Awakening Domination System: But I'm a Slave?-Chapter 45: You’re Dead

In a grand, opulent chamber, arched ceilings etched with golden runes.

Golden chandeliers suspended like halos above.

Sunlight streamed through towering stained-glass windows, painting the marble floor in hues of crimson, emerald, and sapphire.

At the heart of the room sat a massive circular table, carved from dark moonwood and inlaid with silver glyphs.

Around it, a dozen figures conversed, robed priests in ceremonial white and gold, alongside nobles, scholars, and one man in black military uniform.

Voices clashed in rising waves of disagreement.

"What should we do with the young lady?" a balding bishop asked, his fingers tapping restlessly on the holy sigil carved into the wood. His sharp tone broke the murmurs.

A noblewoman in an emerald gown leaned forward.

"Yes. Her behavior is shifting. At first, she was disciplined, even obedient. But now—" she clicked her tongue.

"Now she is getting quite rebellious, questioning things. challenging orders. It’s not like her."

Another figure, cloaked in grey robes with eyes hidden beneath a hood, spoke next. His voice was quiet but firm.

"If this continues, it will affect our alliance. You all know what’s at stake."

All of them nodded, some reluctant, others grim.

Then another woman, older and sharp-featured with silver rings on each finger, leaned forward and spoke with a cool, clipped tone.

"You should keep her in check, Archpriestess. Otherwise..."

She let the words hang in the air.

At once, all heads turned, toward the figure at the head of the table.

A woman sat there, regal and utterly still.

Her golden-blonde hair were braided intricately, cascading over her shoulder like threads of sunlight.

Her eyes were hidden beneath a blindfold of white and gold silk, adorned with divine runes that shimmered faintly. She wore ceremonial robes with quiet majesty, white trimmed with gold, her presence was serene yet commanding.

For a moment, she said nothing, letting the murmurs die out and silence take hold once more.

Then, with calm precision, she tilted her head slightly and spoke, not loud, but her voice carried, smooth and resolute.

"Where is Sera?" she asked, turning her head toward one of the attending clerics nearby.

The attendant stepped forward with a bow.

"The Saintess is currently in the young lady’s chamber, High One."

She gave slow, almost imperceptible nod.

"Then bring her here."

With a silent bow, the attendant turned and departed swiftly, sandals echoing softly on the polished marble floor.

******

"Urgh!" Alaric groaned as his eyes fluttered open, adjusting slowly to the soft golden light filtering through the window.

The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, smooth wooden panels with a slight slope.

"Where... am I?" he muttered in a raspy voice.

Then he pushed himself upright and immediately winced.

His body bore no wounds, no bruises, not even a single scratch. But it felt like he’d just run for days without stopping.

Muscles ached. His bones felt too heavy. Even his breath felt slightly off.

Then—

Then the memories began to flood back, bit foggy.

"Wait! Wasn’t I in that cave... with that beast and—"

His eyes snapped wide.

"Iris!"

Panic surged through him.

He threw the blanket aside and stood up, only to stumble for a second before steadying himself.

His gaze darted across the unfamiliar room.

It was small but clean, modest wooden walls, a wooden floor, a simple bed, and a wooden chest by the corner. A single window that let the sunlight in, and the smell of herbs lingered faintly in the air.

But no sign of Iris.

He strode to the door and pulled it open, stepping into what looked like a narrow hallway, though more of a connector between the rooms of this humble cottage.

The flooring creaked beneath his steps. There were two doors across from each other, probably the other bedroom and bathroom, and to the left, the hallway opened up into a small but tidy living area.

He began walking towards it.

And there, lounging casually on a cushioned couch was a woman.

She looked up as he entered. freёwebnoѵel.com

Her striking burnished auburn hair was pulled into a loose braid that fell over her shoulder.

Her skin was pale, and her eyes were a sharp, almost unnatural amber.

She wore a modest linen dress, forest green, and a faint smile curved her lips as she met his gaze.

"Well, good morning," she said, calm and composed. "Took you long enough to wake up."

Alaric’s eyes narrowed, his posture tense but controlled as he took a step closer, not trusting the oddly calm woman before him.

"Are you the one who saved me and brought me here?" he asked, voice low and wary.

"And where’s Iris?"

The auburn-haired lady didn’t seem fazed by his sharp tone.

She took another casual bite from her apple, chewing slowly before speaking.

"Relax. If I meant you harm, you wouldn’t be standing right now," she said with a calm confidence that made Alaric uneasy.

Then she added, "The girl’s safe, she’s back at the estate. As for bringing you here, yes. That was me. But..." she paused with a slight smirk, "I wasn’t the one who saved you."

Alaric blinked.

"What?"

His voice was laced with disbelief.

"Then who did? What do you mean by that?"

Instead of answering directly, the woman leaned back deeper into the couch, tossing one leg over the other, her apple now lazily turning in her hand.

Her amber eyes studied him with quiet amusement.

"Don’t you feel anything different?" she asked.

"Huh?" Alaric raised a brow, trying to make sense of her cryptic question.

Just as she was about to clarify, Alaric cut in.

"Who exactly are you? And why did you bring me here instead of taking me back like Iris?"

The woman blinked, then tilted her head, as if realizing she’d forgotten something painfully basic.

"Ah, right. My name’s Sari," she said casually. "And this is my cottage. The reason you’re here and not at the estate is simple, because Lady Selene told me to keep you here for now."

Alaric froze for a second.

She... really did that? he thought.

Selene... was watching over him?

But the thought didn’t ease him.

His gaze sharpened.

"Then will you take me back to estate now?"

Sari finally sat up a bit straighter and gave him a sly smile.

"No."

Alaric raised a brow.

"Because," she said slowly, deliberately.

"You’re dead."

Alaric blinked.

"Oh. I see. I’m dea—"

His brain caught up a second later.

"Wait! WHAT?!"

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