Chapter 144 Chapter 145 Love is precious, money is even more valuable
Although in Mr. Dongdong’s dream, George could not charge forward as a flash of light, he crossed more than ten meters in the blink of an eye with just his physical strength and thrust his sword toward the dark demon.
To some surprise, the dark demon stood still, seemingly shocked and unresponsive. While a mortal might not be able to react, this was a mysterious dark demon.
George’s sword showed no hesitation, filled with power, and pierced through the dark demon’s left chest.
“Did I succeed?”
Eve Frostleaf couldn’t help but feel moved, sensing a mix of unexpected yet reasonable emotions.
Last time, the three of them had infiltrated the Demon King’s palace, buffing themselves for ten minutes outside the Demon King’s bedroom, only to resolve the battle in a second.
After Eve Frostleaf spoke, she took a few steps back, lest this time they encounter another unusual curse.
In the palace supported by white marble pillars, a stirring march suddenly echoed.
“De♪de♪de♪dedede♪….”
“Hu~hu~interesting, truly interesting.” The dark demon spoke, and as it moved its hand suddenly, George immediately retreated.
He saw that the dark demon now held a buzzing sword, seemingly forged from red light, and swung it at George. It sliced through George’s double-handed sword as easily as a red-hot knife through butter.
There was no sound of clashing metal; George’s sword was cut in half, clattering to the ground with the upper half falling down.
“Hu~hu~you are the first ant brave enough to test me.”
Eve Frostleaf bent her waist, gripping her long sword tightly as she circled to the side of the dark demon. George also held his breath, concentrating.
This dark demon was more troublesome than the Demon King Kima.
The dark demon stated, “Now that you have the courage, let’s see if you can pass my test.”
With that, it raised its hand, and the entire dream collapsed.
George and Eve Frostleaf found themselves back in the real world.
In the tent, as George stood up, the gray-robed priest asked:
“Brother George, how did it go?”
“I obtained preliminary intelligence. The dark elves are hiding in the Duchy of Casson. The demon only provided a rough location and mentioned a test.” George replied, “I saw a village plundered by beastmen, surrounded by endless fields of wheat.”
After reporting, the two exited the tent, walking together with a third companion.
Eve Frostleaf recalled the earlier test and asked, “How strong is it?”
“Uncertain.” George said, “It felt like I had stabbed an empty shell—either a puppet or an avatar.”
Eve Frostleaf nodded in agreement.
“I wonder what kind of conspiracy it has.”
“But we have no way out.” George said, “Perhaps it is plotting how to descend into this world, or perhaps it needs a vessel to interfere with the present world. Knowing the opponent has a scheme yet feeling compelled to follow its lead is quite disheartening.”
Eve Frostleaf remarked, “A powerful demon.”
At that moment, a certain powerful demon, hiding in the shadows, was sitting on Liansi’s bed, looking a bit pale yet smug, arms crossed as it chuckled, “It’s a good thing my skills are superior; I almost fell for its tricks again.”
Kima, cautious and subtle, kept her true form hidden in the background, while the figure on the throne was merely an avatar. Thankfully, she had an advantage in the dream; otherwise, she might not have been able to sever George’s great sword—though it was only in the dream that she did so.
“Master?”
Liansi opened her eyes, still groggy, and asked.
Kima lifted her long legs onto the bed, pointing at her slightly trembling limbs, “Massage.”
“Understood, Master.” Liansi placed Kima’s long legs, wrapped in black silk, onto her own legs, saying, “But, Master, I’ve never learned massage.”
“Just use your ten fingers to press.”
Liansi pressed her ten fingers into Kima’s soft thighs, praising, “Your legs are so soft, Master.”
If one couldn’t walk, how could they not be soft?
That stubborn demon truly was a one-trick pony; initiating a heavy strike that turned to a stab, piercing the chest.
But this time, it was I who was clever, leading it in circles.
Kima boasted, “Isn’t that right? I’m quite formidable.”
But after tricking it, how was I to obtain the extraordinary material?
Kima pondered a question in her mind.
With no leads, she decided to take one step at a time. At worst, she could go steal it herself; once obtained, even if George yanked her tail and spanked her, she wouldn’t give it up.
…
…
The next morning.
Kima abruptly sat up in bed, her black hair in disarray.
“The day of poverty begins.” She sighed, “Maybe I should just ask George for some… compensation.”
Others may not know, but Kima was aware that George surely had money. While others spent on servants, decor, and clothing, he invested in more expensive magical tools.
“No, what if he requests something else?”
Kima decided to maintain a simple underground lover’s relationship with George, at least on the surface.
In reality, he was merely a provider of food.
“Essentially the same as a farmer tilling the fields.” With this thought, Kima felt happy.
Thinking about her and George’s quick progress in their engagement made her even happier.
That poor guy was still single, having just turned eighteen; he probably could only relieve his excess energy daily with his own hands, with no woman in sight.
It seemed a woman had joined him in the dream.
To create an air of mystery, Kima always filled her dreams with a dense fog, hazy and gray.
She had never closely observed the woman who accompanied George, so she had no idea of her appearance or race; to her, that woman was a blurry silhouette.
“Most likely an ordinary-looking woman.” Kima said, “I refuse to believe that stubborn demon has such good luck with women.”
After lounging in bed for a while, fully waking up,
Kima got out of bed, washed up, and made herself breakfast. She applied five self-made powerful money-attracting potions, each made from precious spices. She then rode her travel horse towards the commercial district.
Kima didn’t plan to drink the potions herself; instead, she sought out individuals who looked capable of making big money, to charm them into drinking the potions.
The income would be split seven to three.
The cost for free food from the heavens should ideally be paid by others.
As Kima stepped out, she wore the black dress that Lady Mary had finished for her yesterday; it was custom-made for her and fit perfectly. The shoulders were exposed, edged with a layer of glossy raven feathers. Dressed beautifully, she sat sideways on her travel horse, resembling a moving beautiful scene.
Along the way, Kima politely declined the advances of three polite gentlemen who left disappointed in their own carriages. She also encountered two groups of thugs who attempted to surround her.
Fortunately, there were people around; where there were people, there were men. Most men would secretly glance towards Kima, but lacked the courage to approach her. Kima, feeling charitable, gave them a chance to shine.
With a flick of her tail beneath her skirt, several men rushed over to save her, without a word throwing punches at the thugs, leading to a brawl.
Kima left a simple “Thank you,” ignoring the scuffle, and leisurely rode away.
The commercial district was busier than before.
And even louder.
The sharp voices of children rang out by the roadside: “The most beautiful flower selection in Marin City is starting today! Come on, come and take a look!”
Kima covered her translucent ears as she passed by the child waving a poster.
This was also one of her goals for the day, to participate in the beauty pageant and earn some money. However, she had some reservations about it.
Although she had now accepted her female body—there was nothing to be entangled about, and she grew accustomed to selling her flesh—just the thought of standing in front of an audience, alongside a group of dazzling women, being pointed at, made her feel quite uncomfortable.
Her slight social anxiety resurfaced.
Recalling from memory, Kima made her way to the open-air theater in the commercial district.
As expected, the theater was packed with people. However, unlike what she had imagined, not everyone was qualified to enter, despite it being a selection.
A well-spoken attendant, dressed in black and keeping himself tightly wrapped in summer, said, “Sir, there are dress requirements for this venue.”
Before him stood an adventurer in a wrinkled shirt, emanating a foul odor of sweat, with a sword at his waist. The adventurer cursed a few words but, considering the two security guards wielding long swords behind the attendant, turned to leave.
Kima led her horse to the entrance. The attendant immediately called over someone to take her horse away and brought her into the outdoor theater.
Inside, the crowd was even bigger than Kima had imagined; all men, passionately sharing their aesthetics regarding women.
“Big breasts are great; just the other day, Miss Philia showed off a pair that was both large and round.”
“Long legs are even better. Did you see anyone splitting their skirt all the way up to the roots of their legs? That touch of whiteness incites deep imagination.” Someone said, “I heard that the Demon King Kima has three hundred young and beautiful maids in her harem, all of whom have their skirts high-slit, revealing butterfly bows of their bondage underwear.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, if any of the ladies were bolder, that would be the treatment befitting a Demon King.”
Kima greatly wanted to ask that person where the other two hundred and seventy maids were.
The attendant led Kima towards a quieter backstage area, immediately drawing the gaze of countless men passionately.
“Did you see that? Such a beautiful and slender girl.”
“Her legs are so long, and she’s wearing black silk; she must have been influenced by the southern kingdom.”
“It’s a pity her breasts are a bit flat.”
The more people there were, the more intense the emotions ran. Many forgot about courtesy, pointing fingers at Kima’s exposed calves, neck, shoulders, and face.
The air was thick with the scent of lust, filthy and suffocating, making Kima pinch her little nose.
She stopped in her tracks, looking at the stage of the outdoor theater, and asked:
“Does every woman have to go on stage?”
“Indeed.” The attendant replied, “After you sign up, you will receive a number token; people will throw stones into a ceramic jar.”
To her surprise, she encountered this beauty selection in another world.
“That’s quite special.”
“Miss, you need not worry; you will definitely pass the selection.” The attendant said, “May I introduce you to the future Flower of Marin City?”
Kima ignored her, pinching her nose while gazing at the enthusiastic men below. She envisioned herself on stage, scanned from all those fiery gazes.
That thought made her feel nauseous, reminding her of when she was auctioned off like a commodity on a boat in Shalin City.
Crossing over the threshold to backstage, the noise quieted considerably.
Kima suddenly said, “I’m not participating anymore.”
“Miss, this event is very fashionable, many noble ladies are joining.”
“I’ve even seen noble ladies who engage in prostitution as a trend.”
As Kima prepared to leave, a commotion erupted in front of her.
A noble lady dressed in a glamorous gown rushed towards the entrance, lifting her skirt in agitation and proudly holding her head high:
“Enleke! What are you planning?”
Behind her was a tall, flat-chested noble girl in a yellow dress, awkwardly stepping in high heels. She was frantically trying to follow the noble lady while holding her dress, saying:
“Miss Tisnali, Miss Tisnali, please wait, let me explain, I… I just wanted to… pursue you.”
Though her luxurious attire was somewhat ill-fitting and her accessories poorly coordinated, she was undoubtedly beautiful, far more so than the angrily strutting noble lady in front.
“Stay away from me!”
The noble lady said, passing by Kima and exiting with her maid.
The stunning noble girl named Enleke sighed, turning her bright eyes to Kima, who was watching the drama unfold by the roadside: “Kind-hearted lady, please help me.”
“Do we know each other?” Kima recalled, “With someone as beautiful as you, I would surely remember after having seen you once.”
“Miss Stranger, you jest. When I first met you, I said the same thing.”
“Enleke?”
Kima suddenly remembered encountering the noble boy wearing round glasses, slender and looking like a beautiful girl dressed as a boy. Out of mischief, Kima had suggested he dress as a girl to defeat the proud lady, bringing her down a notch, making it easier for him to win her over.
To Kima’s surprise, he looked extraordinarily beautiful in women’s clothing.
This world truly is messed up. Often, princesses lack beautiful faces, while sometimes the heavens bestow good looks upon daughters of poor farmers. But who would have guessed that the heavens would grant a boy such extraordinary beauty?
“It’s me.” Enleke smiled at her, causing the attendant beside her to be momentarily dumbfounded.
“I… based on your voice, I didn’t realize that aspect at first.”
His voice had a naturally soft tone.
Kima continued, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, cross-dressing sir.”
The attendant’s ego deflated before her eyes at an astonishing speed.
“Cross-dresser… that’s a bit excessive.” Enleke said softly, “But… it suits a man like me who lacks masculine charm.”
The attendant’s expression was one of utter despair.
Kima’s mischievous curiosity was satisfied, making her quite cheerful as she asked:
“What do you need help with?”
“Please help me win the championship.” Enleke said, “My family disagrees with my participating in the beauty contest, and no one has taught me how to dress. You are, in my view, the most beautiful girl next to my beloved Tisnali; you must know how to dress well, please teach me.”
I initially said that as a joke; who would allow a man to participate in such a contest?
Kima shook her head, speaking regretfully, “I’m sorry, I—”
“If I win the championship, all the prize money will go to you. All the expenses for dressing up will be covered by me.”
Kima turned to the attendant beside her, “What’s the prize money?”
“One thousand gold coins.”
“Enleke first—ah no, Miss, your sacrifice and pursuit for love have touched me. In this materialistic city, only your sincerity towards love brings me a sense of warmth.” Kima grasped Enleke’s small hand and said, “I will definitely help you win the beauty contest.”
————
I recommend the indie DND game “Cloud Gathering: The Lost Magic,” available on Steam; it’s quite captivating, and its quests are enjoyable. The cross-dressing plot stems from one of its quests.
PS: The game’s antagonist has no tragic backstory.
PSS: There is also no forgiveness plot.
