Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
The magic lamps in the room emitted a faint glow. Xi Wei sat on Sakura’s small bed, his gaze sweeping around, feeling like Granny Liu visiting a large manor.
Theoretically speaking.
This was a genuine princess’s boudoir.
And Sakura had decorated it herself.
The entire room was composed of light green and pink hues, with simple decorations and furniture: a dressing table, a full-length mirror, a bed, a few potted plants, two magic lamps hanging on the wall, and a harp in the corner showing obvious signs of use. A greatsword, its blade polished to a gleaming shine, leaned against the harp.
“Are you wondering why my preferred weapon is a greatsword?”
Sakura, carrying a cup of water, approached Xi Wei.
She then handed the cup to Xi Wei.
“Thank you,” Xi Wei took a sip. The water was just the right temperature to dispel the night’s chill without being too hot.
“I am indeed quite curious.”
Xi Wei glanced at the rabbit-eared girl, who stood with her hands behind her back, looking embarrassed, and said softly, “After all, you’re so petite… um, I mean, this greatsword is almost taller than you. Isn’t it inconvenient to wield?”
“…It’s actually fine…”
Sakura lowered her head, a blush gradually spreading across her cheeks.
She didn’t know what was happening to her. Just standing in front of Xi Wei made her feel like she was on fire. She had never felt this way before. Was it because Xi Wei’s breathing was too close?
Regarding the issue of her greatsword.
She had never cared about it before, but now she felt embarrassed. She looked at the other maids in Winter City, whose weapons were all fitting for girls: staffs, daggers, rapiers… unlike her, who carried a greatsword wider than herself every day?
This must be making a terrible impression!
The King of Winter wouldn’t think she was a violent demi-human girl, would he?
I’m going to die, I’m going to die, I’m going to die…
Xi Wei stared at the rabbit-eared girl in front of him, completely bewildered.
Her face was as red as a monkey’s backside, and steam was practically rising from her head. Why did asking a question make her CPU overheat?
“Uh, if it’s inconvenient to answer, you don’t have to say anything…”
“No, it’s not that!”
Sakura gripped the hem of her skirt and mustered her courage, saying:
“When I was learning weapons before, Master asked me what kind of weapon I wanted to learn. I didn’t think much of it then; I just wanted to have the strength to protect my people. So, I asked Master, which weapon was the most powerful? Master said the greatsword… And so, and so I learned the greatsword…”
As she spoke, her head lowered even further.
Her pink hair almost completely obscured her face.
“Do you think I’m a violent girl? Because it seems only those muscular men use heavy weapons like greatswords…” the rabbit-eared girl’s voice came through, as faint as a mosquito’s hum.
Xi Wei stroked his chin, finding it both amusing and exasperating. He wasn’t some kid anymore; he had long passed the age of judging someone by their external characteristics. It seemed Sakura had been subjected to much pointed commentary about her greatsword.
“I’m also skilled with the greatsword. If you’re interested, after the curse is removed, you can come to me every day to learn.”
The best way to comfort someone is to affirm them. Xi Wei’s offer to teach Sakura greatsword techniques was undoubtedly the best form of affirmation.
“Can I really?”
Sakura looked up.
Her large eyes rekindled with light.
“Of course. Let’s start then. Do you still remember how to remove the curse?”
Sakura nodded repeatedly. “I recite it a few times every day…” She lightly touched her lips and said, “The Demon Eye Tree Fruit needs to be soaked in Demon Blood to remove its toxicity, and then it can be consumed directly. However, this is the method for demons…”
“It’s fine. You’re already a Half-Succubus now.”
Xi Wei reached out and gently touched Sakura’s wings. “Can you fly like a succubus?”
“Yes…” Sakura looked at Xi Wei with apprehension. “…Don’t you find it disgusting? After all, there’s already demon blood flowing through me. It was against my will, though…”
“Not at all.”
Xi Wei shook his head.
On the contrary, the combination of a rabbit-eared girl with succubus wings was quite cute.
“You know Sark, right? He’s also a demon, but in reality, he’s very popular in Winter Fort, so don’t worry.”
“But…” Sakura murmured.
She felt there was a significant difference between herself and Sark.
Sark seemed completely unaffected by demonic energy.
But she was different. Occasionally, she still felt the urge to wrap her tail around something. Unfortunately, she only had a chubby rabbit tail and hadn’t grown the long, slender tail of a succubus.
“Alright, let’s not dwell on it. We’ll begin now.”
Xi Wei took out a bottle of Demon Blood from his Space Ring. This blood came from a Balrog, and even stored in a common crystal bottle, it was still full of vitality after so long.
Then, Xi Wei poured it into a pre-prepared container. As soon as it was poured out, the blood boiled like lava, and a fiery aura spread throughout the room. Simultaneously, the bubbling blood gradually formed the shape of a Balrog’s face. It opened its mouth and roared, exuding a terrifying aura.
“Y-Your Majesty, this… it, it’s still alive!”
Sakura was startled and quickly hid behind Xi Wei.
“It’s just a residual wisp of will,”
Xi Wei sneered.
He unhooked the Holy Spirit Horn and dipped one end into the boiling blood.
The Balrog’s residual will let out a piercing wail, and in an instant, it was purified by the divine light on the Holy Spirit Horn.
At the same time, in the Sleeping Land.
Lewenstein sat up from the Crystal Coffin with a practiced roll.
“Now that the horn has been removed, are they going to summon me?”
Muttering a few words, Lewenstein quickly tidied his holy robes, picked up his Angelic Holy Sword, and patted his stiff face to maintain a kind and benevolent smile.
As an angel, image was paramount.
He was ready to be summoned.
“…Huh? Why did that brat hang the horn back on again?!”
…
“Alright.”
Xi Wei removed the Demon Eye Tree Fruit from the blood.
Its toxicity had been completely absorbed by the Balrog’s blood. The originally crimson Demon Eye Tree Fruit turned a pale pink, similar to flesh color, after shedding its toxicity.
In short, it looked even more unsettling.
Xi Wei thought that if he were to eat this, he would need immense courage.
But the timid-looking rabbit-eared girl in front of him took the “eyeball” with a determined expression. She closed her eyes and shoved it into her mouth in one go.
