Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer

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Two weeks into their dangerous journey to the Demon King's castle, the heroes faced unending waves of demons. Whiles Aurianna dedicated herself to caring for the wounded knights and praying for the fallen.

Her father's words echoed in her mind: "Don't waste your time reviving fallen soldiers. Focus only on the Hero and his group; their success will lead to victory." Though torn between her duty to the greater cause and her desire to save every life, Aurianna chose to honor every fallen comrade, even as an uneasy feeling lingered.

Throughout their grueling battles, Aurianna's healing magic was a lifeline for Kent and his team. Each time they were injured or near death, her magic mended their wounds and kept them fighting.

This relentless cycle of healing and combat pushed their group to new heights, but it drained Aurianna's strength. Exhausted but resolute, she continued her support, determined to see her mission through.

Finally, after enduring countless struggles, they reached the gates of the Demon King's castle. A burst of resolve surged through them as they prepared for the fight. But just as they readied themselves, an earth-shaking roar filled the air, causing the ground to tremble.

From the depths of the earth emerged a colossal dragon, its massive form casting a long shadow over the warriors. Its scales gleamed with an eerie light, and its eyes burned with a fierce, malicious fire. The sight of this fearsome beast struck fear into their hearts, revealing the true scale of the challenge they faced.

The dragon's appearance was terrifying: sapphire eyes that cut through the darkness, a fierce face with giant horns, curved ears, and tendrils along its jawline. Its small, slender nose had delicately curved nostrils, and additional tendrils fell from its chin. The dragon's razor-sharp teeth peeked from its gaping mouth.

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Aurianna's heart raced as she took in the sight of the colossal dragon. The creature's massive neck led to a body covered in warped blue satin scales, with small crystal spikes running down its spine. Powerful limbs ended in obsidian-like claws, and its magnificent wings, a mix of crystalline and armored scales, extended gracefully from its shoulders. Its tail, adorned with the same twisted scales, ended in a curving talon ready to strike.

Beside her stood a hundred surviving knights, their faces a mix of fear and determination. Aurianna and the heroic trio braced themselves for the ultimate battle. Weapons gleamed, armor creaked, and hearts pounded with anticipation.

Aurianna raised her staff, calling upon the goddess she revered. "Please bless me, goddess of beauty, lend me your strength to support our heroes and defeat this evil," she prayed fervently. As her plea reached the heavens, a surge of divine energy filled her, though it left her weak and trembling. Undeterred, she shouted, "Rorias!" A brilliant cascade of pink light descended upon the dragon, causing its scales to sizzle under the divine attack. Empowered by this grace, the heroes launched a fierce counterattack.

Despite their efforts, the dragon seemed largely unaffected by their combined spells. It roared defiantly and unleashed a torrent of fiery breath that engulfed the knights. Agonized screams filled the air as the knights writhed in pain, their outstretched hands reaching out for Aurianna's aid.

Aurianna, Kent, and Cindy took refuge behind Derek's protective shield as the dragon's fiery breath consumed the knights. The sorrow in Aurianna's heart deepened as she watched the fallen knights, their sacrifices not lost on her. But amid the chaos, an unsettling realization gripped her: the heroes' faces, once determined, now wore expressions of something dark and cruel. Aurianna felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Saintess, please save us!" the knights cried out desperately, their voices piercing through the flames before they were reduced to ash. Aurianna's instinct was to rush to their aid, but Derek blocked her path, his gaze emotionless.

"Don't waste your mana on these knights," Derek said coldly. "If you use it all now, we won't make it to the Demon King's castle. We're all doomed."

"But if I don't revive them now, they're lost forever!" Aurianna's voice quivered with desperation.

"It's not about them right now. We need you to focus on us," Cindy said firmly.

"Time is running out. Attacking the Demon King's castle now is our best chance," Kent urged, urgency in his tone. "Every moment wasted gives the demons a chance to regroup."

Aurianna's heart was torn between her compassion for the fallen knights and the need to prioritize their mission. With a heavy sigh, she nodded, accepting the painful decision.

As the dragon stopped its fiery assault, Kent charged forward, his saber flashing as he struck the dragon's scaly hide. At first, it seemed his efforts were in vain, but soon deep gashes appeared, and the dragon roared in pain. The beast retaliated with another blast of flames, but Cindy conjured water chains to shield them.

Feeling a surge of determination from her companions' bravery, Aurianna gripped her staff tightly and raised it high. Her voice rang out with resolve.

"Genesis!" she shouted, channeling her mana into a powerful spell.

Aurianna's staff blazed with a brilliant pink light, sending a dazzling burst of energy into the sky. Pink chains formed from this light, wrapping around the struggling dragon. The enchanted bindings seared the dragon's scales, causing it to roar in agony as the chains tightened.

Straining with effort, Aurianna gritted her teeth, her face slick with sweat and her breath coming in ragged gasps. Despite the draining toll, she held her ground, determined to keep the dragon restrained.

Seizing the chance, Cindy joined Aurianna. She raised her staff and conjured a storm of icy shards that spun around her. With a decisive motion, Cindy sent the shards hurtling toward the dragon. The ice ripped through the dragon's scales, exposing its tender flesh.

Even in pain, the dragon's eyes blazed with defiance. It thrashed against the chains, its massive wings beating as it soared into the sky. Magic circles appeared all around, glowing with a green, ominous energy. The ground shook as the dragon's power gathered, filling the air with a palpable sense of impending doom.

Derek, watching the scene unfold, chuckled nervously. "This beast just doesn't know when to quit," he said, a mix of awe and concern in his voice.

As the dragon prepared to unleash its next attack, the heroes braced themselves. The tension was thick in the air, the battlefield vibrating with anticipation.

Suddenly, Aurianna's expression changed drastically. Her face went pale, and her eyes widened in horror as the golden chains she had summoned shattered into glittering fragments. The magical restraints vanished, leaving the dragon free.

A trickle of blood ran from Aurianna's ears. She quickly wiped it away, refusing to let panic show. Though shaken, she knew she couldn't afford to falter now. Her resolve remained strong, and she steeled herself for the continued battle.

Aurianna's voice cut through the chaos with urgent clarity. "Everyone, get behind the shield now!" With a swift motion, she raised her staff, summoning a protective barrier of radiant white light that enveloped the heroes and herself just as the destructive energy from the dragon began to rain down.

Explosions erupted all around them, tearing through the battlefield. The shield shimmered and wavered under the relentless barrage, but the heroes stood firm within it, sweat glistening on their faces. Their resolve was tested to the limit, but they held their ground, determined not to succumb to the overwhelming force.

In the midst of the chaos, Cindy's voice rang out, laced with concern. "Don't give up now, Aurianna! We need you!"

Gasping for breath, Aurianna gripped her staff tightly. "I'm... almost... out of mana..." she managed to say through her labored breaths. Despite the strain, she refused to falter, pushing herself to the edge to keep the shield intact for as long as possible.

As the minutes wore on, Aurianna's strength waned, and the shield began to falter. Derek, quick on his feet, immediately took action. He stepped in, using his own shield to protect the group from the next wave of energy. His swift response and dedication earned him the respect of his comrades.

"This won't end until that beast is dead!" Kent's voice boomed with unwavering determination. He dashed toward the dragon, leaping onto newly formed magic circles beneath his feet. With a fierce battle cry, he soared toward the dragon, sword raised high, ready to strike.

The group's collective breath caught in their throats as they watched Kent's bold move. Eyes widened in disbelief at his recklessness. Yet, Kent remained calm, a sly grin on his lips as he whispered, "Saber wrath."

In an instant, his sword was enveloped in a golden aura. Twenty ethereal sabers materialized around the dragon, suspended in the air. The phantom blades surged forward, closing in on their target with relentless force.

The dragon roared in defiance, its thunderous roar momentarily pushing the sabers back. But the blades, undeterred, regained their momentum and struck true. They pierced through the dragon's scales, leaving visible wounds across its massive body.

A gasp escaped from the onlookers as the dragon writhed in pain, its cries echoing through the battlefield. The attack from Kent's sabers had made a significant impact, causing the dragon to falter.

With a heavy thud, the injured dragon crumpled to the ground, its magical explosions ceasing abruptly. Despite the victory, Kent was in urgent need of healing. "Aurianna, heal me quickly!" he called out, his voice strained.

Aurianna examined Kent's injuries: his left arm was scorched, and his trousers and armor were singed. Though his armor was largely intact, its protective capabilities had been severely compromised. Her concern was evident as she channeled her healing magic, but the effort left her even more exhausted. Kent, now free of wounds, gave a satisfied smile and moved towards Derek, heading for the fallen dragon's body.

Seeing Kent's lack of gratitude, Aurianna sighed and followed him with visible effort. The dragon, weakened and gasping black blood, tried to move feebly. Derek, his Holy sword raised high, approached with determination, preparing to deliver the final blow.

"Hey, I wanted to make the finishing blow!" Kent protested, giving Derek a playful shove.

"Well, you were too slow," Derek shot back, a grin on his face, before charging towards the Demon King's castle, cutting down enemies in his path. The dragon's death had clearly alerted the demons within the castle, as their presence became more pronounced.

As Aurianna and the others hurried past the fallen dragon, she paused, feeling a pang of sorrow. The dragon's lifeless body was surrounded by dried blood, and its decapitated head lay a few meters away. Seeing the dragon's defeated form stirred a mix of pity and guilt within her.

They had invaded the dragon's home and wiped out its kind without mercy. Aurianna struggled with her emotions, torn between her upbringing—taught to see demons as pure evil—and her own growing sense of empathy. With a deep breath, she pushed aside her inner conflict and pressed on.

As they ventured deeper into the castle, Aurianna felt a shiver run down her spine at the sight of the aftermath of their battle. The halls were littered with the bodies of demons, brutally slain, their blood staining the floors. Her eyes fell upon the heartbreaking scene of a demon woman, dead, with her hand resting protectively over her deceased child. The sight was enough to make her ask a question. Were they really the good ones?