Chapter 216

Chapter 216

When the darkness gradually settled, the lights illuminated the south plaza. Piett’s presence was dissonant as he gazed at us, a smile playing on his lips.

“Well, well, what brings the daughter of the Goddess here?” he remarked.

“Piett,” I responded sternly.

Although I had come to investigate Piett’s intentions, a more pressing matter was the sight of Eris, whom he held captive. She momentarily glanced in our direction, but her strength seemed depleted, rendering her unable to react.

“Release her!” I exclaimed, my voice echoing with urgency.

At my outcry, Piett’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Hmm? You mean this liar?” he taunted.

Liar?

“Well, I had no intention of killing her anyway,” Piett sneered, casually tightening his grip around Eris’s neck. She let out a pained groan.

“N, no, Eris! Stop!”

As I shouted, Piett’s laughter got thicker. I was boiling inside.

I was thinking about throwing a bottle of holy water like a grenade, but it’ll just be like playing catch with a demon whose power rivals Ridrian’s.

As I was biting on my lips not knowing what to do, Dylan asked.

“Saintess, who is that man? Who is he that I feel such strong sense of demonic power?”

To recognize a demon right away, Dylan was good. It seemed like this wasn’t the first time facing a demon as the first sword of the group.

‘Hm? But why didn’t he say anything about Rian?’

I quickly erased the thought that crossed my mind and answered Dylan.

“He’s Marquis Piett, the mastermind behind all this.”

“I see.”

“Ugh!” Eris moaned again in pain. Her face was turning darker.

“Eris!”

She was one of the few friends I had made in this world who genuinely cared for me. I couldn’t bear to witness losing someone like her right before my eyes. Determination surged through me, and I was prepared to tap into my divine power somehow. However, before I could act, I heard a low growl beside me.

“Now…” a voice spoke.

“Sir Dylan?” I questioned, turning to face him. His countenance was filled with anger, his demeanor exuding a palpable aggression. It was a stark contrast to his usual composed self when confronting the knights of Lorkdie.

In an instant, Dylan lunged forward like a missile, slicing through Piett’s arm with incredible speed. It was an unbelievable display of agility. All I managed to catch was a fleeting glimpse of Dylan’s sword cleaving through Piett’s arm, freezing momentarily in mid-air, while Piett wore a smile and casually took a step back.

Dylan swiftly scooped up Eris, who was tumbling to the ground, and brought her back to my side. With utmost care, he gently laid her down before me.

“Saintess! Now!”

Eris was lying dormant with her face pale. It seemed like she went through all kinds of trouble since leaving the palace as she was much thinner. I immediately started pushing divine power into her.

“Please.”

Thankfully, it seemed like she just fainted for a moment, as Eris’s face showed life. She didn’t immediately woke up.

I glared at Piett.

He picked up his arm while looking cheerful and put it back on him. The thick demonic power flowed out of him, and the arm attached cleanly.

‘Oh my God! Is he some kind of robot?’

He tapped on his bloody white clothes then laughed at me.

“Even though she knew she couldn’t, she was being annoying. I almost killed her but I show my gratitude.”

I yelled at him angrily. “Why are you doing this? Do you find enjoyment in harming humans?”

PIett widened his eyes then started laughing again. His face was asking what I was talking about.

“Not at all. Human’s negative emotion is just our source of energy. Hm, like a meal.”

His explanation only served to make me grit my teeth in frustration.

“If you ask me why I’m doing this, hm. I can only tell you that I have my reason. I’m still in the middle of planning. I didn’t think you’d show up before I was done preparing. Just why did you come? Aren’t you a scaredy-cat?”

I was about to say that’s bunch of jargon but then realized that was true.

I didn’t have a way to protect myself, so I was always careful. I was always scared and always cold.

‘But now I have Rian.’

I put my hand on Rian’s doll that I was carrying. I felt safer. I smiled and answered.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Is that so?”

He looked interested. Like he found a toy that he wanted. But he looked a little disappointed after examining me closely.

“But it’s not completed yet. Just what have you been doing this entire time?”

“Not completed?”

I frowned as I didn’t know what he meant.

He put his hand on chin and mumbled to himself.

“I thought you’d be completed by now. It looks like His Majesty really is taking good care of you.”

I still didn’t understand.

That moment, we heard someone calling us from behind.

“Iona!”

“Saintess!”

As we turned, a huge crowd was running towards us. Adman was leading the way and Ravis was beside him. Behind them were five knights and the lord of Lorkdie.