Chapter 11: Burnt

"Cindy... Seriously, what's your deal now? You've already made my life a living nightmare. Are you here to mock me, just like some of my lovely sisters did?" Aurianna blurted out, frustration evident in her voice.

Aurianna couldn't stand being in Cindy's presence. Truth be told, Cindy was even worse than her sisters. At least her sisters didn't pretend to be something they weren't in front of Aurianna.

Cindy, with her usual lack of tact, responded, "Look, I came here to apologize. Things didn't have to escalate like this, but if you hadn't run off, we wouldn't have had to resort to such measures. And maybe, just maybe, if you had owned up to it, Kent could have protected you."

Although Aurianna couldn't see Cindy's face, she had a gut feeling that there was a hint of a smirk accompanying her words. It was as if Cindy wanted to convey a silent message of, "You brought this upon yourself." It became painfully clear to Aurianna that Cindy's apology was nothing more than an attempt to alleviate her own guilt, assuming she even had a conscience. Aurianna couldn't help but feel a bitter pang in her heart.

"So, let me get this straight. You're actually suggesting that I should bear the blame for a crime I didn't commit? Who on earth do you think I am!?" Aurianna clenched her teeth, her voice dripping with bitterness and anger, as she vehemently challenged Cindy's audacious proposition.

Determined to express her feelings before facing the grim fate of execution, Aurianna resolved to give Cindy a piece of her mind, especially after hearing the audacity of her words.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Cindy uttered, "Listen. You still have a chance. Just admit that you did it, and we, the supposed heroes, can save you."

Aurianna couldn't believe her ears. She felt a mix of anger and disbelief rising within her. "You? Heroes? Please, spare me. You're all despicable villains, utterly useless without me. And now that I'm powerless, you think I need your charity? That I'd rely on the very same people who backstabbed me, violated me, and spread malicious lies about me!?"

Despite the turmoil raging within her, Aurianna made a concerted effort to maintain her composure. She knew that her powerlessness had made her an easy target, and it came as no surprise that they had captured her. They sought to use her as their personal pawn, their plaything. She was well aware of their vile intentions, yet her anger proved difficult to contain.

"Leave me alone! I want nothing to do with you filthy creeps!" Aurianna shouted with conviction, her voice carrying a potent mix of anger and repulsion.

Cindy flinched ever so slightly, momentarily taken aback by Aurianna's fiery response. However, she swiftly regained her composure, clearly caught off guard by Aurianna's fierce reaction.

"Aurianna, can't you see? They're literally discussing your execution! And I genuinely don't want you to die. The other heroes feel the same way," Cindy pleaded, her voice filled with concern.

Aurianna responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, really? So let's just imagine I confess to a crime I didn't commit, and you miraculously save me. What happens next? Am I magically healed only to become a helpless pawn, forced into the role of a sex slave for you sick heroes?"

Cindy couldn't help but twitch with irritation. 'Why is Aurianna making this so difficult?' she thought to herself. 'She's not wrong. That was indeed our plan for her, but who would have thought she'd see through our ulterior motives and be so prepared to face death instead.'

Realizing the futility of her coercive tactics, Cindy finally abandoned her pretense. With frustration in her voice, she shouted, "Fine! If you're so adamant about dying, then go ahead! But don't come crawling back later, begging for me, Derek, or Kent to save you!"

With that, Cindy released the silencing magic that had been in place, ensuring their conversation remained confidential, before storming off, seething with anger.

Now left alone in her cell, awaiting her impending demise, Aurianna found herself consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions once again.

As she sat in solitude, deep in contemplation, Aurianna had a realization. Her anger wasn't solely directed towards the heroes or even the King, as she initially thought. Instead, she found herself harboring a deep resentment towards herself.

Azarath's warnings echoed in her mind, a voice of reason that she had chosen to foolishly ignore. Perhaps it was her pride or unwavering confidence as a Saintess, something she had dedicated her entire life to, that led her to believe it held significant meaning. But in the end, it amounted to nothing. She discovered that her devotion had only exacerbated the situation, making everything worse.

She had poured her heart and soul into her pursuits, making countless sacrifices along the way, only to realize that they had all been in vain. The weight of this realization pressed heavily upon her. Aurianna had yearned to have faith in her father, the king, but the cruel truth was that he wasn't even her biological father. Everything she had placed her trust in, everything she had believed to be true, had crumbled before her eyes, leaving her with a sense of betrayal and a hollow feeling of emptiness.

In the face of this disillusionment, Aurianna couldn't help but question the worth of her efforts and the validity of her beliefs. It seemed that everything she had once cherished and relied upon had proven to be devoid of value, mere illusions or fleeting moments of happiness that slipped through her fingers like sand.

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Aurianna's brief moment of solitude was rudely interrupted as she was forcefully dragged out of her dingy cell and ushered towards the bustling front gates of the castle. The air was thick with the raucous uproar of the crowd, as an unruly mass of people jeered and shouted her name, flinging vile insults her way. The derogatory labels of "witch," "monster," "traitor," and "****" were hurled at her, each word cutting deeper than the last. It was as if her entire existence had become a target for their venomous disdain.

Feeling the rough bindings securing her body to an object, Aurianna couldn't help but acknowledge the grim reality that awaited her. 'Burning on a stake, huh,' she mused bitterly, a sense of resignation settling upon her weary soul.

Though Aurianna had grown accustomed to the incessant barrage of insults, the sting of their words remained, for it was a painful reminder that nobody cared to listen to her side of the story. Even her personal guard, who had seemed sympathetic to her cause, was noticeably absent in this crucial moment. It felt as though he, too, had abandoned her when the chips were down, leaving her to face her fate alone. But she knew too well of the fate he had already faced.

The absence of her guard at the execution struck Aurianna deeply, for in her sightless world, she clung to the faint hope that he would be by her side, if only to silently show that he cared in her final moments. It wasn't about grand gestures or heroic feats, but simply the solace of knowing she wasn't completely forsaken.

As the relentless onslaught of insults continued, Vatium's words echoed through Aurianna's mind like a haunting refrain. "Once you lose your purpose, they will abandon you." In the midst of the turmoil, those bitter words resonated within her, serving as a harsh reminder of the fickle nature of loyalty and the harsh reality of being discarded when deemed useless.

Aurianna's laughter echoed through the air, a mix of hysteria and brokenness. Her mind, once filled with determination and compassion, had been shattered. Regret gnawed at her, questioning her choice to fight for these people, to care for them.

Ever since she had lost her powers, they discarded her like a worthless piece of trash. They couldn't sell her as a slave due to her former royal status, but they found other ways to vent their anger and frustration.

"Burn that Saintess!" The angry crowd of citizens shouted with venomous fervor. "Burn the church!"

"Burn that wicked woman! How dare she offer herself to the Demon King?!"

"She deserves to die!" The people's voices echoed with anger.

Under the blazing sun, a gathering of over one hundred thousand individuals had converged at the center of the High Land. It was a diverse crowd, encompassing people of all ages, from the elderly to the middle-aged and the young. Yet, the common thread among them was the chorus of the eruption of insults and curses that spewed forth from their mouths. Hatred tainted every word they shouted.

The two suns hung high in the sky, witnessing the scene unfolding before them. The atmosphere crackled with animosity as the crowd vented their rage towards the figures standing on the stage. It was a sight filled with a chaotic blend of anger and resentment, united in their desire to see Aurianna suffer.

In that moment, Aurianna realized the bitter truth: the people she had fought for, the ones she had believed in, had turned their backs on her. The very ones she had once hoped to protect now reveled in her downfall, their disdain pouring forth with every word they hurled. The sea of anger engulfed her, drowning out any remaining flicker of hope.

Amidst the sea of onlookers, only a minority wore expressions of pain and regret, their faces etched with sorrow as tears streamed down their cheeks, witnessing the unfolding of this grotesque spectacle. They represented a glimmer of compassion in a crowd dominated by anger and hatred.

Aurianna, her body marred by horrific scars and her visage drained of vitality, was tightly bound to a wooden pole at the center of the stage. Beside her, a line of individuals were also bound to their respective poles, awaiting the same gruesome fate.

The air was thick with the noxious mixture of smoke and sickening stench of burning flesh, as the magical flames consumed some of the unfortunate souls tied to the wooden poles. The sickening scent permeated the surroundings, a stark reminder of the inhumanity unfolding before the crowd's eyes.

"Father, please... Help me..." Aurianna pleaded, her voice filled with desperation and anguish. She glanced upward, her gaze fixed upon the man who stood high above, observing the macabre proceedings from the safety of his castle.

Tears welled up in her eyes, a manifestation of her profound sorrow and longing for mercy. This wasn't the first time she had implored her father for assistance, but this time, he acknowledged her words. Yet, instead of offering solace or aid, he met her plea with a cold, disdainful glare, treating her as though she were nothing more than a discarded piece of refuse beneath his boot. The betrayal pierced her heart, adding another layer of agony to her already unbearable suffering.

Aurianna's gaze remained fixed on her father, a mixture of pain and disappointment etched upon her face. Even though she couldn't see his expression, she could feel the weight of his disapproval in her bones, causing her to shiver involuntarily. His reaction, though not unexpected, still pierced her heart deeply.

As the crowd's cacophony grew louder, Aurianna's head lowered in response. A somber and darkened expression settled upon her features, overshadowing any flicker of hope that may have remained. In this moment, she realized the extent of her own naivety and the folly of sacrificing her life for people who now sought her death in her most vulnerable state.

After fulfilling her duty of vanquishing the Demon King, Aurianna had unwittingly become a perceived threat to the crown. The king and the hero, fearful of her power and influence, couldn't afford to have someone of her capabilities lingering, especially once her primary purpose had been fulfilled.

Whispers had spread like wildfire, insinuating that she had consorted with demons, implicating her in the Demon King's plot to destroy the High Land. Through innuendo and malicious rumors, they painted her as the villain, claiming that her motivations stemmed from being the lover of the very enemy she had fought against. It was a twisted narrative aimed at further tarnishing her name and justifying the heinous act about to befall her.

The weight of betrayal and slander pressed heavily upon Aurianna's shoulders, exacerbating her already immense pain. In the face of such injustice, she could only reflect on the harsh reality that those she had once fought for were now the very ones eager to condemn her.

As Aurianna's pleas for justice and her genuine disbelief at the betrayal fell upon deaf ears, the crowd's response intensified, their venomous words piercing her already wounded heart. The very people she had selflessly devoted herself to helping and saving now turned against her, fueling her anguish and regret.

"I never did anything wrong! How could you all do this to me after everything I've done for you?" Aurianna's voice cracked, the weight of her heartbreak tearing at her very being. But her words were met with jeers and vile accusations, denying her the justice and compassion she so desperately sought.

"Shut up! You're just a **** who seduced the Prince and the Hero!"

"Yeah!"

"You disgusting man-stealer!"

The onslaught of insults and degrading remarks continued, each word laced with scorn, hate, and disgust. Aurianna could feel the numbness that had settled within her veins morph into something far more sinister as their slandering persisted. The weight of her situation grew unbearable, the burden of their collective betrayal crushing her spirit.

Her face, once a reflection of sadness and profound betrayal, twisted into one of deep-rooted resentment. In that moment, the last embers of her faith in humanity were extinguished, replaced by a seething anger born from the depths of her wounded soul. The very people she had fought to protect and believed in had turned against her, tarnishing her reputation and condemning her to a cruel and unjust fate.

As Aurianna's blind gaze met the crowd, a mix of disbelief and sorrow washed over her. The people who had once hailed her as a savior, showering her with adoration and affection, were now the very ones thirsting for her demise. It was a stark and painful realization that shattered the illusions she had clung to for so long.

Amidst the chaos and hatred, a voice reached her ears. It was the head priest, Deille, who stood beside her, also bound and facing the wrath of the crowd. His regret-filled words resonated with her, a testament to the shattered trust they both shared.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Aurianna," Deille's voice carried a weight of remorse and sadness.

Aurianna turned towards him, her expression filled with a complex blend of sadness and self-reflection. "There's no need to apologize," she said, her voice laced with a touch of bitterness. "I was the dumb one who chose to turn a blind eye, to believe in the fleeting praises and adulation of these people. I should have stood with you from the beginning, embraced the truth that lay beyond their fickle affections."

Deille nodded, a glimmer of gratitude shining in his eyes, grateful for her understanding and lack of resentment. Together, they faced the hostile crowd, united by their shared realization of the fickleness of public opinion.

The sight of his followers, their eyes shut with tears streaming down their faces as they whispered fervent prayers, weighed heavily upon Deille. He desperately cried out, "Oh goddess, please, if you see this, save their poor souls and save us too."

Aurianna, her head bowed, displayed a chilling countenance as she muttered with resignation, "It's futile, Head Priest. The goddess has forsaken us, and our prayers fall upon deaf ears."

Although she had been stripped of most of her powers, Aurianna's inherent perception as the Saintess remained intact. Within the depths of her being, she could discern the goddess's scornful laughter echoing from above, a taunting gesture aimed at her and the devoted congregants. Having endured moments of torment in Russel's torture chamber at the hands of the very goddess, Aurianna comprehended that this grim spectacle served to satiate the deity's twisted desires.

Paige's words reverberated through her mind, resonating with a haunting clarity. "Do you grasp why these people yearn for your demise? It is because they all adore you….yet they can never possess you. So why not destroy something they desire but they can never attain, denying anyone else the chance?!" A wicked snicker escaped Paige's lips, fueling Aurianna's simmering anger, causing her to clench her teeth in frustration.

Aurianna shut her eyes, allowing the deafening cheers to fade into the background as she braced herself for the impending embrace of death.

A knight approached her, his gaze fixed upon her figure. "Tell me, Saintess, do you harbor any regrets?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

In response, Aurianna's fist clenched tightly, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and resentment, "Regrets? My sole regret is squandering my entire life in a futile attempt to save a horde of ungrateful parasites like all of you!"

Enraged by her scathing words, the people erupted into a chorus of chants, repeatedly bellowing, "Burn her! Burn her!"

Seizing the moment, the king issued the command, "Let the burning commence!" Following the king's command, fires were ignited beneath the captured individuals of the church. Agonizing screams pierced the surrounding space, the anguished cries weaving a haunting melody. The acrid stench of smoke and burning flesh assailed Aurianna's senses, threatening to trigger her cough reflex.

The wails of torment drew nearer, as if the victims were systematically set ablaze, one after another. A chilling realization struck Aurianna—she was being saved as the grand finale, the pinnacle of this gruesome spectacle.

In due course, Aurianna's ears caught the anguished cry of Deille, his voice beseeching for salvation from the Goddess in his final breath.

Streams of tears cascaded down Aurianna's anguished face as she braced herself for the grim fate that awaited her. All she yearned for now was an end to the excruciating pain and overwhelming shame that weighed upon her. The haunting sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, signaling the guard's preparation to ignite the flames beneath her.

However, amidst the subdued murmurs, a voice within the crowd dared to question the severity of her punishment. "Why should we simply kill the Saintess? Isn't death too kind a fate for her?" The man's audacious inquiry pierced through the diminished chants, reaching Aurianna's ears.

Within the assembly, heads nodded in agreement, aligning with the provocative notion. "Indeed, why not sell her to a brothel? Even in her disfigured state, they could procure the services of an skilled overseas healer to restore her," another individual declared, their words laced with a perverse eagerness.

Aurianna trembled involuntarily as their words bore into her, their intentions more malicious than she had ever fathomed. Couldn't they grant her the solace of a peaceful demise? Hadn't they extracted enough from her already? These people exceeded the bounds of her worst imaginings, harboring a twisted desire to exploit her until she was utterly depleted.

Yet, before she could fully grasp the depths of their depravity, flames erupted beneath her, fiercely consuming her form. The intense heat enveloped her entire being, transforming her into a human pyre, an embodiment of searing agony.

"Chillalalala," Aurianna's laughter echoed through the air, mingling with the crackling of the flames. It started as a release, a cathartic escape from the impending fate desired by the vengeful crowd. However, her laughter soon wavered, giving way to a trembling fear that coursed through her veins. The searing heat of the fire began to seep into her awareness, and the reality of her burning skin struck her with a jolt.

As the flames rose, scorching her feet and engulfing her in their fiery embrace, the once sorrowful expression she wore transformed into one of unadulterated rage, painting her face with a manic intensity. The pain that gnawed at her flesh morphed into an overwhelming revulsion, yet she remained resolute. Despite the smoke stinging her eyes, she refused to grant the crowd the satisfaction of witnessing her agony.

Summoning her inner strength, she opened her mouth and spat out defiant words, imbued with a raw power that emanated from the depths of her battered soul. "I swear upon that worthless ***** goddess, Paige, and any other gods you ungrateful swine worship, you shall never taste peace again!" The proclamation escaped her lips, propelled by a profound determination and an indomitable spirit.

The once boisterous clamor of the crowd faded into the background as they stared at the girl before them, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched upon their faces. They had anticipated screams of agony, tears of regret, and pleas for mercy, yet instead they were met with her unsettling, maniacal laughter. In that moment, Aurianna defied their expectations, rising above the torment inflicted upon her and embracing her newfound strength in the face of their wickedness.

Despite her laughter, her countenance bore the mark of a tormented soul, emanating a wrath that mirrored the depths of the underworld. Surprisingly, the flames surrounding her seemed feeble in comparison to the intensity of her inner fury. And yet, despite her defiance, she could not escape the reality of her impending demise. The fire consumed her, its suffocating smoke clawing at her throat.

As the flames danced around her, she couldn't help but let tears stream down her face, only to evaporate instantly upon contact with the scorching heat. In her desperation, she pleaded to any higher power that might be listening, "I don't want to die, not like this. Please, if there is something or someone out there, save me!"

Ding!

Suddenly, a notification sound echoed in her ears, cutting through the chaos of the moment. Aurianna's eyes widened in disbelief as she saw a screen materialize before her, seemingly suspended in time. The world around her froze, including the motionless figures of the people who had condemned her.

[ Requirement has been fulfilled ]

[ Diamond Pearl has been summoned ]

Her vision sharpened, and she marveled at her newfound ability to see clearly. But amidst the confusion of how she could even see in the first place, her focus honed in on one particular detail—the presence of a specific entity that had materialized before her. Its name was displayed on the screen, shining with an otherworldly brilliance.

"Diamond Pearl."

Suddenly in front of her, Aurianna encountered a stunning woman whose gentle smile radiated comfort, as if enveloped in a motherly embrace. The woman possessed short, snowy white hair and a complexion that boasted a captivating richness of brown tones. Adorning her forehead was a pristine white pearl, adding an ethereal touch to her appearance. A pair of pale purple eyes, each adorned with a golden clock, captivated Aurianna's attention. The woman's attire consisted of an elegant white mechanical dress, and surrounding her were four enigmatic robotic heads, each adorned with graceful horns, floating gracefully in the air.

Meeting Aurianna's bewildered gaze, the woman maintained her serene smile, her voice carrying a soothing melody as she spoke, "Restart."

As soon as those words escaped her lips, darkness enveloped Aurianna, shrouding her in an abyss devoid of light.

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