Reborn As Noble Chapter 1298: Glistening Skin, Greedy Eyes ( 1298 )

The night deepened.

On a different continent.

Zeyrinda awoke with a sharp gasp, jolting upright in her bed, her face ashen and slick with cold sweat. Her chest heaved, struggling to regain a steady rhythm, her hands clenched the sheets with a fierce grip.

Her gaze flickered to her side. Julius slept soundly, bare beside her, his breaths deep and even.

She disengaged from the bed with deliberate slowness, her unclothed feet meeting the chill of the floor. A faint sheen of perspiration still clung to her skin, her body retaining a residual warmth from the nightmare. Her fingers found a gossamer silk robe draped over a nearby chair, which she pulled on, letting it settle over her shoulders. The sheer material was alluring, accentuating her form as she loosely fastened it at her waist.

Her steps, now hushed, carried her towards the window. She stood gazing out at the boundless expanse of the night sky.

...

Years prior.

"Huff... huff..."

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

The executioner has arrived!

She fled onward, her heart hammering against her ribs, channeling her power to conjure myriad magical beasts in a bid to impede her pursuer.

"Zeyrinda~ Where do you imagine you're headed?~"

A swift glance over her shoulder revealed the dragon girl, cutting through the summoned magical beasts with effortless grace. Each sweep of her blade disintegrated the creatures as if they were mere paper. Trailing her, a beautiful woman glided with an unhurried elegance, her demeanor serene and composed.

"Please... forgive me, Francesca!!!"

"No, no~" Francesca's voice was unnervingly calm, tinged with amusement, as she moved serenely through the ensuing chaos. She lifted a single finger, and the surrounding magical entities crumbled to dust, their very forms dissolving into nothingness.

"You have already committed a grievous offense, Zeyrinda. You, Maekaria, and Rafazelia dared to introduce terrestrial beings into this realm, upsetting the established balance, sowing discord, and defying the natural order. You have meddled with powers far beyond your comprehension, and retribution is now inevitable."

Eridith’s glare sharpened as she fixed her gaze upon Zeyrinda, her voice like ice, cutting and direct.

"You should remember your station, spirit of the abyss. You are to address her as the Radiant One."

Zeyrinda gritted her teeth, her hands quivering as she attempted to summon more magical beasts, pouring every ounce of her dwindling strength into the incantation. Yet, her power waned, and she faltered, collapsing onto her knees upon the ground.

"Arara~" Francesca offered a sweet smile, lightly tapping her foot on the earth. A subtle, radiant pulse emanated from the point of contact, rippling outwards. With a delicate, resonant chime, every magical beast in the vicinity vanished, vaporized as if they had never been.

"It appears someone intends to resist after committing a transgression."

"It wasn't me!" Zeyrinda's voice broke with sheer desperation. "It was the other spirits! The insignificant ones! They acted independently!"

"Ara? Is that so?" Francesca tilted her head, a smile gracing her lips as she playfully tapped her chin with a finger. She cast a sweet, sideways glance at Zeyrinda. "Then enlighten me... what of the Saints of the Three Gods? Who established that entity? Who bestowed upon them their abilities? Who commanded them to disseminate falsehoods and sway the devotion of believers? Was that, too, the doing of 'insignificant spirits'?"

Francesca gracefully knelt, bringing herself level with Zeyrinda in a fluid, elegant movement. She inclined her head, her smile disarmingly sweet yet carrying an undercurrent of menace, her eyes alight with a cold, celestial gleam.

"Or is it also the work of 'insignificant spirits' that brought the terrestrials into this world, hmm?" A soft, derisive sigh escaped her lips. "Because of that, Garius was compelled to undertake the arduous task of sealing them, you see. Poor Garius~ All because of you and your two counterparts, he, Mylezra, Lioness, Edmund, Gurdan, and Gumarak... ah, my apologies, I almost neglected..."

Francesca's eyes narrowed, her smile transforming into a sharp, predatory line. "Even the future Demon King, Veldrac, was occupied with the pursuit and containment of them all. While I know Garius possessed the capability to crush them effortlessly, it nonetheless proved a vexing inconvenience. So much needless effort."

"Please!" Zeyrinda dropped to her knees, her plea trembling. "Grant me another opportunity! I... I will rectify everything! I beg you, do not end my life!"

"No." Francesca rose with effortless grace, folding her arms and fixing a stern gaze upon Zeyrinda. "My directive comes from the highest possible authority. I am the appointed executioner, and you stand condemned. The decree is absolute, admitting no variance. There shall be no recourse to negotiation, nor any second chances. You have transgressed the immutable laws of this world, and the ensuing judgment must be met."

Zeyrinda fell silent, her jaw clenched tight as she steeled herself for what was to come.

Francesca raised her hand, her palm radiating a brilliant, divine luminescence. She commenced the solemn rites of execution for spirits, her voice a calm, melodious cadence that nevertheless resonated with the unyielding force of absolute authority. A vast, complex arcane circle materialized beneath Zeyrinda, its intricate runes pulsing with golden energy, effectively ensnaring her in place.

Just as Francesca was about to deliver a final judgment, a relentless onslaught of dark fireballs, shadowy spears, and countless summoned beasts poured down from above, targeting them.

"Zeyrinda! Escape!"

Zeyrinda’s gaze shot upwards, and she thrust her palm out. Instantly, dense smoke billowed around her, and a multitude of divine magical beasts materialized, stepping forward to confront Francesca and granting her vital moments.

Francesca let loose a prolonged, weary sigh before elegantly flicking a finger. A resplendent wave of pure light burst forth from her, obliterating every single divine beast that dared to charge her. As the smoke cleared, the void where Zeyrinda had knelt was starkly revealed.

Francesca remained standing with poised grace, her expression serene, a subtle smile gracing her lips as she observed the three abyss spirits retreating into the shadows.

"You may flee... but you will not evade me."

...

Returning to the present moment.

Zeyrinda clenched her jaw, her eyes ablaze with a chilling, vengeful determination.

Soon, Francesca, I shall ensure your continent is utterly shattered. I shall guarantee Armand’s complete destruction. With the extraordinary summoned heroes I have assembled, coupled with the Chosen Heroes of Maekaria and Rafazelia, we will bring utter ruin to all you hold sacred.

I am well aware you cannot contend directly with the summoned heroes. The laws of this world impose constraints upon you. You are forbidden from harming or terminating summoned heroes originating from another realm; they exist beyond your grasp. This is precisely your vulnerability, and I shall mercilessly exploit it.

Her gaze drifted to Julius, who lay asleep and unclothed upon the bed, his body still bearing the faint marks of their recent intimacy.

I now possess someone far more formidable than Garius. Someone endowed with a unique talent and an unparalleled power, a power that eclipses even the divine itself. Furthermore, I have been intimate with all my summoned heroes, forging a deep bond with each, infusing them with my very essence, thereby granting them power exceeding any of your champions. And once we are fully prepared...

Her lips curved into a sinister, exultant smile.

We shall annihilate every insignificant life on that continent. Not a single soul will be left standing.

Julius will vanquish Garius. And then, he will end you. When that moment arrives...

Her eyes shimmered with a dark, insatiable ambition.

I shall claim your power as my own.

( End Of Chapter )