Kuina stared at the kneeling soldiers in disbelief.
She never imagined something like this could happen.
When she first entered the forbidden zone of Mary Geoise, she had been on edge; the only reason she kept walking was her faith in her teacher, Saint Roselith Seraphina.
The moment the soldiers blocked them, her heart pounded so hard it felt ready to leap from her chest.
But the scene changed in an instant the stern soldiers dropped to their knees.
They begged her teacher for forgiveness.
That was when Kuina realized something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Extremely wrong.
"Saint… Roselith… Seraphina?"
Tiny head, filled with overwhelming confusion.
What exactly was her teacher's identity?
The answer revealed itself without mercy her teacher…
…was one of the World Nobles.
A Celestial Dragon.
"I'm not blaming you at all…"
Saint Roselith Seraphina herself looked slightly stunned; these soldiers reacted faster than trained Marines under battlefield command, collapsing to the ground without hesitation.
Do I truly appear that terrifying?
Am I really no different from the others in their eyes?
"…."
None of the soldiers dared raise their heads.
They could not read her intentions.
They could not understand her.
To them, she was not merely a Marine Rear Admiral
She was a descendant of the so-called "Creators."
A World Noble whose whims could decide life and death.
The most beautiful Celestial Dragon…
And the infamous "Tyrant."
Saint Roselith Seraphina.
"Get up… all of you."
Her voice softened slightly, carrying neither arrogance nor cruelty.
She disliked this kind of submission.
It felt suffocating.
Yet none of them moved.
Because to them, disobedience could mean execution.
Even obedience could mean death.
That was the reality of World Government rule within the Holy Land.
The lead soldier hesitated.
Slowly, cautiously, he raised his head just enough to glance at her expression.
There was no rage.
No madness.
Only faint discomfort… and confusion.
Still, he did not dare gamble his life on assumptions.
Saint Roselith Seraphina exhaled softly.
So this is what they expect…
A Celestial Dragon must punish before granting mercy.
That was the twisted "order" of this place.
"I said stand up."
Her tone hardened instantly.
Authority surged within her voice, sharp and absolute, like a Marine issuing a battlefield command.
"Yes, Lady Seraphina!"
The soldiers immediately rose, as if granted salvation.
Ironically, it was only when she acted like a true Celestial Dragon that they felt safe.
"Do not misunderstand."
"I am not angry."
"In fact… I commend your actions."
Her words froze them in place.
"Maintaining vigilance."
"Stopping unidentified individuals."
"Protecting restricted territory."
"You performed your duties exactly as expected of guards stationed at the Holy Land."
Her tone shifted into something closer to a commanding officer within the Marines.
Firm.
Measured.
Rational.
Not cruel.
Kuina stood beside her, completely stunned.
She had never seen authority used like this before.
"Teacher…"
"…are you really a Celestial Dragon?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
Saint Roselith Seraphina turned toward her.
There was no hesitation now.
"Just as you've realized, Kuina."
"I am a World Noble."
"A Celestial Dragon of the Roselith lineage."
She paused briefly.
Then spoke clearly
"My full name is Saint Roselith Seraphina."
"The daughter of Saint Roselith Victor."
The name carried weight.
Not just noble blood
Power.
Influence.
Authority within the upper structure of the World Government itself.
"Lady Seraphina is a supreme descendant of the founders of this world…"
One of the soldiers began nervously, trying to flatter her position.
"Enough."
Her voice cut through him instantly.
"Return to your posts."
"Maintain your patrol."
"Do your duty properly."
She did not even look at him again.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The soldiers retreated quickly, relief evident in every movement.
They had expected punishment.
Instead, they were dismissed.
As they left, they couldn't help but recall her image
Silver-white hair flowing like frost.
A pristine Marine coat bearing the symbol of Justice.
A presence both noble… and disciplined.
Unlike any Celestial Dragon they had ever encountered.
Kuina remained frozen in place.
Her world had shifted completely.
Her master
The one who trained her in swordsmanship.
The one who corrected her stance, her breathing, her will
Was a Celestial Dragon.
And yet…
Nothing about her resembled the monsters described in whispered rumors.
Kuina's thoughts spiraled.
The newspapers spoke of noble protectors.
Revolutionaries spoke of tyrants.
Which one was true?
Or… could both exist at the same time?
She looked at Saint Roselith Seraphina again.
Calm.
Composed.
Unmoved by status.
Was her teacher the exception…
Or proof that the system itself was broken?
"Stop overthinking."
Bruce's voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts.
He adjusted his stance slightly, ever the silent guardian.
"Lady Seraphina…"
"…is not like the others."
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
Identity Recognition Complete:
Name: Saint Roselith Seraphina
Status: Celestial Dragon (World Noble)
Affiliation: Marines (Rear Admiral Rank)
Authority Override: Active within Mary Geoise
Kuina swallowed hard.
The truth had finally been revealed.
And yet
It only raised even greater questions about the world she thought she understood.
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