I Was The Hero, But I Woke Up as a Phoenix Princess! – Chapter 668

Chapter 668 Chapter 126 Scheme Under Twilight (Part 1)
Light blue birds flew low over the city’s reflection, leaving behind a pleasing chirping. Even under the severe frost, the people of Vinash City displayed ardent and hopeful anticipation.
The disturbance caused by the frost two days ago did not lead to much unrest, thanks to the intervention of Sir Trist Horn and the deployment of the knightly legion.
Moreover, the words announced by Cardinal Bro of the Church, holding a sacred relic, stating that the enemy of the frost calamity and the Paladin would be welcomed at the Divine Hymn Ceremony in three days, ignited their long-suppressed excitement.
Therefore, even though knights and guards were stationed everywhere on the streets, and the cold wind was unusually biting, it did not disturb the city, which seemed to be on the eve of a festival.
—However, this was only true for the vast majority of ordinary people who believed in the Church.
For those who were well-informed or quick-witted, the whispers circulating in the night market about the Cardinal of the Church possessing means to overcome the frost calamity, or the fact that the Count and Lord of Vinash City had been residing in the castle for the past two days, instilled a vague sense of unease.
The sun dipped westward, and the twilight hues spread across the sky, facing the night. The high walls of the castle, bathed in the dim light, appeared lonely and even somewhat desolate.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded, metal swords and armor clashing in the air, and an oppressive atmosphere, as they arrayed, swept towards the figures in the distance.
The young Count, dressed in formal attire, gritted his teeth, his light gold eyes glaring at the silver-armored swordsman who had nearly drawn his sword before the knightly formation:
“I am the Lord of Vinash! Are you… really planning to keep me imprisoned in this castle forever!”
The young man’s angry shouts drew contempt from the knights arrayed on the other side.
They had been ordered to seal off Count Sirius’s castle, and naturally, they vaguely knew that this Lord had no small connection with the followers of the frost calamity. Furthermore, with Sir Trist, a man of heroic renown, standing behind them, this noble Count was merely a pitiable prisoner isolated on an island, and his anger was nothing more than impotent rage.
However, the leading Commander Knight maintained knightly etiquette:
“My Lord Count, please do not be concerned. There are followers of the frost calamity hidden within the city. For your safety, Lord Trist Horn has ordered us to guard your castle.”
“But I am the Count! Will the Divine Hymn Ceremony of Cardinal Bro be attended by Trist in my stead!”
Facing the Count’s tightly suppressed, yet almost bursting-with-anger eyes, the knight’s posture was humble: “Tomorrow, we will escort you to the church.”
“Fine, fine, you people, just you wait!”
The young Count clenched his fists, laughing in extreme anger, stomped heavily on the ground, turned, and returned to the castle with the soldiers following him.
A cold smile flickered across the face of the silver-armored knight.
He was a knight under Count Robert, and the Count’s threats meant nothing to him. Moreover, his colleagues who had infiltrated the castle two days prior were being held prisoner by him. The fact that he could restrain his emotions was already a courtesy.
…
A low, hoarse grinding sound echoed as the castle gate rumbled shut, mirroring the gloomy expression on the young Count’s face.
He waved his hand, dismissing the soldiers accompanying him, and with only Irene behind him, he pushed open the hall door single-handedly.
In the hall, Ig, the warrior of the Kasha Cult, Laurence, and several young girls including Verafia were already prepared and awaiting her.
The Silver Moon Elf hurried to catch up, grabbed the Count’s hand, and with what seemed like shimmering moonlight, the illusionary light faded to reveal only a slender maiden beneath the Count’s formal attire.
“Sister Irene…” Shiel took her hand, her light gold eyes, compared to before, appeared exceptionally soft, completely resembling the appearance of a young girl.
“Miss, you did very well just now. At least, they won’t suspect us.”
The Silver Moon Elf gently stroked the girl’s delicate and soft pink hair, her exquisite face displaying a gentle smile.
She waved her slender hand, and the magic of moonlight swirled, conjuring magical incarnations throughout the castle, similar in aura to Verafia and the others.
Shiel’s deliberate confrontation with the knights guarding the castle earlier was not an attempt to drive them away and reclaim the city with her status as the liege, but merely to conceal their subsequent actions.
With Irene’s magical incarnations, they could conceal their departure from the castle.
“No, these past two days… both Sister Irene, Miss Verafia, and Miss Tais have done much more than I have. I am still relying on my so-called Count status.”
Shiel shook her head. She gently lowered her gaze, looking at her own slender, pure white fingers as a girl beneath the slightly oversized robes, then raised her clear eyes and said:
“Besides, this doesn’t mean much… Earlier, Trist specifically told us that Brother Azer and the Divine Hymn Ceremony were in three days. I think he’s expecting us to appear. It’s highly likely he’s predicted this as well.”
“However, this information can only be known by a few people. Whether it’s a conspiracy or his scheme, even his loyal subordinates, Trist wouldn’t inform them, let alone these knights who don’t belong to him?”
Tais’s clear voice echoed in the hall. The silver-haired girl, still wearing a light blue outer robe, appeared exceptionally elegant despite the lack of much decoration.
She walked closer to the Count and bowed respectfully and demurely:
“At least, it’s a big difference to only have to face one Lord Trist, and the hundreds or thousands of knights in the entire city… Moreover, you are willing to trust us.”
“No, Miss Tais, what you are doing is more admirable.” Shiel shook her head earnestly. She gently held her slender hand and lowered her face.
“I found a reason, which was to fulfill my responsibility as the liege, to protect the safety of my people and prevent the claws of the frost calamity from encroaching upon my city. However, in the end, I realized that I am still a selfish person, and my mind is still mostly occupied by Brother Azer…”
Shiel’s voice softly articulated in the room. The twilight sunlight streamed through the transparent glass, falling on the floor, revealing the girl’s determination and a faintly lingering atmosphere of sadness.
Meeting the girls of the Kasha Cult and Tais, the witch’s envoy, for just two days, she had chosen to fully trust them, despite still harboring many doubts.
Among these reasons, as the Count, Shiel’s concern for Azer’s safety played a significant role.
As if sensing something, Ig lowered his gaze slightly, looking at the girl beside him.
“But, Cardinal Bro and the Church’s Divine Hymn Ceremony are tomorrow. Yet, Tais, you said their scheme will be carried out tonight… Is this also because of Azer?”
Verafia raised her youthful little face, her big eyes looking at the silver-haired girl, and asked doubtfully.