The Weight of Defeat and a Fiery Confrontation

Moonlight streamed through the oak lattice window, spilling into the bedroom and settling upon Paresha’s pale cheek.

The young woman lay on the bed, eyes tightly shut, her breathing ragged.

Saranya sat on the edge of Paresha’s bed, holding up a candelabra to cast light.

Kaelan and Cecilia stood on either side, meticulously examining Paresha’s injuries.

“They struck her quite hard…”

With her fingertips, Cecilia scooped ointment from a bowl and gently applied it to the bruises blossoming across Paresha’s abdomen.

“Hiss—”

Paresha flinched from the pain, slowly opening her eyes to utter a single sentence:

“I lost.”

The young woman’s gaze was dim, wandering aimlessly.

She looked at Saranya, then at Cecilia, before turning to the stern-faced Kaelan, finally closing her eyes again in anguish.

‘I… I’m so foolish… so pathetic…’

Undoubtedly, Paresha was utterly unsuited for this divine术 contest (TL Note: A competition involving the display and application of divine magic or abilities.), possessing no aptitude whatsoever.

In such a brief span, even with Kaelan’s intensive tutoring, she couldn’t possibly adapt to the frenetic pace of individual magical combat.

While Dalia Aurelius’s betrayal was the immediate cause of her defeat, the root of the matter lay in Paresha’s own inadequacy.

Had she even learned a single spell—a small, utterly insignificant instant-cast offensive magic, something to offer even a modicum of resistance against an enemy’s assault—the assessment of her by others would not have been so damning.

Paresha was incredibly stubborn, to the point of being obdurate.

She had always been this way; despite years within the church, with no shortage of resources or learning opportunities, she had, through Westir and Doron’s doting indulgence, remained ignorant, arrogant, and domineering.

This outcome, then, was nothing less than she deserved.

Her obstinate willfulness had led to her brother’s severe injuries, leaving him bedridden, and had caused her father endless worry over his children.

During this divine officer selection, everyone had strived to assist her, yet she had squandered all their hopes.

She was foolish, incompetent, and utterly oblivious to her shortcomings, insisting on attempting tasks beyond her capability, only to exacerbate the situation and ultimately rely on others to clean up her messes.

“Sister Saranya… I… am I truly incapable of doing anything right…?”

“This isn’t your fault…”

“Sister Saranya… *sob*…”

Saranya clasped Paresha’s hand, her face etched with pain as she offered words of solace.

“Silence! I didn’t give you leave to speak.

Release her!”

A dark cloud shadowed Kaelan’s face as she shot Saranya a frigid glare.

Saranya instantly released Paresha’s hand, her head drooping in chagrin.

Cecilia, startled, continued to tend to Paresha’s wounds, yet subtly turned her head, ears perked, ready to catch Kaelan’s next words.

Kaelan rose to her feet, her expression alight with fury, and castigated Paresha as if passing judgment:

“You speak truly; you are good for nothing, incapable of learning anything.

You are a weak, pathetic fool.

Have you finally recognized your own incompetence?”

“What is the meaning of uttering such words to *my* Saranya?

Do you seek comfort?

No one will offer you solace, and no one cares whether you feel wronged.

Decency and dignity are earned by your own hands.

If you choose to overdraft the love and concern others have for you, then a day of reckoning will inevitably arrive!”

“I…”

“What ‘I’?

If you’ve tasted bitter fruit, then swallow it whole!

Learn your lesson, strive to grow stronger, and cease begging others for cheap comfort!

If you fell today, you must reclaim it tomorrow!

You are to enter the arena with your comrades again tomorrow; appearing like this, do you truly intend to continue hiding behind others, letting them suffer injuries on your behalf?!”

Scathingly rebuked by Kaelan, Paresha’s body trembled, and she burst into heart-wrenching sobs.

Suddenly, the chamber door was flung open with a resounding thud, and a silver-armored divine guard with long red hair strode into the room.

His face contorted with anger as he glared at Kaelan, one hand gripping his sword hilt so tightly that the gauntlet on his wrist creaked under the strain.

“What do you intend to do?!”

Saranya swiftly rose, positioning herself before Kaelan, ready to confront the divine guard.

The young divine guard gritted his teeth, his voice ringing out as he addressed Saranya:

“I am here to protect Lady Paresha!

Lady Hillburg, the young lady has just been injured and is confined to bed; your actions are utterly reprehensible!”

Paresha, from her bed, wiped away her tears and discerned the divine guard standing at the doorway:

“Phillo… please don’t, leave…”

Phillo raised a hand, pointing at Kaelan.

“I demand you apologize to Lady Paresha!”

“Phillo!

Did you not hear your lady’s command?

Depart at once!”

Witnessing Phillo’s intent to draw his sword and threaten Kaelan, Saranya instantly shifted into a defensive stance, her own hand settling upon the hilt of the sword at her waist.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Paresha struggled, attempting to sit up, but Cecilia gently yet firmly pressed her back onto the bed.

“Oh, my, my~ Big sister just finished applying your medicine, so no fidgeting now…”

‘Cecilia, it seemed, was entirely prepared to enjoy the unfolding drama…’

Phillo scoffed, a cold sound escaping his lips:

“I am a divine guard, and Lady Paresha is a deacon; we share no subordinate relationship!

As for you, Commander Saranya, why do you pledge allegiance to such a cold-hearted witch?

You cower before her, devoid of any warrior’s dignity.

Are you her pet dog?!”

Phillo’s words exposed Saranya’s identity.

Upon hearing this, Cecilia, who had been observing from the sidelines (TL Note: A gaming term, short for ‘Observing Battle,’ referring to watching a situation unfold without participating.), raised an eyebrow, her expression slowly becoming one of amused fascination.

Hearing Phillo insult Kaelan and carelessly reveal her own identity, Saranya’s temper flared instantly:

“And what if I am?! I am perfectly willing to be her dog; is that forbidden?!”

“Beyond redemption!

Do not think I am unaware of the sordid deeds you two committed behind those curtains that day!

I refrained from exposing you then, for I respected you as a masterful swordswoman and appreciated your retrieval of the holy relic for the church.

However, my patience has now reached its absolute limit!”

“Wh…what in the world?!”

“You two godless perverts, I will not allow you to corrupt my lady!”

“A duel!”

“A duel it is, then!

Do you truly believe I fear you?!”

Phillo unclipped his sword sheath, then kicked open the chamber door, signaling his intention to fight Saranya outside, and stalked out first.

Just as Saranya was about to follow Phillo out, Kaelan suddenly reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

The atmosphere grew subtly charged.

Sensing this, Cecilia discreetly set down the ointment bowl and, with a knowing smile, exited the room, having thoroughly enjoyed today’s drama.

Kaelan leaned in slightly closer to Saranya:

“You intend to duel Phillo?

He *is* your teammate for tomorrow, you know?”

“Ah, my apologies… I was too incensed; I neglected to inquire about your wishes, my master…”

According to Kaelan’s implication, if Saranya were to engage in a fight to the death with Phillo today, it would gravely jeopardize their camaraderie for tomorrow’s contest.

Yet, Saranya was seething.

Phillo had insulted Kaelan and, in front of Cecilia no less, brazenly exposed her identity and her master’s secret little proclivities.

It was utterly despicable!

She yearned to teach this arrogant youth a lesson, to make him understand his true measure, so he would never again dare to casually challenge her and her master’s authority.

Furthermore, if this matter were to conclude ambiguously, with both parties forcibly suppressing their anger, it might not bode well for their cooperation tomorrow.

Saranya’s face was contorted in a grimace, hesitant and uncertain for a moment, unsure how to persuade Kaelan to endorse her duel.

Seeing Saranya’s expression, the witch’s ruby-like eyes flickered, and she instantly grasped Saranya’s thoughts.

A faint smile played on her lips as her cool, parted lips drew close to Saranya’s ear:

“You wish to fight, don’t you?”

“Mm-hmm…”

Her ear tingled, savoring Kaelan’s warm whisper.

Saranya licked her dry lips, catching the scent of hormones.

Her master was aroused, and it was because of her.

She herself was no different… Her mind went blank, utterly defenseless against her master’s scent.

“Is it for me?”

“For you… Master…”

“Such a good girl.

Here’s your reward~”

Kaelan cupped Saranya’s head, her soft, pink tongue darting out between her lips to trace a circle around Saranya’s earlobe.

“Hah…”

“You must win, yes?”

“I will win, Master…~”