Chapter: 16. Waiting for You Half a Day (6000 words)
During the time waiting for Livra to arrive, Xiya wasn’t idle either. Since it was about constructing the stage, she could also provide assistance to Xue Fei within her capabilities.
If this play is to be convincing and won’t reveal flaws, it requires another key object for support.
—One of the three great treasures of the kingdom, the Magic Binding.
Xiya rummaged through her magical storage space to find it and threw it towards Xue Fei, who was sitting on the high platform.
“Xue Fei, catch this!”
“Huh? Oh! I’m familiar with this! Isn’t this the little bracelet from back then?”
“It’s not just a little bracelet… This is the Magic Binding, which the King gave me before. I’ve canceled its activation, just wear it on your wrist, and it’ll look more realistic.”
“You really are something.”
Xue Fei remembered that when she pretended to be defeated on the battlefield, Xiya had made her wear this while being put in the carriage.
According to legend, the Magic Binding was made using an extremely sophisticated and long-lost magical craftsmanship. Although it had never been tested in practice, it was said to be able to seal the Six-Winged Demons and had been passed down through the generations of the kingdom’s rulers. Before Xiya went on the expedition, the King was determined to use this long-sealed treasure to escort the hero.
Not only the Magic Binding, but Xiya at that time had also gathered all three great treasures of the kingdom.
Besides this, there was also the Divine Thread Chain Barrier, claimed to be the kingdom’s strongest defense, and the strongest attacking weapon, the Holy Sword Xialet.
With all three great treasures simultaneously empowering a Tenth Stage Hero, it left no doubts in the minds of everyone in the kingdom that the Hero could suppress the Demon Princess.
The Divine Thread Chain Barrier had been returned to the King after the expedition, while the Holy Sword originally belonged to the Hero.
Then what about the kingdom’s strongest sealing technique, the magical Magic Binding?
—It was currently being spun wildly in Xue Fei’s hand like a giant windmill.
“Hahahaha…! Xiya, look, when this thing gets infused with magic it lights up! I’m dying of laughter!”
“You’re going to die laughing…! Xue Fei, how did you activate it?!”
“Huh? No… can’t it be activated?”
“No… I know that this bracelet can’t suppress your magic… but don’t you feel dizzy or uncomfortable right now?”
“No? Ah…! This thing wouldn’t be broken by me, right? Do I have to pay for it?! I have no money!”
“……”
Even if you had money, you couldn’t buy another!
No, Xue Fei… it’s clear the Magic Binding isn’t broken; your ability is just too excessive.
The bracelet was clearly trying its best to perform its duty, continuously emitting magic energy in an attempt to suppress, but it was being shaken around like a toy by Xue Fei.
If the bracelet had a life… it must be crying loudly right now.
A bracelet that had been lauded and praised by the strong of generations in the kingdom… never imagined it would face such a day.
Xiya couldn’t bear to look any longer, clapping her hands to end this absurd scene.
“Hey… Xue Fei, stop messing around and wear it on your wrist with the magic turned off. Don’t humiliate it any further…”
“Uh, fine. Actually, this isn’t completely useless after all; it feels a bit heavy like a big iron chain when worn. It’s not easy to move around.”
Could it be that it’s not the effect of magic, but that the Magic Binding itself is just a big iron chain? It actually has weight?!
Suddenly, a light flashed in Xiya’s eyes, and a strange thought emerged in her mind.
Watching from the high platform as Xue Fei put the Magic Binding on her arm and tied both arms together to swing the chain.
A bit heavy… not very convenient to move?
If in the evening, Xue Fei wore this and her wrist was restrained…
What kind of scene would that be…?
Xiya hadn’t completely shaken off the joyful echoes of the previous night, so it was normal for her ideas to be a bit hazy.
The legendary Magic Binding that carried tales and glory probably never thought it might someday play a role in this domain!
Xue Fei had no idea about Xiya’s whimsical thoughts; she still had one last arrangement to implement.
Xue Fei closed her eyes, and after a moment, a stream of purple magic energy emanated from her, crossing through the Prison Cage of Flames and finally coalescing beside Xiya.
Xiya stepped aside to make room.
The purple magic gradually took on a human form, and in no time at all, an ethereal figure was fully formed.
—A petite girl with black hair stood there motionless, her eyes lifeless, looking almost like a delicately crafted doll.
“Shaya?” Xiya recognized Shaya’s appearance. She looked at the “Shaya” in front of her, then at Xue Fei on the high platform, feeling confused. “Xue Fei, weren’t you up there? But Shaya… Huh? Can you both exist simultaneously?”
Xue Fei crossed her arms in front of her, chuckling confidently.
“That’s a phantom I created with magic. Well… it’s called a phantom, but it can actually be touched; however, it has no life and no soul—it’s just a doll that can share my visual and auditory senses. If Livra comes, it would be strange if Shaya isn’t here, right?”
“That’s true…”
To convince Livra that Xue Fei and Shaya were two different individuals whose simultaneous presence was crucial!
Xue Fei’s magic must have injected some commands into the “Shaya doll,” allowing it to slowly shake its head, turn, and look around.
Moreover, as Xue Fei on the high platform silently recited some phrases in her heart, the “Shaya doll” surprisingly echoed them.
“Xiya, silly~ big silly~ I’m up here, you can’t reach me, hee hee…”
“?!”
The expressionless “Shaya” uttered these ridiculous words, leaving Xiya at a loss for words. For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether it was Xue Fei or the doll speaking!
This was obviously a prank by Xue Fei on the high platform~
Xiya found it amazing and reached out to poke the “Shaya doll’s” collagen-rich cheek, and the feedback she received felt exactly like that of a real person. Aside from the lack of expression looking a bit strange, there were no flaws.
Then, Xiya moved her finger down to poke the doll’s chest…
Hmm, no doubt about it, it was indeed a proportional replica.
Exactly as flat as the real one.
Suddenly, Xue Fei shivered all over and hurriedly leaned out from the high platform, loudly reprimanding!
Moreover, her face looked inexplicably flushed and shy.
“Hey…! Xiya, what are you doing? Don’t do anything weird to the doll!”
“Why?”
“Because that’s part of my magic…! Although it’s a doll, my feelings are connected to it. It’s not just about auditory and visual… touching her equals touching me, so… cough, you understand, right?”
“Seriously… this is too amazing.”
A new world…
Xiya had practically discovered a new door to the world!
Xue Fei, you said not to touch?
That won’t do; you usually don’t listen to your sister, so at this moment, your sister can’t listen to you either~
Hug~~
Xue Fei only felt a warm and gentle sensation enveloping her.
Looking down, she realized Xiya had hugged the Shaya doll.
Xiya was hugging it tightly; it felt like she was holding a body pillow!
Before Xue Fei could voice any protest, the Holy Sword, with a flash of golden light, jumped out and leaned to hug the Shaya doll’s leg, acting entirely like a child seeking affection from its mother.
“Woo woo woo, usually Lady Xue Fei doesn’t let me hug! This rare opportunity… is just awesome! This is simply amazing!”
“Hey! Sister Xialet, keep your distance, the doll is connected to Xue Fei’s feelings, didn’t you hear that?!”
“Bullshit! If it weren’t connected, I wouldn’t be hugging! And you, Hero, isn’t it an exaggeration to hug? I’m going to directly lick it!”
“What?!”
Xue Fei knelt on the ground on the high platform, feeling a bad sensation spread throughout her body.
Don’t take it too far…!
She spread her wings, broke through the flames of imprisonment, and returned to the ground to sanction both Xiya and Xialet with a hand chop.
“Ah…!”
“Ow…!”
“Deserved! You two… can you get something serious done? Even if you’re not doing anything, can you not act so deviant every day?!”
Seriously.
If I wasn’t here watching, the Shaya doll would be in trouble!
Protecting the doll is the same as protecting myself!
……………………………..
Livra’s outing was grand.
The royal escort guard lined the sides to clear the way, escorting the royal members from the palace towards the outskirts of the capital city and the hero’s territory.
The commoners had no idea what was happening.
They consciously stood to the sides to make way, thinking it was the king parading, lowering their heads to avoid eye contact. Some bolder children might even stand up with longing looks and wave at the royal carriage, quickly being stopped by their anxious parents.
There were indeed quite a few royals in the convoy.
The king’s carriage was at the front, while the one in the center was occupied by none other than Livra.
In fact, Livra usually traveled quite discreetly.
To say nothing of the knight guard, she wouldn’t even bring a single guard.
—After all, she usually slipped out quietly.
Traveling on foot, she didn’t need any guards; rather, having guards would mean getting caught and taken back to the palace, which would be disastrous.
Her maid Anna, responsible for taking care of Livra, shared the same carriage. During the journey, she had observed the princess’s unusually nervous demeanor.
It was rare to see the princess like this; however, as long as she was in this state, it meant the current situation was undoubtedly very critical.
“Your Highness… please relax, the gods protect you; everything will go smoothly. Look, your brothers and sisters are sending you off, and the king himself is clearing the way for you in the leading carriage, so it’ll be fine!”
“Sending me off…? Ugh… it seems they’re indeed ‘sending me off,’ as in to the road of the afterlife.”
“Look at your crow’s mouth!”
“Ugh!”
Sister Anna is scolding me too!
Livra’s fingers intertwined nervously in front of her, her anxious thoughts were evident.
She really wasn’t being pessimistic; she was just being realistic…
But these words would definitely not be understandable to sister Anna.
After all, during the morning, her royal brothers and sisters had gathered in the castle’s great hall, and the suggestions thrown around were all more absurd than the last.
[“Princess Livra, just say this to the Demon Princess: as long as she cooperates, we are willing to pay the Demon Territory some financial compensation, let her propose a specific amount. Isn’t it just money? We can slowly accumulate it!”]
[“Eh, the Demon Territory doesn’t lack money; I think this needs to start from the territory. After all, the Demon Territory is ultimately coveting our land. Why not just give her a verbal promise to get through this immediate crisis? We’ll handle the aftermath later.”]
[“This is all weakness! I say, since it’s a negotiation, we need to be tougher! Livra, you must show the majesty of royalty! Deter that witch, she is currently in our hands and being held captive. How could she have so much leverage to negotiate with us? We need to emphasize momentum!”]
It feels like my brothers and sisters just want me to die!
Livra cradled her head in pain, the dark circles from a sleepless night made her look pitiful.
“Your Highness… you…”
“Ah… I’m fine now!”
“Mm?”
Livra’s pain, always just lasted a mere few seconds.
Like the darkness rapidly transitioning to dawn, she had been quietly lamenting, but just as Anna was about to say some comforting words, Livra suddenly raised her head with a smile that was somewhat forced, but she returned to being that carefree little sun!
“Don’t worry, Sister Anna, trust me, I will definitely make it~ Puhahaha, it’s really not such a big deal, the worst outcome is… is the country failing, and we end up homeless… ugh, that does sound pretty serious, but… but it’s okay, I won’t let that happen!”
“Your Highness… mm, I believe in you. As long as it’s something you want to do, nothing is impossible.”
“That’s right!”
Indeed, Anna had not forgotten what kind of personality the princess she took care of had.
It wasn’t anyone’s place to comfort her; she had always been the one to bring courage to others.
Even if the princess saw a meteor fall onto her head, she might panic at first, but the next moment, she would still look back with resilience, thinking of carrying everything on her shoulders, never compromising on any matter.
She was that strong.
The princess went forward herself, and we can all feel at ease.
The royal carriage stopped at the edge of the outskirts of the villa territory, where there was hardly a soul in sight.
The royal knights respectfully reported to her. Livra calmed her mind, clapping her cheeks before jumping out of the carriage.
The other members of the royal family had gotten off and were waiting for her.
Their expressions varied, some displayed admiration, others harbored sympathy, feeling reluctant at heart.
Of course, there were also those secretly delighted, but that kind of expression would certainly not show on their faces.
King Celtic and the Queen approached with their scepters at the front.
The Queen couldn’t hold back the tears in her eyes and leaned forward to embrace her daughter, her voice choked with emotion.
“Livra… my poor child, why do such misfortunes always fall upon you…”
“Mother… I’m not the unlucky one.”
This was like a mother thinking you’re cold and telling you to wear more clothes; you can’t say you aren’t cold.
If a mother thinks you are unlucky, you cannot claim otherwise.
Livra gently patted the Queen’s back, softly comforting her.
“It’s alright, Mother; I’m not going to sacrifice myself for a grand cause. I’m just going to try my best within my abilities. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just run away!”
“You child… how can you think you can just run away from the Calamity Witch? How did things become this way…”
“Really… it’s fine! Be more optimistic!”
Livra might not have much confidence in saying this.
King Celtic stepped forward slowly, placing his hand on the Queen’s shoulder, shaking his head to signal her to step back.
Facing his daughter, though there was guilt in his expression, more so was encouragement and admiration for Livra.
“Child, we can only take you this far.”
“Mm… I understand. Father, if you go any further with so many people, it will seem like we’re preparing for war, making it impossible for me to communicate with the Demon Princess.”
“Yes… this time, we can’t help you, child; this time, it’s all up to you. If you succeed, you will be a hero of Aulus Kingdom, but if you fail…”
King Celtic paused, stepping forward again, lowering his voice to deliver his last piece of advice to Livra before her departure.
“As the ruler of a nation, I will order you not to retreat under any circumstances, to match the dignity of a kingdom’s princess, you must secure results, save the nation, and avoid war, even if it costs you your life.”
At this point, Celtic hesitated for a moment.
His gaze, which had been sharp throughout his life…
Today, it seemed a little more tender.
Though his voice was a bit lower than before, to Livra, it was deafening.
“But as a father… I will tell you, if the situation truly becomes uncontrollable, what you should do is to find the opportunity and escape at all costs. Aside from your own life, do not concern yourself with anything else, understand?”
Livra’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
In her life… it was the first time she had heard her father speak words outside the interests of the state.
The royal brothers and sisters in the distance could not hear the words spoken here, and of course, their quiet discussions were also inaudible from this side.
But whether they could hear or not, that no longer mattered.
Amidst the birds chirping in the forest, you don’t need to hear what every bird is saying about where it wishes to nest.
You only need to know that you are a bird with a tree to perch upon, a home to return to.
Since there are still people waiting for me at home… then I must not leave my fate on this desolate wilderness!
“Father… Mother… thank you.”
Livra tightened the elegant violet skirt of her dress, her expression not too solemn.
Bidding farewell to her parents, she strode through the lineup of royals without looking back, like a bird returning to the sky, unbound by any shackles.
On this path leading to the unknown, she marched forward alone.
After about ten minutes of walking.
As agreed, Livra spotted Xiya Xialet’s figure coming to meet her from afar.
“Ah…! Lady Xialet, your house is really remote! Out in the wilderness!”
“Hah? Your Highness, what a way to speak…”
How could the first words out of your mouth be to comment on someone else’s remoteness!
Xiya stepped forward slowly.
She looked at the wide expanse behind Livra, seeing no one following her, her tone involuntarily tinged with admiration.
“Your Highness actually came all alone… Aren’t you afraid?”
“Not afraid. Lady Xialet and Miss Shaya usually protect the Demon Princess together, so I’m learning from you.”
“Having such optimism and courage is a fortune for the country. Uh… Princess Livra? What’s wrong?”
As they moved forward, they could already see the clear lake reflecting the sky in front of the villa.
But at this moment, Livra suddenly stopped, her hands clasped in front of her, her expression seeming shy and conflicted.
Hearing Xiya’s inquiry, Livra hesitantly raised her hand to ask.
“Uh… Is the Demon Princess in a good mood today? Not feeling any urge to kill…?”
“Well… should be fine?”
“And…! Can I use the restroom before we go in? Ugh, I’m afraid if I get too scared… I just won’t be able to control myself.”
“……”
You’re really well-prepared.
As they passed by the villa, Xiya waited for her to use the restroom before heading back.
It didn’t take long for Livra to return, looking refreshed as she stepped out of the mansion.
Phew… it’s good that I remembered to resolve this internal issue first.
Otherwise, if I get spooked and lose control, my elegant princess life would come to an end, right?
Livra glanced around.
Perhaps she wanted to relax herself more, genuinely praising the environment in which Xiya lived, which could also help lighten her mood.
“Looking at it this way, Lady Xialet’s house is really beautiful, unlike the stuffy castle; there’s a lake outside and mountains in the distance, it feels very lively… um, but those fish in that lake look a bit strange… they seem to be afraid of people. I haven’t even gotten close, and they’ve all swum to the center of the lake.”
“This has to do with the fish’s living environment; they weren’t like this before.”
Livra didn’t quite understand what “living environment” referred to.
However, compared to being concerned about how the big fish were doing, she was definitely more focused on the whereabouts of another person she admired.
“Uh? Miss Shaya isn’t home? I heard she was living with you? That’s such an enviable relationship; pure as snow friendship is the best.”
Pure… pure?
In response, Xiya said nothing.
As for the point that it had a lively atmosphere, she did agree.
Xiya nodded as a thank you for Livra praising her residence.
Then, she pointed toward the entrance of the underground labyrinth.
“As for Shaya, she’s already waiting at the entrance to the sealing site. Your Highness, do you still need to prepare anything, or shall we head over now?”
“Let me resolve it one more time…! Ugh, forget it, let’s go directly; there’s no point in delaying. If I keep the Demon Princess waiting and I end up dying sideways instead of straight, Lady Xialet, you think I won’t die, right?”
“I can’t say for sure.”
“Ah…! You’re saying you can’t say for sure again!”
“Because it really is uncertain, well… wish you a good life?”
“Such a perfunctory response… so insincere… it’s torturous.”
On the road where Livra prayed for her own survival, Xiya led her to the entrance of the underground labyrinth.
From a distance, Livra spotted Miss Shaya standing under the tree waiting!
For some reason, every time she saw Miss Shaya, Livra’s mood lightened a lot.
She took three quick steps to leap in front of Shaya, wanting to greet her.
However, just as Livra was about to speak…
“Ah? Miss Shaya? Did you not sleep well last night? How come you look completely unawake, Miss Shaya…? Hi, hi…? Miss Shaya?”
Clearly, Miss Shaya’s eyes were open.
But she wasn’t looking at anyone or acknowledging anyone!
“I’ll take care of it.”
Xiya sidled in front of Livra, grabbing Shaya’s face in her hands and rubbing it repeatedly.
Although she was calling out to wake her up, there was an undeniable gentleness and affection in Xiya’s actions.
“Shaya, wake up, it’s time to get up.”
“Hmm? Have we arrived?”
Shaya maintained her expressionless state, slowly turning to look at Livra.
Though she still felt something was off about Miss Shaya today, Livra quickly nodded to greet her.
“Good morning, Miss Shaya! Were you zoning out just now… huh, you were entirely still; I thought you had fallen asleep, heh… just kidding, you can’t sleep with your eyes open, right?”
“No, I just actually fell asleep for a bit. Sometimes, I sleep with my eyes open.”
“Scary!”
“Stop being scared or not! Hurry up, Xue Fei that witch has been waiting for you for half a day; the scary one is behind!”
