Chapter 27: Hellish Air

"Madam Elizabeth!"

Upon hearing this, Felix's face instantly lit up. He turned toward the voice, his expression one of relief, as if he'd just seen a savior. However, his excitement was quickly replaced by surprise. He lowered his gaze, trying to hide the astonishment in his eyes because he saw a woman he absolutely did not expect!

Beside Madam Elizabeth stood the Pusaya lady he met on his way to the imperial capital—the beautiful tavern owner who still retained her charms and had spared him out of pity without taking away his name!

Betty Artemis!

......

Madam Elizabeth's eyes twinkled mischievously. But everyone could feel the burning anger concealed within her ocean-blue eyes. Their brilliance was like precious gemstones, and their gaze was so sharp that even Felix found himself wanting to evade them.

Madam Elizabeth had always treated Felix as her own possession, her beloved docile kitten. But now! A mere adventurer dared to hold a blade to the throat of her precious toy, threatening him, and trying to trade a shabby bottle for the 'delicacy' she hadn't even had the chance to consume!

How outrageous!

The Venus family's teachings of grace and poise kept Madam Elizabeth from immediately erupting. However, beneath her voluminous robe, her chest rose and fell rapidly, clearly indicating her turbulent emotions.

The beautiful knight, with eyes cold as a piercing winter chill, stepped closer to Felix. Her gaze rested on the gray-robed female swordsman, her eyes teasing like a cat toying with a mouse, filled with hellish violence and cruelty!

She extended her right hand, her thumb and index finger grabbing the gleaming blade held to Felix's throat.

"Snap!" With a slight squeeze, the blade—crafted by a master smith capable of piercing the tough hide of sub-dragons—was broken in two by the beautiful knight!

The female swordsman's eyes widened in shock, a flash of fear evident on her delicate face, but it soon faded.

After the brief moment of fear, the gray-robed female swordsman defiantly looked up at the beautiful knight, blood trickling from her bitten lip. The hand holding the broken sword trembled increasingly.

"So stubborn," the beautiful knight remarked, revealing a ferocious side Felix had never seen. In the next instant, the hand that had just broken the near-epic blade grabbed the gray-robed swordsman's throat, moving so fast it seemed like an illusion!

"Catherine," Madam Elizabeth called out in time, stopping the beautiful knight.

Without a doubt, Felix believed that had Madam Elizabeth been even a moment later, the once-familiar beautiful knight beside him would've snapped the swordsman's fragile neck without hesitation.

"Madam," Catherine responded, retracting her pale hand and stepping back behind Madam Elizabeth. The fiery, brutal look in her eyes faded swiftly upon seeing Madam Elizabeth, soon returning to their previous icy demeanor.

Madam Elizabeth didn't glance at the gray-robed female swordsman again. Instead, she gracefully moved beside Felix. Her ocean-blue eyes filled with compassion, she gently bit her rosy lips and tenderly touched the cut on Felix's skin, "Does it hurt?"

Radiating a motherly glow, Madam Elizabeth appeared incredibly beautiful and captivating in that moment. Felix felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart, and shaking his head, he let Madam Elizabeth take his hand.

Lady Elizabeth turned with a glare, eyes burning with anger towards the disoriented woman in a gray robe who wielded a sword. Then, she turned back with gentle affection, tenderly stroking Felix's handsome brown hair. She whispered, "My dear Felix. Let's go home, okay? I'll treat your wounds later, and I promise they won't leave any scars…"

The warmth Felix felt from her was instantly erased by her last sentence. For a moment, he had been under the illusion that her motherly compassion was genuine. Now, with gritted teeth, he wished he could leave a row of marks on the smooth, pale curve of Lady Elizabeth's chest!

Behind Lady Elizabeth stood the enchanting innkeeper with whom Felix had a brief encounter. This captivating creature of Pusaya descent constantly sized Felix up with sparkling, teasing eyes.

That gaze... Felix knew it all too well...

...

Elizabeth Manor.

After comforting the injured kitten, Lady Elizabeth led the beautiful Pusaya lady named Betty Artemis to the living room for a discussion. Felix, after being consoled by Lady Elizabeth, silently pondered why this Pusaya woman was with her.

Behind the Sorondo street in the Magic District lay the 'Emerald Dream' tavern, home to thieves. Lady Elizabeth must have come from there. Why did Lady Elizabeth go to the 'Emerald Dream'? Did she hire the gorgeous Pusaya woman? Or perhaps...

Felix wished to use the "Eye of Truth" to see what was transpiring in the living room. But, realizing he couldn't hide his power from the formidable and beautiful knight, he reluctantly abandoned the idea.

Confused and scattered in his thoughts, Felix couldn't help but get lost in them. The strength the beautiful knight displayed that day was truly astonishing. To snap a significant sword with just two fingers, her power was more than just terrifying!

Felix was reminded of the occasional hellish aura the beautiful knight exuded... When angered, the violent intent in her eyes wasn't deceptive. The mysterious woman with ties to hell piqued Felix's endless curiosity.

He thought of the gentle gaze the beautiful knight occasionally directed at Lady Elizabeth, and the quickly fading ferocity. He then wondered about their unique relationship, their occasional overly affectionate gestures...

Finally, Felix pondered the knight's "Eight Great Faiths" and other faith branches. He was now immensely curious about what exactly the beautiful knight believed in.

It seemed, just maybe, that there was something between Lady Elizabeth and the beautiful knight...