Chapter: 11. Confidentiality (5K)
Have you ever seen a drunk and silly loli?
Ha…! That doesn’t exist, Shaya doesn’t cause any destruction when she’s drunk.
Not only does she not cause destruction, but she’s even helping to fix the tavern!
“Puhahaha…! Xiya, you… you blew up this place!”
“Blew it up?!”
“Yes… yes! If you don’t blow it up, how can I fix it… if you blew it up… I can fix it again!”
“No, what’s the point, ah! Shaya, you… get down!”
“No way!”
Now, what to do about this!
Xue Fei stood on a chair, raising her hands high, her face flushed, but that’s not the point.
The point is… she had a hazy mischievous grin on her face, and a terrifying amount of magic was gathering in her hands…!
The amount of magic contained made Xiya feel like she could blow up half the capital!
“Wuwu, my little ancestor, please stop messing around! We need to discuss matters… uh.”
Don’t say it.
She actually stopped messing around.
The magic particles in Xue Fei’s hands scattered like starlight, and the magic circulating around her eyes suddenly seemed dazed.
Just as Xiya was unsure of what was happening…
The little one suddenly let out a cute and soft hiccup.
Her shins went soft, and she fell straight back toward the chair, as if diving into a free and indulgent sea, carefree and worry-free!
“Xue Fei…!”
Xiya reacted quickly, leaning forward and catching her just as Xue Fei was about to hit the ground.
Xue Fei’s head landed on two soft cotton candies, and the magical echoes that resonated in her mind made her drunken sleep even more stable.
Hic~ Too much to drink, time to call it a day.
Now that Xue Fei had settled down, Xiya took this opportunity to lean down and check her condition.
Hmm… no issues.
It seemed she had fallen asleep.
Her little face was a rosy hue of pleasant drunkenness, and even in her sleep, she was munching her little lips, perhaps still dreaming of gnawing on a roasted duck leg since she hadn’t eaten enough earlier.
Xiya finally breathed a sigh of relief.
—And silently registered “alcohol” as a terrifying thing that Xue Fei should be kept away from!
Xue Fei… you really have such bad drinking capacity!
Even if the drink was wrongly served, you only took a few sips from that wooden barrel of wine, and you’re already this drunk…
Speaking of which, did the entire capital really just go through a life-and-death moment?!
As Xiya’s mood gradually relaxed, she heard someone running quickly toward the [Perception Shielding Barrier].
Xiya quickly looked up, her gaze sharp and ready to protect Xue Fei.
But when she turned to look, the one running toward them was none other than Timani, who had taken off her brown robe’s hood, her face filled with disbelief.
Looking behind her, the tavern keeper had already disappeared, and the tavern was empty.
The tavern keeper had lost her composure upon seeing the situation; she had rushed out to seek help from the Kingdom Knight Corps—though even if the Knight Corps listened to her description, they certainly wouldn’t believe it; at most, they would come over to clean up the brawl among adventurers.
Timani stepped into the barrier, her panic still evident on her face.
She hadn’t rushed over at first purely because that immense magic power felt like a palpable mountain pressing down on her, making her afraid to take even a single step forward.
The stronger one is, the more they can sense the threat posed by the increased concentration of magic around them, like a tsunami suddenly crashing down from above, rendering them momentarily dazed and forgetting to escape.
Timani could hardly believe that as a member of the Fire Dragon Clan… she had been frightened into immobility by some presence.
“Hero… was that you just now? No, that kind of magic is different from yours; what on earth happened…?”
“It’s not convenient to talk here.”
Xiya closed her eyes to sense.
There weren’t many coming from the Knight Corps, but there was still a small knight team moving at a steady pace toward them.
We need to leave. Although I could explain if we don’t leave, it’s better to avoid problems and not let Xue Fei get caught up in trouble.
“Someone’s coming, I have to take Shaya and leave. It’s best if you don’t ask questions… well, never mind. If you have questions, just follow along and we’ll talk later.”
……………………………….
Outside the capital, far from the lights, the forest vegetation was thickly covered, desolate and uninhabited.
Xiya was carrying the already asleep Xue Fei on her back as she made her way.
This weight was almost negligible for Xiya, and with the use of [Super Acceleration], it only took a few minutes to run from the tavern to this wilderness, finding the path that directly led back to the villa on the outskirts.
Originally, she could have walked straight here.
But she chose to stop and broaden her perception to cover a very far distance to ensure there were no soldiers around before slowly opening her eyes.
—And turned back to look up at the starry moonlit sky.
Timani was a bit slower, but she should arrive soon.
From below, the perspective blocked the moon, and a pair of scarlet dragon wings tore through the darkness, drawing a flaming arc across the sky.
Keeping her flight flipped and her wings unfurled, Timani swooped down, slowing gracefully with her crimson wings as she approached the ground.
If Xue Fei were awake, she certainly would praise Timani’s graceful landing!
Even after landing, she didn’t stumble over any stones, which was something Xue Fei could learn from.
This was not a friendly reunion, nor an encounter with an old acquaintance.
Xiya’s gaze toward Timani was slightly cold.
Fortunately, no one noticed Xue Fei’s display of magical power just now—except for this fire dragon.
In fact, if it were Belis, she might choose to permanently silence Timani right here.
But Xialet was ultimately different from her character. She would do her utmost to protect Xue Fei, but she would not kill innocents unless absolutely necessary.
For now, let’s see if we can communicate… If communication fails, I wouldn’t mind employing extreme measures.
After Timani landed, she folded her dragon wings, unique to the Fire Dragon Clan, behind her brown robe.
The shock and surprise on her face remained unchanged from when she was in the tavern. Seeing Xialet standing there, she hurriedly walked over to ask, “Can we discuss it now? I’ve already surveyed the area from the sky, and no one is following us. It’s safe.”
“Honestly, Miss Timani,” Xiya’s vigilance had risen to the utmost, considering the situation with Xue Fei, “I believe… you have no need to pry into this matter. If it’s out of curiosity, I kindly ask you to give it up. Some things in this world are not necessarily good to know, and ignorance might actually provide protection for both of us.”
“Ah?”
“?”
Whenever Timani doesn’t understand what someone is saying, she responds with a straightforward “ah?” So her frequency of saying “ah” is quite high as she often doesn’t comprehend.
Xiya wondered if what she said was so clear that Timani still couldn’t understand?
She’s so dense that it’s making Xiya feel bewildered.
Xue Fei often said I’m silly… could there really be someone dumber than me?
Timani isn’t actually dumb; she’s just straightforward and doesn’t like others being indirect when they talk to her.
“What does that long line of words even mean, hero? If you have something to say, just say it! I can’t follow around in circles!”
“Isn’t it just one more sentence away! I’m saying that if you insist on prying into this, we can only be enemies. Got it?”
“Ah?”
What are you saying “ah” for again?!
This time, Timani’s “ah” meant she actually understood.
It’s precisely because she understood that she felt more puzzled.
“What do you mean asking just a couple of questions makes us enemies? Do you have some secret weapon that can destroy the world hidden away? Or are you all world-class villains? I’m not even that curious to chase after you; didn’t you feel that massive magic just now…? It could blow up half the kingdom! Knowing that such a dangerous thing exists, how can I sleep without getting to the bottom of it? If that magic had exploded, there wouldn’t have been a safe place left in the entire Kingdom of Komir!”
“Y-You’re right?”
Timani’s scarlet vertical pupils didn’t seem to hold any lies; it was merely a flicker of curiosity intertwined with a desire for self-safety.
Ah… Xue Fei, can you wake up? I can’t tell if what she just said was a lie, use your piercing sight to see through it!
“Um… roasted duck leg… roasted duck… donut… hehe.”
Forget it, Xue Fei can’t be relied on now.
Turning back to face Timani, she found that the corner of Timani’s mouth was unexpectedly lifted by a sparkling grin.
“Roasted duck leg… huh?! No, I absolutely wasn’t thinking about the taste of food!”
“……”
Even though Xue Fei was asleep, she had once said that those who loved food, especially roasted fish donuts, weren’t bad people.
Xiya had her own determinations in her heart and, just to be safe, asked a simple question.
“Miss Timani, do you like roasted fish donuts?”
“Uh, why are you suddenly… well, they’re okay? I’ve had them a few times; they taste pretty good, but I can’t afford them now.”
“Well then, I can share a bit of the situation with you.”
“!”
Why does she suddenly seem to have the right to know the truth!
Though Xiya agreed to talk, she definitely kept a wary heart, leaving a line in all matters is always wise.
Xiya adjusted Xue Fei’s legs against her shoulder so she could rest in a more comfortable position.
Though the spot where her chest touched Xiya’s shoulder felt a bit awkward, it was of no significant harm.
“This matter… I can’t tell you everything. Everyone has things they don’t want to share. Just like you, Miss Timani, you haven’t told us the specific reason for leaving the Fire Dragon Clan, have you?”
“That was…! I… indeed, after all, we’re not that familiar… I had no need to share everything about myself.”
“Exactly, and it’s the same for us. But since you already sensed that magic, all I can tell you is that the magic wave just now indeed came from Shaya, who’s behind me.”
“As expected… just as I thought; I felt this girl was not simple. During the gladiatorial arena, she nonchalantly countered my [Dragon Explosion Purgatory], and at noon, she used [Spatial Magic] to quietly put silver coins in my pocket. That’s not something a girl her age can do… she shouldn’t be one of your human race, right? Could she be a high-level race like me? Winged Spirit Race…? No, she looks too small… could she be a high-level elf in her several hundred years?!”
“I can only say this much; I can’t divulge anything more specific.”
Timani seemed to be a fiercely curious Fire Lizard.
She spun around to get a better look at Shaya, but Xiya adeptly maintained her position and pace, perfectly shielding Xue Fei behind her.
Sensing that continuing this conversation could expose more information, Xiya decided to stop this meaningless communication.
Had it not been for the worry that if she said nothing, Timani might inquire foolishly and cause trouble, Xiya would have never started this conversation.
“Alright, that’s all I can say. Miss Timani, please don’t ask any more. I can assure you that she poses no threat to your Fire Dragon Clan. As for the rest, that’s our own business.”
“Hmm… fine, this matter wasn’t really related to me anyway. Pfft… but were you serious just now about her being a threat to the Fire Dragon Clan? Hero, I understand this girl is pretty capable, but do you really know what those monstrous elders of the Fire Dragon Clan are like?”
“I don’t know what they’re like, just as you don’t understand her.”
Xiya’s damn competitive spirit! If you say that, I can’t let you have the last word!
[Super Acceleration] [Physical Strengthening]
Everything that needed to be said was said.
Xue Fei was drunk, and her current sensations were certainly not as tranquil as they appeared; the feelings of being drunk were actually quite uncomfortable, and they needed to get home soon.
“Until we meet again, Miss Timani. Please don’t tell anyone about this matter. Shaya only wishes to live a quiet and peaceful life. Can you guarantee that?”
Timani nodded with a proud expression, elegantly pushing her crimson hair behind her shoulders, the sound swishing like the wind.
“Rest assured, I’m not that uncouth; our Fire Dragon Clan is not only noble but also excels in keeping secrets.”
“I suspect the ‘skill’ you just mentioned was something you just thought up…”
“No… how is that possible!” Timani’s gaze turned towards Shaya, who was being carried on Xiya’s back, a stray tuft of her hair swaying softly, full of vitality. “Moreover… this girl is not a bad person. The [Binding Magic] from the tavern was also her doing. We share the same distaste for evil, so I’m even less likely to cause you any trouble. Just trust me on this.”
“Thank you, I’ll thank you on behalf of Shaya. In any case, until we meet again.”
“Alright, alright~ I really don’t want to see you two again; you’re like two ghosts.”
As soon as the words fell, the person in front of her was already nowhere to be seen.
The hero left with just a golden flash before her eyes, and within the blink of an eye, she was gone.
Timani quietly put her hood back on to cover her scarlet hair, her tail swaying within the brown robe, causing the wide robe to sway left and right.
She stretched lazily, holding her right elbow with her left hand.
At this moment, there was no one around, and the comfort brought by the stretch made her let out a sweet little squeak that didn’t match her usual fierce temperament.
“Phew…! Hmm, humans are indeed more complicated than I thought… there are quite a few weirdos. Sigh… I don’t even know when I can go home.”
Beneath the hood, her scarlet vertical pupils gazed at the sky.
Both above her eyes and below the clouds, there lay shadows that the moonlight couldn’t brighten.
But thankfully, the moonlight and her eyes were bright enough.
Right now, she didn’t have the time to continue recalling the experiences of tonight; she was busy.
Busy with what?
Busy finding a sturdy enough tree to climb up and sleep overnight!
Otherwise, wouldn’t she end up camping on the streets again?
………………………….
“Hey, Xue Fei, how are you feeling? Are you dizzy?”
“Um… dizzy…”
Xiya carefully laid Xue Fei down on the big soft bed, pushing aside her bangs.
At this moment, Xue Fei’s disguise had automatically lifted, her black hair turning back to silver hair; Miss Shaya had temporarily stepped aside.
It was clear that Xue Fei wasn’t feeling very well.
If she were coherent, she could immediately use healing magic on herself to sober up. But being sober and being drunk are two states that cannot happen simultaneously.
This world doesn’t have anti-drunk medicine, and Xiya herself doesn’t know healing magic, seeking a healer would be ridiculous; Xue Fei’s existence was already a secret and shouldn’t draw unnecessary attention.
Though it’s just drunkenness… any discomfort from Xue Fei made Xiya’s heart tighten with pain.
Really… she can never drink again!
Holding Xue Fei up, Xiya poured a cup of warm water and brought it to her lips, but Xue Fei swayed her head left and right, looking like she couldn’t drink it.
“Be good, Xue Fei… drink some water, you’ll feel much better.”
“Hot…”
“Hot? Is the water hot?”
“Um… a bit hot.”
Xiya took a sip of the water; it wasn’t that hot.
Looking at the fine sweat on Xue Fei’s forehead… she probably meant that she felt hot, not that the water was hot.
[Ice Spirit Blessing] [Beginner Wind Magic]
Xiya didn’t need to chant any incantations; a comfortingly cool breeze began to flow through the room.
The temperature was right, but after drinking, Xue Fei had sweated a lot, and the strands of silver hair stuck to her flushed cheeks continued to droop down, the droplets making her azure thin dress’s collar wet, contrasting beautifully with her smooth, tender neck. This captivating scene made Xiya gulp.
She quickly shook her head to clear out these unnecessary thoughts!
Xue Fei is drunk… what… what am I thinking!
But without any hesitation, Xiya reached out to unbutton the front of her dress and held Xue Fei’s hands to help her slowly remove the dress from her body.
“Xue Fei, lift your hands… you can’t sleep in wet clothes after sweating; you’ll catch a cold.”
“Okay… okay okay… roasted fish is thriving…”
“Pfft… what roasted fish, you little glutton, even dreaming about eating when you’re asleep.”
Without the dress to cover her, the pink little bear underwear bought during their shopping trip was fully visible to Xiya.
Calm mind… calm mind…
Xiya folded the dress she had taken off and placed it on the bedside cabinet, planning to wash it later.
But in the short half minute of folding clothes…
Xiya turned back.
She found Xue Fei’s adorable drunken little face right in front of her!
The cute little one was kneeling on the bed, half of her body leaning over the edge, trying hard to reach toward Xiya, her body swaying left and right, looking unstable, yet she wouldn’t fall.
Xiya was stunned.
Because at that moment, Xue Fei’s eyes were misty and sparkling, reflecting Xiya’s face, beautiful beyond words.
“Hehe… Xiya sister is so bold… why are you taking off my clothes… ah, where’s my dress… oh, it turns out it was taken off… um… Xiya, you really are bold.”
“……”
Xue Fei, I advise you not to impose accusations on me.
What I just did was only to avoid you catching a cold, out of necessity.
But if you have this attitude…
I might just let you see how bold your Xiya sister can be!
