Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Devon could be seen climbing the stairs of the hotel which was the most important establishment in Ownhorg at the moment.

His confident demeanor was actually a facade. The person he was supposed to meet wasn't just any church member he had faced in the past. Although he has exchanged a few letters with her, this was the first time Devon was going to meet her in person.

That's why, even though his back was straight and not a single speck of apprehension could be detected from his expression, from the inside, Devon was indeed quite nervous.

*Creak*

Stepping on the last stair, he turned towards the left and found Liam and Christopher standing there.

They naturally paused and turned to look at him, "Hello gentlemen." Devon greeted, as he tried to silently pass by them and enter the room.

However, "Wait a minute; where do you think you are going?"

Christopher's tone irritated Devon, however, naturally, he retained a smiling face and said, "I was summoned by the Saintess."

Christopher narrowed his eyes before he walked toward the door and knocked on it, "Your Holiness, is it true?"

Devon failed to hear anything from the other side but the way Christopher's eyes widened, it was apparent that he got the answer.

He stepped back and told the commander, "Check him."

Devon heaved a sigh and extended his arms, allowing Liam to search his clothes for any suspicious substance.

Once Liam was sure he gave a nod of approval before Devon fixed his clothes and walked past the two.

He gave a soft knock before waking inside the room.

*Click*

As he closed the door and gazed at the figure sitting near the window, Devon was frozen at his place for a moment.

She looks beautiful.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Although the upper half of her face was covered, Devon could tell that this woman was practically the most beautiful human he had ever gazed at.

Her long greenish-black hair was cascading down her left shoulder, as the lady sat on the chair with her left leg draped over the other elegantly. Her whole demeanor was calm and warm, making one believe that nothing bad could happen in her presence.

'No rumors about her were untrue…she indeed is the Mother of Humanity.'

Devon almost felt kneeling before her and worshipping the woman; however, he stopped himself just in time and asked,

"You asked for me, lady?"

"Devon. Sit down first." She gestured towards the chair resting beside the door, which Devon took and after bringing it forward a little, he sat down while facing the lady.

Her face was still towards the window, seeming like she was basking in the ethereal glow of the moon.

"Tell me, Devon, he is here, no?".

Devon didn't have to ask for whom this 'he' referred to, before he answered, "Yes, Your Holiness. Alex is here."

Very faintly, he saw her lips stretching in a smile, but that might be his imagination.

"Do you want me to call him?" Devon asked and that made her flinch. This time he was sure that she jolted hearing that.

She turned towards him, and remained silent for a few minutes, possibly pondering.

Devon didn't disturb her while she contemplated.

There is something about Alex in which she is interested—that was his deduction seeing how the Saintess insisted on making Alex her bodyguard.

Finally, she gave an answer, "No, that won't be necessary. I want to take my time."

She softly patted her chest, making Devon look away instantly.

"Ah, Your Holiness, but he won't be actively around you. Alex was told to guard you from the shadows."

"I am aware. But that's no problem." Her calm demeanor returned as she again turned toward the window.

After a brief pause, she asked, "Did you send them the proposals, as I asked you?"

Devon slowly nodded, "Yes, Supreme Grace. As you said, I sent numerous proposals for Your Highness Celestria's marriage this evening."

Devon was told by the Saintess that for the Princess' and the nation's betterment, it was necessary for Celestria to get married this year.

"The path she is treading on is dangerous and would lead her father to his demise. It's necessary for her to detach herself from the nation as soon as she can." The Saintess added, making Devon feel a little apprehensive.

The words of the Holy One were absolute, and if she says that Celestria might bring Grimland to its demise, then it must be the case.

"I have shortlisted the best grooms for the Princess along with a piece of advice for the Majesty. He would understand what must be done."

The Saintess gave a faint nod, "Well done, Devon. Come and get your reward."

Devon stood up and after reaching near her, he knelt down and raised both of his hands above his head.

Soon he found a thin vial resting on his hand as the Saintess said, "Three large containers of Absolute Heal potions. Use it wisely, Devon."

Devon was smiling ear to ear as he stood back up and said, "I cannot express how thankful I am right now of you, Your Holiness. Thank you."

The Saintess didn't say anything as Devon stepped back and walked out of the room.

He can finally reduce some burden for Melissa.

—-------**---------

Alex yawned as he stood near the edge of the rooftop and continued to look at the woman who was continuously sitting near the window.

There was nothing she did, no resting, no moving, no reading…just sitting there and looking at nothing constant. Her eyes were covered so he didn't know whether she was even awake or not.

'She is mysterious and beautiful…' Alex couldn't get tired of staring at her; however, to prevent himself from slacking, he kept moving around.

There have been no suspicious movements within the city borders; however, outside, he heard the sound of people clashing, which means that, indeed, the foreign countries were aware of the Saintes's presence.

'Why do I feel that these shallow attacks are just to assess the situation?'

Even if that horde of wolves attack the town, Alex doesn't think they would be able to protect the Saintess for long. After all, the soldiers of the Steelhound were trained by the Lord of the house and were provided with excellent weapons.

Although these soldiers were strong, they couldn't be compared to them. And Devon cannot handle the situation from every direction.

'I just hope the enemy forces don't involve inhumane…'

Alex remained standing there for another hour before the carriage was brought back in front of the hotel again.

Stretching his body a little, Alex prepared himself. His horse was stationed behind the building.

Once he ensured that the lady sat inside the carriage along with Christopher and Devon boarding another carriage behind hers, Alex jumped down the building and landed beside his horse.

"McQueen, let's go for another ride." The black mare neighed in response before Alex climbed the magical beast.

He has yet to summon his own Soul beast; however, he hoped he could get something like a horse so traveling around becomes a little easier.

The carriage rolled out of the town slowly and Alex followed it from a different lane, his ears picking the sound of the wheels as they moved.

Finally, out of the city boundaries, a whole group of horse-riding soldiers began following the carriages, keeping them in the middle.

There were around sixty horse-riding soldiers who were traveling in a hexagonal pattern with both carriages in the middle, to provide maximum security.

Alex was traveling about two hundred meters on their left flank. While they moved through the plain path, Alex's route was through the forest to keep himself hidden from the plain sight.

His eyes continued to survey the surroundings and the soldiers for any possible traitor to show its true color.

For a few miles, nothing happened, and Alex also continued to move without any pause.

However, the sky suddenly darkened, prompting Alex to glance upward.

His breath caught. It wasn't the sky that darkened. It was countless rows of arrows blotting out the light, descending like a storm of death upon the battalion.

"WATCH OUT!"

A soldier screamed and leaped from his horse, raising a shield as he planted himself before the carriage. The others followed, dismounting and forming a wall of shields in practiced unison.

But Alex's fists tightened. He saw what they didn't.

'They're going to explode…'

The faint glow of ignited tips flickered on every descending arrow. Hidden beneath their shields, the soldiers remained blind to their doom.

Alex surged forward, prepared to shove the carriage aside himself when—

'Goddamn…'

A radiant barrier erupted from the carriage, a glowing dome that pulsed with power.

The storm fell. Arrows detonated in midair as they struck the barrier, fire and shrapnel blooming in a blinding chain reaction. The earth trembled beneath the onslaught, shockwaves rippling outward. The night turned to chaos, flames roaring like hungry beasts.

Yet, within the heart of the inferno, the barrier stood unyielding. Each explosion bent harmlessly against its shimmering surface, dissipating like waves breaking against a cliff.

Alex staggered to a halt, shielding his eyes from the searing brightness.

From within the carriage, a voice—steady, rhythmic, commanding—rose above the chaos. The chanting carried an undeniable weight, resonating through the air.

The barrier glowed brighter, absorbing the final bursts of fire until silence fell. When the light faded, not a single soldier had fallen. The battalion stood frozen, staring at the unscathed carriage, their breaths ragged with disbelief.

Alex stared at the carriage in which the Saintess rested, as a thought passed by his mind,

'Okay…along with beauty, she is incredibly strong.'

—----**------

A/N:- Guess who gonna wife her up? Thanks for reading.