Chapter 421

Chapter 421: The Priestess’s Heartfelt Thoughts

Among everyone, the one carrying the heaviest heart was undoubtedly the catalyst of this incident—the Black Dragon Priestess Galantis.

"This is my fault."

Perched on a rock at some distance from the camp, Galantis sat motionless in the shadows like a stone carving.

When Midi sought her out, these were the priestess’s first words.

Her pointed ears hung limply, stripped of their usual haughtiness, while her eyes—once sharp with arrogance—now stared dully ahead.

"Sethe always annoyed me, but he’d never acted this boldly before. I never imagined things would escalate like this," Galantis sighed heavily. "Had I known, I should’ve sent Zaride to Mososbury City instead. Success in the tribe made me careless. Careless people don’t last long in the Shaded Realm—how could I forget such basic wisdom?"

"Even if you hadn’t come, Sethe might’ve targeted the Wolfspider tribe directly," Midi shrugged. "A time bomb would explode sooner or later. Better detonate it early."

This wasn’t comfort.

Looking back, Sethe’s actions that day held too many irregularities.

Without inside information, that pampered brat couldn’t have learned of Galantis’s arrival so quickly, nor positioned his men at the Dragon Spear weapon shop’s entrance.

Where leaks existed, provocation surely followed.

In Midi’s experience, nothing stirred a spoiled heir’s pride faster than whispered encouragement.

Thus, Sethe’s extreme reaction upon seeing Galantis made twisted sense—he needed to prove his manhood and claim her as his woman.

What schemes hid behind this drama? A trap for the Wolfspider tribe? Political maneuvering between major families? Midi couldn’t tell.

But one truth remained: once involved, weakness meant destruction.

Patience and compromise only emboldened bullies.

Violence demanded violence.

That’s why Midi had stepped forward faster than anyone, rejecting the spoiled heir outright.

"Easy for you to say, human," Galantis frowned. "If Death Scorpion’s a bomb, even its sparks could shatter our tribe." She added quietly, "Things would be simpler if I weren’t the Black Dragon Priestess."

"Simpler how?" Midi blinked.

Did she know solutions beyond his mind lock ability?

"If I were ordinary, I’d just surrender to Sethe," Galantis answered with a bitter smile.

Black Dragon Priestesses must be women. Their marital choices swayed tribes, families, even cities.

With the bonfire gathering approaching, the blood oath ritual required two priestesses—Zaride alone couldn’t suffice.

When Death Scorpion’s heir targeted Galantis, he threatened the entire Wolfspider tribe.

That’s why everyone supported Midi’s intervention.

That’s why Galantis hesitated—not from self-preservation, but fear for her people.

But as an ordinary woman?

The choice simplified—

Yield to Sethe, and all problems dissolved.

Not only that, but perhaps the Wolfspider tribe could gain benefits by connecting with the Death Scorpion family.

Clearly, Galantis had been sighing these days not for herself, but out of worry for her tribe.

For the Wolfspider tribe’s sake, she’d rather become an ordinary woman and endure Sethe’s advances than hinder its growth.

This guy…

Midi struggled to find words.

Though she was willful, reckless, and quick-tempered, she displayed shocking selflessness in this matter.

Still, Midi couldn’t accept Galantis’s approach.

“Even as an ordinary woman, you wouldn’t submit to Sethe,” Midi stated. “I won’t watch my companion get taken.”

Midi could compromise—like enduring temporary slavery to regain freedom later.

But at critical moments, he never yielded.

If he cowered before powerful families and let Galantis become someone’s plaything, he wouldn’t be Midi Asreks who conquered the Belmar Kingdom, Sea of Clouds, and Star Ocean, nor the slayer of a demon viscount.

As the Sword of Victory and Guardian, he protected all equally. Without this resolve, he’d never have reached this height—even with reincarnation, he’d only avoid dangers rather than overcome them.

Galantis misunderstood his words.

The frowning priestess’s cheeks flushed pink.

So he didn’t save me just for my priestess role?

Not because her position mattered to the tribe.

Not for the blood oath’s importance to the bonfire gathering.

Not for any grand scheme.

Midi would’ve protected anyone in her place.

Could this be true?

Her lips curved slightly.

She immediately chided herself—such thoughts were unbecoming of a priestess and might endanger the Wolfspider tribe.

“Your concern pleases me…” Galantis whispered, “…but this can’t happen.”

“What can’t?” Midi leaned closer.

“Starting conflict with Death Scorpions over a common woman is wrong!” Her voice hardened. “Your heroism would doom our tribe! Don’t drag us down!”

Midi smiled. “What use is a tribe that can’t protect its weakest members?”

“You fool!” Galantis’s anger overshadowed her grief.

“Timid tribes attract Death Scorpions, Blue Bloods, Black Bloods—until they sacrifice their last girl to survive. I won’t allow this.”

You don’t understand the Shaded Realm’s harshness!

Or Mososbury City’s powerful families!

Why lecture us?

Galantis bit back these shouts.

The “weak human” she’d mocked had repeatedly amazed her tribe.

Perhaps he truly could elevate the Wolfspider tribe to rival Mososbury’s great houses.

No logic justified this belief. Yet seeing Midi’s calm face, the thought bloomed in her heart.

“With the bonfire gathering nearing, Death Scorpions will act. Let’s see their methods.” Midi gazed toward distant Mososbury City.

Meanwhile, within the Death Scorpion’s stalagmite territory, a blue-eyed dark elf heard his guard captain’s report.

“Memory loss?” Simon’s brow creased.

“Lord Sethe recalls nothing,” the kneeling guard stammered. “Spells and hypnosis failed—it’s like the memory was erased.”

“Though a fool, Sethe’s strong. Interesting…” Simon’s smile chilled the air. “I’ll meet this Midi.”

“Your orders, lord?”

“All major families stir for the bonfire gathering. I’ll go as envoy—prepare my visit.”