Chapter 2
"No, no, how could that be..."
Aurora hurriedly shook her head.
Serena chuckled mischievously in her heart and continued playing along.
She put on a troubled expression and spoke again:
"I'm sorry, I'm just a country girl, maybe..."
A look of hurt appeared on Serena's face. However, in the shadows where no one could see, a small tail with a heart-shaped tip was gently swaying.
Seeing Serena like this, Aurora clumsily changed the subject.
"Um, we should reach Ganquan Fort tonight. I hear the water there is clear and sweet. We should all stock up on some when we arrive."
Ganquan Fort.
Serena once again sank into memories.
Yes, it was this very place that, in her past life, set her and Aurora on completely divergent paths.
That was the starting point where fate began to turn.
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Chapter 2: Just a Little More Effort, and Fate Will Move on Its Own
"Ah, we finally get to sleep indoors today?"
The wagon stopped, and the girls filed out, curiously looking at Ganquan Fort before them.
Although the name suggests a military fortress, it actually resembles more of a market town.
Around the small castle towering beside the cliff face, even at a cursory glance, dozens of huts and several longhouses could be seen nestled within the fenced-in camp.
This couldn't help but raise a flicker of hope in the hearts of these girls who had slept in tents for several days.
"Wishful thinking!"
The Steward of Miscellaneous Affairs had just finished speaking with the guards and was passing by on his way back.
"This place is big and has many rooms, but they aren't prepared for you young girls."
"Only distinguished guests passing through or travelers who can afford it can stay. Tell me, which category do you fit into?"
Upon hearing this, the girls resignedly walked towards the open space reserved for them by the post station and efficiently set up their tents.
Serena looked at her companions with a smile, though inwardly she was quite dismissive.
After dark, when that thing happens, you'll probably wish you were in tents instead.
Suddenly, a soft whisper reached her ear from Aurora.
"Um, a few of us are actually sharing a room. If you're willing, we could probably squeeze in..."
Serena's heart leaped with joy—if Aurora could say something like this, it seemed her previous efforts hadn't been in vain!
Wasn't this a chance to advance her plan, delivered right into her hands by her destined rival herself!
In this life, she had already awakened her Succubus Bloodline. She could easily take this opportunity to infiltrate Aurora's dreams.
After a few more times, even if Aurora is a willful Saintess Candidate, she won't escape Serena's grasp.
However, unfortunately, she still had to decline for now.
'I still have to give it one last try. If I can't get past tonight's hurdle, I'll be back on the old path again. There's plenty of time in the future...'
Thinking this, Serena softly refused:
"It wouldn't be good if others saw us. I understand your kindness, thank you."
Aurora nodded and walked away with a hint of regret.
Meanwhile, Serena hurried into the camp and began helping to set up tents.
Just this time, the Steward of Miscellaneous Affairs, who usually busied himself around the wagons, quietly approached her.
"Hey, upon closer look, you're a first-rate beauty too."
The voice wasn't loud, but it was just enough to fill Serena with disgust—even in her past life as a succubus, she wouldn't have looked twice at this kind of trash, let alone now when she only accepts women.
She didn't stop her work, only responding softly:
"I don't deserve such praise. I'm just a country girl..."
However, the other person didn't listen at all. Instead, he continued:
"Actually, none of you have much hope this time. For years, the Church's Saintesses have either come from noble families or are actually the illegitimate daughters of certain lords. Among your group, I'm afraid only Miss Granster has a chance of being selected."
Serena, of course, knew that normally, this was the case.
Still, she replied calmly:
"So what? Those who decide who becomes Saintess are not just one or two people. Besides, there's more than one Saintess position anyway, so how can we have no chance?"
"Heh heh, you're thinking too shallowly."
The steward spoke as he moved closer.
"Bishops have their candidates, Stewards have their favors—while there is more than one Saintess position, when those above can't even divide them among themselves, what can you hope for? Even Miss Granster is not guaranteed a spot, let alone you?"
Serena, of course, understood the meaning of these words.
She never expected to become a Saintess through normal election in the first place.
As an orphan raised by a country priest, she was utterly alone and helpless in this world.
Even in her past life's much better world, lacking connections could make life difficult; here, it certainly wouldn't be any easier.
However, since Serena came to participate in this selection, she naturally had her own little schemes.
But for now, she wouldn't tell anyone.
"Mr. Steward, are you telling me this because you can help me?"
She didn't think this minnow could actually help, but what if there was useful information?
"Heh heh, I'm just a nobody. What could I do? However, if you fail the selection, I can marry you. Then you won't have to return to the countryside to live a hard life."
Alright, she really shouldn't have expected too much.
Seeing this guy had only this much on his mind, Serena couldn't be bothered to keep up the act any longer. Her expression instantly turned cold.
"I'm sorry, I refuse."
Hearing the unexpected rejection, the Steward of Miscellaneous Affairs' face immediately changed.
"Don't be ungrateful! I may not be anyone important, but I have a small estate in the outskirts of the Royal Capital and an annual income of dozens of silver coins. This is a good life you could never even dream of in your village!"
"You're still young and don't understand things. I'll give you one more chance!"
A flash of killing intent crossed Serena's mind—Who the hell do you think you are!
However, she still knew what was important. Even though this trash before her was a grasshopper she could easily crush, she wouldn't do anything here.
"Please say no more. I have decided to dedicate my life to Saint Gillian and will never marry."
After saying this, she also finished arranging the last piece of tarp and nimbly ran towards her companions.
The steward was stunned for a moment, greedily watching the deer-like figure in the twilight and swallowing hard.
"Sooner or later, you won't escape my grasp. Next time, I won't be so polite!"
When Serena reached her companions, she found all the girls staring intently in one direction.
Curious, she followed their gaze and a teasing remark slipped out.
"Hehe, are you all feeling spring fever? They're just some cavalry..."
"What are you saying!"
Contrary to her expectation, Aurora was the first to refute her.
"That's the strongest Morning Glory Knight Order of our Maconnia Kingdom! Becoming a Morning Glory Knight is the dream of almost every boy."
Serena sneered inwardly with disdain.
Morning Glory Knights... the name is indeed grand, but in her memory, they were merely a group of brutes she easily manipulated and ultimately turned into her obedient Evil Spirits.
However, these guys were indeed useful as thugs, especially after they were transformed into undead who obeyed Serena's every command. They fought several times more effectively than before.
If these guys hadn't been defeated so early in her past life, the Maconnia Kingdom wouldn't have been pushed into such a dire situation by Serena.
Alas, even so, it still couldn't... Serena shook her head, ending the recollection.
These few Morning Glory Knights are also key pieces of her current plan. Even for the sake of her own 'lying flat' ambitions, she must find a way to prevent these guys from pointlessly sacrificing themselves as they did in her memories.
'The puzzle is almost complete. Just a little more patience, and then a little more effort, and everything will start moving on its own...'
Chapter 3: The Night Fate Turns (Part 1)
"Bandit Group! The Demon Spider Bandit Group is here!"
A hoarse, desperate roar tore through the peace of the long night.
Aurora jolted awake, scrambled out of the room, and looked around to assess the situation.
At first, everything within Ganquan Fort seemed normal.
In the flickering firelight, she vaguely saw Priest Allen retreating with a few others towards the Count Granster's daughter's carriage.
Yet around their area and the tents, there wasn't a single adult in sight!
Even though Aurora had been strong-willed and clear-sighted since childhood, she was now utterly panicked.
What's happening? Where are the bandits? What should I do?
Stumbling along, she didn't know where she was going or where she could even go.
Just as she was lost and bewildered, a warm hand suddenly grasped hers.
From behind came Serena's gentle voice: "Come with me, it's not safe here!"
Driven by instinct, Aurora followed in a daze.
When she saw bright flames again, they had already reached the east gate of Ganquan Fort's outer Fence.
"The earlier noise came from the west gate. If attacked, this would be the best place to escape."
"But the gate is locked..."
"I think, soon there will be people with the same idea as us coming here."
Aurora looked back into the camp. Sure enough, she could see several torches rapidly approaching.
Suddenly, she thought of something and urgently tightened her grip on Serena's hand.
"Wait! It's just us here, what about the others?"
"Others? You don't think Priest Allen and the others care about us two, do you? As for me, I only have the confidence to bring you along."
Aurora's heart sank instantly.
She understood that Serena was not wrong. They were all young girls. For Serena to think of pulling her to safety was already being a good friend.
But the lives of the other dozen or so sisters... she didn't dare think about it.
In the midst of her confusion, the people holding torches were already right in front of her.
It turned out to be a Circuit Judge passing through and his attendants.
Behind them were even a few shrewd merchants.