Chapter 98: He is My Life
Holy Light Extinguished.
The Holy Light Spirits that originated from the Holy See would leave behind a “Seed of Holy Light” in the Holy Court. Even if the Star Spirit Body were to perish, they could be revived through the seed.
However, even with this, the process for an Elemental Life to revive was extremely long.
For Histadria, this meant that for more than half a year, her most powerful Fourth Soul Pact could not be utilized.
But at this moment, Histadria’s heart did not mourn the extinction of her Holy Light Spirit for even a moment.
She merely looked bewilderedly at Aerora behind her, and at the Oathbound Chess piece representing the Winter Flower in the maiden’s hand.
Oathbound Chess pieces could only be possessed by the blood descendants of the Oathbound Families.
This naturally revealed her identity.
“You are the child of the Count of Winter, the only daughter Shaya spoke of?”
She looked at Shaya, then at the blonde maiden clad in a knight’s skirt armor, “Then why did you do this?”
Histadria’s question was also the sentiment of many nobles present.
As Shaya’s identity and deeds were exposed, Aerora, who had always been by his side, also entered many people’s sight and was repeatedly scrutinized.
Due to her frequent missions in the military, Aerora’s information was not difficult to find.
A powerful, somewhat talented commoner Beast Tamer.
And, very loyal to Shaya.
This was a fact clearly stated in all the records.
Shaya’s commercial properties in the Black Lily District had always been managed by Aerora. When Shaya occasionally appeared in the Imperial Capital, Aerora would silently follow him, expressionlessly clearing obstacles for him.
Subordinate, retainer, maid, knight, lover — these were the speculations of outsiders regarding Shaya and Aerora’s relationship.
Therefore, although there was evidence showing that this blonde maiden also hailed from Ceylon, no one had ever doubted her identity.
No matter how much the Winter Flower Family was squeezed out of the center of power, it was still one of the Eight Great Oathbound Families. Moreover, as a survivor of that catastrophe, the Empire would provide support to them based on reason and emotion.
Aerora simply needed to reveal a little of her identity to naturally gain the status, respect, and matching resources she deserved.
But she had never done so.
She was Shaya’s shield, Shaya’s sword, and like a shadow, she silently followed him all the way, without complaint.
“Aerora Ingulith.”
“What is your relationship with him?”
Histadria murmured.
She had thought today would be an ordinary engagement banquet, with perhaps a few elements of family displaying strength and influence.
But too many things today had exceeded her expectations, and she knew nothing about it.
“What relationship?”
Aerora’s gaze rested on Shaya’s side profile. A hint of reminiscence flashed in her beautiful blue eyes.
She seemed to be transported back to when they first arrived in the Imperial Capital, which was also a winter like today.
When they first arrived, they were not very wealthy, and the prices in the Imperial Capital had always been much higher than in other regions.
To save on accommodation costs, Shaya and Aerora had to live in the dormitory provided by Saint Roland Academy for commoner students.
At that time, Aerora had just formed a Soul Pact with Lengonimia. However, Holy Relic-type familiars were the most resource-intensive category, requiring a large amount of resources to form.
Without the accumulation of resources, the unawakened Holy Relic was no different from a pile of scrap metal, and Aerora’s cultivation progress as a Beast Tamer would be far behind her peers.
She had intended to delay her advancement, but Shaya had resolutely refused, “Since you followed me, I cannot let you be wronged.”
“My girl, everything must be the best.”
“What those nobles have, you must also have.”
Even now, Aerora remembered Shaya’s expression when he said this. Although his facial expression was deliberately serious, his dark eyes seemed to be smiling.
And so, in the nights that followed, Aerora discovered that Shaya would sneak out of bed after she fell asleep. Under the faint candlelight, he would write something on old manuscript paper, occasionally muttering complaints like “You never know how useful knowledge is until you need it” and “I can’t remember at all, how did those seniors plagiarize?”
For countless winter nights, Shaya would use the royalties he earned from submitting manuscripts to literary societies and newspapers. Holding Aerora’s hand, he would pretend to be serious when bargaining with people in commercial establishments and the black market, exchanging for Extraordinary Materials needed for her advancement.
Sometimes they had some silver and copper coins left over. Shaya would then buy hot flatbreads from vendors in the lower city, tear off a small half for himself, and give the rest to Aerora to eat.
Warm spring, bright summer, autumn days, winter nights…
One year, two years…
Their lives gradually improved. Shaya’s submissions to the literary society became a massive hit. With the royalties as seed capital, they opened one shop after another in the Black Lily District.
But even now, Aerora still cherished the taste of that winter. So sometimes, Shaya would still take her back to the lower city to buy a few flatbreads or roasted sweet potatoes. They would casually sit on a steps, she would eat, and Shaya would watch.
…
Aerora looked at the black-haired, black-eyed youth before her, a smile appearing on her pale face.
“He is…”
“My life.”
The maiden’s murmured words vanished into the night wind, unheard by anyone.
With the appearance of the second Oathbound Chess piece, the barrier formed by the illusory flames silently shattered.
No one in the entire hall spoke. Too many unexpected events had occurred during this dinner, so many that it was overwhelming.
But someone finally moved.
“Silver Fox” Riel.
The second before, he had been walking towards Histadria, as if intending to support and comfort his young lady, who seemed a little lost.
But the next moment, his figure suddenly moved. His fingers transformed into blades, attacking Shaya directly. The whistling sound of air being broken through resounded, carrying a killing intent of desperation.
He had attacked with the determination to kill. As the head steward of the Borgia Family, Riel clearly understood what Shaya’s actions today represented.
If Shaya were not killed today, after today, the Royal Family would vigorously publicize the truth about Ceylon… and even the originally harmonious cooperation between the Holy Court and the Borgia Family because of Histadria would be strained by Shaya’s testimony—the conspiracy with Warwick was kept secret from the Holy Court.
But as long as Shaya was killed, everything would turn around.
The Royal Family would indeed be enraged, but he would merely be a dead man.
At worst, the Borgia Family could hand over Riel himself to atone with his life. As the head steward of the Borgia Family, he always put the family’s interests first and had long been ready to die for it.
Riel did not summon his familiar, because the commotion of summoning would give outsiders time to react.
He was a close-combat Beast Tamer specializing in physical enhancement. Although he lacked the amplification of his familiar, he was still a genuine Titled-level expert… With deliberate planning against an unsuspecting foe, killing Shaya, a Beast Tamer who had just broken through to Four Rings, was not a problem.
A gust of wind broke through the air, striking straight towards Shaya’s throat.
As the head steward of the Borgia Family, Riel had performed many similar tasks over the years, such as helping the family eliminate dissidents and kill potential rising stars of opposing factions, and he was already extremely skilled.
He could already see Shaya’s throat being pierced, his dying gasp filled with despair.
But the next moment.
Riel saw that Shaya, who had been lowering his eyes, now suddenly raised his head.
He looked at the attacking Riel expressionlessly, his dark eyes turning into pure crimson at some unknown time.
Shaya smiled silently.
Then, he uttered a word.
“Divine Dodge.”
