Normally, Saintesses are known once they come out of the womb. Their holy power would seep out exponentially because they can't control it. The light would temporarily blind everyone in the vicinity until the High Priest would come and neutralize it. Afterwards, the High Priest would take the child to the High Temple and raise her as their own. Once she receives her first prophecy, she goes through training to better understand her holy powers and how they activate.
The powers of a Saintess relies on their emotions. The first Saintess, Delilah Monte Gris, was well known throughout the land for her smile. Her powers shined through happiness. Flowers blossomed at her skipping, people were healed by her laughter, and wars would end with her dancing. Saintess Delilah was the pinnacle of the High Temple and known as the Grandmother of all Saintesses to come.
The second Saintess, Matilda Le Hemingway, was known for her sadness. Controversial statements flooded the world that she was abused to use her Saintess abilities. In actuality, she was a woman who did everything in her power to carry out her duties. Saintess Matilda would go as far as to hurt herself and trick her brain into depression to bring peace throughout the land. She was the epitome of sacrificing for the greater good.
Penelope Erin Driscoll, the third Saintess, had holy powers that stemmed from her boredom. She had trouble controlling her powers because her boredom was based on her disinterest, which just so happened to be everything. The High Temple searched high and low to give her something that sparked joy so her training could begin. She was one of the Saintesses that started late but made a big impact on society as a whole for not caring for what others thought of her. Saintess Penelope was a political force to be reckoned with, along with being a Saintess of the people.
And so on and so forth…
So then why was there a large gap before Diana finally awakened? Why did she just appear and simply wasn't born here in the first place? Did it have something to do with her past life?
Thoughts swirled in Donna's head as she contemplated. Those thoughts were cut short when Bryant tapped her on the shoulder. She looked at him.
“Yes?” Donna answered.
“You were in such deep thought,” Bryant began. “Let's leave these two for a moment and go somewhere else for the time being.”
Donna raised an eyebrow but realized that Duke Silvercrest and Lady Everdeen were spending yet another night together. She doesn't want to leave her self-proclaimed post but figured that it would be best not to overhear what they're doing in there.
Even if they're not doing anything, Donna can already feel the tension between them. It won't be long until they spend an actual night together.
“Fine,” Donna gave in. “Let's stay in my room for the time being.”
Bryant blushed, “Y-Your room?”
“Don't get any weird ideas. You're older than me by like five years.”
With that said, Donna made her way to her room. Bryant took a quick look around the corridor before entering with her.
Once inside, Donna quickly went into maid-mode, “Would you like some tea?”
Bryant scratched the back of his head, “Might as well, I guess. We'll be awake for a while.”
Donna pulled out the tea set and set it on the table. Bryant took his seat. He watched as Donna began to prepare the tea in front of him.
“You're very diligent,” Bryant complimented.
“Thank you,” Donna said nonchalantly. “I try my best to-...”
Donna paused. She quietly placed the teapot on the table and looked at Bryant with fiery eyes.
“You sensed someone too, didn't you?” Bryant whispered.
“Yes. Their intent is clear,” Donna whispered back. “Unfortunately, I can't get my hands dirty just yet. It will raise suspicion on my end.”
“Are you asking me to get my hands dirty for you?”
“No, I'm asking you to get your hands dirty for our liege.”
“Hmm, my direct master isn't our liege though. I can't just do what others tell me to.”
Donna glared at him, “Our liege is about to become the Duchess of Silvercrest. Is she truly not your direct master?”
Bryant smirked, “Even if she does become the Duchess, my loyalty lies with the Duke.”
Donna turned away from him and walked towards the balcony in her room. Bryant sighed.
“You give up too easily, Sword,” Bryant called out. “Would it hurt you to say please?”
“I don't have time for your antics, Bryant,” Donna dismissed.
She opened the balcony door wide. She closed her eyes and began to feel around the area.
Five? No, seven?
As she felt around, an arrow came straight towards her. Donna's reflexes snapped as she grabbed it, inches away from her neck. She split the arrow with that same hand; her eyes still closed.
There's twelve.
—
Bryant watched from the comfort of his chair, analyzing Donna. He could already tell the amount of assassins that were there and their positioning. He didn't feel the need to do anything yet because none of them made a move.
That was until an arrow came straight towards Donna's neck. Now, he has no choice but to do something.
It's not wise to have the balcony opened wide like that. That's practically begging the assassin to come in and kill whoever they please. This little girl is more than just bold, she's reckless.
When Bryant noticed that Donna grabbed the arrow in one swift motion, he got up. Whoever the assassins work for, they'll report back what they witnessed.
We can't let a single one of them live.
Donna called out to him, not moving from her position, “Hey, do you have a weapon?”
Bryant raises an eyebrow, “Yes. You're not skilled in combat to be using anything bigger than a dagger.”
“Then give me the forks and knives on the table over there.”
Another arrow came at Donna. Instead of grabbing it this time, she just effortlessly blocked it. Bryant quickly picked up the silverware and threw them at Donna to catch.
They were just regular silverware. Butter knives, steak knives and forks. All dull. Bryant couldn't understand why she would use such blunt material as a weapon.
All doubt flew out the window when each utensil was engulfed in holy flames. Bryant's eyes widened.
“What are you doing?!” he whispered loudly. “Are you trying to get caught?!”
“Blame yourself,” Donna retorted. “They all need to die anyway.”
And thus, Donna jumped down from the balcony, diving head first into danger. Bryant began to feel movement towards her direction. Now he really had no choice.
I feel like she'll be okay on her own. I just need to make sure there's no extra pairs of eyes.
This was also a good opportunity to see how well Donna will do on her own with little combat experience, relying heavily on her Sword instincts alone. Gauging her abilities now will help in strengthening what she lacks later on.
“And I was hoping for a dull night,” Bryant sighed.
He headed towards the balcony, locking it behind him and disappearing in a flash.
—
Three killed. Five utensils left. Nine remaining.
Donna was in her element. Engulfed in a bright red aura, her mind became clear. It was like a dense forest getting cleared out to make a road. She just somehow knew what she was supposed to do. She had the strength to throw the utensils at lethal speeds and far distances. She had a keen eye in locking down her target to aim. Leaping from high places and jumping to them became second nature to her. It was also as if her stamina increased.
It's a good thing this title steels my resolve…
If it weren't for becoming a Sword, Donna would've been dead already. The sight of blood would make her shiver and the presence of danger would heighten her anxiety. To be this calm in the face of multiple enemies, she began to envy knights a little bit more.
One steak knife, two butter knives, three forks…
An assassin got too close for comfort and was met with a butter knife pierced through this stomach at great speed. He fell to his agonizing death, bleeding out profusely. His scream was ready to echo throughout the palace grounds but Donna stepped on his head, making him eat the dirt.
“Shut up, you'll wake our liege and our distinguished guest,” Donna scolded.
The assassin's body went limp. Donna sighed.
Make that one butter knife…
The other assassins were right in front of her. They watched as the maid showed no remorse for the man trapped under her shoe. Donna took her foot off of him and stared at the others.
Eight left.
Two at the rear end eyed each other before attempting to make a break for it. Donna leapt above them and took two forks at both of their necks. After stabbing them, she grabbed the forks back.
Six left. Four utensils.
An assassin placed a blade at her neck. Donna's eyes shimmered at the opportunity.
A dagger!
Donna used the steak knife to block the blade from getting too close and maneuvered a butter knife under the assassin's chin. While the assassin fell, she took the dagger and charged at the remaining assassins.
Five left.
Donna danced from one throat to the other. Three didn't go down without a fight and two were too stunned to move from how fast she was. It became an effortless slaughter.
Zero left.
Donna placed the remaining utensils in her pocket. She checked her surroundings. There shouldn't be anyone else around.
That was until she mildly flinched.
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