132 — Promises With Sinners…

The clicking sound of the key entering the small hole in the large lock echoed through the dark hallway of the queen's palace basement. 

A loud snap followed as the lock opened, and the dust-covered wooden door creaked on its hinges.

Isabella stepped into the small room.

Inside, spiders had woven thick webs, and dust had blanketed every surface over the years.

Her gaze followed the flicker of golden light emanating from a large chest placed in the center of the otherwise empty room.

Clutching the keys tightly in her hand, she selected another and inserted it into the chest's lock. With a soft click, the mechanism gave way.

She opened the chest, and a dazzling golden light spilled out. Inside was a radiant mana core-shaped like a diamond, yet far more powerful than any other stone in existence.

"The saintess' mana core," Isabella murmured, her lips curling into a grin, her eyes gleaming with excitement.