Chapter 112: I’m also a part of your play?
Chapter 114: I’m also a part of your play?
Compared to Enesyin, who was ragged, covered in burns, and bleeding profusely, Aseran was virtually unscathed, with only her gauntlets and robes slightly scorched.
Anyone unaware would assume the Dragon Princess had defeated an overconfident challenger.
“Yes, you won.”
Aseran smiled faintly, frankly admitting her defeat with a gratified expression.
She gently stroked her sister’s cheek, and a healing Artifice instantly mended all of Enesyin’s wounds.
“I never imagined you would grow to this extent. I now understand your resolve, and I know your intentions.”
In a battle of willpower, she had actually been moved by Enesyin! Even though it was only a slight shift of her stance, and willpower alone didn’t prove the full extent of Enesyin’s strength, it was enough. Aseran’s pride wouldn’t allow her to make excuses for her defeat; the truth was the truth.
Moreover, Enesyin’s resolute will was already enough to qualify her for soaring to great heights.
The Dragon Princess traced a finger over her gauntlet, and a surge of Artifice flowed through it as she issued a concise directive to the Unified Empire’s expeditionary force:
“Cease the attack on Chang immediately. All Royal Guards are to return to the warship.”
Her command swiftly spread to every soldier’s terminal. Although the order seemed illogical and would force the Royal Guard to relinquish their occupied territory, the Dragon Princess’s authority was unquestionable.
To the bewildered gazes of the Holy Army, the Unified Empire’s bombardment and firepower suddenly vanished. The Royal Guard retreated like a receding tide. The Dragonborn, who moments before were shouting battle cries and engaging in fierce combat, instantly ceased all aggression and withdrew.
As the smell of gunpowder dissipated in the outer districts of Chang, Aseran helped the unconscious Enesyin to her feet and turned to Yonglan.
“What do you think? Is there still any need for me to interfere in Enesyin’s life?”
Yonglan: “Huh?”
*Wait, are you two sisters asking me about your personal relationship?*
*Am I also a part of your play?*
Yonglan had long since realized the complex relationship between the sisters Enesyin and Aseran. They were like inseparable family, yet also like sworn enemies, playing a rather intense game.
But as always, since he was asked, Yonglan felt emboldened to say anything.
Yonglan: “If you’re asking me, I would certainly support Enesyin’s independence. She’s my companion.”
Aseran’s purplish-violet eyes sparkled: “Companion?”
“Heh, hahahaha!!”
The Dragon Princess chuckled, holding her forehead as if she had heard the most delightful and exhilarating news. After a lull, she gently caressed her sister’s face.
“Did you hear that, Enesyin? How much you are valued. You truly are… a lucky person.”
Just then, Scathach, Zhenxian, and others finally broke free from their suppression and arrived at their location.
“Yonglan!”
Zhenxian and the Hram group breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Yonglan alive, but they dared not approach due to Aseran’s formidable presence.
However, Scathach and the Holy Army were much bolder. Even though they knew their enemy was an Artificer of the True King Tier, they formed ranks and aimed their weapons at the Dragon Princess.
This fearless—or perhaps foolish—behavior was completely ignored by Aseran. She cast a brief glance at them and stated calmly:
“Cease hostilities for one day. Tomorrow, we will decide the fate of Chang… Heh, you are all quite fortunate. This city is too. Since you have received such favor, there must be a reason for your survival.”
With that, Aseran, holding Enesyin, took a step, and with a low booming sound, they vanished, their speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.
Scathach stared in the direction Aseran had disappeared, her brows furrowed. She then turned to Yonglan.
“What… what is going on? Lord Yonglan!”
“Cough, cough. I know you’re anxious, but please, don’t rush.”
Yonglan had largely composed himself by now, his internal injuries mostly healed. He coughed lightly and then concisely explained the situation.
“Is that so?”
The Inquisitor exchanged glances with her colleague. Scathach sighed.
“Regardless, let’s find High Master Yingxing first and see how he rules.”
The others also ceased their commotion and found Yingxing, who had been leading the elite monks in a bloody battle. They dug the chief Priest of Chang out from under the rubble; the situation had been dire.
Had Aseran’s retreat order come a moment later, the floating warships’ heavy cannons would have already destroyed Yingxing with a single volley.
They had withstood the Unified Empire’s onslaught and defended the city, which should have been a cause for celebration.
But the Holy Army soldiers couldn’t find any joy, not even a cheer, because this wasn’t a victory at all! They had merely managed to escape death by the enemy’s grace. And the reason for this was that the enemy’s commander was persuaded by her own kin. Such a “gifted” victory was hard to accept.
After the temporary truce, the two armies were not in a state of confrontation. Or rather, Chang had no right to confront. If Aseran herself joined the battlefield, all resistance would be instantly crushed. Therefore, after receiving the enemy’s act of mercy, the Chang side had no reason or courage to refuse.
Although there were still some who cried out for mutual destruction, wanting to show the Unified Empire’s Dragon Species the backbone of the Pillars of the Holy, Yingxing, after careful consideration, vetoed the proposal.
“I had intended to fight to the death, to atone for the mistakes that occurred in Chang, but now it seems that would only be avoiding the problem. I must return to the Golden Holy Domain to report.”
“Besides, for the sake of the citizens of Chang, we should indeed accept the enemy’s peace proposal.”
After the battle, the Holy Army of Chang was clear-headed. The reason they could still fight before was that Aseran had deliberately stood aside, allowing her close subordinates to gain achievements. However, to resist further when Aseran had clearly issued a final ultimatum would inevitably lead to the overwhelming force of a True King Tier expert.
That would truly be a meaningless death.
“Although the defeated have no right to make demands, I still wish to secure the best possible outcome for Chang. Brother Yonglan, can I fully entrust this negotiation to you?”
Yingxing sincerely pleaded with Yonglan. Given his old connection with Enesyin, he was undoubtedly the best person to negotiate.
“You want me to go? Alright, but I have a condition. The Atoner Faction members of Hram in Chang, those who have obtained the Crown, I need them to be restored to their freedom.” Yonglan stated his conditions directly, ignoring the Inquisitor’s stern gaze. Yingxing nodded with a bitter smile.
“…Very well.”
