Chapter 93

Ariel, who became the guardian knight of the Saintess, could now freely pass through the Sacred Barrier.

Though mana, not holy power, still flowed through Ariel’s body, her soul was blessed by the divine through her covenant with the Saintess.

In other words, the covenant with the Saintess had become a kind of ID card.

Thanks to this, last night, Ariel didn’t have to wait for the entrance gate to open to leave the Cathedral. Instead, she simply climbed over the wall protected by the Sacred Barrier to exit.

After leaving the Cathedral, Ariel wandered around the Imperial City Center.

She and Revena would head to the Dragon’s Lair in the morning.

When dawn broke, Revena would pretend to pray in the Sanctuary and call for Ariel.

Then, using the guardian knight’s ability, ‘Sacred Leap,’ Ariel would fly to Revena, and together they would tear a Teleport Scroll to go to the Dragon’s Lair.

This way, the Archbishop wouldn’t know Revena had left the Cathedral.

While waiting for morning, Ariel tested various Sacred Magic spells.

She discovered that as long as she converted mana into holy power, she could freely use all Sacred Magic.

Unlike regular magic, which required at least the pretense of learning, Sacred Magic didn’t even need that.

This was likely another privilege granted to Ariel through the covenant.

The knowledge of Sacred Magic had naturally been absorbed into her body to fulfill her duties as a guardian knight.

So, did she really need Revena’s help?

Couldn’t Ariel just convert mana into holy power and use Sacred Magic to break the Dark Magic curse on Rakia’s mother?

Though she considered this, Ariel decided to rely on Revena’s help for now.

There might be something only the Saintess could do.

Before long, the sun rose.

Having thoroughly tested her Sacred Magic, Ariel began playing with the dragon doll, Sparki.

Using Telekinesis, she made Sparki fly around, flap its wings, and wag its tail, making it seem almost alive.

Sparki suddenly did a somersault, then flopped onto the ground and ran around, performing all sorts of tricks.

To others, it might look like she was just playing with a doll, but Ariel didn’t see it that way.

This was serious magic training.

It was a meaningful act of mastering Telekinesis and bonding with Sparki.

Sparki soared high into the sky, spun around, and then plummeted down.

It landed right on Ariel’s head…

“Ariel.”

That was when Revena called her.

Hearing Revena’s faint voice in her mind, Ariel stored Sparki in her Inventory and stood up.

Closing her eyes, a portal-like light appeared in her mind.

It shimmered with radiant light, like a gateway to another world.

Stepping through that portal would surely take her to where Revena was.

Without hesitation, Ariel stepped into the portal.

*

*Flash!*

Ariel appeared in a pillar of blinding light.

She carried a large sword on her back and looked at Revena with an expressionless face.

“Ariel, you really came!”

Revena smiled brightly.

This was the first time Revena had summoned her guardian knight.

Perhaps that’s why she felt so moved.

Ariel’s presence felt incredibly reassuring…

Suddenly, tears streamed down Revena’s cheeks.

“Huh…? Why am I crying all of a sudden…?”

She was so happy Ariel had come, yet tears flowed inexplicably.

Perhaps it was the heavy burden and loneliness she had carried alone all this time.

Life as the Saintess was never easy.

The immense responsibility she bore at such a young age.

The pressure to always be devout and noble.

Born as the Saintess against her will, Revena had endured and sacrificed so much.

She couldn’t eat what she wanted, nor could she make true friends to share her worries.

She had to endure everything alone.

But not anymore.

Now, Revena had Ariel as her steadfast support.

A guardian knight was more than just a protector.

They were a companion to the soul.

Overwhelmed with joy and relief, that’s why Revena was crying.

“Sniff, sniff…”

“……”

Seeing Revena sobbing, Ariel took a step closer.

Today, Revena was dressed in a pure white Saintess robe.

The luxurious silk shimmered softly, with beautiful patterns embroidered in gold thread along the edges.

It was a stark contrast to the shabby robe she wore when they first met or the plain nightgown from last night.

This outfit radiated a sacred, almost majestic aura.

Truly, the Saintess blessed by the gods.

Yet, this Saintess was frowning and crying bitterly.

Ariel didn’t know why Revena was crying.

But she wanted to comfort her.

Ariel gently hugged Revena and patted her back.

Last time, this had quickly calmed Revena down in the alley.

“Sniff, sniff!”

Revena cried a bit more, then rested her face against Ariel’s body and calmed down.

Ariel took a macaron from her Inventory and floated it over to Revena’s face using Telekinesis.

“……”

Revena let out a small laugh and slowly opened her mouth.

The macaron disappeared into her mouth.

*Munch munch.*

Revena, forgetting her tears, smiled slightly.

The sweetness of the macaron melted the heart of the young girl.

Though Ariel hadn’t said anything profound, simply feeding her a macaron made Revena feel her warm care.

The sadness and bitterness faded from Revena’s face, replaced by a happy smile.

After a while, Revena wiped her tears and spoke with a determined expression.

“Let’s go, to the Dragon’s Lair.”

*

The Magic Hot Spring, where warm steam rose.

A large mirror hung on the wall, and in front of it stood a stocky dwarf, completely naked.

The golden-bearded dwarf was Lionel.

Lionel stared intently at his reflection in the mirror with a grave expression.

‘Incredible. I must be extraordinary.’

Lionel had been in a great mood lately.

He had found a way to cure his mother’s illness, and more importantly, Ariel had praised the sword he made.

For a dwarf craftsman who poured his soul into weapon-making, this was the highest compliment.

‘Ragnarok… a weapon unparalleled in this world…’

Lionel began swaying his shoulders.

The Ragnarok he forged might even rival the hero’s sword, Excalibur.

Though his mother and Rakia didn’t seem to notice, Ariel surely had.

That’s why she had earnestly asked for the sword.

‘Indeed, even I can see it’s a masterpiece.’

Lionel hummed a tune and began to dance.

His short body moved gracefully, his plump buttocks shaking with vigor.

Though naked, there was no one else in the Magic Hot Spring but him.

Lionel’s dance grew more intense.

He waved his short arms elegantly, hopping around in front of the mirror.

Then, raising his hands above his head, he spun clumsily and finished his dance.

‘Haha, my dancing skills must also be extraordinary…’

Just then, something tapped Lionel’s cheek.

A soft touch.

Lionel turned sharply to see a dragon flapping its wings in front of him.

“Eek!”

Lionel screamed and stepped back.

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a real dragon but just a doll.

A mischievous dragon doll stared straight at him.

“?”

Lionel frowned and tilted his head.

What was this?

How could a doll flap its wings and fly on its own?

Suddenly, a foreboding feeling rose in Lionel’s chest.

“……”

Lionel slowly turned his gaze and soon spotted two girls standing in the corner of the Magic Hot Spring.

One was Ariel, and the other was a girl in a Saintess robe.

“Hello.”

Ariel greeted Lionel.

Ariel smiled slightly, while the Saintess looked shocked, her eyes wide.

No doubt.

They had definitely seen Lionel’s entire dance.

“……”

Lionel couldn’t speak and froze, as if time had stopped.

“Let’s go.”

Ariel and the Saintess walked away, followed by the flapping dragon doll.

“……”

Left alone, Lionel slumped to the ground.

His face was filled with deep despair.

After a moment, Lionel covered his face with his hands and let out a loud scream.

“Ahhh!”

Lionel’s long dragon life.

A moment of unforgettable humiliation was etched into his memory.