Tiendavis - For Perfect Salvation (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
“Considering Count Laurel’s influence, it’s not entirely impossible. After all, the Laurel family’s power itself comes from the count.”
“Is it really that significant…?”
Ivy asked Deis with half belief and half doubt. In response, Deis nodded without hesitation.
“You know where the count has been all this time, don’t you?”
“Yes, in Vis.”
“More precisely, at the border of Vis.”
The border—the only frontier region on the continent, located in eastern Vis.
There, a war that began a staggering 300 years ago continues even today.
Yet it is not a conflict between humans, but a tragedy born from the madness of a great being.
“The eastern border—the place where Amane Ser resides.”
The unsettling name spoken by Deis lodged firmly in Ivy’s ears.
Amane Ser. That was the name of the golden dragon who once protected Tienda Vis.
He was known as “Amane Ser Who Awakens the Dawn,” the guardian who shielded Tienda Vis from tsunamis and typhoons.
But he too forgot his noble purpose due to the tragedy that occurred 300 years ago—corrupted and driven mad by Noche.
Thus, that dragon remains imprisoned in eastern Vis, still rampaging to this day.
“It is the Laurel family’s duty to confine and watch over the rampaging Amane Ser in the east. And currently, Count Laurel is the one fulfilling that duty.”
“I know, of course, that he plays an important role. But can he really override the opinions of other high nobles all by himself? The Bayen ducal house also protects Vis, after all.”
Ivy countered, bringing up another high noble, Bayen.
As Ivy said, Bayen was an old and distinguished military family, and the army under their command was active throughout Vis.
“But the roles of Laurel and Bayen are entirely different.”
Deis replied lightly, picking up a teacup from the table. Then, resuming his careful handling of it, he continued his explanation.
“First, Duke Bayen’s army handles law enforcement in Vis—stationing in cities lacking self-defense capabilities, eradicating bandits, resolving incidents caused by Noche’s curse, and sometimes hunting the Night Clan. In short, they are an army for the people of Vis.”
Ivy nodded, recalling memories from the past.
When she was in Vis, she often saw soldiers in large armor marching under banners bearing a black whale.
That black whale was precisely the symbol of the Bayen ducal house.
“In contrast, the Laurel archducal army—the Watchers of the East—are stationed only at the eastern border. Their role is to monitor Amane Ser and prevent the border’s monsters from escaping outward.”
In other words, Laurel’s army exists to counter the massive threat of Amane Ser, while Bayen’s army exists for the peace and stability of Vis.
Ivy pondered what exactly set the two apart, then quickly furrowed her brow.
“The nobles probably don’t care about Duke Bayen’s army.”
“Correct. Aside from nobles who own businesses on the lower continent, most are indifferent. Whatever happens in Vis causes little direct harm to the Tienda nobles.”
Ivy immediately grasped the core issue, and inwardly, Deis smiled at her sharpness.
The Tienda nobles likely had no idea—not even in their dreams—
that Ivy, who so skillfully engaged in any topic, had received systematic education for only two years.
Before that, she barely knew how to read and was ignorant of nearly everything, having been too preoccupied with surviving the wilds.
Yet, to adapt to Tienda’s noble society, Ivy had swiftly mastered what others took over a decade to learn.
Boldly, efficiently, and persistently.
Nobles unaware of this assumed Ivy’s talent lay solely in her voice, blessed by Manyanya.
But Deis, who had observed Ivy most closely, thought differently.
He was certain: Ivy’s true strength—beyond what the nobles could even fathom—was her intelligence and courage.
Though newly struck by Ivy’s brilliance, Deis showed no sign of it and continued speaking.
“On the other hand, Amane Ser poses a threat even to Tienda. You must know, having studied it—he once tried to plunge Tienda into the sea.”
“Yes, I know. So Duke Bayen’s army handles matters unrelated to Tienda, while the Laurel archducal house and the count protect Tienda from direct threats?”
Deis finally chuckled aloud at Ivy’s annoyingly clear summary.
“Precisely. And more importantly, anyone could fulfill Bayen’s role, but only the count himself can carry out the duty of Count Laurel.”
“Why is that?”
“Do you know how large Amane Ser is?”
“I don’t.”
“It’s said that when he spreads his wings, they can completely cover Tienda.”
“You’re lying.”
“It’s true. Think of Manyanya.”
When Ivy expressed disbelief, Deis invoked Manyanya as proof of its truth.
After the purification ritual, the once-cloudy water becomes as transparent as air, revealing the lakebed in full.
Then, one can see the outline of Manyanya buried in mud and silt—his coiled, slumbering form so vast it entirely fills the lakebed.
Recalling that image of Manyanya, Ivy belatedly agreed.
After all, if he’s that enormous even while curled up, his wingspan would surely cover all of Tienda and more.
Moreover, Tienda is tiny compared to Vis.
Vis, containing mountains, plains, and rivers, could rightly be called a continent, whereas Tienda is merely a small island barely holding a single lake.
Still, Ivy was quite amazed that a single being could rival Tienda in size.
And Deis’s next words surprised her even more.
“The count alone confines and watches over such an Amane Ser.”
“Alone?”
“It’s a duty passed down through generations to the second son of the Laurel family—to bring down the soaring Amane Ser, put him back to sleep, and thus prevent him from leaving the east. That is their role.”
“How is that even possible?”
To single-handedly bring down and hold back a dragon as large as Tienda—this was nearly unimaginable to Ivy.
So she asked, astonished, and Deis answered clearly.
“Just as Lady Ivy monopolizes Manyanya’s blessing, the count exclusively wields Tardes’s blessing.”
Four dragons crafted by the gods in the image of the heavens.
Amane Ser, Who Awakens the Dawn.
Manyanya, Who Rules the Day.
Tardes, Who Watches the Dusk.
And Noche, Who Surveys the Night.
Once glorious guardians of the continent, these radiant beings each met ruin due to Noche’s betrayal.
Amane Ser, driven mad and rampaging.
Manyanya, exhausted and fallen into a deep slumber.
Tardes, wounded deeply and fallen silent.
And Noche himself, shattered into fragments, becoming the source of curses.
Among them, Tardes—like Manyanya—once lent his blessing to the humans he had protected.
But unlike Manyanya’s gentle grace, Tardes’s blessing was fiercely destructive.
Receiving this power, every generation of Count Laurel has fought Amane Ser for life—a duty both harsh and sacred.
“Thus, the count is the only one capable of stopping Amane Ser. In other words, he is the savior protecting Tienda Vis from the mad dragon.”
At Deis’s grandiose appraisal, Ivy was left speechless.
The count’s influence was far greater than she’d imagined—and her complete ignorance of it until now was a profound shock.
As Ivy rapidly acquired refinement, she had to choose what to keep and what to discard.
Information about Count Sion Laurel, who had ignored Tienda for the past seven years, naturally fell into the latter category.
Thus, Ivy knew only the barest details about him.
That the archduke’s younger brother had been dispatched to Vis, and that it was connected to Amane Ser in the east.
That was all.
But the new picture Deis painted of the count far exceeded Ivy’s understanding, leaving her quite flustered.
“I… I insulted someone like that.”
Ivy murmured, newly shocked.
Though she’d never been there herself, she’d heard of the eastern border a few times.
A hellish place where the land burns from the venom of Amane Ser, the mad Dawn Dragon, and where endless monsters—products of unnatural creation—bare their fangs.
And in that place, Sion Laurel alone brings down the dragon…
“At this point, isn’t he clearly superior to me?”
Ivy said with a voice full of anxiety. Deis coldly affirmed it.
“Of course the count is far more capable, and in terms of importance, he utterly surpasses you. Lack of water brings suffering, but if Amane Ser is unleashed, it means annihilation.”
At those words, Ivy’s face grew even paler.
Having heard this far, she had no choice but to admit it:
The count’s declaration to block Ivy’s selection as saintess was no empty boast—he truly possessed the power to do so.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean the count can command or pressure other high nobles. Whether Sedro, Bayen, or Montra, each plays a role as vital as Laurel’s.”
Seeing Ivy’s face blanch, Deis belatedly offered something resembling comfort.
But his words barely reached her.
‘Just who could someone so extraordinary possibly owe a debt to?’
Ivy grew even more suspicious of the count’s reasons for approaching her.
He’d sworn on his house, so it couldn’t be a lie—but no matter how she thought about it, nothing made sense.
Yet behind her doubt, a sweet possibility arose.
If the count is truly that formidable, could he not protect me from the Tower Lord?
If he truly has a duty to guard and care for me…
Ivy recalled yesterday’s incident at the tower.
The count had taken off his coat upon seeing Ivy’s soaked formal dress.
He’d pushed aside Miel Sedro, another high noble, to help her.
And when Ivy had knocked him over—even straddling him and covering his mouth—he neither pushed her away nor scolded her.
He’d simply reached out and gently pressed both of Ivy’s cheeks.
The sensation of the count gripping her cheeks suddenly returned to her. Embarrassed, Ivy fanned her face to cool her burning cheeks.
Honestly, that incident had irritated her so much.
It was utterly inappropriate teasing for a lady.
Yet, at the same time, it was precisely the kind of touch one would never make without interest.
‘He really is lenient toward me.’
After much deliberation, Ivy admitted it.
He wasn’t particularly kind or affectionate, nor even especially polite—but despite that, the count had shown her considerable tolerance.
He’d even endured the vile words she’d uttered under the curse; no stranger among the high nobles could be more generous.
At this point… maybe it’s alright to trust him just a little…?
‘No, snap out of it.’
Realizing her thoughts were drifting, Ivy quickly shook her head.
There’s no such thing as something for nothing in this world.
Everything happens only to those truly deserving.
So when undeserved, excessive fortune appears, one must be suspicious.
After all, every trap always has bait.
“…You’re right. As you said, there are other high nobles, and the count is a man of many resources, so he’ll ultimately act within reason.”
Having settled her calculations, Ivy spoke calmly, then stilled her anxious heart.
She wouldn’t trust the count just yet.
But neither would she dismiss a favorable possibility.
The count had openly stated his purpose: to repay a debt.
To that end, he would fully support and protect Ivy.
If blocking her saintess appointment was part of that, then the count didn’t have many options.
After all, he surely wouldn’t push too hard against someone he was meant to protect.
Thinking this, Ivy held onto a vague hope—
a truly futile hope—that the count would show her quiet generosity, as he had before.
.
.
.
The next day, Count Laurel, who had maintained silence until then, finally declared his stance regarding Ivy Ariate.
It had been exactly one week since the fateful banquet.
“I, Sion Laurel, solemnly oppose the appointment of Ivy Ariate—who has insulted the Laurel archducal house—as saintess.
Should the decision-makers, in their stubbornness, still select her as saintess, I declare that I will suspend my duty of watching over Amane Ser until this decision is rescinded, for the sake of restoring my honor.”
The count’s statement was brief.
But it was more than enough to throw the Tienda nobility into chaos.
In effect, it was a threat directed at all of Tienda—a command meticulously tightening the nobles’ necks one by one.
Consequently, the nobles, now with fire at their feet, unanimously turned their arrows toward one person:
Ivy Ariate, who had dared commit high treason against the count, Tienda’s very protector.
The count had clearly promised to protect and care for Ivy.
Yet to do so, he intended first to shatter everything she had.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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is this chapter from another story?…… it doesn’t make sense at all…