The Defeated Saintess Is On A Journey To Tame The Evil God Book 01 Chapter 07.13 - Red Epiphyllum

“No! No, not good!”

Xing Mo immediately dispelled the barrier, spinning on her heel to rush toward the table.

She felt the raging flames kissing her back, their ravenous tongues tearing through her clothes, licking her skin. But even so, she spread her arms, shielding the picture within her embrace.

“Senior Alice!” She cried, her voice breaking, “Don’t!”

Don’t let that memory be ruined. Don’t let that memory be ruined. Don’t let that memory be ruined.

Xing Mo recalled that sunny afternoon, when, after class, Alice and Miriam dragged her to the academy's Rear Gardens and forced her to sit on a bench.

“Senior… Miriam… stop it... there are so many people…”

“Ha-ha-ha. Don’t be shy, Mo-mo. You look great with braided hair.”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s try pigtails first. Then my favorite bun style…”

“Ah, you two…”

Xing Mo sat there bashfully, head bowed, face flushed, enduring the playful antics of Miriam and Alice. The sun bathed the gardens in a golden glow, and a gentle spring breeze carried delicate magnolia petals through the air, their white purity dancing like snowflakes.

A distance away, Professor Lucius stood amidst the flowers, a knowing smile on his face as he raised his camera and pressed the shutter release of the camera, freezing the moment forever—a snapshot of their carefree joy, sealed within a picture frame.

I can’t let that memory be ruined.

I’m not a traitor! I swear I’m not!

It’s just… it’s enough that I… am the only one who walked into the abyss…

Xing Mo, clutching the picture frame tightly, collapsed to the floor. At some point, tears started streaming down her face, her frail frame shaking uncontrollably.

The flames had finally died down.

Alice stumbled toward Xing Mo, standing behind her in a daze. For a moment, she stood frozen, staring at Xing Mo’s back.

It was painfully familiar—that silhouette.

Yes, she was still that lonely little kitten. The one who lived alone, cooked alone, watched sunsets alone by the window. The one who had walked into the raging winds of Mordheim alone and fallen, lost in the snowstorm.

And now she had returned. Returned to the Citadel alone. To guard everything. Alone.

She had always been herself—the lonely her.

How could she ever have doubted her?

Alice raised her wand, its tip trembling as she pointed it at Xing Mo’s back. But her resolve faltered. Slowly, she lowered the wand, her fingers loosening until it slipped from her grasp, clattering softly to the floor.

She crouched down, hesitated for only a heartbeat, and then gently wrapped her arms around Xing Mo’s trembling figure from behind, holding her close.

“Idiot…” Alice whispered softly into Xing Mo’s ear, “Do you hate me so much? You didn’t even tell me you were alive…”

“I didn’t want to drag you into this…” Xing Mo choked out between sobs, her voice raw, “I… alone… am enough…”

“Idiot…” Alice murmured again, her words almost inaudible.

She pressed her forehead against the back of Xing Mo’s head, her hold tightening.

“Actually… I recognized you the first time I saw you… Your eyes haven’t changed at all. They still look like emeralds… But I was afraid, afraid I was deceiving myself. Everyone was saying you were already dead… I… I got carried away for a moment… I’m sorry… It’s my fault. I came too late… and left you to bear all of this alone…”

Xing Mo slowly turned in Alice’s arms, meeting a pair of crystal-clear, dark red eyes. Two hot tears traced paths down Alice’s cheeks as she gazed back at her.

“Mo-mo, I’ve missed you so much.”

They embraced tightly.

Around them, the flames had entirely vanished, leaving only the faint scent of ash lingering in the air. The battle’s fierce winds had blown the curtains wide open, allowing the pale blue moonlight to stream in. It bathed them in its soft glow, outlining their forms with a delicate, ethereal edge.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled apart. Alice reached up, her fingers trembling as she gently stroked Xing Mo’s hair, a small, bittersweet smile forming on her lips.

“Although I don’t know why you’ve become a girl, Mo-mo… let’s go back to the Church with me. You don’t have to shoulder this alone anymore.”

“No, Senior. I can’t go.” Xing Mo shook her head and raised her hand, revealing the mark on the back of her hand, “You should leave. Get far away from here, before she comes back. Don’t tell anyone…”

Alice bit her lip, “No, I won’t leave you alone. I never should have let you go alone in the first place… I’m not leaving this time…”

“Oh? You’re not leaving? Are you going to stay with me too?”

The voice was playful, yet chilling.

Alice spun around sharply, her breath catching as a figure emerged from the shadows.

Aurora stepped forward, her petite frame illuminated by the faint moonlight. Her blood-red eyes gleamed with a red glow, her lips curling into an amused smirk.

“Aurora... don't…”

Xing Mo tried to rise, but Alice gently held her back.

Alice’s wand was already raised, pointed at Aurora. Flames seemed to ignite in her eyes as she stared down the petite figure before her.

“You’re the Evil God that appeared at Mordheim, aren’t you…”

Aurora spread her hands, a playful smirk gracing her lips, “What if I am? Are you going to capture me?”

Alice bit her lip, her face growing paler.

There was so much she wanted to say—so many accusations, pleas, and threats. But the words lodged in her throat, frozen by the undeniable truth.

This wasn’t a mere adversary. This was an Evil God.

One flick of Aurora’s fingers could likely end her life. A human had no chance against a God in direct confrontation.

But…

“What will it take for you to let Mo-mo go?” Alice murmured softly.

“Hmm?” Aurora tilted her head, her blood-red eyes widening slightly, “Let her go? I’ve never imprisoned her. All along, she’s been here of her own free will, serving me, helping me with tasks. She even taught me how to wash myself.”

“... Taught you how to… wash yourself?” Alice’s eyes flickered with a mix of confusion and disbelief before she quickly shook her head, “No, that’s not the point! Tell me, what do you want?”

Aurora’s smile brightened, “The Young Saintess won’t leave me~ She likes me, doesn’t she?”

The last words were directed at Xing Mo, leaving her momentarily stunned. She lowered her head, her thoughts a jumble.

Like? What did it mean to like? Xing Mo herself wasn’t entirely sure.

But… after all this time with Aurora, how could she see her as just some wicked God?

Aurora was a little girl, in so many ways—moody and mischievous at times, but also gentle, even quiet when the mood struck her. She loved devising devious schemes, finding joy in her pranks, but then she’d use the money she earned to buy food for the workers.

She’d offer shelter to the children in the Docklands, she’d release a dying narwhal back into the sea, standing silently under the moonlight as the creature swam away, its outline fading into the endless waves.

Was this truly a so-called Evil God?

Xing Mo took a deep breath, then reached out to grab Alice’s clothes, “Senior, Xing Yu… no, Aurora isn’t some Evil God.”

Alice spun to face her, disbelief flashing in her eyes. “But she—”

“If it weren’t for Aurora’s intervention, everyone in the manor would have died tonight. Including you and me.” Xing Mo’s gaze grew resolute, “She’s not a bad person. I believe she’s not a bad person.”

“I’m not a person.” Aurora corrected from the side, her tone light and almost amused.

“Then you’re not a bad God.” Xing Mo shot back. Taking a steadying breath, she turned her earnest gaze to Alice, “Senior, even if you can’t believe her… I hope you can believe me.”

Please, trust me. Everything I do is to protect the Citadel, to protect this city we call home.

Xing Mo’s thoughts drifted to Nevirabeta’s Rear Gardens, where boys and girls still laughed and played among the flowers.

We can’t let them take all of this away.

Alice stared at Xing Mo’s face, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Finally, she lowered her wand and looked quietly at Aurora, “I believe Mo-mo…”

After all, so far, no misfortune had occurred directly because of this so-called Evil God. The curse and the Steam Men were clearly Prince Austin’s doing—Alice wasn’t foolish enough to miss that connection.

As for the Saint Auroth Cathedral and the Docklands… there would be time to untangle those threads later.

I must not act rashly out of emotion... Alice tightened her grip on her wand.

“You’re smart, Senior.” Aurora said, tilting her head with a pleased smile, “See? If I were an Evil God, you’d have been eaten by now. But here we are, having a nice chat.”

Alice’s lips pressed into a thin line, “But… if you do anything you shouldn’t, I will make a request for Angels’ Descent.”

“Oh no.” Aurora gasped theatrically, “Then the Young Saintess will get so angry, and the Citadel will be blown to pieces. What a tragedy!” She waved her hand dismissively, as though such a disaster were nothing but a minor inconvenience.

Xing Mo shot Aurora a speechless glare, then turned to Alice with a hushed reassurance, “Don’t worry, Senior. I can manage her…”

Alice’s gaze sharpened, her tone suddenly pointed, “I used the Dagger of Truth. I saw her lying on top of you. Are you sure you can manage her?”

Xing Mo: (˚ Д˚ ≡˚ д˚)!?

Oh no… A creeping realization hit her like a thunderclap. Senior… might have seen everything…

Wait—what about my right to privacy!?

Her face turned a furious shade of crimson, her head snapping down so fast it was a wonder she didn’t hit her chin on her chest. Steam practically poured from her ears and nose.

Seeing her like this, Alice smiled faintly and gently patted her head, “I believe you, Mo-mo.”

But the tender moment was fleeting. Alice turned sharply, her gaze locking onto Aurora, who stood in the shadows like an enigmatic specter.

“I know you won’t let me go easily.” Alice said, gritting her teeth, “If you’re going to do something… do it now.”

Aurora’s expression flickered imperceptibly before she let out a soft sigh, “What do you take me for, Senior?”

Her gaze shifted, settling on Xing Mo’s flustered face, and a slight smile returned to her face as she added, “Your Mo-mo is still in my hands. Would you really report me, Senior? You wouldn’t want Mo-mo to… cough, cough…”

“Hey!” Xing Mo protested, her indignation loud and clear.

“Just joking.” Aurora said breezily, her tone softening, “For the sake of my Young Saintess…”

Suddenly, Alice winced, a sharp sting radiating from the back of her left hand. Startled, she looked down to see a glowing green pattern unfolding on her skin, forming the intricate shape of a great tree.

“From today on, you’ll be my eyes and ears in the Church of the Starsea~” Aurora announced brightly, her tone almost sing-song.

“Ugh…”

As the Tree of Life mark etched itself onto her hand, Alice staggered, her body trembling, looking like exhaustion finally was taking its toll.

Xing Mo quickly stepped forward to catch her, only to realize she had fainted. After all, burning through spiritual energy all night would exhaust anyone…

Lifting her gaze, Xing Mo looked at Aurora, who responded with a tilt of her head.

“So, you never answered—do you like me or not?”

With that, she bounced over to Xing Mo’s side and helped her support Alice.

Xing Mo huffed, sticking out her tongue, "Like you? Who would like you..."

“Eh~ You don’t like me even though I’m this cute?”

“If you’re nice to Senior Alice and promise not to use the mark to bully her, then… I’ll like you. How about that?”

“Sure! But can I bully you instead?”

“No.”

Their banter lightened the heavy air, and despite herself, Xing Mo chuckled. The hard-earned reunion with Alice had left her heart heavy with bittersweet emotions, but Aurora’s antics swept in like a sudden, unexpected breeze.

It felt like savoring the bitterness of coffee, only to discover someone had secretly added a spoonful of sugar.

This girl really doesn’t care about the atmosphere, Xing Mo thought.

But… maybe that’s not so bad.

As Xing Mo supported Alice toward the door, her vision suddenly faltered. The spiritual force provided by the Tree of Life mark ran dry.

Then—a flash of red streaked before her eyes.

“...!”

She spun around sharply, her heart leaping into her throat. The room remained as it was, bathed in the pale blue moonlight streaming through the window. There was no red.

But it hadn’t felt like a trick of the mind...

“Hm? What’s wrong?” Aurora asked, her tone light.

“Nothing. Just tired.” Xing Mo smiled faintly, brushing it off, “Come on, let’s get Senior settled, and then…”

Aurora didn’t press further, though her eyes lingered on Xing Mo, who seemed to have something on her mind. A faint, knowing curve played on her lips.

Before stepping into the next room, Aurora paused and turned to glance back at the moonlit window. There was crimson reflected in her eyes

“… flowering briefly, like epiphyllum…” She murmured.

…End of Book 01 Chapter 07…