Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 375 - 312: charred body

"Save the world? Oh my gods, I’m cackling!" Peter wheezed, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes, his laughter echoing.

Aurianna stomped her foot, her cheeks puffing out in indignation. "Why are you laughing? I’m serious, you jerk!"

Peter, still chuckling, leaned against the tree, his green hair falling into his eyes as he grinned at her. "Okay, okay, but seriously—why would you want to save the world?"

Aurianna crossed her arms, her golden bangles clinking as she tilted her chin up proudly. "For glory, obviously! And the feasts they’ll throw in my honor. Oh, and the piles of gold coins. And they all said it’s my duty. Why else?"

Peter doubled over, laughing harder. "Oh, you’re funny, Aurianna!"

"Ew, stop laughing! You’re creeping me out!" she huffed, scrunching her nose in disgust.

"Come on, I’m definitely not creepy," Peter said, catching his breath and flashing a charming smile as he kept a respectful distance.

"Still creepy," Aurianna shot back, sticking out her tongue playfully.

Peter clutched his chest dramatically. "Have mercy on my poor soul, oh great world-saver!"

"I’ll act however I want, thank you very much!" Aurianna declared, flipping her hair.

Her eyes suddenly narrowed as she took in Peter’s finely tailored coat and polished boots. "Hey, mister fancy-pants, how rich are you?"

Peter tilted his head, a curious glint in his eyes. "Why do you ask?"

Aurianna pouted, rubbing her stomach dramatically. "Because I’m broke and starving, that’s why!"

Peter’s brows shot up in genuine surprise. "How’s a girl like you broke?"

Aurianna sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I spent all my money on food—big surprise—and I don’t get much money to begin with. Most of it goes to donations anyway."

"Donations? That’s... actually kind of noble," Peter said, his tone softening with respect.

"Yeah, well, if I’d known I’d be this hungry, I might’ve kept a few coins," Aurianna muttered. "But those people needed it more than me, so..." She trailed off, then threw her hands up in frustration. "Ugh, where are my guards? I’m tired of waiting!"

Peter smirked, leaning closer. "Why not use your charm to score some free food? You’ve got the looks for it."

Aurianna gasped, scandalized. "No way! I’d rather starve than beg like that. I’ll pay for my food, thank you very much!"

"You’re missing out," Peter teased, shrugging casually. "A little charm goes a long way."

"I don’t care!" Aurianna snapped, crossing her arms again. Then, with a mischievous glint, she batted her lashes and clasped her hands under her chin. "But... would you really let a beautiful lady like me starve?"

Peter laughed, shaking his head. "Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t use your looks?"

"You intruded on my private moment, so I demand compensation!" Aurianna declared, holding out her hands shamelessly.

"Wow, shameless and bold," Peter said, clicking his tongue but reaching into his pocket. He dropped ten gold coins into her palm. "Here. Don’t spend it all on pastries."

Aurianna’s eyes sparkled as she clutched the coins. "Oh, money! Yasss!" she cheered, practically bouncing with joy.

"Well, I’ll be going," Peter said, tipping an imaginary hat.

"What a pity. See you soon, pretty boy!" Aurianna called, already sprinting away.

______

"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" Peter growled, his boots pounding the cobblestones as he and his men were teleported ro the teleportation tower in Sandeph. His face was a storm of frustration and dread. The air reeked of ash and despair, and his heart sank as he saw the horrific scene before him: a charred corpse tied to a stake, surrounded by other lifeless bodies.

"Aurianna... no, no, no!" Peter’s voice broke as he rushed forward, ignoring the gasps and stares of the crowd. His hands trembled as he carefully untied her, cradling the fragile, burnt remains. He gently draped his coat over her, to carry her body.

"Why cling to a corpse?" a voice sneered from above. Derek leaned over the balcony where the royal family observed the grim spectacle.

Peter ignored him, his jaw tight as he lifted Aurianna’s body. "Move," he commanded, his voice low and cold. His guards stepped forward, releasing a suffocating aura that forced the crowd to their knees, trembling under the sheer weight of their power.

"Grand Humans!" Girsal, gasped, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Peter.

"Master, what will you do?" one of Peter’s guards asked as they reached the teleportation tower.

Peter’s gaze was fixed on the body in his arms, his voice steady despite the pain in his chest. "Mother is a Saintess. If anyone can save her, it’s her. We just need to hurry."

________

The teleportation tower hummed as they arrived at the Church of Time. Peter strode into the grand chamber where Saintess Vivian stood beside Sacred Grat.

"Mother, why can’t you save her?" Peter’s voice was hollow, his eyes locked on Aurianna’s floating body, suspended by Vivian’s magic.

Vivian wrung her hands, her face pale. "Her soul... it’s not here. And my healing magic—it’s not working. It’s as if something is blocking it."

Sacred Grat, gripping his cane so tightly it splintered, spoke with a trembling voice. "That fool, Goddess Paige, has unleashed a calamity upon us. If I knew our future would be like this I would have stopped them. But I couldn’t see that future till now so why??"

Peter’s eyes flicked to Grat, noting the rare fury in the old man’s expression. "What do you mean, Sacred?" Vivian asked, her voice shaking.

Grat’s gaze darkened. "You can’t see it, can you? It’s better that way. She’ll be here soon."

"Paige....of all beings, why her? Why this child?" Grat muttered, his voice heavy with resignation. "Our god has seen our future, and it’s grim."

Before Peter could press for answers, the sky outside turned pitch black. He and Vivian rushed to the window, their breaths catching as a colossal glowing figure plummeted from the heavens. The High God’s body crashed into the earth, shaking the ground but miraculously sparing the church. His massive body laid still, lifeless—a god, dead. Sparks of light followed, and Grat’s grim expression confirmed what Peter couldn’t fully comprehend: the gods were falling, their bodies littering the earth.

The ground quaked as a dark miasma began to seep across the land, curling like smoke. Peter’s heart pounded as a voice—soft, unfamiliar, and unusual voice was heard.

"Sister."

A figure stood before Aurianna’s body. Iris gently touched Aurianna’s charred face. In an instant, the burns vanished, her body restored to its former beauty. But when Iris placed a hand on Aurianna’s head, a furious aura erupted, so potent it forced Peter, Vivian, and even Grat to the floor and bleed from all parts of their body. .

"Eva, get your ass here," Iris commanded, her voice emotionless.

A trembling figure appeared, bowing low. Eva stammered, "P-please, Iris, it was necessary for her awakening. She awakened, but... she couldn’t revive, so—"

Iris’ gaze was a void of rage, silencing Eva’s excuses. "Why is my sister like this?"

Peter, struggling against the crushing aura, could barely make out Iris’ body—a writhing shadow of darkness beside Aurianna. "What the hell is she?" he whispered, his mind reeling.