A saintess? She's just a bad woman.

Page 135

“My parents… they were very kind. They didn’t have the airs of nobles when dealing with commoners.”

At that time, we were visiting relatives in other places. On the way back, my parents were attacked by demons, as was I. The difference was that because I was young, the vampire woman spared me. She used me as an experiment, taking a bite out of me and throwing me into the forest.

I spent many days in the dark, desolate forest. I was terrified, but thankfully, there was food in the wagon. I remained there alone for a whole week.

Then, Melville, who had heard the news and came looking for me, rescued me. She was very distressed for me, constantly saying how grateful she was that she was there. She felt very guilty. But I knew that it was fortunate Melville hadn't come along, otherwise I would be in this world without anyone close to me.

She said a lot, as if she wanted to pour out all the grievances she had accumulated over the years.

Saint Karina noticed that there was a faint glimmer of tears in the corner of her eyes.

"Actually, before Melville found me, I was thinking that it would be great if that vampire killed me too."

I don't want to be left behind.

But Melville told me that I was the only heir of the Graham family, and if I died, the vast family fortune would fall into the hands of others. I had to be strong and protect what my parents left me as the only heir of the family.

I listened and gradually pulled myself together. I realized that my parents risked their lives to protect me, not so that I would die. Melville also found a magician who cast a powerful spell on the family crest to prevent me from becoming a vampire.

As a result, my family spent a lot of money, the cash flow dried up, and many businesses had to close. Unable to deliver goods on time, we accumulated huge debts. Fortunately, His Majesty the Emperor of the Toran Empire is wise, and the imperial laws are comprehensive and sound, which allowed me to persevere until adulthood and not sell any of the property or real estate left to me by my parents.”

Her gaze began to wander, as if she had returned to the past.

For some reason... Saint Karina felt as if her heart had been clenched.

She thought it looked too much like him. The young lady's figure was gradually overlapping with that of Ernest VII in the past, and she wanted to help her.

235. Magic Overdraft

Then, Saint Karina spoke—

"Actually, I have a way to keep you from becoming a vampire and allow you to continue living as a human."

Feeling the other person's frighteningly hot body temperature, she offered a solution.

"However, the price is a bit too high..."

"What's the price?"

"I only put my heart and soul into my toys, and if a lovely girl like you would be willing to become part of my collection..."

Saint Karina made a startling choice.

"If I become a toy, will I become a puppet?"

"That's not it. I have no interest in puppets that can't cry or laugh, that have no thoughts of their own. You're only loyal to me, your life and death entirely at my whim... Usually, I'm quite good to my toys~"

Saint Karina's "good" is very meaningful.

She never harmed any of her toys; on the contrary, she often played with them carefully, stroked them, and satisfied their many capricious demands.

“I believe you, Miss Adventurer. I know you won’t hurt me. I’m willing to pay the price you’ve mentioned to lift this curse that has tormented me for over a decade.”

“You are so naive, Miss Graham.”

Saint Karina smiled slightly. The smile was full of anticipation for what was to come.

"Don't call me Miss Graham anymore, that's my last name. If our relationship becomes closer, you can call me Tess."

Tiss Graham, that's my name.

“Yes, Miss Tess.”

“Tess is fine. Um, Miss Adventurer, may I know your name now? Our relationship should have progressed further... right?”

Tiss blinked her large, emerald-like eyes, which were filled with curiosity. She longed to know the answer, yet she was also a little apprehensive, like a frightened little rabbit, afraid that St. Karina would still refuse to tell her.

She doesn't care about the cost; she's just been alone for too long and doesn't want to be abandoned again.

“Of course, Tess. You can call me Saint Karina. My name is Saint Karina Randall, the saintess of the Lorian Empire.”

"A...a saintess?!"

Sure enough, we saw Tiss open her mouth wide; her cherry-like mouth could fit a quail egg.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief. She couldn't believe she had actually met the legendary figure, the Holy Maiden.

Although Saint Karina was the saintess of the Lorian Empire, not the Toran Empire, after more than a month of fermentation, the rumors of her fighting against the demons single-handedly had already spread to neighboring countries.

The saintess is powerful and deeply trusted by His Holiness the Pope and the Emperor of Lorian, making her the undisputed leader in the Lorian Empire.

Tiss felt ashamed thinking about the five thousand gold coins she had offered Saint Karina. How could she give the saintess so little money? It was an insult.

If she wanted, she could add any number of zeros after five thousand, let alone five thousand gold coins.

No wonder... Saint Karina ended up giving her all the money that the young master of the Dryden family had given her; it turns out he wasn't short of money.

"Don't be so surprised. The title of Saintess is just an empty name, a status. I am nothing to you. Right now, I am being held tightly in your arms. Tonight, I am just a woman..."

Saint Karina had long since given up on being a saint; she was forced into it entirely.

Initially, it was to save the Lorian Empire and prevent the country from being breached by the demon army. She made a deal with Brenda; the young emperor asked her to protect her people, and she received payment in advance, so she did it.

Later, Esther, driven by a possessive and twisted nature, bestowed upon her the prestigious title of saint in order to firmly bind her to the Church of Order. She could neither refuse nor resist, and could only submit, undergoing the ceremony to become a saint.

Thus, she transformed from an ancient relic from over five hundred years ago into a newly minted saint.

Fortunately, her followers respected and supported her. Her reputation within the Church of Order was fairly good.

The calls for her to be "the Pope's canary" are ultimately just whispers behind her back. Given her power, it's understandable that people with jealousy might say whatever they want.

"Yes! I'm sorry!"

It would have been better if she hadn't been reminded; only after being reminded did Tiss realize how rude she had been. She had actually forcibly hugged the Holy Maiden of the Nation, and in such a shameless way at that.

As a result, her soft feminine advantage slipped away, and her body almost jumped up; if Santa Karina hadn't been quick-witted and grabbed her, she would have been in trouble.

"Alright, alright, don't be so alarmed. I'm not the kind of person who bullies others just because of my status. Before you pay the price, I need to heal your body first."

Saint Karina was talking about the curse; she didn't like to procrastinate and preferred to act immediately.

"Lie down properly, I'm going to remove the curse from you."

Saint Karina saw that Tiss's eyes were already tinged with a vampire red, and knew that the curse could not be delayed any longer.

She told Tiss to lie down first and not to be too nervous. If she was scared, she could close her eyes and pretend to sleep. She said she would feel better after she woke up.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

However, he was met with a fierce glare from Saint Karina.

That look seemed to say, "You told me to call you by your name, but you're just giving me these empty titles."

Moreover, from Saint Karina's previous reluctance to reveal her identity, Tiss knew that the other party probably did not want to use the title of saintess to walk around the streets and alleys, because that would be too conspicuous.

“Hmm… Saint Karina…”

After being glared at, Tiss obediently changed her tune.

In terms of her obedience, she is indeed like a caged canary.

In fact, Tiss had no doubt that Saint Karina wasn't a saint. First, there was her powerful magical abilities, and then there were her white hair and blue eyes. Although there were quite a few girls with white hair and blue eyes in the world, and it wasn't just Saint Karina's unique appearance, Tiss was certain that no one else could be as beautiful as Saint Karina.

She was so perfect, so beautiful, so strong, and so reassuring...

To Tiss, Saint Karina's identity, whether she was a saint or not, was irrelevant. The fluttering feeling in her heart, which she initially mistook for gratitude, now became clear to her as something else entirely, making her completely indifferent to Saint Karina's status.

She asked Saint Karina's name because she didn't want to just call her "Miss Adventurer." She wanted to know her name so she could get closer to her and strengthen their relationship.

Even if Saint Karina were an ordinary commoner, she would not look down on her just because she was a noblewoman.

“Very good, you are very obedient, Tiss.”

Saint Karina looked at the girl who was lying obediently on the bed and tried to encourage her.

The other person didn't close their eyes, probably because they were watching Santa Karina's movements. They felt safer having her actions clearly in their sight.

Therefore, Saint Karina did not insist, as opening or closing her eyes did not affect her ability to break the curse.

She sat down beside him, bent down, and stretched out her hand, her palm radiating a reassuring magical glow.

Such a sealing spell is ridiculously powerful; only a mage of Saint Karina's caliber could attempt it.

In fact, even if she were to do it, she would have to take risks; such a curse would devour her body. Saint Karina knew her reasons for doing so; it was definitely not just pity, otherwise she could have simply left. Something else had touched her.

"Just think of it as me not being able to bear seeing pretty girls suffer..."

Saint Karina didn't want to admit that at some point, the figures of Tiss and Ernest VII overlapped.

She began to focus, and immense magical power gathered in her palm.

Countless silvery lights surged around her. Saint Karina closed her eyes, her white eyelashes folded together, and everything about Tiss flashed through her mind.

This is like a slideshow.

Tiss's soft, limp body collapsed into her arms, her little golden head resting on her feminine advantage.

She revealed her desires while simultaneously exuding loneliness and helplessness, pleading with Saint Karina to stay. The heat was unbelievably intense, the stinging heat unbearable.

Each time she received the two men, her gaze was polite and pure. She placed her hopes on them as if grasping at a last straw, but without any ulterior motives, only sincerity.

Saint Karina didn't know her well; in fact, they were complete strangers before. But... Saint Karina knew that this pure, innocent girl, Tiss, had suffered a lot. She had been confined to her home, and all her lessons were taught by private tutors. As a result, she had no friends, no close confidants.

Melville was the one who raised her, not someone who provided her with money.

However, what she needed was not the company of an elderly woman, but a close relationship like that of foster mother and daughter that transcended master and servant. Yet, Tiss was Melville's employer, the one who provided Melville with money and material support.

What Tiss needs are friends, lovers... and a new family formed by marrying her lover.

Saint Karina wanted to help her escape her suffering, even if only in a little. So, magic surged forth from Saint Karina's body like a torrent, enveloping Tiss in a warm, gentle glow.

Breaking this curse is incredibly difficult; Tiss has endured it for a very long time. The curse has seeped into every part of her body, every nerve, from her toes to every cell, all suffering its corrosive effects.

"seal."

It wasn't the use of divine words, but rather his own magic.

Saint Karina felt that she was almost completely drained as she recited the final incantation, symbolizing the concept of this magic.

She felt dizzy, the world spinning around her, her body feeling lightheaded, and her mind gradually drifting away from reality. Santa Karina's heart pounded wildly; she had never felt her heart beat so fast before.

For the first time, Saint Karina worried about her body. She was indeed a powerful human, but she was still only human. She would bleed if injured, and she would tire if overexerted. All curses could be lifted, but all magic had its limits. And those limits were the fragile human body that wielded that magic.

"thump--"

The moment the curse shattered, Saint Karina's consciousness was completely ripped away; her body could no longer hold on, and all that remained was her willpower.

And then she collapsed.

My heart felt clenched in my chest.

Before darkness took hold of Saint Karina's consciousness, the last thing she thought was that she had probably gone too far.

After that, my consciousness was overwhelmed by the torrent of darkness, as if I had been dragged into an abyss, never to find an exit. I was unconscious and felt as if my body was floating in water, letting the darkness take me wherever it wanted.

Time passed, but she didn't feel it.

Until she was suddenly awakened by a severe headache, the pain forcibly waking her up like a computer being turned on.

"呲-"

A sound like hot oil being scalded echoed in my mind.

Saint Karina's awakening this time was not pleasant; she hadn't felt this level of pain in a long time.

Santa Karina felt as if her brain was on fire, and her skull was being melted by something.

"Ouch...it hurts so much..."

Her voice trembled with pain.

She slowly opened one eye, then the other.

My vision started to blur, and I could only vaguely feel that someone was holding my hand.

"Where...is this place?"

She couldn't quite remember.

Her brain was forcibly restarted, burning out its CPU, leaving her unable to recall the cause and effect.

"Saint Karina?...Are you alright?"

The voice sounded familiar, yet also somewhat unfamiliar.

The other person's voice was also very pleasant, the kind that Saint Karina liked.