NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 228: What’s your name?
Thatched huts provided refuge from the bright and blazing sun overhead. Whenever a gust of chilly wind swept through the refreshingly cool shade, it would send an involuntary shiver down ones spine.
The tassel of a knights helmet and the ponytail of a young woman fluttered in the gentle breeze.
Your Highness, are you acquainted with her? Xun was initially taken aback.
Somewhat. How is she faring these days? Leaning against the thatched wall, the armored figure crossed their arms over their chest, a contemplative look in their eyes.
Hmm Her work hours are inconsistent, and her enthusiasm seems to be waning somewhat. Xun composed her thoughts before speaking.
No, thats not what I meant. The armored figure shrugged before stating with certainty: Im guessing you joined her team recently
As weve never crossed paths before.
Thats correct, your Highness. Xun spoke with deference.
What Im getting at is her state of mind and Hmm, maybe my question is a bit confusing for you. Let me start over from another angle.
Is her standing in the Leforno Family still as awkward as before?
What makes you say that? Xun looked somewhat surprised by the question. The Second Lady is incredibly talented and a source of great pride for Lord Duke. Its entirely possible that, in a century, the position of Duke would most likely
Alright, I think Ive got the gist of it. They nodded.
Forgive me for asking, Your Highness, but your attire-
Is your name Xun?
Hmm? Yes, Your Highness! Xun promptly stood up straight.
Can you do me a favor?
Its a great honor to serve the Lasombra clan, Your Highness, Xun dropped to one knee and offered a solemn regal salute.
I, *cough, cough* Theres no need for all that. Im not particularly fond of that title. Besides, Im not a princess. The armored figure appeared somewhat frail as they coughed twice.
Her situation wasnt looking too good at the moment. The efforts required to sustain the [Radiant Armor] on her vampire form was exacting a great toll on her, and the wounds on her body were clearly not of any help.
Her incomplete vampiric transformation had left her with weakened abilities, particularly her self-recovery skill, which failed to trigger. This left her broken ribs, along with her damaged heart and lungs, to steadily worsen over time.
If Her Highness commands it, Ill rectify my behavior, Xun replied respectfully, a faint undulation rippling through her calm eyes.
Cough, cough A few drops of blood trickled out from the hand of the armored figure, which was covering the seams of her helmet.
Are you injured, your highness?
No need to fret, I wont die from this. She expressed her nonchalance.
Are you rejecting the vampiric power within you?
Her dark silvery armor was riddled with cracks of varying sizes, giving it a tattered appearance.
Her pauldrons were subtly shaking and her helmet bore signs of dried blood along its seams. Her heart and lungs had partially stopped functioning due to the damage they had sustained, causing her heart to race and her breathing to quicken.
As a vampire, Xun could not understand why the person before her would subject herself to such torment.
Despite her incomparably wretched condition, the figure entangled in this predicament refused to leave her armor, no matter what.
The complicated complexion on Xuns face echoed the tumult of emotions brewing within her, like a medley of spilled spice.
Can you let me finish my words, please? Her low and muffled voice, which was previously impossible to discern as male or female, had now become tender and sweet like a childs. (f)ree
The armored figure propped against the wall, as cracks began to spread across her armor at a speed visible even to the naked eye.
It seemed she had reached the end of her rope.
Please, feel free to do so, your Highness.
Return Nolan City to its original owner The armored figures voice wavered with great frailty. Her understanding of her position as a disadvantaged and passive party weighed on her far more than her physical state.
Survival of the fittest was the first law that existed and the only one that mattered.
It was an innate sin to be weak.
The right to repeat pompous excuses belonged exclusively to the strong. Those who were disadvantaged could only be relegated to sacrificial lambs; Forcibly relegated to a barren tract of land, where they could only depend on the alms and mercy of the powerful.
That was the core truth of the situation, an inherent law since time immemorial. Whether it was humans or Asiatic Cats, all were bound to abide by it.
While Im aware that it doesnt make much sense, and theres no way for you to explain this to Tina
Of course, I can. Xun raised her head, her resolute response leaving no room for doubt.
*Cough*, do you really mean it?
Should your Highness so commands, it would naturally not be a problem. We stand as loyal servants of Lasombra. Your orders take precedence over all else, including the life of this humble servant Xun said in a solemn vow.
However, Xun can only obey commands from Miss Tina Leforno and House Lasombra. Orders from others are irrelevant. Please forgive Xun for that. Her emotionless tone while shifting the conversation did not diminish her respect for the royal family.
This is especially true when it comes from a human knight. I might even see it as a provocation and respond with a counterattack. Xun slowly stood up, her gaze fixed on the incomparably damaged armor.
Huff, huff Bai Ji panted heavily. Her small arms were ill-equipped to wield the longsword in her hands, yet she refused to vacate her armor.
Is that what you believe?
If Your Highness finds Xuns words disrespectful, may I request that you grant me punishment. Should that be Your Highness decree, I shall not object and will adhere to your orders and requests without hesitation.
However If this order is issued from the identity of a human knight, then Xun cannot comply. Despite her seemingly calm attitude, Xuns words carried an overbearing tone.
Bai Ji fell into silence.
Did she care whether the Asiatic Cats lived or died?
Did she care if she let down the Asiatic Cat Race?
No. What she truly cared about was the young, innocent, and naive girl who had suffered at the hands of her persecution and her niece, whose heart she had completely broken.
The sea of emaciated expressions that extended as her eyes could see She was the main culprit behind it all.
The raging waves in her heart had refused to settle down because of that.
The beliefs bottled up within resembled a ship in a tsunami that was on the brink of capsizing. She could deceive others with words, but not fool her own heart, no matter how hard she tried.
For this reason, even if she had to withstand an onslaught of rocks and bricks from the Asiatic Cats, alongside their hostility and mistrust, she would still persist on this path to the very end.
Was Bai Ji genuinely trying to rescue them? No Everything she had done so far was merely a way to redeem herself.
To rescue her heart, which was currently trapped in an abyss.
With that in mind, should she let go of her convictions to save them and herself?
Bai Ji had naturally discerned the hidden intentions behind Xuns words and was well aware of the little scheme brewing in her heart.
However, even she was not entirely certain about the enigma that was her own identity.
The ill-fitting dark-silvery armor encasing her petite body was already making her uncomfortable.
She spread her hands out. The gauntlets were spacious enough that they hindered her fingers from moving deftly.
This body never was a good fit for this armor, wasnt it.
I Her puerile voice was faint, like a drizzle that could vanish in the breeze unless one paid attention to it.
Please. Xun patiently waited. Whether they return to captivity or find their freedom depends on a single thought from Your Highness.
Bai Ji faintly trembled as she curled her hands into fists and clenched them slightly.
I In the name of Bai Ji Lasombra, the Eldest Princess of the Scarlet Kingdom, I command you to hand over the jade token of Nolan City, along with all its tenant debts, to the current princess of the Asiatic Cat Race, Feicherry Sha, and ensure its safety for the next three months. You are hereby prohibited from violating its territory henceforth. That concludes my order.
The dark-silvery armor disintegrated into sparkling specks that scattered into the air, causing her pure-silvery, satin-like hair to cascade downwards.
As you command, your Highness. Xun knelt down on one knee before solemnly lowering her head with respect.
A breeze passed by, ruffling through the numerous strands of silver hair on the girls head like a gentle caress.
As if she was an empress descending from the heavenly realms, the girl cast her eyes down towards the servant pledging her loyalty to her, and skillfully extended her hand towards her.
Xun received the feeble and seemingly lifeless hand, pressing it lightly against her lips and giving it a soft kiss.
The girls noble bloodline, a reflection of her divine heritage, and her body aroma left Xun in a slight daze.
After her regal salute, Xun dared not delay and carefully rose to her feet. Her gaze devoid of disrespect, she observed the girl before her whose complexion was calm and composed.
An innate air of nobility and an arrogance suggesting she considers herself superior to all shes truly worthy of being the eldest daughter of Her Highness, Lilias Lasombra.
Xuns attitude became even more reverential after catching a glimpse of Bai Jis face.
Your Highness, my ignorance regarding Imperial authority had led me to speak out of turn earlier. May I respectfully request Your Highness to mete out my punishments.
Youre forgiven. Bai Jis calm tone left no room for doubt.
Perhaps this majestic aura was the key that allowed them to stand undefeated while handling the officials of the vampire race.
For a direct descendant of the royal family, this was precisely the demeanor they should possess.
Your Highnesss benevolence is boundless. Xun is deeply grateful for Her Highness favor.
Mhm. Do you know what you need to do now?
Theres no need for concern, your Highness. Xun will handle all the arrangements. Xun replied submissively.
In that case, you may take your leave and command the soldiers and officers to rise to their feet.
As you command, your Highness. Xun exited the alleyway with a deep bow.
After ensuring her figure had vanished into the distance, Bai Jis body seemed to lose all her strength, causing her to slump on the ground with her back against the wall. Her once-stern eyes had dulled in an instant.
All, rise.
Yes! Their orderly and unified response was accompanied by a cacophony of metallic joints colliding against each other.
The restoration society members could not help but feel anxious when they saw Xun walking in their direction.
Youre the last remaining royal member of the Asiatic Cat Race, Her Highness Feicherry, am I correct? Xun paid no heed to the wary onlookers around her as she fixed her gaze on Lil Sha, who was nestled in Naels arms.
Thats right. Despite appearing somewhat downcast, Lin Sha still responded with a slight nod.
Please accept this. As the crowds watchful eyes gave way to shock, Xun presented a jade tablet to Lil Sha.
I-Isnt that?!
Isnt that the rulership token of Nolan City? With just one quick look, Nael had pinpointed the exact identity of the palm-sized jade token.
The holder of that object would have complete ownership over everything in this city, from its bricks and tiles to every tree and blade of grass in the area.
The members of the Restoration Society, who had abandoned any hope of reclaiming their city, were currently in a state of shock and disbelief. They were utterly perplexed by the situation unfolding before them.
What were the vampire races plans here? Were they planning to return the city to the Asiatic Cat Race? To everyone on the scene, that defied any logic. No party would willingly engage in such a disadvantageous and unprofitable deal, so what could motivate them to make such a decision?
I must say, youre quite fortunate, Xun remarked mysteriously, leaving the crowd with that enigmatic statement. She then walked away without hesitation, leaving them to draw their own conclusions.
At that moment, the dark-silvery knight walked out from the corner and headed towards Lil Sha.
So, she is still trying to put up a front, huh.
S-Stop, you After Lil Sha emerged from her stupor, her expression revealed a mix of deep fear and disgust, accompanied by a hint of conflicting emotions.