Who Says all Saints Need to be Good?

Aurianna’s smile returned, darker this time. “Because I want to. It’s as simple as that. I won’t do it now—probably in a few years. But I’d love to see Sandeph burned to the ground. And after that? I’ll wipe out the Shinia country too. Their King orchestrated my kidnapping, so I’ll make sure his people pay for it.”

Her crazed expression sent shivers down the spines of everyone watching her, a collective unease settling over the group. However Jugi, Boara, Jade and Avriel didn't seem to care about it.

“So, brother, save everyone you want to from there,” Aurianna continued, her voice calm yet chilling, “because once I come back, that Shinia country will be gone. But Sandeph... I’ll leave it alone for a few years. I want those bastards to be summoned after all.”

Ostusi watched her, unsettled by the dark glint in her eyes. ‘For her expression to become so scary... I wonder who she's referring to?’ he thought uneasily.

"Vatium, she's mad! How dare she speak so arrogantly!" Giaus, a dragon beast-man, roared, standing up defiantly. His dark violet eyes glaring at her. "Do you even have the power to do all that?!"

"Giaus!" Vatium tried to intervene, his tone warning.

But Giaus wasn’t done. "No, let me talk! Look at what she's saying. She's making herself a walking target for every world power out there. Siding with her means we become a world enemy. She's going after Paige, for crying out loud! No sane person goes after the church of a goddess!"

"Are you scared?" Aurianna asked, her voice soft, yet taunting.

"Yes, I’m fucking scared!" Giaus shouted, his eyes blazing with fury. "Going against one goddess means going against all the gods! Do you know what that means? Primordial humans will come after us!"

Aurianna tilted her head, and said with an innocent voice. “But didn’t you dream of a country where all races could live in peace? As long as Paige’s church exists, slavery will never end. I’m just weeding out the main problem, after all.”

"He's right though," Avriel chimed in, her usual carefree tone uncharacteristically cautious. "Going against a goddess is totes risky. I mean, amongst our group—"

Before Avriel could finish, Aurianna cut her off. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Jade was the only one in our group to fight a god and survive."

"That’s why he’ll help us," Aurianna added confidently.

“You’re bluffing,” Giaus scoffed, his disbelief evident as he overheard the conversation.

"Oh, I’m not bluffing," Aurianna responded with a sly smile. “I can even send him to you with my teleportation device. I don’t know if it’ll work over such a long distance, though.”

“Don’t send me to babysit them,” Jade muttered, finally joining the conversation with a bored expression.

“It’s not like you have anything better to do, Jade,” Aurianna teased, waving him off.

Freed, who had been watching the exchange in silence, finally spoke up. “Aurianna, who exactly is Jade?”

"Oh brother Freed, he's my servant—an Arcane human. I won’t dive into his origins, though," Aurianna replied casually, a mischievous glint in her eye.

‘They’d probably freak out if they knew he was once a hero... Not that it matters. As long as I have the power to kill that bitch, I’ll use any means necessary,’ Aurianna thought to herself.

“Arcane human? What’s that?” Freed asked, genuinely curious.

“Aurianna, are you being serious?” Vatium’s voice trembled slightly, his usual composed demeanor shaken.

“Yes, brother,” she replied confidently.

“We might actually have a chance…” Vatium muttered under his breath, the realization dawning on him.

“Why, Vatium?” Freed pressed, still trying to grasp the significance.

“An Arcane human is a human who’s almost reached godhood,” Vatium explained, his tone grave. “Only the highest of the churches and their chosen sacred beings are on that level. They’re far beyond a Primordial Human. It’s nearly impossible to achieve.”

Freed’s eyes widened, understanding why Vatium's had a nervous smile on his face.

"And you... have one as your servant?" Vatium looked at Aurianna and she nodded.

"I don't believe it!" Giaus shouted, still defiant. "Why would an Arcane human listen to you?"

"Heh, I totes said the same thing until she put those brands on us," Avriel chimed in, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "And it seems like that demon boy over there knows about it too." She pointed to Ostusi.

Ostusi shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, silently acknowledging the truth of her words.

“Aurianna, did you really…?” Valfar asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Yesss,” Aurianna replied with a sly grin.

“What do you mean, Valfar?” Vatium inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Valfar took a deep breath before answering, “Full submission—accepting her mark means that, no matter what, one cannot betray her. If they try, they die. The former Queen of the Infinite Nation, Shiba, also bears this mark.”

“I, too, have it,” Ostusi admitted, his voice low.

Camila’s gaze sharpened as she processed the information. “Aren’t you all just her slaves, then? Do you not trust people enough that you have to use a mark to make them submit?”

“Of course I don’t trust anyone,” Aurianna snapped, her eyes narrowing. “Every person is untrustworthy until they have my mark. I'm not foolish enough to believe in the ridiculous notion of loyalty. That’s how people die—trusting in something so fragile. But my mark? It grants absolute loyalty! No betrayal, no doubt. That’s why I even have an Arcane human under my command.”

Vatium, who had been silent, now nodded slowly, his earlier hesitation fading. “If this is true, we might actually have a real chance.”

“I won’t go,” Jade interjected abruptly.

Aurianna frowned, turning toward him. “We made a deal, Jade. You said you'd stay by my side and work for me.”

Jade crossed his arms, his expression unyielding. “I did. And I will. But I’m staying by your side. I’m not leaving to babysit anyone else.”

“Stop being like that! I can handle myself without your constant protection!” Aurianna shot back, clearly annoyed.

Jade’s eyes softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. “I don’t care, Aurianna. Even Grand Humans can be killed. And I’m not taking that risk with you.”

Aurianna clenched her fists, but she didn’t argue further, knowing he wouldn’t budge.