Chapter 137
Six days until the Rainbow Festival, that night, in the dreams of the Shadow King Akhanis.
When the two bad guys met, the Shadow King stopped playing with the gold coin, put his hands together, and said, “Can’t do it. It’s hopeless.”
Upon hearing this, Jima wasn’t pleased and said, “Aren’t you the Shadow King? Aren’t you the strongest thief?”
“The obsidian stuff is piled up in a whole room; I’m not a donkey, and even a donkey can’t carry that.”
“So, at the auction, I can only dance obediently?”
The Shadow King Akhanis didn’t mind, saying, “You refuse to tell me what your abilities are, so when I was planning, I didn’t consider your performance. Just go ahead and dance. I can’t support you live, but I can hire a bard to witness your man saving you on the spot and write a poem that will be passed down through the ages.”
Jima suppressed her anger, pretending not to hear the words “your man,” otherwise, the Shadow King Akhanis would act like a mischievous child who finds it amusing and would continue playing that boring game endlessly after receiving feedback.
She said, “Do you have confidence to start a significant uprising? You should know that in Shalin City, there’s no mass base for a slave uprising. The common people just want to live well, even if it means shackling others and making them work like beasts, or even stuffing people into concentration camps. They are willing.”
Unlike the shortsighted rulers, the Great Benefactor divides the benefits of slavery among the citizens. It can be said that many people have received a share of the profits from the slaves. Therefore, the underground church of the Sanctum in Shalin City has gradually perished over time.
“Haha, after living in Shalin City for so many years, how could I not understand them?”
Jima’s serious little face relaxed slightly as she asked, “Do you have any ideas?”
The Shadow King Akhanis shrugged his hands and confidently said, “Of course not. Precisely because I understand Shalin City, I didn’t have high expectations.”
“Aren’t you planning to burn all the nobles together?”
“Just a thought,” the Shadow King Akhanis smiled, “It would be great if I could kill the Great Benefactor for revenge.”
“Then why go through so much trouble?”
The Shadow King Akhanis sobered and said, “Just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean I won’t do it. I want revenge; this is the best opportunity in over a decade. If I give up this chance, I will soon be enraged by myself. Why should I? That bunch of nobles, when they got sick, each had their own doctor. There was no need for lockdowns; the dances went on, parties continued, and they treated the expensive medicinals as candy without sharing any with us. In the end, they pinned the blame for spreading the plague on us, starving us to death and then burning us.”
Jima sighed, supporting her forehead with her hand; things had become difficult. She originally planned to secretly stir things up and let the Shadow King Akhanis help her escape by unlocking her shackles and using her extraordinary abilities to make a getaway.
Secret operations matched her professional traits; openly casting spells in broad daylight could get her a clubbed head. Even if successful, she’d likely pay with her life. Jima valued her life highly, and if stirring things up didn’t work, she preferred to let the Shadow King help her escape in shame.
She didn’t pin her hopes for escape on the hero George.
The Great Benefactor Bransy surely knew he would come back and make complete preparations. Although Hero George was powerful, he was still just a gold rank, and his potential was limited. However, cooperation with the Shadow King was a possibility.
But Jima thought this was almost impossible. The Shadow King was fundamentally chaotic evil, while the virgin order was good; it would be a miracle if they didn’t fight upon meeting, and their goals were not aligned.
She said, “So, on the day of the auction, you secretly come find me, rescue me, and gather a crowd of men to watch me, preferably sailors who have held it in for a long time.”
The Shadow King Akhanis was quite surprised and said, “You really are a succubus.”
“Get lost! No pornographic elements!”
“I was just admiring your cleverness. Do you have confidence?”
“Not really. When it comes to public attention, what in Shalin City could compare with an auction? But Jima thought that honestly saying it would make the Shadow King give up on her, so she lied, saying, “Unlike you, I really do have confidence, but the effect won’t be as good as at the auction; it will require more effort from you.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
“But you need to put in extra effort. By the way, remember to bring me the extraordinary items you collect from the treasury to increase the chance of success.”
“Where did you hide them?”
“Don’t play dumb; you know where I buried them. I’m sure you’ve already dug them out and taken them for yourself.”
The Shadow King Akhanis laughed and said, “No way; it’s a professional habit. I’ll return them to you quietly.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Jima flapped her wings and left the Shadow King Akhanis’ dream. She hated uncertainties and had little confidence in completing her task. However, who could guarantee 100% success?
…
Three days before the Rainbow Festival.
In Shalin City, the lively atmosphere of the upcoming festival was already apparent. Everyone wore smiles, while merchants and laborers rested on the steps near the riverside. As they took a break, they speculated about the appearance and identity of this year’s Flower of Shalin City.
Behind them was a military camp close to the noble district. Within the red-walled camp, there was a designated area for the wounded.
Inside, laughter and joy echoed, completely devoid of the expected despair.
Since several days ago, their commander had procured doctors and funds. The wounded area was revitalized. The beds that had been stained with black blood, while the yellowed and foul-smelling quilts and straw, were replaced with brand new white ones that had the smell of the sun. The number of helpers also increased, and there were no overflowing toilets anymore. Everything was replaced; from moldy ropes to three-legged chairs, even broken toilets were renewed.
The doctor’s apprentices changed the bandages on the soldiers’ arms. There were no longer infected and maggot-ridden wounds; the bandages were all new. After use, they were washed carefully by dedicated female workers and hung outside to dry.
The floor was mopped every day and was clean and tidy.
The entire wounded room was filled with fresh hope; soldiers whose injuries were healing well sat up with crossed legs, chatting happily.
The topic, of course, was the upcoming Rainbow Festival, with the highlight being the Flower of Shalin City, which was the talk of the town.
A soldier with gray-white mustache said, “I bet it will still be a human this time; how could there be so many non-human creatures? Last time there was just one water sprite, and I heard that it was captured by the demon lord Kima specifically for show. Her figure is good, but that face, I say, is still better as a human woman.”
His child was almost of age, and there were quite a few veterans his age. The rise of Shalin City had not come without blood, and new recruits died quickly.
Another young soldier with yellow hair, injured on his foot, said, “You just can’t appreciate the beauty of non-humans; you lack the fortune. Those water sprites all have tender skin and won’t have wrinkles. One blink can attract a person into the pond to drown.”
“How can it be so mysterious? It’s all magic. Last time I saw the Flower of Shalin City, the water sprite was just like that; after staring at that face for a while, it felt odd. A pretty face is still just something the wealthy and powerful nobles blow up.”
“Hey, Old Eight. You don’t understand. This time the Great Benefactor is making a serious effort. Haven’t you heard? This year’s Flower of Shalin City is the most beautiful ever, more so than the one who cried out in the middle of the night as a silver-haired daughter of the elves from your last time.”
The last one, who was supposedly of elven descent, easily captured the heart of the mustached old soldier. He had once dreamed and shouted her name, which led to a round of ridicule from everyone.
The old mustached soldier flushed red, unsure if it was to defend his dream lover or because of the embarrassing incident being revealed, and shouted, “Even if this new Flower of Shalin City is beautiful, what of it? No matter how beautiful, she can’t compare to my one and only! Moreover, she may not even be non-human.”
The young soldier with yellow hair said, “Humans have limits; pretty human girls have their peak set.”
“Kid, let me tell you, beauty isn’t about highs and lows; it’s merely about whether it meets aesthetic standards. I’ve spent so many years in Shalin City, and I’ve seen the legendary stunningly beautiful female elves more than fifty times. They were just the same; only the clothes looked better, the nutrition was better, but most of them can’t compare to the daughters of the nobles, plus those long ears are particularly strange, like a donkey—utterly weird. I’ve also seen dwarf princesses; those short little ones looked like they were defending their beauty with shields, fearing we would invade their beautiful princesses. Then you look, and hey, the dwarf princess had a beard that wrapped around her neck like a scarf.”
“Surely it can’t be that strange!”
Everyone started arguing.
One bystander said, “Come come come, let’s bet, will it be human or non-human?”
The old mustached soldier confidently said, “I bet a gold coin! Non-humans? Too ugly, with long tails, long horns, and long ears—weird! I believe that most of those coming to our Shalin City are humans.”
“Wow, so generous! But Commander Chamberlain said, you can’t gamble more than five silver coins, or else it’s not binding.”
“No problem. Today is a happy day; our commander has also given rewards. They say it’s the Great Benefactor’s grace, and after this festival, there will be a celebration!”
“Long live the Great Benefactor!”
The soldiers were quite excited. Originally, they were aware of the downturn in Shalin City and thought they would be forgotten, but it not only changed the environment, but there were also rewards, making everyone cheerful. They all felt seen, not forgotten.
The young soldier was eager to try, feeling an impulse to dedicate his life to the Great Benefactor in return for his kindness.
While praising the Great Benefactor, the soldiers took out money to gamble, each putting in a little.
Taking advantage of the excitement, the old mustached soldier said, “Ah, when the Rainbow Festival arrives, many courtyards will have group purchases and discounts. I know a place with beautiful young maids; the discount is great—all in black silk. Regardless of whether the Flower of Shalin City has horns on her head, we can only view from afar, not get too close. Let’s go all out to celebrate the health of the Great Benefactor, what do you think?”
“Sure, sure…”
The voices quickly dwindled and weakened.
The old mustached soldier’s beard twitched in fright as he turned to see his wife, carrying a basket of food, glaring at him with anger.
Fifteen minutes later.
With three red handprints on his face, the old mustached soldier indignantly said, “Don’t think I don’t know; she’s interested in those ducks and hasn’t brought any kids home; really, I need to teach her a good lesson when I get back.”
The young soldier with yellow hair lifted his eyes to glance at him and couldn’t help but laugh, recalling how just moments ago, he dared not retaliate.
“What are you laughing at? Do you believe I won’t take you out for a treat?”
At that moment, someone patted the old mustached soldier on the shoulder. He turned around to see a bald man.
He remembered this was an alchemist whose potions were quite effective, though he was a bit odd.
The bald alchemist, with a face of tranquil eunuch-like peace, was holding a tube of greenish potion between his fingers, saying, “Brother, lust clouds the mind, harming both yourself and family. I have a vial of sage’s potion that can free you from the control of lust. After drinking it, you’ll think like a sage. Free of charge, do you want some?”
The previously furious old mustached soldier immediately cooled down and said, “Master, no, no need.”
“What a pity.”
The bald alchemist tucked the potion inside his clothes, shook his head, and said compassionately, “Another one controlled by lust.”
Everyone went quiet, looking at him with fear. Until he left, the young soldier with yellow hair said, “Do you think he might secretly add sage potion to the drink?”
Someone slapped their head and said, “Oh my, I seem to be uninterested in women.”
A commotion erupted in the wounded area.
————
Two more updates are still owed.
