Chapter 56: White Mist Forest Conference
After listening to Nalonate’s account, Lonis felt a mix of emotions, unsure of what to say.
Sometimes, just like the old man who wanted to die during her adventures, there was no right choice in this world.
Take justice, for example.
As a hero, one must uphold justice… But what is justice?
Is it justice to benefit the majority?
How should those who are sacrificed be measured? Nalonate was only 11 years old when she was forced to accept responsibilities unfitting for her age.
Elus also pursued justice, but she was attacked by rebels, and no one could understand her pain.
Therefore, the justice in this world is inherently limited, confined by identity, by nation, by faction.
And most people merely use justice as a banner to live their lives with more peace of mind.
But…
Hope, however, exists objectively.
Although hope is such an ethereal thing compared to justice, it exists objectively.
Why did Lonis want to save the world in the first place?
It wasn’t for justice; it was simply because she wanted to defeat that silver-haired beautiful girl and marry her.
Elus became her partner only because she hoped that all departed souls could find peace.
Cecile hoped for her country to improve, Zhisheng Luo hoped not to disappoint Yue Linyi’s expectations, and Nalonate hoped to protect those she cherished.
Everyone came here because of hope.
So…
Looking at the starry sky in the distance, Lonis’s eyes seemed to reveal something.
…
————–
That night, Lonis secretly found Elus.
…
“Hmph, hmph, Lonis, are you crazy? To make such a request!”
“Um… Is it not okay?”
“Hmph, it’s not that it’s not okay? It’s just that I didn’t expect you to make such a bold choice.”
“After all, I am a hero…”
“Alright, but you’re thinking a bit too simply… I already have a plan, just listen to my instructions.”
…
————-
…
After three days of arduous travel, the group arrived at the meeting point specified in the letter, the White Mist Forest.
This is a forest on the border of the Kingdom of Ming, shrouded in a dense, sky-obscuring fog year-round. Visibility is less than 100 meters, and the terrain is rugged and uneven, making it ideal for ambushes.
So, to outsiders,
it would seem like a dangerous place, and the Demon Race choosing it must be a trap.
However…
The reality is quite the opposite.
Precisely because you suspect the other party might have an ambush, they will also suspect you of setting up an ambush nearby.
When the capabilities of your opponent are unclear, no one will act rashly… And for precisely this reason, the White Mist Forest has become the safest place.
“Princess Cecile, please be careful.”
“Mm.”
Once inside the forest, vehicles cannot be used, so even the noble Princess Elus must walk herself.
Nalonate and the other sword and shield guards cleared the way ahead, sweeping aside fallen branches and leaves that blocked their path. After about three hours of walking, they arrived at a circular plaza.
This might have been a teleportation array in the past, but it has long been in disrepair… The flagstones were covered in the marks left by time, and fallen leaves accumulated, making a rustling sound with every step.
The thick fog obscured the view, but the sword and shield guards discovered a group of people standing opposite the plaza.
These people were wearing black conical hats, making them indistinct in the dense fog. Only the little girl at the front stood confidently.
She had fiery red hair and a petite frame less than 1.45 meters tall.
A lacquer-black trench coat covered her snow-white skin. Although her chest was flat, she wore long leather boots, and her crimson eyes looked down on everything, as if nothing in the world mattered.
Although she didn’t announce her name, every sword and shield guard knew that she was the Vampire Queen, the leader of the Demon Race, Candelle.
…
“Are you the Demon Race leader Candelle?”
Nalonate stepped forward and questioned.
“Hmph, to make me wait for so long… But, compared to my impatience, I think they might be more anxious?”
“What?”
“Poor slaves, you are liberated.”
As Candelle waved her hand, with a rustle, all the black-clad figures had their conical hats lifted.
However, the scene that met Nalonate’s eyes stunned her.
These individuals were all dressed identically to Evan… Black slave collars were securely fastened around their necks.
Their waists, legs, and chests were bound by strange leather attire, subjecting them to constant humiliation.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
The worst was that these people had undergone “modification surgery.” Males had been transformed into petite girls, and females had been transformed into boys.
They were originally soldiers of the Kingdom of Ming, but now they couldn’t even control their own bodies… The moment their black conical hats were lifted, everyone let out a collective wail.
“Ah, ah! I can’t, I can’t hold it back.”
“It’s coming out, drool is coming out!!!!!”
…
The wails echoed everywhere. Even a seasoned prostitute would blush and avert her gaze like a young girl upon hearing this.
“You…”
Seeing this scene, Nalonate and the accompanying sword and shield guards were naturally filled with uncontrollable anger.
After all, those were their comrades, and the horrific modifications they had undergone were truly excessive.
But what about Elus?
She seemed unfazed, merely smiling faintly:
“Haa, is that all? How boring.”
“What?”
“You placed crests on them, didn’t you? These crests restrict expression, but the moment the clothes are undone, the accumulated pain of these past few days is instantly released… Hmph, while the punishment is somewhat acceptable, such a sight is truly indecent! Do you Blood Race only play with such low-level tricks?”
With that, Elus stepped forward indifferently.
With just that one step, the surrounding air seemed to cool by several degrees… The aura emanating from the girl instantly suppressed the moans and even overshadowed Candelle’s aura, making her the master of the scene.
“H-how can you possibly recognize our crests?”
“How can you not know something so old and worn out?”
“I know! You’re not Princess Cecile, you’re that imposter! Who are you?!”
Seemingly unwilling to have her meticulously planned entrance be overshadowed by Elus, Candelle questioned her sternly.
Elus, however, smiled coldly: “Hmph, hmph, of course I’m not Princess Cecile, but Princess Cecile’s master, the actual controller of the Kingdom of Ming.”
“What…”
“And the real Princess Cecile is actually here… Little slave princess, come out and let everyone see how you look now.”
Elus lifted a travel case behind her,
and then, a girl’s sobbing voice came from within.
