The Saintess gripped her staff tightly, but her hands trembled despite her will.
Kyle's presence felt like a mountain pressing down on her—his aura overwhelming, devouring the divine resonance around her.
She felt it deep in her bones: a suffocating force that stripped her connection to the goddess thread by thread.
The light that always lingered within her, so constant she'd taken it for granted, now flickered like a candle caught in a storm.
Her knees buckled slightly. She bit her lip hard, tasting blood as she forced herself to stay upright. She couldn't show weakness now.
Not in front of the Grand Priest. Not in front of their army. Not in front of him.
The Grand Priest stepped forward with a frown, sensing something off.
"Saintess… what's wrong? Why have you stopped? The enemy is right in front of us. Why do you hesitate?"
"Shut up. Get everyone out. Now."
She snapped, voice laced with panic.
The Grand Priest blinked, stunned.
"What—"
