SAINTESS [Chapter 61: Intense déjà vu]

Clearly, after witnessing the miracle just now, the imperial knights present didn't believe Vanessa's claim that she wasn't a saintess.

“If even you can't be called a saintess, then who in this world could possibly be?” the imperial knight captain countered.

Hearing this, Vanessa hesitated, remaining silent for a moment before explaining once more. “I really am not.”

The imperial knights clearly didn't believe her, but chose not to press further. Since this “saintess” didn't want to reveal her identity for whatever reason, they wouldn't insist on the matter.

“Thank you, Winnie.” After a long pause, Isatia transformed many emotions into a deeply meaningful expression of gratitude.

“In the future, if you ever have any trouble, just come find me.”

Hearing this, Vanessa let out a long sigh. “There's no need, Isatia.”

‘If only you could cause me less trouble, I'd already be extremely grateful.’

Of course, Vanessa didn't say that last sentence aloud. She was utterly exhausted now, mentally drained, her eyelids drooping heavily.

Rubbing her head, Vanessa bent her knees, crouching down wearily and leaning against the front of the judgment platform.

It was simply too grueling and energy-consuming. Fighting while anemic, releasing [Flames of Myriad Divine Blessings], and then having to continue performing a concert while completely exhausted, she was now utterly spiritless, not even wanting to speak a complete sentence.

“Well then, in that case, there really is one thing I'd like to ask Your Highness the Princess to help me with.” Vanessa murmured softly, her voice filled with fatigue.

“What is it?” Isatia asked.

“You mentioned it earlier,” Vanessa said. “You should know that this identity of mine mustn't be revealed to anyone, right?”

“Is it the Church of Radiance and the Pope troubling you?” Isatia's delicate brows are slightly furrowed.

“Whether they're troubling me or not aside, I simply don't want any contact with them.” Vanessa shook her head with difficulty, cold sweat trickling down her forehead. “You understand what I mean, Isatia?”

“I understand. I'll keep your secret.” Isatia nodded. “But besides that, if there's anything else I can help with, just say so.”

“Thank you.” Vanessa wasn't afraid Isatia would tell others about this. From her interactions, she felt the other's character wouldn't do such actions.

The moral character of fated heroines was generally quite good. Even Julliana, who belonged to an opposing faction, had her own, never harming civilians.

Besides, since she now essentially held Isatia's lifeline, Isatia needed to come to her periodically to “change medicine.”

Thus, the other was even less likely to reveal her identity, especially to the Church of Radiance.

“Really, weren't we just going in circles the whole time?” Vanessa suddenly seemed to recall something, chuckling slightly. “Even replicating Mars Palace within [Eternal Imperial Crown] could only temporarily slow the corrosion of your spiritual sea, not cure it completely. If you'd told me your situation earlier, we wouldn't have had to go through all this unnecessary trouble, would we?”

“Though saying that now is admittedly a bit hindsight.” After saying this, Vanessa leaned slightly against the platform, closing her eyes.

“In circles?” Recalling Vanessa's previous words and their debates when she was still Winnie, Isatia's lips involuntarily curved into a faint smile, one she herself hadn't even noticed.

“Oh, right.” Vanessa seemed to recall something, forcing herself to perk up. Although there was no concept of time within the Divine Authority dungeon, they had always been inside Isatia's [Eternal Imperial Crown]. Quite some time should have passed, probably an entire day.

Vanessa wanted to try reverting back to Winnie, so she looked at Isatia.

Understanding immediately, Isatia opens at her imperial knights. “Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

The imperial knight captain, being someone who'd lived many years, instantly grasped Isatia's implied meaning.

“The enemies have been completely erased within [Eternal Imperial Crown]. Dismiss.” With that, the knight captain signaled the other imperial knights to leave the Church of Radiance one by one.

Seeing this, Vanessa let out a sigh of relief, slumping in front of the judgment platform, slightly tilting her head back. As a shimmer of cherry-white luster faded away, the cherry-haired girl disappeared, replaced by the familiar blue-haired youth.

Although she'd seen it once before, Isatia still found it incredible.

That “villainous young master” despised and scorned by everyone was merely a disguise. The reality was a story of a Varelis descendant suffering from rumors, enduring humiliation.

Winnie's breathing was faint. With trembling hands, he pulled out the cheap, low-quality perfume from his chest, spraying it on himself to cover the scent that originally belonged to Vanessa.

This inexpensive, low-end unisex perfume had practically become his standard equipment. To prevent emergencies, he carried it wherever he went.

“Isatia, do you want to spray some perfume too?” Winnie put away the perfume and looked at Isatia.

“Why spray perfume?”

“To help conceal the scent. You were in contact with me earlier and have residual traces of my female form's scent on you,” Winnie explained.

“Would such a faint residual scent really be noticed by someone?” Isatia wasn't inattentive to details, but felt this matter was somewhat too bizarre.

“Yes, some people's noses are sharper than dogs. Once she catches the scent, I'll be exposed.” Winnie didn't specify who exactly.

Once she discovered Vanessa had appeared in the dungeon, it would be confirmed.

“Alright, I understand.” Isatia nodded, taking out a purple spray she carried with her and calmly spraying it on herself a few times.

“Now, with King Mars resurrected by divine fragments completely dead within the dungeon, the divine authority dungeon should collapse as well, right?” Winnie speculated.

“It depends, but it's highly likely to collapse,” Isatia replied.

“So, should we continue staying in your [Eternal Imperial Crown], or release it and try to return?” Winnie continued asking.

Currently, it was still uncertain what condition the outside world was in. Has the Mars dungeon collapsed? If it had, would release [Eternal Imperial Crown] directly transport them into dangerous spatial turbulence?

“It's still undetermined,” Isatia didn't have a definite answer either, unable to confirm whether the outside was already safe.

“Speaking of which, is the Mars dungeon really collapsing? This dungeon forged from two divine fragments ultimately leaves nothing behind. We gained nothing here,” Winnie leaned against the table.

Oh, not entirely nothing. Isatia seemed to have, under his Eternal Daylight Hymn, reconstructed Mars Palace within [Eternal Imperial Crown]. Having an additional core structure from an ancient civilization could greatly slow corrosion, so it wasn't completely without gain.

“Nothing gained?” Isatia repeated the words, pausing slightly before turning to look at Winnie. “Have you forgotten what you told me earlier?”

“Earlier? Ah, my princess, I've said so many things to you before, I don't even know which one you're referring to.” Winnie scratched his head.

“You said that even insignificant little people, whom I considered unworthy of responsibility, have their own historical missions,” Isatia helped Winnie recall.

“Ah, yes, I did say that.”

“I found it an interesting statement. Didn't you just prove it to me?” Isatia asked.

“Ha ha, well, it's true enough.” Winnie sighed. “Isatia, why don't you try releasing [Eternal Imperial Crown]?”

“I think even if we release [Eternal Imperial Crown] now, there shouldn't be any problems. Someone will have our backs,” Winnie said confidently for one reason: the person covering for them was Aesphyra.

When they entered the deeply buried dungeon, Aesphyra knew about it and understood the nature of the Mars dungeon. She will inform the academy, allowing professionals to analyze and find solutions, figuring out how to rescue the two of them.

Given that, they didn't need to worry excessively.

Perhaps even Winnie himself hadn't realized how much he now trusted Aesphyra. As long as she was around, he felt incredibly at ease.

Yet Winnie didn't think much of it. Even if he noticed, he'd merely attribute it to the sense of security brought by a fated heroine, nothing more.

Perhaps also because being with Aesphyra felt so secure, whenever Winnie was with her, his brain activity was usually at its lowest. After all, he didn't need to solve anything; he could just wait for the fated heroine to handle everything.

“You mean Aesphyra?” Isatia raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, it can only be her.” Winnie said indifferently. “What about it?”

“Nothing. I just feel that you and Aesphyra have a very good relationship and place great trust in her,” Isatia murmured.

“Isatia, food can be eaten randomly, but words can't be spoken carelessly. Who said we have a good relationship?” This immediately triggered a defensive reaction from Winnie, hastily denying it, though that certain person wasn't even present.

“That person, tsk, never mind. Don't mention her. She's just a nuisance, but still very reliable. With her around, we're quite safe. Leave it to her.”

Isatia could naturally see Winnie's true attitude. After pondering for a moment, she said, “Winnie, you previously mentioned that you used your essence and blood to save another person with Carillian bloodline besides me, correct?”

“Ah, uh.” Asked like this, Winnie was momentarily stunned.

Neither admitting nor admitting felt right.

“Is it inconvenient to say who?” Seeing Winnie's hesitation, Isatia didn't insist.

Given Isatia's intelligence, it wasn't hard to figure things out. But since Winnie didn't want to say anything, she wouldn't force him.

“Well, Isatia, I think prying into others' privacy isn't very appropriate, so—”

“I understand. Since you're unwilling to say, I won't ask about this again.” Isatia looked down at Winnie, her purple eyes as always filled with the imperial princess's authority. Speaking slowly with an overbearing yet reassuring tone, she said, “I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do.”

“Uh... thank you.” This makes Winnie feel somewhat awkward. He wasn't sure what he was thinking, why he suddenly felt like the delicate little girlfriend in a domineering CEO novel.

No, no, that must be an illusion.

Then.

Just as Winnie thought this, he suddenly felt his vision shake and rise, and then saw Isatia's cold beauty face extremely close, along with the wave of noble orchid fragrance hitting him.

“Eh, ah??” Upon realizing that he, a grown man, was actually being carried by Isatia in this manner, Winnie widened his eyes, a strong sense of shame instantly flooded over him.

Perhaps due to hormonal effects, being carried as Vanessa had been somewhat embarrassing but daunting. But as Winnie, being carried by a girl like this made him feel extremely bashful.

“Isatia, what are you doing??” Winnie couldn't help but ask.

“You told me to release [Eternal Imperial Crown], didn't you? I'm not sure if it's safe outside now. If we're in an unstable space, I can protect you immediately, ensure your safety,” Isatia said matter-of-factly. “After all, your current condition is terrible.”

“Ah, I see, but... you don't really need to carry me. Just hold my hand.”

Before Winnie could finish, Isatia's pair of clear, beautiful eyes locked onto him, and the powerful aura instantly silenced him.

Winnie opened his mouth, then chose to shut it.

“This is different from before. It's a necessary measure. Don't be stubborn. Be obedient,” Isatia said with a non negotiable tone, completely not allowing Winnie to refuse.

Ah...

Winnie was dumbfounded.

Wait, which one of them was the male and which was the female again?

Moreover, he was at least taller than Isatia, right?

Dammit, why was the feeling of “domineering CEO falling deeply in love” growing stronger and stronger??

Well, these were probably just his illusions. After all, caution was indeed necessary at this moment, and considering Isatia's inherently dominant personality, this wasn't unreasonable.

“For safety, I don't mind if you bury your head in my chest,” Isatia added after saying this.

This??

Winnie pursed his lips.

Bury further, and he'd definitely touch those two big headlights?? Could he really bury himself?

Then, Isatia closed her eyes, and Winnie knew she was about to release [Eternal Imperial Crown].