"Sir... what do you want? Anything I have... I'll give it to you... I just... I just need...
one... one..."
Seeing the girl still struggling to speak, Dean Bruce couldn't watch any longer. He raised his hand and cast The Compassion of Heaven and Earth. Instantly, the surrounding trees and plants surged toward the girl, wrapping her in their embrace.
A vibrant green light flowed from the branches and leaves into her body, restoring her vitality and healing her wounds.
As for why he didn't use Healing Spring?
Her body was covered in gashes, with flesh torn away, exposing her bones. In such a condition, Healing Spring would have been ineffective.
"Wow, Teacher, what kind of magic is this?"
Hannah Fields exclaid in awe as she watched the girl's vitality return rapidly. Though her flesh was still mangled, making her appearance frightening, her life force was recovering. "What spell is this? I want to learn it too!" she added with excitent.
Dean Bruce gave her a stern look and said, "This is just a high-level spell. It's nowhere near as powerful as Fountain of Life, the one I taught you earlier."
"The spell you taught is stronger?" Hannah's eyes lit up with curiosity. She grinned mischievously and said, "Teacher, how about teaching one more spell then?"
Smack!
Her words had barely left her mouth when she felt a light tap on her head, causing her to yelp in surprise and rub the spot where she'd been hit.
Dean Bruce responded coolly, "You're being greedy. First, master the Fountain of Life, then we can talk about other magic."
"Now go on, check the girl's condition."
After a mont's pause, Dean Bruce added, "Or perhaps you could try to see if you can grasp the Fountain of Life while you're at it."
Hannah let out a sigh, "Teacher, your expectations are so high! It's only been one night. How could I possibly have mastered it already? Even if the incantation is short, it's packed with aning!"
Despite her complaint, she hopped off Firebolt and carefully examined the girl's condition. Then, she pulled out a small porcelain bottle containing a silver liquid.
"Teacher, this is the holy water from the Church of Light. While its life-giving force isn't as powerful as your magic, it has excellent healing properties. I'll give her a little to drink later."
"She should wake up quickly."
Dean Bruce nodded. Once the girl's vitality had been mostly restored, he dispelled the magic.
Hannah Fields quickly poured the holy water into the girl's mouth. For a mont, her body glowed with a silver light, and her torn flesh slowly began to regenerate.
Unfortunately, the holy water, being more of a common redy, didn't last long. The healing stopped shortly after, leaving the girl's body not fully restored.
Her flesh had regrown just enough to cover her bones, making her appearance less grueso than before.
Seeing that the girl still hadn't regained consciousness, Hannah suddenly asked, "Teacher, are all the thods of the Magic Guild so... brutal? You saved her, but did you really have to kill all those n?"
Sensing her discomfort, Dean Bruce chuckled, "I killed them to save more lives."
"Huh?" Hannah blinked in confusion, not understanding his reasoning.
He had just slaughtered dozens of people. How could that be considered saving more lives?
After all, he'd only saved this one girl.
Dean Bruce, remaining calm, explained, "Did you notice their attitude earlier?"
Hannah thought for a mont before replying, "They seed pretty arrogant."
"Exactly," Dean Bruce said, his tone even. "They're nobles from the nearby area, acting with impunity. Do you really think that girl is the only one they've hurt? I'd wager hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent civilians have died at their hands."
"So, by killing them, I've saved countless others."
"This..." Hannah had never been exposed to such a way of thinking. But she was quickly persuaded, nodding in agreent, "Teacher, your logic is incredible! From now on, when I encounter such villains, I'll do the sa—eliminate them to save more people!"
A slight smirk crept onto Dean Bruce's face, but he said nothing more. Instead, he removed his magical robe and handed it to Hannah. "Cover her with this. We can't wait around for her to wake up. We need to return to Saint Laurent City quickly."
"Since soone managed to convince you to run away and evade your engagent, it's clear that there are many with designs on you. The sooner we get back, the fewer complications you'll face."
"Also, there are probably more people after this girl. Even if we can handle them, it will only waste ti."
"Alright." Hannah didn't argue. She wrapped the girl tightly in the robe and then handed her over to Dean Bruce. Afterward, she seated herself behind him on Firebolt, her soft arms naturally wrapping around his waist for support.
"Hyah!"
With a sharp command, Firebolt dashed forward, speeding toward the city.
In no ti, as expected, a group of dozens of people ca in pursuit. When they saw the corpses scattered across the ground, fear and panic imdiately flashed across their faces.
Just as they were about to widen their search area, Dean Bruce, carrying the girl in his arms, had already arrived at the city gates.
It seed the news of the saintess's escape from her arranged marriage had reached the city, and the guards were on high alert. The mont they saw Dean Bruce approach, they rushed forward.
"Stop right there!"
"What's that you have wrapped in your arms? Uncover it and let us see!"
With those hurried commands, dozens of sharp spears were pointed directly at Dean Bruce.
A quick glance around revealed not only soldiers but also individuals clad in plate armor bearing the symbol of the sun. In the distance, a few mages with the sa sun symbol embroidered on their robes stood by.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Hannah Fields quickly dismounted as soon as she saw them.
"Saintess!"
"My Lady!"
"Saintess!"
The calls echoed from all directions, and a wave of excitent swept through the group.
In that instant, no one seed to care what Dean Bruce was holding anymore.
Partly because of their excitent at seeing Hannah, but also because they were too afraid to interfere.
They weren't foolish—they had seen Hannah Fields clinging tightly to Dean Bruce as they arrived. It was obvious that these two were no ordinary people.
For all they knew, Hannah's escape might have been to be with Dean Bruce. And who in their right mind would dare ddle in that? It would be a death wish.
"Thank goodness, Saintess, we've finally found you."
A figure in the distance said as he approached. His mage robes bore the emblem of seven suns, each marked with a faint red glow. As he neared, he cast a cautious glance at Dean Bruce before addressing Hannah, "Your sudden disappearance has caused us great worry. Please, co back with us to the church. The Pope is still waiting for us."
At the ntion of the Pope, Hannah Fields' eyes turned cold.
She hadn't forgotten Dean Bruce's words from earlier.
In her mind, she was already considering how she might stand up to the Pope.
After all, as the saintess, her status—at least outwardly—was almost equal to the Pope's.
"There's no rush," Hannah replied calmly. "I was abducted, and I'm sure my father has been worried sick. I'll go ho to see him first, then return to the church."
She wasn't foolish—Hannah knew that returning to the church right now would play directly into the Pope's hands.
She needed to go back to Saint Laurent City first, gather so allies, and only then would she be in a position to challenge the Pope.
Not to ntion, she still had to present her formal gift of apprenticeship!
She truly wanted Dean Bruce as her ntor.
In fact, it wasn't just his magic or strength that attracted Hannah to Dean Bruce, but rather his words. Those words had given her a new perspective, like a guiding light in her life.
For that reason, she wasn't willing to give up on having Dean Bruce as her teacher.
"This…"
The Church of Light representative hesitated. Hannah's reasoning was too perfect. After all, she was simply asking to see her parents. He couldn't very well deny that.
After a mont of consideration, the man from the Church of Light finally spoke, "Then, Your Highness, the Saintess, allow us to accompany you back to Saint Laurent City. We are honored guests of the Magic Guild and can ensure you arrive ahead of schedule."
At this point, Dean Bruce gave a calm smile and said, "And what are honored guests compared to this?"
As he spoke, Dean Bruce subtly shifted the magical robe that covered the girl, revealing the Soul Blood Oath insignia.
The mont the surrounding crowd laid eyes on the emblem, expressions of shock appeared on their faces. Instantly, everyone around bowed in respect to Dean Bruce.
Though their gestures weren't as reverent as those from mbers of the Magic Guild.
The presence of that emblem made it clear no one would dare to underestimate him anymore.
Dean Bruce, not wanting to waste any more ti dealing with the Church of Light, said coolly, "Hannah wants to return ho quickly. I'll escort her myself. Clear the way!"
Swish, swish, swish—
The soldiers imdiately parted to create a path, and even the Church of Light mbers, after a brief mont of indecision, stepped aside.
Hannah Fields, who only intended to challenge the Pope for power, didn't want to alienate the lower-ranking mbers of the Church of Light. She knew they were unaware of the greater sches at play.
Before leaving, she returned to her seat behind Dean Bruce on Firebolt, offering a lighthearted smile. "You don't need to worry. After I've seen my father, I'll return to the church. If you're worried about getting scolded, just head to Saint Laurent City, and we can return together."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding," one of the Church of Light mbers responded gratefully.
In that mont, the gazes of the Church of Light mbers were filled with appreciation for Hannah Fields.
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