Chapter: 44. Split into Two Routes
It might be a bit rude to say this to the horses pulling the cart, but it has to be said.
—If we continue to progress in the carriage at this slow pace, we’ll probably miss the arrangements for both routes!
“There’s no choice, little horses… you’re too slow. How about we fly faster ourselves, and you stay here waiting? We’ll bring you back with us when we return.”
“Neigh?”
“However, for the next few days, you need to figure out your own food. You must be self-sufficient, horses.”
“Neigh————!”
The robust stallion was tied to a conspicuous wooden post along the roadside.
It raised its front hooves towards the joking Princess Xue Fei. If it weren’t tied up, it would surely kick this witch on the head!
Self-sufficient food is no problem, as it’s a piece of cake for the hero family’s horses.
But…
You tied the horses in a barren area with no grass! Do you want them to live by gnawing on dirt?!
Xiya helplessly untied the reins from the post.
“Xue Fei, these horses know their way; they don’t need to be tied up. They can eat and drink here by themselves, and when they sense we’re back, they’ll come to us. Keeping them tied like this might even starve them.”
“Wow… your horses are amazing, Xiya! I thought if they weren’t tied, they’d just run away. These horses are smarter than fish.”
“Are you saying you tie up fish when you catch them?!”
Well, Xiya struggled for quite a while but couldn’t untie the knot, so she had to use a blade of magic to cut the reins.
Xue Fei, you even made a dead knot.
You want to starve them a few days to boost their morale, huh?
Looking around, the rural paths crisscrossed, and the stars hung low over the wilderness.
By looking towards the east, one could see the outline of the snow-capped mountains illuminated by the moonlight.
This area is located along the border line between the Demon Territory’s northern border and the Border Fortress Lide Qidu on the eastern side.
Traveling from here, the distance to both destinations is about the same, but it’s still nearly a hundred miles more.
The carriage ride isn’t just for speed; it’s also to discuss strategies along the way.
Now that we’ve talked it all over, everyone should get ready to do their own things.
Xue Fei and Belis stood together, while the other three, along with a Xialet, stood opposite.
If someone was dissatisfied with the team distribution, they had to hold it in; even Xiya agreed, so what could others say?
Ignoring Timani’s occasional grumbles, Xue Fei teased, holding the back of her head before departing.
“By the way… is this the first time our group is doing something serious? It’s quite memorable, huh? Let’s all work hard! If we manage to rescue my aunt, I’ll have her give you all gold coins! She actually has quite a bit of money, and we should definitely make her pay for coming all this way!”
“……”
Huh?
Seeing that everyone had no response… it seems they weren’t very interested in gold coins…?
Instead, they were all looking at Xue Fei before them, as if they wanted her to shout out some “gold coins,” though not referring to the currency in circulation.
“Xue Fei, I will bring your aunt to meet you all. When that time comes, we’ll go see the snow-capped mountains in the north…”
“Xiya! You can’t say that!”
“?!”
Haven’t you heard the saying about not raising a flag?
You must never say phrases like “when I return, I’ll…” Such statements are quite dangerous!
Just in time, Xiya was interrupted in her spellcasting, and upon seeing that she stopped, Xue Fei wiped her sweat and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
You can’t say it.
But I can.
Under the moonlight, the silver-haired girl smiled, far more beautiful than the distant snow-capped mountains yet even closer than them.
“I’ll find you all once I finish my business over there! Hehe, both the Northern Region and Lide Qidu have night markets, so I’ll take you shopping and show you the prosperity of the Demon Territory~ Also, the sunrise over the snow-capped mountains is a stunning view.”
This time, everyone’s reaction was noticeably different, smiles gradually creeping up their brows.
This was the sentence they were all waiting for.
Xiya smiled knowingly, taking a step forward to gently hug Xue Fei.
Belis was almost ready to punch you, you know that!
“Hmm?!”
No… hold… hold on. Once Xiya and the others leave, I can hug her however I want with the Queen Sister.
Ah, I really can’t take it anymore…!
Like a protective little kitten, Belis clutching Xue Fei to her side, her hair all poofed up as she fixed a fierce gaze at Xiya, growling deep in her throat in a warning.
Xiya smiled wryly, wanting to say something, but ultimately decided — not to say it for now.
Xue Fei, when we meet again, I want to talk a lot more.
Including the things that haven’t been fully discussed at the Demon King’s Castle — we definitely must follow through!
Though Xiya didn’t say anything, Xue Fei felt a chill running down her spine!
Xialet spread its arms and circled around Xue Fei, full of energy and looking nothing like someone capable of completing a mission.
“Hooray! Lady Xue Fei! We want to be the first to go shopping with you! We’ve never strolled through a street from a thousand years ago!”
“Ah? Didn’t I take you out when we were in Aurus?”
“That doesn’t count! Back then, Lady Xue Fei didn’t like us yet!”
“I don’t like you now either…?”
“!”
“Uh, not that. You’re a bit of a weirdo, but you’re not that unpleasant… Sorry, sorry, recently I’ve subconsciously understood the word ‘like’ to mean that kind of like; if you mean friendship, it’s not really…”
“Then that means you like me?!”
“Forget it, I still think friendship can’t really be called liking.”
“Wuu…! Can you just like us, please…!”
Stop it! Even if you’re tearfully poking my face with your big fish while standing on your tiptoes, I won’t change my stance.
Well… though friendship doesn’t count, as a mascot, I might actually like you quite a bit.
Timani, as usual, snorted and turned away, as if she didn’t care at all about Xue Fei’s remarks.
But she raised her dragon wings — ready to take flight at any moment.
It seems the Fire Lizard is also quite looking forward to shopping in the Demon Territory!
Hehe, I told you our Demon Territory has great prices and good goods; everyone must love it.
Maybe only Livra… at the back, rubbing her hands to keep warm, seemed solitary and out of place.
The strong ones present didn’t need to deliberately keep warm.
Whereas Livra was just an ordinary person who would feel cold as she approached the snow-capped mountains.
She said she was here to train together, but Xue Fei knew very well how timid and scared of death she was.
Other matters were unrelated to Xue Fei.
But at least this part was something she should say to her.
“Livra.”
“Hmm?”
“Remember, if something happens, retreat. Just being able to come this far counts as a success; you must survive! I haven’t taught my apprentice enough yet.”
“Don’t worry, Teacher Shaya! I may not be good at much, but I’m top-notch at preserving my life! Besides… well, anyway, I’ll try my best to help!”
Livra pressed her palms against the thick winter skirt beneath her scarf.
Feeling the stirring of magic within.
Inside the pocket of her clothing, there was a black feather given by Xue Fei, inscribed with powerful defensive magic seals.
I’m really afraid of dying… Maybe no matter how hard I try, I still can’t keep up with everyone.
But now, I increasingly feel…
I feel more and more…
The path I walk behind Teacher Shaya is so vast.
As Livra looked up, the sparkle in her eyes resembled a white feather bird soaring into the clouds from the dark night.
The princess, who often mischievously leaps over the castle walls, was now “defying” her cowardly nature, eager to witness the same scenery that Xue Fei had in her eyes!
Xue Fei was momentarily taken aback at this sight.
But soon, she felt relieved.
It seems there’s nothing to worry about.
This group’s combination is more than enough to complete the task.
“Okay okay, let’s not talk about how you can’t be of help. Just don’t go causing trouble with another Wind Demon Dragon Fish. Well then… let’s all do our best~ Belis, let’s go.”
“Got it, oh right, wait a moment, Queen Sister! Put this on before you go?”
“Hmm? What is this… oh! How nostalgic!”
The dazzling medal made of pure gold, pinned on her chest by Belis, was embossed with a magic fire pattern.
If you look closely at the medal, you can see the character “二” carved in the language of the Demon Territory.
The mark of the commander of the Second Legion of the Demon King’s Army was a keepsake Xue Fei left under her bed when she ran away from home.
She thought she would never use it again, but not long after, she wore it again.
Like a fishing rod, this too could be considered an old friend.
Uh…
“This thing… wasn’t I keeping it under the bed…? Belis, did you even crawl under my bed?”
“Don’t joke, Queen Sister! How could I crawl under your bed when you’re not home, hugging Queen Sister’s pajamas and fantasizing about you sleeping on top of me? I’m not some weirdo; I just found this medal by accident… um, a coincidence.”
“Did you just admit to something that shouldn’t be known?!”
And here you are, putting the medal on me while messing with it! Such a meaningful thing, and you’re taking the opportunity to squeeze it on my chest! Is it hard to wear properly?!
I can’t stay here for even a second.
【Super Acceleration】【Super Enhancement】
“Eh…?! Queen Sister, wait for me! I’m not messing around anymore! Hehe… I won’t have to wash my hands again, Queen Sister!”
Xiya, who transformed her eight wings into six and leaped into the air, escaped from Belis’s grasp, turning into a silver streak soaring towards the sky.
Belis quickly followed, and the two sisters seemed more like they were playing than heading to the battlefield to restore order.
This was also a rare and beautiful moment.
Xiya held her breath and focused, placing the Holy Sword before her, while her peripheral vision glanced back dozens of miles.
There, that golden pillar of light rising into the sky exuded an extremely strong presence.
Can it really be seen from this far away…
Such a vast sealing magic is indeed a big deal; I wonder who is responsible for it.
There are always people interfering with Xue Fei’s stable life…
The silver hair, used to disguise her identity, was blown away by particles of golden magic, scattering the snowflakes around.
Xiya’s momentum rose steadily, and Xialet, understanding, returned to the sword.
The light emitted by the fully realized Holy Sword was devoid of warmth, yet it was enough to melt the surrounding snow into mist.
With a flick of the sword, it radiated a chilling energy.
“Xiya莱特…? You…”
“Shh! Miss Timani, don’t you know…! Miss Shaya instructed us to complete the task; Lady Xiya莱特 is serious now!”
“……”
Usually timid Xiya doesn’t say much, but let’s not forget she is ultimately a hero, the strongest from Aurus.
“Let’s go.” Xiya suppressed the brilliance of the Holy Sword for now, exhaling softly, her steps becoming more resolute. “Let’s accomplish what Xue Fei entrusted us with; let’s not waste any more time.”
