Chapter 528: “Reward” (3k)
After the giant ape was dealt with, the city’s problems gradually eased. Within half a day, the monsters scattered and fled, and the entire city entered a state of post-war recovery.
While everyone was celebrating, the old Duke stumbled back from who knows where. According to his explanation, the true mastermind had let him go.
When everyone learned that the true mastermind was not the giant ape but the Ice Sky Vulture that had been sheltering here, they couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear.
However, they were relieved to learn that the country’s strong individuals would arrive the next day, and many had seen their appearance, having already uploaded basic images to the wanted list.
Within the country, generally speaking, unless it was a monster that had reached the peak, once wanted, not only would they be searched by the authorities, but they would also be hunted by various forces. Unless the monster remained low-key, they would be found in less than a month.
After another day, a faint fragrance wafted from the Earl’s mansion. Bernice gently massaged Su Jiu’s tender white shoulders, occasionally dripping some essential oil for lubrication, and asked with a soft smile:
“Miss, with the sudden collective defeat of the monsters this time, the credit is all yours. That Duke is planning to prepare some rewards for you.”
“Mmm… it’s alright. Mainly, I need to learn that archery skill, and then we can go to the Snow Demon Kingdom to check the situation.”
Su Jiu felt the tingling sensation from her shoulders, couldn’t help but softly hum, and slightly sat up, her gaze falling on the television broadcast in the room, which was reporting the disaster.
She also adjusted her physical condition, planning to leave this place the next day. Lin’s words from the previous day were still fresh in her mind; encountering a great demon like the latter again would be difficult.
Her initial plan to capture it with feathers seemed to have failed…
“Miss, it’s time to go. They are still waiting for us outside.”
Bernice also stopped her actions, her fingertips gliding over Su Jiu’s skin as if tasting it. She nodded with satisfaction, then returned to the spiritual space.
Compared to scenes with many people, she preferred to quietly read books and write her own stories.
“I wonder what the Demon Country will be like.”
Hearing this, Su Jiu tidied her clothes and stood up, her gaze falling on the window not far away. A light snow was falling outside, and her expression relaxed. Traveling to the Snow Demon Kingdom next would be like a trip to a foreign land.
Now that she had Demigod level strength, she had a chance to escape even if she encountered an ordinary Initial Stage Battle God. Moreover, her purpose for this trip was quite simple: to be a peacemaker.
Given the threat of the Ancient God Sect to the entire northern region, she would persuade the Grand Prince of the Snow Demon Kingdom. Of course, if she couldn’t persuade him, there was nothing she could do; she had done her best.
Su Jiu shook her head, smoothed out the wrinkles on her raven feathers, and unwrapped a strawberry-flavored lollipop, leaving a piece of candy wrapper in the empty room.
…
In a square not far from the Herbert Family, which was usually only crowded on the day the national flag was raised each week, there were now many figures gathered. Their gazes were all directed at the black-skirted girl smiling at the forefront, with faint smiles appearing on their faces.
Among them were nobles who recognized Su Jiu, refugees who had fled from neighboring countries, as well as Snow Guards, and of course, ordinary residents who had surrounded the city.
“The Duke is communicating with the reinforcements. I’ll give you the cultivation technique first. As for subsequent rewards, they should be transferred in the form of Dragon Country merits, so you’ll need to fill in some information about yourself in Dragon Country.”
Head of the Heber Family looked at Su Jiu in front of him, a look of approval on his face behind glasses with black rims. He held a black gift box in his hand, on which was a white paper and pen for filling in information.
“Mmm.”
Su Jiu took the white paper and pen and filled in some ordinary identity information. She then looked up and her gaze slowly swept over the familiar faces in the square.
Old Master Herb, Filly, Old Master Herb, Catherine Winick…
A moment later, she chuckled softly and said:
“I didn’t make much of a contribution to resisting the monsters; I only operated the city defense cannon. The most important thing is that it was through everyone’s joint efforts that we defended our homeland.”
“Each of you is a hero, a hero of your homeland.”
After speaking, she returned the filled-out form to the Head of the Heber Family. She glimpsed the skill within the black box and quietly put it into her ring. E Huo was still asleep, and skills were something she had to study herself.
It could be considered a seasoning for her trip to the Snow Demon Kingdom.
“Miss Su (Your Grace) is too kind. Qun|妻洱⑶龄⑷久气I#II寺”
“If it weren’t for you and your companions driving away that giant ape, we would have already been overrun. Those guild members are truly despicable!”
“Speaking of which, I heard a councilor proposed it. Can we settle the score with that councilor?”
“Must settle it!”
…
The people of the city below erupted in deafening cheers. These sounds converged from the square and then spewed into the sky, with proud expressions on their faces. As Su Jiu had said, it was they who had defended the city together.
“There’s no need to be humble. At your age, I was still participating in ivory tower activities in college.”
Head of the Heber Family also accepted the filled-out form from Su Jiu with a smile. He was very satisfied with the oriental girl in front of him; she was young but not arrogant, and she had helped his daughter. It was also said that she had a history as an international fighter.
Soon, the awarding ceremony ended. Su Jiu slowly came down from the stage, glanced at the councilor Herbert who was still speaking, shook her head, and left alone. She walked around a few more streets and found a Chinese noodle restaurant to sit down.
“Finally over.”
Su Jiu looked at the city that was slowly regaining its vitality and let out a sigh of relief. At this moment, Bernice, who didn’t know when she had sat beside her, propped her chin on her hand and tilted her head, asking softly, “Miss, you seem very relaxed now?”
“It’s alright. I’m just looking forward to traveling to the Snow Demon Kingdom, that’s all. 器08伍（四）陸拔器 祁 箘”
Hearing this, Su Jiu couldn’t help but smile slightly, her gaze falling on the menu of the noodle restaurant. She beckoned a waiter and ordered two bowls of hot food.
“Miss Su, the city defense cannon’s camera captured some suggestive footage. I hope you can explain.”
Just as she was about to speak again, a not-so-harmonious voice sounded. She then followed the direction of the voice.
She found a Caucasian woman with a mature and alluring appearance standing on the street not far away. The woman was wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a black evening gown, with a red crystal bear head medal pinned to the chest of the gown.
Beside her stood a tall and imposing Caucasian man. Judging from his attire, the noble crests on it could be vaguely seen. His appearance bore a few resemblances to Catherine Winick.
Hearing this, Su Jiu slightly raised her head, looked at the woman who had arrived in front of her, and then at the indifferent expression on her face, she suddenly smiled and replied, “What photos? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t know? Then what is this…”
The tall woman frowned slightly, let out a cold laugh, and swiped her ring with her finger, taking out a tablet and then playing a video.
It was footage from surveillance cameras far outside the gate of the tower. The overall image was blurry, only showing a girl with long hair walking out of the tower, seemingly tying her hair up.
Su Jiu looked at the video on the tablet, her eyes rippling slightly. She was a little surprised. Indeed, that kind of turret had swordsmen, but she maintained a calm expression, looking at the other party lightly and saying softly:
“I don’t understand what you two mean. The people in this video are just two ordinary girls. What’s there to fuss about?”
“Ordinary girls? The Duke has repeatedly confirmed that it is the human form of the Frost Sky Vulture, as well as that missing councilor. Miss Su… the cannon operation room was not damaged.”
The tall woman raised her eyebrows, her gaze like a sharp blade directed at Su Jiu, trying to find a trace of fear on her face. She sneered, “You know each other, right? It’s even possible that you played a part in this city’s attack.”
“Inspector Nami, you shouldn’t be so arbitrary… Miss Su, in the words of our nobles, is a hero who killed a Battle God level monster. Even if she has connections with the Ice Sky Vulture, it would be to persuade them to surrender and negotiate.”
Hearing this, Duchess Catherine frowned. He glanced at the former and reminded her. He didn’t believe that the hero his subordinate the Earl spoke of would be the instigator of any conspiracy theory.
Bernice remained silent, reaching out and holding Su Jiu’s hand, ready to transform into a weapon as quickly as possible. The latter also faced this inspector and said lightly, “Nonsense. I gain no benefit from attacking the city with them.”
“I am in charge of central patrol, Duchess Catherine. As a local old noble, you should speak less. This matter is being taken very seriously by the higher-ups…”
Glaring at the old Duke, the inspector narrowed her eyes at Su Jiu and Bernice. Suddenly remembering something, she took out two handcuffs from her ring. With a “snap,” she placed them on the table and said softly, “Are you two coming with me to accept an investigation, or shall I take you away directly?”
After speaking, an invisible pressure emanated from her body. The wooden table made a “creak” sound, seemingly unable to withstand the pressure.
“Let’s wait for the Chief Inspector to arrive. Miss Su is a meritorious person of our city and should not be treated so rudely.”
The old Duke frowned. The other party was only an inspector, not a Chief Inspector. Regardless, his status should not be inferior to the other party’s, and the other party was only in the Initial Stage Battle God Level, far inferior to his later stage.
“Is that your attitude?”
Feeling the pressure from the Initial Stage Battle God, Su Jiu remained seated, her gaze fixed on the other party. She felt a slight tightness in her chest; the pressure of an Initial Stage Battle God was somewhat unbearable for her without using [Elegy].
Su Jiu’s grip on Bernice’s hand tightened slightly. She was considering whether to flee back to her country, of course, after a fight first, otherwise, it would be too suffocating…
In the third stage, although she couldn’t truly match a Battle God, with the attribute enhancements and buffs brought by Bernice, she could still exchange a few blows.
“The evidence is conclusive, Old Duke, do you want to shield a criminal?”
Nami imperceptibly increased her pressure, her icy expression almost certain that Su Jiu was related to this disaster.
The old Duke shook his head helplessly, blocking the two of them. The destructive power of a Battle God level fight was unimaginably strong.
“Then we’ll see if you have the ability!”
A hint of bloodlust flashed in Su Jiu’s eyes, and she was about to spring up. The old Duke beside her looked helpless and casually stopped the fight from happening…
“Nami, I told you not to be subjective. This Miss Su’s status in the Dragon Country is equivalent to our country’s inspector, and…”
Just then, a kind female voice sounded, as if carrying some kind of magic. The oppressive aura almost instantly dissipated, and the surroundings became warm and pleasant.
“She is also under that old gentleman. She would never do anything harmful to the people.”
