Chapter: 34. Meeting (4K)
Don’t be fooled by Xial calling herself “Big Sister”; in reality, Timani is much younger. This little girl, Xialet, who has lived for a thousand years, is truly the senior here.
It doesn’t matter whether she’s a senior or not.
Xialet is generous in praising the things she admires.
She patted the sleeves of her blue dress, which had collected little dust, and nodded occasionally, acknowledging Timani’s earlier strength.
“Pretty good, but the magic coverage is too large, diluting its power. If you could concentrate this much magic into a single line, even we might struggle to withstand it… Well! Don’t mind it, at this level, you can already be proud!”
“If I could do that… would I be in this situation…” Timani’s voice was a bit low, making it hard for the other side to hear.
“Huh?”
If Xialet had spoken in such a lofty manner from the very beginning, Timani would surely have mocked her youthful arrogance and ignorance.
However, after witnessing the reality just now… she felt that this little girl in front of her had every right to be so arrogant.
Arrogance belongs to the weak.
The arrogance of the strong can only be deemed natural.
Xialet rested the golden illusion sword on her shoulder, one hand on her hip, the enormous sword blade contrasting sharply with her petite body.
Seeing that Timani across from her was adjusting her breath without any intention to attack again, Xialet tilted her head and asked.
“Big Sister, can we surrender now? Honestly, we have some urgent matters, and we’re short on time.”
Xialet turned to look at the spectator seats, but noticed that Lady Xue Fei and the Hero were no longer there.
The previous release of the “Dragon Flame Great Explosion” had stirred up the magic particles at the scene, making it impossible to track where they had gone.
Ugh… Lady Xue Fei must have found something fun, but didn’t take us!
Xialet realized that she was increasingly envious of the Hero lately… no matter when, being able to act together with Lady Xue Fei is truly delightful.
But… but this feeling of being left ignored is also great…! Ah, it’s really hard to decide!
Compared to those…
Xialet’s eyes flickered with little hearts, refocusing her seriousness.
After all, she hadn’t heard her opponent say the word “surrender.”
On the battlefield, as long as the signal for the end of the fight hasn’t been heard, the greatest taboo is to let one’s guard down.
Timani exhaled the hot air lightly, looking down at her slightly trembling palm from casting a large-area spell.
She knew that she had no way back in this match.
The trump card originally meant to deal with the Demon Princess…
Should she use it early?
But if she used it now, the finals were at most only an hour away, and her stamina and magic wouldn’t recover; how could she win then?
Her palm slightly closed into a fist.
The crimson dress swayed gently in the wind, resembling a scarlet lotus.
She couldn’t afford to think too much anymore.
The path Timani had walked thus far, from the Arctic of the Northern Region to the Southern Wastes, from the Demon Race’s territories to the extreme Eastern Spiritual Domain, every country had her footprints of striving to prove her worth.
If she couldn’t even pass this round, what talk could there be about the future?
Things at that time would be considered later.
Xialet wasn’t entirely sure what this Fire Dragon Clan was thinking. Clearly at a disadvantage, yet the battle intent radiating from her was growing stronger as if she had some means to win.
——Domain Magic.
Just like the Domain Magic “Zero” released by Six-Winged Demon Jeffrey during the invasion of the capital city, capable of solidifying time and space and gaining absolute advantage within the domain—a super-high-tier unique magic.
Previously, Xialet had assessed Timani’s strength to be around the Ninth Stage of the Human Race’s strength system, but that was inadequate.
After all… to prevent her magic from going out of control, Timani had always been deliberately suppressing herself.
Those who possess Domain Magic are among the rare strong ones in this world.
Casting a domain will almost entirely consume one’s magic, with harsh conditions, but the effects will certainly be significant.
Timani calmed her mind and closed her eyes.
Her crimson hair rose slightly in the heated wind.
At this moment, she looked like an angel of flame, the flames soaring like angel wings, playing a mournful song of destruction.
Xialet no longer placed the golden great sword on her shoulder.
She held the great sword in front of her, her expression growing more serious.
Perhaps she could disrupt Timani’s spellcasting right now, but she wouldn’t do that.
A thousand years ago, Xialet had been chosen by the kingdom’s high officials to forge the Holy Sword in the magma because she had defeated many of the kingdom’s strong ones back in that era, showcasing exceptional talent and rising fame.
She inherently possessed a combative heart, and being able to spar with strong ones is considered a lucky matter in life.
“Come on, come on~ let me see… what other trump cards you have!”
“You’re strong.” Timani opened her eyes, a hint of sympathy in her voice, “I didn’t want to use you as a stepping stone to claim glory… nor do I want to hurt others. But… I have lost my way for too long, and I have no other choice now.”
Moments later, both the front-row and back-row spectators either averted their eyes or covered their eyes.
Because that dazzling light produced a judgment that “if you stare at it, your eyes would definitely be hurt.”
“So… I’m sorry.”
The Gladiatorial Arena of the Kingdom of Komir was about to witness the highest-standard magic it ever housed since its establishment.
The Domain Magic unique to Timani.
——“Crimson.”
……………………………..
Stepping in the forest outskirts of the capital city, Xue Fei suddenly stopped and looked back towards the direction of the Gladiatorial Arena.
The soaring crimson light illuminated half the sky, giving the already darkening capital a blazing sunset atmosphere.
——Even though this place was already dozens of miles away from the Gladiatorial Arena.
“Wow, who set off fireworks? Looks pretty good!”
“That is… the direction of the Gladiatorial Arena?” A hint of worry rose in Xial’s heart, “Isn’t Xialet and Timani competing right now? What kind of magic is that… why are they fighting so fiercely?!”
“Don’t panic, let’s analyze this rationally. If that firework is set off by the Fire Lizard, it won’t scare off a pervert. If it’s set off by a pervert, the Fire Lizard wouldn’t be in any danger. Well… it’s not that I want to praise that pervert, but your Holy Sword does have a measure, doesn’t it?”
“Uh… where did you see that she has any measure…?”
“You don’t understand, when I went fishing and asked her to help me with the net, she didn’t miss a single fish. Just based on this point, Xialet is trustworthy, she’s a good pervert.”
“But that’s because you didn’t catch many fish to begin with, how could she possibly miss any…”
“Cough cough cough!! The air quality here is really bad! Haven’t we reached yet? Look at this situation!”
“……”
Xue Fei never directly faced the fact that her fishing skills were lacking.
Since Xue Fei said it was okay, Xial wouldn’t worry too much.
Xue Fei’s judgments are usually quite accurate, at least sharper than her own slower mind.
Moreover… Xial knew that she and Xue Fei had more important matters to attend to on this trip.
She reached out and pushed aside the branches blocking the path, looking down as she passed through.
Xue Fei didn’t need to push aside the branches because her height wouldn’t be obstructed by them; she could walk straight through smoothly.
As Xial leaned down, she caught another glimpse of the letter that Xue Fei was holding.
Tch, she really didn’t understand what that Pope was thinking.
Can’t he say things directly? Why leave such ambiguous statements?
——“Young friend, are you willing to come to the Komir Forest? I wish to invite you here to discuss important matters.”
The magical light points that flew out of the letter resembled “fireflies,” guiding the two towards a certain location, which should be where the Pope was.
Xial’s footsteps felt heavy, her heart filled with concern.
If it were under the identity of “Shaya,” the Pope would absolutely not condescend to write her such a letter.
After all, “Shaya” isn’t of the royal family; what discussions about important matters could there be?
But since Gustav the Seventh had said so, could it mean…
“Xue Fei, does this mean the Pope has noticed that ‘Shaya’ is actually ‘Xue Fei’? Otherwise, he wouldn’t write a letter in such a tone of consultation?”
“He can’t tell.”
“Whew… then it’s still…”
“But the thing behind him can see through it.”
“!”
So, in the end, has it been discovered!
Xue Fei continued to stride forward, casually spreading her hands.
She sighed like a little adult, but it couldn’t hide her wicked smile.
“There’s nothing to be done~ since ‘Xue Fei’ has to take the stage, ‘Shaya’ has to use teleportation. Teleporting back and forth twice, at a far distance would be hard to say, but at such a close distance, if that entity behind the Pope can’t see this clearly, do we even need to bother with him?”
“True, but if the Pope knows about this and exposes your identity… then Xue Fei, isn’t your desire for a peaceful life…”
“There’s no benefit in that relationship chain, so there’s no possibility.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
So in the end, Xial
Your response is just too slow.
But who told Xue Fei to pamper her sister?
She stopped her steps, crossed her arms, leaned against a nearby tree branch, and inquired about the letter in her hand.
“Exposing my identity, what benefit would it bring for that old fool? The power struggle between nations is not child’s play; all he wants is a promise, like wanting to initiate trade cooperation with the Demon Race, or hoping the Demon Race won’t threaten the Corea Church State’s territories. But if he exposes my identity, what he’ll get is me leading an army to flatten his home! What benefits would that bring him?”
“I see… but if that’s the case, since he doesn’t dare to act recklessly, wouldn’t it be fine if we just don’t go see him?! Uh!”
She was again smacked on the head by Xue Fei’s raised hand…
It didn’t hurt.
Even as she was “hit,” Xial gently helped remove the leaves that had gotten tangled in Xue Fei’s silver hair as she stood on tiptoe.
Xial actually felt quite wronged.
What she thought the most, beyond everything else, was to ensure Xue Fei’s safety.
The promise she made to Xue Fei about participating in the match was made when she didn’t know the Pope had unknown trump cards behind him.
Now that it had turned into this situation, everything was uncertain, right?
“…I actually know that we came to see what the Pope wanted to do in this match… but… but Xue Fei, you didn’t mention whether the trump cards behind the Pope would pose a threat to your safety. I’m not timid, but if I’m uncertain, I’d rather take you away… uh!”
She was smacked again!
But this time, the hand chop was clearly gentler.
Xue Fei handed over the letter she just received to Xial and turned back to continue forward with a hum.
“I really like what a famous writer said—‘I won’t fish for fish I can’t catch.’”
“Who said that?”
“Xue Fei·Halder.”
“Are you a writer?!”
“Pfft… it’s not important. You need to savor the meaning behind this!”
You won’t fish for fish you can’t catch.
“But Xue Fei, you can’t fish at all!”
“Do you want to fight?! You really want to fight, don’t you?!”
Xue Fei stomped her foot in frustration, her small fist hitting Xial’s bouncy chest.
——Instead, Xue Fei stumbled back a step.
Xue Fei was stunned, retracting her fist and feeling a myriad of emotions.
How annoying. Considering her softness, I won’t fight with you.
“What I mean is, if I can’t win, I definitely wouldn’t come! That thing, while undetectable in its strength, isn’t that powerful; otherwise, the Pope would have revealed it long ago. It should have some sort of limitation… unlike you, Xial…! I’ve said you don’t need to follow me, why are you so stubborn?”
“That’s not stubborn… If I don’t come, how could I feel at ease? I know Xue Fei is strong… but I’ve said it before, this is a different matter.”
Xial reached out to pat Xue Fei’s head.
It made her petite body sway left and right.
“Didn’t Xue Fei say before that as long as I’m here, you can relax even with danger? The Pope has his trump cards, and you have yours—your trump card is me. This is something I take pride in as your sister. To be honest… seeing Xue Fei so strong, needing no help from me, makes me really down… now you won’t take away this little bit of pride from me, right?”
Xue Fei pouted and lowered her head, silent.
She shook her head, looking quite impatient, but the blush on her cheeks exposed that she actually enjoyed Xial’s head pats.
The low mumble of her response followed.
“Well… it doesn’t matter; since the Pope has already seen ‘Shaya’ sitting together with the Hero, hiding it is meaningless. Moreover… letting the Pope know that the Demon Princess and the Kingdom’s Hero are friends is not a bad thing; it can warn the Church State not to take advantage of the Kingdom in times of crisis, I’ve actually found their behavior displeasing for a while now…”
“Is it because Xue Fei empathizes with the Kingdom’s people?”
“Definitely not… Just because Xial, you live here and… Tch, forget I said that!”
“Xue Fei.”
“What is it?!”
“Tonight, when we go back… um… how about we do it again?”
“!”
Xue Fei is in danger!
What’s the point of danger? The road must continue onward!
Xial stared at the tuft of hair swaying above Xue Fei’s head, and the more she looked, the more uncontrollable her smile became on her beautiful face.
Clearly heading into the unknown.
But as long as she is with her, why does it feel like there’s nothing to worry about?
This truly is the most wonderful thing in the world~
…………………………
The “firefly” flew all the way to the edge of the forest before gradually dissipating and vanishing.
And as Xue Fei and Xial stepped out of the densely-leaved area of the forest, they soon saw the golden cloak adorned with golden cross patterns, the ruby scepter, and the crown representing the Pope’s authority.
Gustav the Seventh stood there, facing away from the Komir Forest, looking up at the overlapping mountains.
Hearing the movement, the elder turned around.
He placed his palm over his heart and slightly bowed his head. This act of the Pope was the highest courtesy to welcome guests in the Church State.
Seeing this, Xue Fei hurriedly whispered something to Xial.
“Wow… Xial, how does he manage to keep that hat on his head without it falling off when he bows? It looks so heavy!”
“Is that where your focus is?! The point is… when we arrived, wasn’t the Pope still sitting on a high platform? How is he here now, near the Gladiatorial Arena?”
“It’s a puppet, just like the Shaya doll. And his hat doesn’t fall because he’s been wearing it too long; the shape of the hat must have adapted to his head; I absolutely believe that’s the case.”
“So the focus really isn’t on that… All right, I think so too.”
After Xial and Xue Fei muttered softly, they then stepped towards the direction where the Pope’s real self was located.
The Pope set the scepter aside.
And looking tired, he sat on a large stone.
Nodding again, he said softly, “Welcome, Princess of the Demon Race, and the Hero of Olaus. I am deeply gratified that you have accepted the invitation to come here.”
