24 SAINTESS: PART III

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Athena stopped completely, standing, apparently distracted, outside Diana's house, whilst looking at the sky wondering how many days have passed by since she arrived in the Northern Region.

'Have I really survived?' It made her curious as to why things have been so smooth. She was wondering when the Empire would send man after her, but to her surprise, none of her concern came into reality.

If this continues, it won't be long for me to find a way to cure the poison within me. At the same time, I might be able to understand the concept about the whole Saintess and prophecy.

A lot has improved in the village.

Tycho found two people whom he started training as a blacksmith, not only that, with the help of the entry village, they have slowly made great progress in restoring a fourth of the village houses. At the same time, the priest from the church has helped as well to fasten the restoration.

With Serfred, Athena and the hunting party being able to supply all the food they need, it was not long for the entry villagers' attitude to change as well. Despite they are still unsure of the girl's identity, they've started approaching her, especially the children.

The biggest miracle in the village was the fact the crops around Diana's house were fully wrong. At the same time, the dead tree she rested on her first day has started to grow some leaves.

It made the Elder Chief cry when he saw the small leaves on the tree. He told the villagers the story behind the tree why it was so special to him, the fact it was planted by his grandparents made the tree meaningful to everyone. What made the tree even special was the fact, it was the first living tree growing in the village.

Seeing the villagers witness the growing life in Diana's place, it motivated the people more to work hard. However, the girl couldn't restore any lands at the moment after using too much of her power last time.

Whilst Diana and the woman of the village continued to be in charge of preparing the foods. At the same time, they started making new clothes for those who didn't have a proper one.

Whilst the children in the village were being handled by the church. Athena arranges for the children to be taught by the priest and nuns. She believes if they have a proper education and upbringing, then they are setting the children on the right path.

…

Serfred, Athena and the boys were out hunting in the forest again. Athena once again went on her own way as she needed to train herself and Fuji. It's been days yet she has not mastered to manifest her aura. It appears from time to time, but it does not stay long before she can even muster to cast a spell.

Whilst Athena was gathering some herbs. Fuji went to hunt some more food for them. Despite he is still a puppy, he has improved greatly when it comes to sleep. He is so fast, that even Gran who is an assassin couldn't catch up to him. It's also thanks to Fuji, that Gran was able to master some assassin type magic by enhancing his ability.

"Who's there?"

Athena asked as he sensed an unfamiliar mana.

"Ah- little girl. You should have just died instead of running loose out here."

"Who are you?"

Athena anxiously examines her surroundings. She realizes that the man in front of her is someone she can't handle. She senses his aura emitting with such malice which means her life is on the treat.

'Why did I even think everything was fine…' She cursed herself for jinxing herself early before they left to hunt.

"Little lady, you don't really need to ask who I am. I'm sure you won't leave to tell my tales…" The man smirked as he eagerly wished to end the girl's life as soon as possible.

"I know who sent you." Athena said as she hoped to buy herself sometimes.

"Do you think I care?" But the man was not moved at all since he doesn't care who paid him to kill the girl. In the end, almost half of the noble in the Empire wish her dead.

"Then, let me ask you this. Can you sense mana in me?"

The man was dumbfounded by what he just heard. "Mana?" He thought to himself as he was sure the girl does not possess any ability to cast magic at all which means she has no mana. "Girl, are you trying to fool me."

"I'm asking you if you can sense the mana in me?" Athena continues to insist, as she wishes to know if the man can sense the mana since Serfred and the others can't. She thought maybe because they have not improved in their skills yet and she was far more powerful than them it was impossible for them to sense it.

"Little lady, you really have an attitude, just like your father."

"I am his daughter."

"Yes, you are, yet, here you are about to die in my hand."

Despite being on pins and needles, Athena continues to ask the same question all over again. "Are you stupid or can't you understand. Tell me if you can sense the mana in me?��

"You-" But before he could say a word, he suddenly sensed something which frightened him. "What was that?"

It was a strong energy which he didn't feel before, at the same time a very powerful aura was near the area.

"F*ck this is bad, I better kill her before a monster arrived."

Due to his agitation that a monster is close by, he didn't realize that the mana and aura emitting was from the girl. However, neither the girl nor him knew that since both of them became frightened when the man said a monster was close by.

"Well, I love to chat, but I really must hurr-"

Before he knew it, the girl was already on the run.

"Wait, why you-"

The man started chasing the girl by enchanting his speed with magic. In no time, he was able to catch the girl. He grabs her by her throat as he started terrorizing the girl. "You- you dare run away and left me behind to kill the monster leaking."

"Let go of…"

But the man was too furious, he started squeezing on the girl's throat even harder.

"Now, I understand why everyone was able to kill you day by day. I mean, most of my colleagues have tried to kill you before. And not a time, where you didn't fall to almost die in their hands."

Athena was already aware about the assassin being sent to her all the time. The previous owner would almost end up half dead, but luckily the family's knights would always come on time before her soul abandons her body…

"I said, let go of me!" Athena grumbled as she suddenly was able to cast a small wind spell which blasted the man away.

The assassin looked shocked as he received a great deal of damage from the lowly spell. He looked in awe towards the girl as he didn't expect a miracle to occur. "You- you're able to cast a spell?"

Athena didn't respond at all as his body started to break down from the inside. The spell she cast was a low type of spell, but because her body has not completely recovered yet. It was doing a great toll which made her feel like her inside was burning in so much pain.

"Fuji."

It confused the assassin as to what the girl was up, but he didn't allow the girl to take him by surprise again. He threw a dagger at the girl which cut her arm.

"Ah-"

Her cry echoed all over the forest as it reached everyone's ears.

It didn't take long for Fuji to arrive as he surprisingly attacked the assassin.

"What's this, a Twilight Wolf?" He cried as Fuji bit his arm causing it to bleed a lot.

Before he could make another move, he was caught by the others.

"Lady Tina." Gran yelled as he saw the girl all wounded and bleeding. When he heard the girl cry, he casted all the speed enchantments he knew as he hastily found her.

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