Chapter 10
Liu Siruo gently supported Wakako by the elbow, lending her some strength. She knew all too well who was sitting on the other side.
In truth, given Wakako’s condition, she shouldn’t have been on this mission. But the situation was urgent, time was of the essence, and the others were scattered about. There was no time to notify them, only enough to leave a hasty note.
“We can’t stay long,” she concluded.
She had paired up with Wakako to ensure they could handle any unexpected situations, but who would have thought they’d stumble upon the chance to meet the Saint today? It had nearly sent their strongest fighter into a heat.
Fortunately, Wakako had undergone rigorous training. Her condition was relatively stable, and she was still conscious.
As for the others… Liu Siruo glanced around. Many of the pampered noble Alphas and Omegas had already fainted, carefully attended to by servants.
“We can’t leave yet.” After a few breaths, Wakako’s trembling subsided. Her lips parted slightly, just enough for Liu Siruo to decipher her words, “We need to find out what he’s planning to do by bringing the Saint in front of these people.”
A beta servant approached them, offering ice water. Wakako drank it all in one gulp, the coldness in her mouth helping her regain some composure.
The curtain at the far end of the hall was only half-drawn, revealing King Alva of the Eagle Kingdom seated upon his ornate throne. From this distance, his expression was indiscernible, only the dazzling light reflecting off the countless gems embedded in his robe was visible.
Scattered throughout the hall, the nobles offered their greetings, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated: “Your Majesty…”
Alva seemed to be in a good mood. The tall, imposing Alpha King rose from his throne, eyeing the swaying nobles with apparent satisfaction. “Today is the wedding of the Hyman family. Since we are not in the palace, there’s no need for formalities. Rise.”
Despite his words, few could stand upright. Although the identity of the Omega emitting the potent pheromones remained unknown, it was clearly sanctioned by the King.
Alva announced in a clear voice, “Let the wedding ceremony commence!”
He clapped his hands, and a procession entered the hall.
The bride of the evening, the daughter of the Hyman family, walked gracefully in the center, her blue dress trailing behind her. She wore a veil so pale it was almost white, yet still distinguishable from pure white. Adorned with a dazzling array of jewelry, she lacked only the pristine white pearls.
The ceremony followed the traditional customs of the Eagle Kingdom. The newlyweds linked arms, swaying gracefully in the center of the hall to the melodious tunes of the flute players.
As they twirled, the bride’s necklace flew up and fell back down, clinking against her brooch. The crisp sound of jewels touching blended perfectly with the drumbeat.
A truly perfect match.
According to custom, after the newlyweds finished their first dance, others would join in with their partners. Those who were young or without partners could dance with their siblings.
But as the dance began, the pheromones in the air grew even more intense.
Most of the guests were already affected, unconscious and far from able to dance. Those barely awake stumbled clumsily, creating quite an unsightly scene.
Many nobles felt uneasy, unsure of the king’s intentions. Was this some sort of test, a way to assert his dominance over them?
Wakako’s head was spinning, her vision blurring. Unfortunately, her naturally low pain sensitivity meant she couldn’t even pinch herself to stay alert. Instead, she gripped her metal wine cup so tightly it warped, spilling wine everywhere.
She felt an overwhelming urge to destroy, to find the source of those pheromones and mark that Omega. She wanted to possess her forcefully, just as she had crushed the cup.
But the familiar scent of cherries constantly reminded her that she could never do such a thing. That was Miki, her master. She was only worthy of kneeling before her in service, not daring to defile her in any way.
Could she at least see Miki’s face?
Liu Siruo could tell what Wakako was thinking just by looking at her eyes. Wakako’s grip on her arm tightened painfully, making Liu Siruo hiss, “Easy!”
It seemed they really needed to retreat… How could Wakako, who had undergone so much training, still react so strongly to the Saint’s pheromones?!
As they tried to make their way through the crowd towards the exit, a servant blocked their path.
With everyone huddled together, few were paying attention to them. Liu Siruo considered striking the servant unconscious and slipping away in the confusion.
But before she could act, Wakako grabbed her arm, her grip stronger than usual.
“Wait,” Wakako said, her voice strained with the growing agitation of her heat, “There are at least fifty men hidden above and outside the hall, all armed. You can’t fight them alone.”
Liu Siruo gritted her teeth. Despite her frustration, she had to admit Wakako was right.
The music abruptly stopped mid-song, leaving an eerie silence in the hall. No one dared to speak.
No one understood what was happening tonight.
After a moment, King Alva rose with a smile and approached the newlyweds. Under the bewildered and fearful gazes of the nobles, he said amiably, “There is someone else who will officiate your marriage tonight.”
The veil rustled slightly, and the white cloak seemed to droop lower, creating more folds.
“The Saint,” Alva enunciated each syllable with deliberate clarity, “The Saint of our Eagle Kingdom, will purify you.”
These words sent shockwaves through the crowd. The nobles exchanged stunned glances.
The Saint? The one who appeared only once a century, whose birth was accompanied by countless miracles?
But this generation’s Saint was born in Mios and had died five years ago. How could there be another?
Their questions remained unanswered as the mysterious curtain was finally drawn back, revealing the source of the cherry-scented Omega pheromones.
In the corner, yellow and blue irises slowly opened their buds. In that instant, everyone understood who she was.
Only the Saint, and only her scent, could trigger the instinctual submission in their blood, making them unable to even meet her gaze.
Should she be called a girl or a woman? Both seemed fitting, yet neither felt quite right.
If it were true that humans were created by God, then she was undoubtedly God’s most cherished creation – only features sculpted by God’s own hand could be so perfect.
Her raven hair cascaded down, nearly obscuring her delicate face, revealing pure, innocent eyes, so holy and noble.
Yet she released pheromones that were utterly bewitching.
It made one want to taint that purity with a touch of crimson. Just a touch would be enough.
The Saint stood barefoot, holding a flawless white porcelain bowl, her expression serene, radiating an inexplicable sense of peace and tranquility.
Her fingertips touched the holy water within the bowl, then gently dabbed the foreheads of the newlyweds.
Even the suppressants they had taken beforehand couldn’t fully withstand such close proximity. The Hyman daughter and her groom collapsed to the floor, their gazes fixated on her as if bewitched.
Servants respectfully retreated to the sides. The unconscious and prostrate nobles formed a living carpet for the Saint. Her delicate feet, soft as if boneless, stepped upon their bodies without a sound as she continued to sprinkle the holy water.
One drop, two drops.
Liu Siruo urgently pulled Wakako down to avoid attracting attention. She herself wasn’t faring much better, having to gulp down three cups of ice water to regain some control.
Wakako couldn’t help but gaze at Miki, her body burning with an uncontrollable heat. Nothing seemed to help, only the touch of that cool hand on her cheek could offer relief.
With immense effort, she lowered her head, catching a glimpse of the scene outside the window. A bustling crowd had gathered, illuminated by flickering lights. They were likely commoners drawn by the promise of free food, and now, having caught a whiff of the Saint’s pheromones, they erupted in cheers…
Wait.
Suddenly, Wakako understood the purpose of this wedding and the so-called “purification.”
King Alva had hidden Miki for so long. Why reveal her to the nobles today? Why suddenly announce her identity as the Saint? And why extend this grace to the commoners, as if eager for the news to spread?
The impact of the Saint on morale and public sentiment was undeniable. Miki’s birth had brought Mios its greatest victory in history.
Now, with the ongoing conflict at the border, Alva’s sudden revelation of the Saint was akin to brandishing his trump card. It was impossible that he wouldn’t take military action. Perhaps he planned to launch a surprise attack on a strategic city, just like the Jinxin Raid years ago…
By the time the news reached Mios, it would be too late! She and Liu Siruo had to leave immediately and relay this urgent information to their master…
Wakako tried to signal Liu Siruo for her suppressants. Even if it harmed her body, they needed to act swiftly and decisively. Fifty men? She had infiltrated places guarded by hundreds before.
But as she reached out, her hand was stepped on.
Ice. Even with the heated brick chambers below, the hall felt devoid of cold air, yet this touch was colder than snow, a temperature unique to Miki.
Miki herself was like a piece of ice that refused to melt.
The Saint raised the porcelain bowl, pouring the remaining holy water over Wakako, drenching her tied-up hair and disguised face.
Her eyes were filled with tenderness, compassion, and pity as she looked down at Wakako, who had tried to reach for Liu Siruo. She smiled faintly.
“Not allowed.”
