming like a flower, was nothing short of breathtaking.

However, Ria, the person at the center of it all, continued to mutter gloomily.

"Th-This is strange. There's no way my brother is this strong... We promised to live a simple life, just the two of us..."

She was talking about our promise from long ago.

Several years had passed since then.

I moved closer and gently patted Ria's shoulder a few times, trying to comfort her.

It was time to go back now.

It was time to actively pursue the Dark Order.

****

And then, one night.

"...Sir Ian, there is something I need to report."

A shadow descended, revealing dark green eyes peering out from the darkness.

It was Senior Neris's /genesisforsaken