Chapter 174: A tale of Grace Hazewood

"You three remind me of my old days. This feels like it was yesterday when I was your age." A tranquil voice started talking, seeing the trio standing in front of her.

The figure was dressed in a pristine white dress, and her face was filled with serenity.

Rio and the girls waited for her to finish her sentence as they didn't want to be rude to interrupt such as a lady who seemed to be a holy person.

"In a kingdom far away, I used to live by the name of Grace Hazewood. I dreamt of traveling the world and having great adventures like everyone else. However, my heart full of love and kindness didn't allow me to use offensive weapons. I was always eager to help others and assist them.

One day, I met a man named Leo Cliffbow. He was a brave warrior, Who stole my heart as I was drawn to his courage and strength. He also fell in love with me as we thought we have found our soulmates.

However, Leo was from a different kingdom, and his family forbade him from marrying me because I was just no one without any talent at that time.

I was heartbroken, but I couldn't give up on him. He brought me to his adventures, keeping it a secret from his family and together we explored the world, facing danger and overcoming obstacles although I was no use to him, but he never let me feel as if I was a burden. Just like how you carried your friend on your back the whole way to the oasis. I was truly touched as you reminded me of him.

As we traveled, we came across a precious treasure name 'Exalted Clover Ring' That allowed me to awaken my gift for healing which was dormant in my body. After that, I began to use my powers to help those in need as We continued our adventures around the world.

As time passed, I became known as the Saintess, and my reputation soared as I helped people throughout many kingdoms.

However, light exists with darkness. Leo told his family about the Exalted Clover ring and how it awakened healing powers in order to make them believe he wasn't lying. But hearing about the treasure they developed greed in their demon heart. They came to seize it away from me as the evil people sought to exploit the exalted clover ring for their own gain. They killed Leo their own kin for the treasure as he was stubborn to save me from his family.

Seeing him die, my heart shattered as I experienced how cruel this world could be. The people wanted to kill me but the exalted clover ring shone brighter, blinding their vision and opening a portal to send me far away from them.

Despite the grief, I didn't give up loving the person in my heart. With the help of the exalted clover ring, I came far away in the Fiery Southern Desert to live here all alone. But the flow of time didn't let my mortal body stay in this world as It crumbled. This treasure kept my soul alive as it knew I was yearning to find answer to my question.

One day A strange man came who was the true owner of this ring and helped me build this trial so I can choose the heir of this exalted clover ring and finally leave after having my answer, but all these years most people died in the Fiery Southern Desert. Because it killed those who were greedy by nature. The storm would've killed you three but I saw How you were helping each other."

The Saintess spoke to them, her sorrowful voice resounded through the chamber, Rio and company could feel her grief as they were in the presence of something truly pure and sacred.

"Is there any way that we can help you?" The boy decided to break the silence as the girls didn't know how to respond to the saintess' soul.

"Very well... I shall ask you a few questions, and if you answer correctly, I will take one more test of you three and if you pass the ring shall be yours. But be warned, the questions are not easy, and you can only answer if you are truly deserving of this saintess' ring. So, Are you ready?" Her serene voice declared and asked.

Rio and the Girls nodded, their hearts pounding with excitement and nervousness as this was not a hellish trial but some questions which they needed to carefully think to find the answers.

"What is fleeter than Wind?" Saintess asked the first question.

Rio and the girls started looking at each other and after some brainstorming, Nyla said in a hushed voice, "is it light?"

"Nah," The boy shook his head as the answer couldn't be this simple.

As they were thinking, Eve's voice resounded in his mind, "It's mind, Partner."

"Mind is fleeter than wind," Rio spoke as he knew this could be the right answer.

"Not bad, next question. What is more numerous than Grass?" The saintess asked the second one.

"If one doesn't have control over their Thoughts then it could be more in numbers than grasses," Eve whispered to him via telepathy.

"Thoughts are more numerous than grass," Rio spoke in a calm voice.

Helia and Nyla were giving him astonished gazes as he was answering one after another without any pause.

'Even I couldn't think of these answers, how is he doing that?'

The lioness was surprised to see him respond relaxedly to all the riddles asked by the pure soul.

"What if renounced, leads to no regret?" The Saintess asked as a faint smile spread on her face.