Chapter: 18. Not Angry, Right?
Not allowed to enter?
Xiya’s pleading gaze instantly filled Xue Feiya’s vision.
Xue Feiya was equally confused.
This was also unexpected for her.
Because Xue Feiya originally thought that the gatekeeper wouldn’t have such discernment. It should be easy to blend in with her and Belis coming together, with Xiya in her silver-haired state trailing behind, right?
Thinking that this blue sphere might just be a test, Xue Feiya pretended to be surprised, revealing her small tiger teeth and smiling nonchalantly.
“Gatekeeper, what are you talking about! This is my distant cousin; you can’t possibly miss her silver hair even without your eyes. Just let us in; we’re in a hurry!”
The implication was, show us some courtesy.
Who would have thought that this blue sphere would be impartial and speak directly.
It shook its blue fluorescence a few times, as if reaffirming something.
This time, its answer remained unchanged.
“Princess Xue Feiya, as the administrator of the Forbidden Library, I have no right to comment on your interactions with those of the Hero bloodline. However, for the past millennia, I cannot allow those of the Hero bloodline to step into the Demon Race Forbidden Library, and even a royal command cannot shake the absolute rules.”
“You’re so stubborn…!”
Xue Feiya let out a sigh.
Then, her peripheral vision suddenly sharpened like a sword, and a powerful surge of magic enveloped the entire small island, causing the direction of the water’s surface ripples to reverse.
Her originally playful voice suddenly turned deep, becoming the most intimidating.
“Even if I say I want to take her in, and it’s possible I might eliminate you… would you still continue to talk about rules…?”
The overwhelming sense of magical pressure made even Belis break out in a cold sweat.
But she knew that the Princess was just feigning anger.
In order to achieve her goals, one must employ both soft and hard tactics; if this gatekeeper wouldn’t listen to her playful banter, then she had to apply some pressure.
But who would have known…
The blue sphere actively circled around Xue Feiya, its childish voice unwavering.
“Yes, even so, I am fulfilling my mission. To repeat, I have no right to inquire why Her Highness the Princess associates with the Hero. My jurisdiction lies solely within the Forbidden Library. If a Hero of the Light Family bloodline enters the Forbidden Library, it is a failure of my duty, and after my dissolution, I would be ashamed to face my Demon Race ancestors. Therefore, Princess, please reconsider this matter.”
“……”
In fact, Xue Feiya wasn’t idle either.
She forcefully blew air toward the blue sphere, trying to see if she could disperse it like blowing a bubble.
She also attempted to raise her little arm to bat it away, but her arm simply passed through the middle of the sphere without any substance.
If this thing really was a product from a thousand years ago, then it was quite persistent.
You’re simply a perfect example of what it means to be a lingering spirit!
This incorporeal presence reminded Xue Feiya of Aimeres, but the two were fundamentally different.
Aimeres had no physical form but could feel magic, while this blue sphere was like a projection, showing no fluctuations of magic.
Xue Feiya naturally had other ways to disperse it, but…
She wasn’t in the mood.
The blue sphere also had its own duties; although Xue Feiya was of royal blood, there was no rule stating that the Forbidden Library was her private property. Following the rules was expected.
If chaos prevailed and anyone could do as they please, the Demon Race wouldn’t have thrived to this day.
Xue Feiya was a princess accustomed to freedom and carelessness. She didn’t think she could contribute significantly to the Demon Race, but at least she wouldn’t hold it back.
“Ah… fine, fine. If I can’t get in, so be it. But let’s agree on this, since you can see her identity, don’t go telling others about it. I’m making a concession, so you should understand a bit.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding. Regarding what you mentioned, that is only natural. I have no authority to leave this place nor any need to speak of side matters to others. I am merely an administrator of the Forbidden Library.”
I see you’re more like a stubborn spirit…
Xue Feiya didn’t say this; otherwise, she would have been lectured by the sphere again.
Belis remained silent, her arms crossed in front of her slightly ample chest, leaning against the stone wall beside the entrance, patiently waiting.
Before entering the Forbidden Library, Xue Feiya naturally turned back to explain this regrettable fact to Xiya.
But Xiya wasn’t the type of girl who would sulk just because she couldn’t enter a scenic area for some reason.
Before Xue Feiya even had to say anything, Xiya was already gently smiling and comforting her, even patting Xue’s head.
“It’s okay, I’ll wait for you back at the castle.”
“I wanted to take you in to see the Forbidden Library…” because there were books about cooking techniques for cabbage mushrooms.
“Actually, I’m not that curious about the Forbidden Library…” Xiya spoke sincerely, “I just wanted to go in with Xue to see a new place together. If it’s not possible, there’s no need to force it. We can go somewhere else afterward.”
After all, as long as she was with Xue Feiya, it didn’t matter whether it was the Forbidden Library or a flower field.
The point wasn’t where to go, but who to go with.
She could understand Xue Feiya’s slight disappointment.
After all, it was Xiya’s first time at Xue’s home, and Xue must have wanted to show her more of her living environment.
“I’ll find a chance to get the Forbidden Library relocated later, leaving only this big door. That way, the gatekeeper will be useless.”
“Did you just mumble some absurd plan?”
“Nope.”
“Ah… you and your ideas. Oh, right, it’s fine that I’m not going in, but there’s one thing I’m a bit concerned about. Xue, you… probably understand?”
The exchange of glances communicated without needing words.
Moreover, both Xiya and Xue’s peripheral views were simultaneously focused on Belis, making it awkward to bring it up.
The Forbidden Library was a very special place for Xue Feiya and Belis.
Initially, Belis blindly pursued power, leading to a rift between the two sisters here, yet they also reconciled there.
And some secrets contained within were still not fully understood by Xue.
【I don’t know what made Belis recall those things. Logically speaking, the side effects of the Forbidden Spell should have made her forget that I saved her, but she remembered. Isn’t that strange?】
Calling Belis along means even Xiya could understand — Xue wasn’t just there to investigate Livra’s abilities.
There was also a desire to unravel the mysteries surrounding Belis.
This question had been on Xiya’s mind for Xue.
Xiya’s earlier tone was open and steady.
But this later sentiment suddenly became a bit shy, her gaze darting about!
“Xiya? So you do want to go inside after all, huh? It’s okay, I’ll sneak a peek at the new recipe for cabbage mushrooms and relay it to you just the same.”
“Cabbage mushrooms…? No, I meant to say… Xue, you and your sister Belis can talk privately later; I’m just worried that you might end up blabbing too much… um… no, you can say whatever you want as sisters… but… let’s keep things to the point. Don’t spoil her too much… like when she wants to hug you… learn to dodge… that’s very important, yes, very important!”
Oh no.
Xiya brought out the vinegar.
The vinegar, referring to jealousy.
Even the lake breeze couldn’t disperse the thick scent of vinegar, causing Xue Feiya to break out in a cold sweat.
Because from behind… it seemed like there was the same scent!
Xiya’s gaze clashed spectacularly with Belis’s, and the silence was the most intense confrontation.
Just now, the diligent light sphere had surprisingly drifted to a slightly farther distance, no longer blocking the entrance.
It hadn’t failed in its duty; the Hero had confirmed that they would retreat and it wasn’t necessary to stay guard.
But more importantly… it sensed the atmosphere of a battlefield.
A bit frightening.
………………………….
After Xue Feiya and Belis entered the Forbidden Library’s domain, the stone door closed behind them.
The staircase down to the lake’s bottom was lined with eternal candle flames that hadn’t faded for a thousand years, illuminating walls etched with ancient characters that remain untranslated.
The further down they went, the wider the space became; Xue Feiya’s voice could still echo at this point, but soon, that echo would likely fade away.
“By the way, Belis, you weren’t much help at a crucial moment. When I was trying to get Xiya to come in, you didn’t say a word. If you had also spoken up, maybe the gatekeeper would’ve given us some face too.”
“Princess, your face is enough.”
“Are you angry…?”
“No, Belis is not angry that the Princess knows I don’t want the Hero to come along but still says I’m not helpful. Absolutely not.”
“It’s clearly the opposite…”
A mischievous older sister and a pouting younger sister.
It seemed like a quarrel was about to break out.
— But suddenly, Belis hooked her pinky around Xue Feiya’s finger, slowing down her steps significantly.
Complaining while getting closer wasn’t exactly what one would expect from someone about to argue, right?
