Orleans.
Three days later.
As Alaric had predicted, Jeanne Alter remained unconscious for three days, just enough time to replenish the depleted core of her power.
But the emotional wounds she suffered couldn't be healed in a mere three days.
"Get out... "
"Traitor, I said get out!!!"
Those were the first words Jeanne Alter spat at Alaric upon waking.
The white dragon looked at her, hesitant, wanting to offer comfort or take her out to lift her spirits.
But seeing the fury blazing across her face, he knew she hadn't yet recovered from that "feast of betrayal."
... Who could move past it in such a short time?
"Fine."
"Let her cool off first."
Alaric thought to himself, placing a basket of barley bread on the room's table. Then, spreading his wings, he flew out through the window into the outside world.
"Damn it!!!"
Watching the white dragon's figure fade, still seething, Jeanne Alter grabbed the basket and hurled it, bread and all, out the door.
Even now, her anger burned fiercely.
"Revenge... I'll have my revenge... "
"I'll burn them all!!!"
The witch born from wrath struggled to rise from the bed, intent on stepping outside to continue the unfinished battle.
But...
Thud...
Perhaps because she had just awakened and couldn't yet adjust to her weakened body, Jeanne Alter barely took a few steps before collapsing to the floor.
"Damn it, even you betray me?"
She cursed her legs, struggling to get up.
But her body's weakness exceeded her expectations... she didn't even have the strength to stand.
"Why."
"Why..."
After a long while, the girl betrayed by the entire world gave up struggling.
She lay on the floor, her hands clenched into fists, numbly pounding the cold wooden boards.
"Is this... divine punishment?!"
She murmured.
Tears streamed from her eyes unnoticed.
...
Leaving the grieving witch aside for now.
Outside, Alaric, having left Orleans, followed the scent of the two monster lolis, flying eastward.
They had left the valley and reached a deserted village.
As expected, when Alaric found them, they were bickering.
... Though their arguments were pointless, for these two monster lolis traveling together, it seemed a way to express camaraderie.
"What? Black-chan got bullied?!"
"Ah, betrayal, huh? I get that feeling... probably wanting to trap those traitors in a giant bell and burn them alive!"
Alaric located the two "dragon" lolis, briefly explained Jeanne Alter's situation, and extended a heartfelt invitation.
From their prior interactions, though they hadn't become true friends with Jeanne Alter, Alaric could tell the three had good chemistry... at least they didn't annoy each other.
Hopefully, these two could lift the witch's spirits.
"Cheer her up? No problem! Once she hears my singing, she'll bounce back in no time!"
Elizabeth Báthory, aspiring to be an "idol." Eagerly accepted Alaric's request.
... Isn't uplifting a fan's spirits exactly what an "idol" Should do?
"I'll go anywhere."
Kiyohime, on the other hand, was indifferent.
Her aloof nature dismissed everything unrelated to her "beloved" with a not my problem, don't care attitude... but perhaps, for Jeanne Alter now, Kiyohime's detachment would be more effective.
In her low spirits, maybe she needed a quieter companion?
"I wonder how she's doing?"
Noticing the darkening sky, Alaric flapped his wings, signaling the two lolis to hop on... they needed to hurry back.
...
Orleans.
Moments ago, overwhelmed by emotional strain, Jeanne Alter had fainted again.
But this time, she didn't stay out long.
The wooden floor was too cold, and her sprawled position too uncomfortable.
"I..."
Feeling a sliver of strength return, Jeanne Alter struggled to her feet.
She could control her legs again.
"How... ironic."
"To think I'd fall to such a state... "
"How foolish I've been!"
Her anger finally subsided, and cold reality restored the girl's reason.
She even reflected on how foolish her actions had been... something the old her would never have done.
Perhaps this was the cost of "growth"?
Though the price was steep.
"Dragon..."
Seeing the scattered bread on the floor, Jeanne Alter thought of the white dragon.
She suddenly realized who had saved her from certain death and brought her to this safe room.
And this bread.
Though just plain barley bread, she could feel the lingering warmth on it.
"It did all this for me."
"And I drove it away."
"What a fool I've been..."
Jeanne Alter looked up at the open window, instinctively calling for the white dragon.
She longed to see, in the next moment, that goofy, adorable head and those innocent eyes that lit up only for food.
But nothing.
She waited a long time, but the dragon didn't appear.
Outside the window, there was only the darkening sky.
She had driven it away.
The only friend who hadn't betrayed her, she had pushed away.
"I..."
Jeanne Alter ate the bread greedily, as if it could hold the dragon's presence, pretending it had never left.
Or perhaps... she just wanted the bread to stifle her dry, choking throat, to keep herself from crying out.
---
Every 200 power stones 1 bonus chapter will be uploaded faster.
And if you want to read 30 chapters early, you can visit: Patre on . com / KangTL (REMOVE SPACE)