I Was The Hero, But I Woke Up as a Phoenix Princess! – Chapter 968

Chapter 14 Unexpected Prosperity
Arriving at the small hill before the city walls of Arnor Colon, Miss Verafia’s small hand was held within Ig’s palm as he led her, her delicate feet adorned with ornamental lace-up high heels, gently touching the ground as they landed.
“Hmm, so this is Arnor Colon, it doesn’t feel like it’s changed that much.”
Once VeraFIA stood steady, she slightly raised her eyes, her delicate eyelashes fluttering amidst the gorgeous bright gold, and a soft, sweet voice escaped her lips.
However, VeraFIA knew clearly that a century had passed since the Demon Race War, and this Arnor Colon, rebuilt after the war, was no longer the “Wall of Sacred Light” she had fiercely defended in the past.
Not to mention, this Arnor Colon was actually controlled by a Demon Race Monarch.
She shook her head and saw Mysella and Andes dismount from the carriage. Even Anrijel, the loli maidservant who often hid in her room, was being led by Ophi, her pair of icy lake-like clear and crystalline big eyes holding unknown emotions, tilting her little head to gaze at the city where the fallen holy angel resided.
There was no sign of Pastor Clement. After approaching Arnor Colon, this young pastor had bid farewell to VeraFIA, thanking her for being willing to come to this city, and at the same time, saying he needed to find his teacher.
To this, VeraFIA did not have much objection, waving goodbye as she watched the pastor’s receding back, and then cutely blinked her eyes again.
“Arnor Colon… I remember, this is the ancestral territory of the Whetins family, and the current Duke is a powerful person in the Sacred Domain.”
A gentle and pleasant maiden’s voice softly sounded, a delicate mage’s cloak draped over Mysella’s slender shoulders, her tender jade hands clutching the scepter in her embrace, the magic gem embedded in the scepter faintly shimmering as she gazed at the magnificent city walls before her.
“If, as Miss VeraFIA said, not only Arnor Colon but also that Duke have fallen into the hands of the Foul Wing Church.”
Princess Mysella’s red lips moved slightly, her pair of sapphire-like brilliant crystal eyes flickered, gazing at the golden-haired girl standing beside Ig.
“That is what was said. But this city shows no signs of being in the hands of a Demon Race Monarch,” VeraFIA said.
Everything outside the city walls of Arnor Colon was as usual. Even the soldiers stationed at the city gate were still humans. Powerful knights proudly raised their spears and banners, the crest of the Whetins family fluttering in the wind.
Moreover, there were many clergy and physicians who had set up shelters outside the city, preparing medicines, as well as meat broth and thick porridge, to aid the refugees who had drifted here due to the war.
If it weren’t for her divine sense truly sensing that there were a considerable number of patients groaning in pain from the plague within the city, and the dark aura she had felt in the plague’s blood, VeraFIA might have doubted if Pastor Clement was deliberately deceiving her.
Tilting her head in thought, VeraFIA’s gaze fell upon Anrijel, whose small hand was being held by Ophi, as she stood on tiptoe looking into the distance. She then walked closer and rubbed her snow-smooth hair with her slender jade fingers:
“Anrijel, do you know what kind of person that Sariel is?”
Anrijel hesitated, shaking her little head vigorously, “An-an doesn’t know. Sariel… even when in the Demon Realm, An-an didn’t interact with him much, so I can’t tell the Young Lady.”
Hearing the girl’s clear and ethereal voice, VeraFIA couldn’t help but furrow her beautiful eyebrows, becoming even more confused.
Ophi, beside her, tugged at her hand, her big eyes gazing, and suggested, “Then, Veer, why don’t we enter the city and take a look?”
—
After some thought, VeraFIA finally accepted the Ice Dragon Girl’s suggestion and, along with Ig and others, arrived at one of the city gates of Arnor Colon.
There were no heavily guarded patrols. In fact, their arrival did not arouse any unusual attention. At most, a few guards stationed there marveled at the stunning beauty of the young ladies. After simple inquiries and receiving a few imperial silver coins, they were allowed to enter Arnor Colon.
Within the city walls, Arnor Colon still showed no signs of dark erosion. In fact, VeraFIA felt a sense of peace and tranquility that she had rarely encountered since arriving in the Empire’s territory.
It was not a city devastated by war and plunder, nor did it have the肅杀 atmosphere of great lords mustering troops and hoarding wealth. Arnor Colon remained prosperous. Not only commoners, but also noble men and women walked about, and the streets were lined with shops of all sizes.
VeraFIA even saw several tailor shops with beautiful evening gowns and dessert shops selling sweet and crispy cakes.
“Veer, I asked someone.”
Ig walked closer, gently holding the girl’s slender wrist. After she slightly turned her face, he spoke:
“He is a resident of Arnor Colon and has lived here for thirty years. That citizen told me that Arnor Colon has been ruled by Lord Ayne Whetins for twenty years.”
“This Duke, originally a cruel, suspicious, and easily angered tyrant, was not only greedy and lecherous, but also extravagant and fond of traveling. Every time he went out, several innocent young girls in the territory would be harmed.”
Ig paused. Seeing the slight lift of the girl’s golden eyes and the ripples within them, he knew she had already guessed what came next, but he still spoke:
“However, that citizen told me that about seven or eight months ago, that lord fell gravely ill. He had originally prayed for the illness to take the Duke’s life, but contrary to his wishes, within a week, the Duke had completely recovered.”
“It seems that due to this serious illness, the Duke’s personality changed. From then on, he began to be frugal, devout, and redistributed the wealth he had previously amassed. He righted wrongs, purged the treacherous and wicked in the royal court, and even did not hesitate to execute his second son, who had wronged innocent women.”
“At the same time, the Duke also provided relief to the poor, even extending his benevolence to refugees who had fallen on hard times and come to his territory.”
Looking at the girl, Ig revealed a wry smile, “Finally, that citizen also congratulated me, saying that it must have been the blessing of the Holy Lord of Light that allowed the cruel monarch to be reborn and become a good Duke who cared for his people.”
“This…”
What Ig narrated exceeded VeraFIA’s expectations. She slightly turned her head, looking towards a towering castle deep within the prosperous city. The magnificent attire suggested the extravagance of its construction, symbolizing the Duke and City Lord, but at this moment, it had changed.
VeraFIA still found it somewhat unbelievable and said to Ig, “Could it be that the fallen holy angel caused Ayne, that fallen lord, to change?”
“If your initial judgment was not mistaken, it is likely so,” Ig said with a wry smile.