Chapter 82: Kill You Again

Peleti shook her head helplessly, a hint of wry amusement flickering in her eyes.

She had assumed the other party would first lie low and gather intelligence, and only go to ask Josuna after finding nothing. But judging by the timing, it seemed they had rushed to Josuna almost immediately after stealing her identity.

Did they think it’d be faster to just ask directly instead of digging for information?

Tsk tsk… looks like the Gluttony Church doesn’t exactly recruit for brains.

“Big sis!”

Josuna’s voice, tinged with tears, came from behind. In the next instant, Peleti was tightly embraced by a warm body. Her back pressed against the girl’s trembling chest, she could feel that desperate, regained sense of reliance—and faintly, the scent of food still lingered.

“You’re hurt?!”

Peleti’s heart tightened. She spun around, only for her gaze to lock onto the vivid red stains on Josuna’s face. Her brows knitted instantly, urgency filling her voice.

Josuna quickly shook her head and pointed behind her, where Vinika lay motionless on the ground.

“I’m fine. That’s her blood, not mine.”

Even she had been shaken by the fight just now—but in front of Peleti, she refused to show even a trace of weakness.

“…That’s good.” Peleti let out a long breath, her heart finally settling. Then she frowned again. “What’s the situation now? The Gluttony Church didn’t succeed, right?”

“Their plot’s been exposed! Everyone in the Church is taking part in the purge—they won’t last much longer!”

Thinking of the people the Gluttony Church had harmed, her anger surged uncontrollably.

Peleti nodded. Everything was more or less as she had expected—but there was still one thing weighing on her mind.

She looked at Josuna, her tone turning serious. “Where’s Aierbona? Where is she?”

“…Why are you asking about her?” Josuna’s tone unconsciously carried a trace of resistance and displeasure, her cheeks puffing slightly.

I’m the one who saved you—why are you worrying about someone else first?

Peleti noticed her reaction, but had no time to soothe her. “She’s a duke’s daughter. Her status makes her a prime target. Think carefully—have you seen her at all since this started?”

That was like a bucket of cold water.

Josuna froze, then replayed everything in her mind. Her expression gradually changed.

“Now that you mention it… I really haven’t seen her…”

For something as important as the purge, her absence was… abnormal.

Before she could finish speaking, Josuna’s pupils shrank sharply.

A deadly chill surged toward them.

Almost instinctively, she moved—pinning Peleti beneath her and shielding her with her own body.

From the corner of her eye, Peleti saw it—

A spear, gleaming coldly, sliced through the air. It passed exactly where Josuna had just been, and in that instant, a splash of bright red stained the sky.

“That was close—just a little more and you would’ve killed me~”

Vinika’s voice, sickly sweet and eerie, echoed out. She slowly climbed to her feet, a twisted grin spreading across her face, madness dancing in her eyes.

She had clearly taken a fatal blow—and yet she stood as if nothing had happened.

Josuna clicked her tongue, enduring the pain in her shoulder as she glared at her. “Tch… you still didn’t die? What are you, a cockroach?!”

She couldn’t understand it—the earlier strike had pierced a vital point.

“For a candidate saint, that’s quite the foul mouth, Miss Josuna~” Vinika licked the blood from her spear tip, her gaze playful. Then her tone shifted. “Oh right—you mentioned… Aierbona?”

She let out a scoff. “Too complicated. I won’t bother remembering it. Anyway—she’s already dead.”

“You managed to save Josuna, sure—but how are you going to save Aierbona? From what I know, you absolutely can’t. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you’ll do next!”

She burst into manic laughter, filled with twisted excitement.

She hadn’t expected their carefully planned infiltration to be completely ruined by a single letter from Peleti.

The more unexpected it was, the more curious she became—just how far could this woman go, to be valued so highly by their leader?

“Get lost!!”

Josuna shouted, her sword flashing as she slashed toward Vinika—but the latter dodged effortlessly.

“Lele, go! I’ll handle this!” Josuna’s back remained straight, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Vinika’s target was most likely Peleti. As long as Peleti got away safely, she could fight without restraint.

“But…” Peleti hesitated, staring at the blood seeping from Josuna’s shoulder.

“Trust me.” Josuna turned back, giving her a firm look. Determination burned in her eyes.

“If I can kill her once, I can kill her a second time.”

Peleti clenched her teeth. She knew she couldn’t persuade her.

“Be careful. Don’t push yourself!” she threw over her shoulder, before turning and sprinting toward Aierbona’s residence.

Her heart was in turmoil—worried for Josuna, but even more afraid that something had happened to Aierbona.

A large part of Aierbona’s current situation was because of her plan. If Aierbona died because of it…

She would never forgive herself.

“Hey, hey—not your turn to leave yet. Why the rush?”

Vinika licked her lips, watching Peleti’s retreating figure before turning back to Josuna with a sinister smile.

“Fine. Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish.”

She raised her spear once more, pointing it straight at Josuna.

—

Peleti ran through several areas.

First, she went to the café—but it was completely empty. It looked like everyone had fled.

The trade district, normally the most crowded area in Falisa, should have had tens of thousands of people.

So where had everyone gone?

A strange unease crept into her mind.

“Caw! Caw!”

A familiar cry rang out.

“…Fat bird?!”

At her call, a massive crow descended and landed on her shoulder. Despite its enormous size, it was surprisingly light—like a few sheets of paper settling onto her.

“Caw! Caw caw!!”

Xiao Lü immediately started pecking at her head.

“Alright, alright! I know it was risky—but tell me, where is Aierbona?!”

The crow hesitated for a moment, as if making up its mind. Then it flapped its wings and took off, flying just slightly faster than Peleti in a specific direction.

“That way… got it. Thanks.”