Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 185
In the face of the overwhelming miracle, everyone froze. Some, belatedly coming to their senses, realized that it was already too late. The hole in the sky gradually shrank, and golden chains, seemingly summoned from nowhere, began to bind the false goddess.
[In the end, you’ve made a foolish choice.]
She screeched, her face twisting hideously.
[Kill them!]
At her command, people began to move again. Although the knights desperately tried to hold them off, they couldn’t easily fend off the mad crowd surging forward. The small, delicate figure of Irene gradually disappeared into the chaos.
“Irene!”
Burt called out her name desperately. Even from afar, he thought he saw her smile. She was never one to smile often, so why now, of all times?
As soon as he realized the meaning behind her smile, Burt clenched his teeth. He couldn’t lose her like this. Pushing through the obstacles in his way, he charged toward Irene.
[Kill them!]
That awful voice, like nails scraping against metal, echoed again, while someone nearby murmured,
“My God, oh Goddess…”
“Punish the wicked!”
They clasped their hands in prayer, but the voice of the goddess did not come. Still, their prayers to her did not cease. Burt was no different.
‘Please, please!’
He couldn’t let Irene go. Just as his outstretched hand was about to reach her, she fell backward.
Could she really be dying? Burt’s heart sank. And at that moment, a voice, warm and gentle, was heard.
[You’ve done well.]
The voice that resonated through the air shifted its attention to Camile, who was thrashing in the void.
[Though I cannot seal her now, I can buy you some time.]
By this point, it was clear who the owner of the voice was.
“The Goddess…”
The true Goddess had descended. The particles of light, without fully forming a shape, clung directly to Camile.
[No! Stop it!]
The false goddess screamed desperately, but nothing she did could stop the Goddess. Camile, engulfed by the particles of light, was dragged back through the rift.
[This can’t be happening!]
“The Goddess!”
The heretics cried out for Camile, but it was no use. Amidst their panic, a few started moving.
Luciel, glancing around, grabbed Ramiel and retreated, while Allen stepped forward to begin a one-sided slaughter.
At last, Burt rushed to Irene and gathered her in his arms. Her pale face, lying motionless, was heartbreaking to see.
‘But she’s alive.’
Her heart was still beating. Meanwhile, the knights, following Allen’s lead, were driving back the heretics. With the intervention of the true Goddess, the false goddess’s blessing had no power. All that awaited them now was death.
[Rest now, even if just for a moment.]
With those final words, Irene drifted into a deep sleep. And when she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying in a bed in an unfamiliar house. Confused, she tried to rise, but before she could, the door opened and Burt entered.
“Irene.”
“Burt? Where are we?”
“It’s the village at the foot of the mountain. Your condition wasn’t good, so we borrowed a house.”
Come to think of it, her body felt as heavy as if it had been soaked in water.
“Shouldn’t you be the one resting, not me?”
Irene remembered how Burt had been the last time she saw him. Though his wounds had been healed, his blood loss would take time to recover.
“Is it really okay for you to be walking around like this?”
“This much is fine.”
Burt spoke firmly as he stood beside her, then opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“Why did you do that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you try to seal the false goddess?”
“It was necessary.”
“You could have died, Irene. Or worse, you could have been sealed alongside her. Did you know that?”
His voice was sharp as he questioned her.
“Yes, I knew.”
As soon as Irene finished speaking, a heavy silence filled the room. When she looked up at Burt, he wore an expression that was difficult to describe—both sorrowful and angry at the same time.
“Don’t make that face.”
“Irene…”
“If the same situation arises, I’ll make the same choice again.”
Because that’s her duty as a saintess. Burt’s expression crumbled at her response. He opened his mouth several times as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing.
After Burt left, Lani came rushing in with a tearful expression.
“Are you okay, Lady Saintess? I was so worried because you weren’t waking up!”
“Yes, I’m fine. But tell me, how is the situation?”
She hadn’t been able to ask Burt about it.
