Still, I hesitated to appear in this revealing outfit—designed for rituals and obviously suggestive—in front of so many men. Shuffling slightly, I hid behind the broad back of the man whose cloak fluttered as he moved.
“So, is that the girl who summoned the commander?”
“Ugh.”
One of the more casually dressed men spotted me immediately, tilting his whole body in an exaggerated gesture to peer at my face.
“Whoa, a real beauty! Totally the damsel-in-distress type—”
“Don’t look.” Thud!
Ah, he got punched. Right in the face.
The commander may have held back, but to me, it looked like his fist connected with zero restraint.
“If you so much as glance at her, she’ll end up pregnant. Stay back.”
“Ugh! That’s harsh! Even I need at least a full night!”
“Are you a fool? Is your lower half your entire identity? The Oracle despises impurity, so return to your duties immediately, you garbage.”
“Why don’t you head back to the ground division, you gloomy glasses-wearer? You puked on a dragon; that’s way more disgusting.”
“Uh, excuse me…”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
It was as if the noise of the world itself had come to a halt.
I didn’t understand everything that was happening, but listening to their pointless bickering was exhausting. I had questions to ask and needed to move things along.
“I have something I want to ask. Is that okay?”
I lightly tugged on the cloak in front of me and spoke softly, almost like a sigh.
“…All of you, stay out of here until you’re called.”
“Commander, if you make that face, even you’ll get dragged off for questioning.”
“Has Commander Berlios suddenly developed a taste for young maidens? My, my, what would Captain Freta say about your preference for delicate beauties?”
“Tch… Shut up and get lost, you idiots.”
““No way (Sir)!””
See? This is why I hate dealing with unnecessary problems.
Can’t they just stop arguing over trivial things?
I’ll have to take matters into my own hands to avoid further trouble.
“…Isaac.”
Once again, complete silence descended.
Slowly, the cloak shifted as its owner turned.
He bent slightly at the waist to meet my gaze.
Thick but well-shaped eyebrows, sharp almond-shaped eyes narrowed in focus, a high, firm nose, a strong jaw, and full lips—his face exuded masculine charm and a touch of disarming sweetness.
He was, without a doubt, a strikingly handsome man.
I had a lot to say and even more to ask.
But on reflection, there was only one thing I should say first.
“Thank you for saving me.”
I offered the highest expression of gratitude I could muster.
Extending both hands toward the man who had knelt for me, I summoned a gentle silver light.
“Isaac Garcia Berlios. As the Oracle of Blessings, I will grant you my blessing in gratitude for your actions—state your wish.”
Go ahead, ask for anything.
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