Chapter: 29. On Stage
Oh wow, it’s finally my turn to take the stage?
Really, weren’t the audience’s vibes just so lively a moment ago? How come they go silent when they shout my name?
Actually, that’s not entirely true.
In the section reserved for the Demon Race, half of the demons are raising their arms and shouting, “Long live Her Highness the Princess!”
Of course, there’s another half of the demons who choose to remain silent or half-heartedly mumble insincere slogans.
To the demons who remember Princess Xue Feiya’s achievements over the past decade, she is still the invincible “War God Princess” of the Demon Territory.
However, to many of the noble demons, the fact that the First Princess was captured is an undeniable stain.
A captive is a loser, and losers don’t deserve applause.
Even if she were to be released now, she would just be a source of shame for the Demon Race, and all her previous accomplishments would mean nothing.
It’s probably only because they cannot insult their own that they refrained from cursing.
A flawless jade stone, the world cherishes.
However, if the sapphire has even a slight blemish, the world will spurn it.
They only demand sapphires continue to be clear and perfect, never considering that the stone has been battered by the wind and rain for years, and is already scarred all over.
Scarred stones cannot earn the world’s pity; they can only await disdainful remarks like “angry that it didn’t strive” and “too weak.”
Stones are not meant to evade.
She had asked some of her kin—how long should she hold on?
Ten years? Twenty years? Even thirty would be fine.
She only hopes that after that, she can behold the horizon and gaze upon the sea and sky, like a butterfly flying over a field of flowers.
But the answer she received was…
—There will never be such a day.
As a princess of the Demon Race, pride is an everlasting subject.
She resembles a jade stone but her heart is like a butterfly.
While Princess Xue Feiya continuously ponders the cruel meaning behind this phrase, the Demon King’s Castle has already become a prison cage.
To the world, the defeat of the Demon Princess signifies a fall from the glorious battlefield into a human captivity.
But to her, where exactly is the cage?
They don’t care, because it’s not they who are imprisoned there.
They only hope that the Demon Territory forever has such a colorful jade stone to proclaim their strength to the world.
If the jade loses its value, it can simply be discarded.
Shaya, with her back to the almost suffocating silence, slowly slipped the half-eaten donut into her Storage Magic.
She was preparing to use Instant Transport to make her entrance as Xue Feiya and leave the Shaya doll behind. However, just when she was supposed to step onto the battlefield quickly…
Xue Feiya suddenly felt her left hand covered by a gentle presence.
Turning to look, she saw Xiya’s smile blooming like jade.
“Shaya.”
“Mm?”
“Since you’re going to compete, try to have fun and think less about troubling matters. And also… I want to tell you, in your sister’s eyes, you are one of a kind—whether you are during your time in the Demon King’s Castle or sitting here now. I… I don’t know how to express this, but I mean, don’t pay so much attention to what they think, because your inherent excellence doesn’t need others to judge. Your sister understands this. So… you probably get what I’m trying to say, right?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Eh?! Then let me rephrase! Let me think… think…”
“Pu…”
“Shaya?”
One moment she was feeling heavy-hearted, the next she was smiling slyly.
With Xue Feiya’s comprehension skills, how could she not understand what Xiya was trying to convey?
Xue Feiya chuckled.
She didn’t care about the host reminding contestants to take the stage for the second time; she took out the donut she had just put into Storage Magic, feeling very hungry, and stuffed it into her mouth to eat her happiness away.
“Mm… so sweet. I said, Xiya, you’re quite good with words! You’ve made my heart flutter!”
“Don’t tease your sister… really… I thought you were feeling a bit gloomy, and I was encouraging you, that’s all…”
“Not teasing at all?!”
“Mm?”
The Little Holy Sword sensed an awkward atmosphere.
But she was not incapable of reading the air; after she kneeled and sat back on her chair, looking around at the dull audience with annoyance, Xial huffed and crossed her arms in displeasure before sitting back down with a tone of righteous indignation.
“Hmph… Since ancient times, these guys have always been so ignorant. Lady Shaya is clearly the greatest person in the world, yet they don’t cherish her at all, and now they have such sour faces, as if we owe them something. If they really had the ability, they should go up on stage and show us! Come, we’ll take on as many as they send! We…! Uh?”
The donut had again appeared in her small mouth, halting the rapid-fire diatribe from Xial.
The Little Holy Sword looked up and first saw the little fingers that had just stuffed the donut into her mouth.
When the fingers were withdrawn, there was that pure smile from Xue Feiya, shining like snow, making its first appearance in Xial’s azure eyes.
Such a smile is precious and won’t last long.
After Shaya turned back and told Xiya, “I’ll be back soon,” the “Shaya” doll lost all expression, sitting still on her seat, motionless, facing the competition stage.
Xial stood up and poked the “Shaya doll’s” collagen-filled cheek, pouting in complaint.
“Mm… Lady Shaya’s soul has gone off to a distant place again; she won’t move.”
“Xial… please don’t say it like she’s dead… Shaya is just off to compete, it’s not that far.”
Though not far.
But Xiya and Xial both shifted slightly closer in their seats.
So that they could be nearer to the Shaya doll.
Not far.
But always wanting to be a little closer.
…………………………………
The staff in the waiting area were anxiously pacing back and forth.
For the third time, they called for the contestants, and Princess Xue Feiya still had not appeared.
They aren’t political figures or businessmen.
However, as the organizers of the gladiatorial event, if they fail to ensure the contestants arrive on time today, they will offend both politicians and big merchants.
But whether the prestigious Demon Princess would appear on schedule is not something they can decide.
They are anxious, but they cannot show too much of that anxiety.
After all, in the waiting area… there is still a heavyweight figure present…
The Third Princess of the Aulus Kingdom, Livra, is currently standing here, waiting.
She gazes at the tightly closed doors of the waiting area, silent.
The person responsible for organizing the contestants wipes cold sweat from his brow and steps forward, feeling guilty.
He thought that the princess must be here to hold them accountable.
“We… we deserve punishment, Your Highness. If Princess Xue Feiya doesn’t appear and breaks her promise for this match, will we… will we all be held accountable and put to death?! As the main person responsible, I cannot be absolved!”
“You…!”
Oh! The princess is angry!
But when Livra turned around, she blinked her big eyes, looking innocently silly.
“You, you, you…! Can you not say such depressing things?! I believe that Princess Xue Feiya will definitely come, and even if she doesn’t, it has nothing to do with you! Boohoo, but will I be sent to the guillotine by Father King?!”
“Your Highness, please don’t say such upsetting things!” “Yeah, yeah! Your Highness is such a good person, the King will definitely understand!”
“!”
Oh no, the staff who were originally afraid of being executed now feel sympathy and comfort for Livra instead.
Livra has no airs about her wherever she goes, giving off a friendly vibe.
In fact, Livra is not too nervous right now.
Because she firmly believes that Princess Xue Feiya will come.
She will not break her promise.
We agreed, Your Highness, to take this first step towards the flourishing era together.
Your gaze is so resolute; I believe you would never lie to me.
Boohoo, but if Princess Xue Feiya is late because she overslept, Livra thinks that even if it is not the guillotine, she would still get a good scolding from Father King and Mother Queen!
Amidst Livra’s whispered prayers…
—The door opened.
All sounds in the waiting area suddenly vanished.
Only black wings blocked the sunlight.
And standing at the doorway, a terrifying silver-haired girl clad in a black gothic dress, with a fierce expression.
When the staff saw the Calamity Witch in person for the first time, they instinctively wanted to flee, but their legs felt as if they were nailed to the ground in terror, unable to move.
“Yaya ya ya… Sorry for being a bit late! May I ask, is this the way into the arena?”
Oh no!
This witch is surprisingly polite! Even scarier!
They didn’t dare to move, but Livra was deeply moved to see Xue Feiya’s appearance!
A flicker of light shone in her eyes as she hurried forward to grasp Xue’s hand, wanting to thank her for coming, but upon reaching Xue Feiya, Livra realized that might be a bit impolite.
She awkwardly withdrew her outstretched hand and replaced the greeting with a slight nod.
But the smile on her face filled with gratitude didn’t diminish at all!
“Princess… Princess Xue Feiya! You really came!”
“Hmm…? Princess Livra, you’re here too. Yes, didn’t we agree? I have no reason to go back on my word.”
“Yes… Yes! Your appearance here is the greatest assistance to the peace between our two countries! Thank you for your efforts! You’ve worked hard!”
“……”
Huh?
What have I contributed? I don’t remember anything!
Xue Feiya felt she hadn’t really contributed anything.
On the contrary, she has gained a lot.
—Like the three carriages of donuts Livra sent to the mansion and the half-lake of fish.
The fishing success rate has already increased significantly; shouldn’t it be Xue Feiya who thanks Livra for her gifts?
Livra turned back to signal the staff to relax, reminding them to make arrangements for the event, saying that Princess Xue Feiya would appear soon to reassure visiting dignitaries from various countries.
But as she turned back, Livra noticed Princess Xue Feiya seemed to be staring intently at her face…?
“Princess… Princess Xue Feiya? Is there something on my face?”
“Nothing, I have eyes, so isn’t it just normal for me to look? What do you care about what I watch?”
“I’m not caring at all?!”
Indeed, when talking to Princess Xue Feiya, it always feels somewhat familiar and infuriating!
Well… Xue Feiya’s mindset was a bit different when she looked at Livra this time.
After all, prompted by her mother, she recalled some long-buried memories.
Livra had transformed from an ordinary silly child into a silly child whom I once saved in childhood.
Hmm~ It seems that strange little girl has grown up well and become strong!
A sense of relief suddenly enveloped her heart.
Xue Feiya stood on her tiptoes and patted Livra’s shoulder while slowly walking past her, lifting the dark hair fringe from her forehead.
“Alright, I have to go compete now. Princess Livra, do you have some time? After the match, I have some words I’d like to speak to you alone.”
“Hmm? Is it about the next steps in the peace strategy?”
“It could be, or it might not be. By the way, what kind of opponent do I have this round? Do you know?”
As Xue Feiya walked down the path the staff automatically made for her, Livra hurriedly turned around to keep up.
She pressed her finger to her lips, deep in thought, recalling the schedule with all her intelligence. Finally, she was able to come up with an answer.
“Ah…! I know, I know! Hey, my memory is pretty good, your opponent in this round is…!”
【Breaking News! The Demon Princess Xue Feiya has arrived at the waiting area and will be heading to the competition venue shortly! Let’s first welcome the contestant from the Adventurers’ Guild, Mr. Vorof, who comes from the Eastern corridor! As one of only three platinum-level adventurers in Aulus, second only to top black diamond-level adventurers, he is the pride of the Aulus Kingdom and one of the trump cards of the Adventurers’ Guild Aulus branch! It is said that Mr. Vorof once single-handedly defeated a malevolent dragon with the ability to annihilate cities; his combat power is unquestionable! We believe this match will be truly spectacular!】
The sound of the broadcast crystal rang out.
Livra felt distressed.
Oh no…!
She had a rare opportunity to contribute… and her line was snatched!
The princess does have a sense of pride; even if she mutters, she has to finish her words.
“Your opponent this round… is an adventurer named
Vorof.”
“I heard that already, and it seems his name is Vorof, not Vorol.”
