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Chapter 768: Sigrid Makes Peace with the Map
Chapter 768: Sigrid Makes Peace with the Map
The night snow lay serene and vast, untouched by the world beyond. Amidst this tranquil expanse, a Snowfield Spirit Deer stood tall, its antlers shimmering like crystalline ice sculptures, piercing through the white velvet curtain of snow.
The deer-drawn carriage slowed to a halt, allowing Ranchi and Sigrid to swap places, each settling into the other's former seat. As Ranchi took hold of the reins, a sense of reassurance washed over him.
For over a month now, they had traversed the northern snowfields of the Protoss Empire on the North Continent, and it was his guidance that kept them from straying off course.
"Oh, right, would you like a sip?"
Sigrid, having just taken her seat at the back, retrieved a leather wine pouch from the storage box and offered it forward with one hand, having already twisted open the cap.
Ranchi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Didn't I tell you over a decade ago that you must not drink and drive, not even a drop? Safe travels begin with a mindful heart, and drunk driving is a practice to be shunned."
He leaned back slightly, addressing Sigrid in the backseat.
"I haven't been drinking," Sigrid replied nonchalantly.
"..."
"I mean, you can't let me drink either," she added.
Ranchi was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling as though Sigrid's logic had him pinned to the ground.
"But we're in the midst of a vast snowfield, technically an 'uninhabited zone,' and it's essential to warm ourselves with a little drink in such harsh natural conditions," Sigrid explained earnestly. "Moreover, according to the laws of the Holy Land of Ranter, non-demon-powered vehicles aren't subject to the same restrictions. Even if you're driving normally and encounter a snowfield magical beast, there's no need to veer off emergently. There have been numerous incidents where avoiding magical beasts has led to driving accidents, so the Holy Land of Ranter has removed the protection of their protected animals from traffic rules."
Ranchi shook his head. "No, I won't drink."
The last time they had discussed this topic, he had easily persuaded Sigrid when she was still a child.
Now, however, she had left him speechless.
As she had grown up, she had become quite a handful.
It wasn't that he was afraid to drink, but rather that he understood the dangers of alcoholism, a realization that had come to him since their departure from the Vanatina Territory.
"Then I'll drink by myself," Sigrid said as she stood up. Leaning over the front seat, she glanced at Ranchi, her eyes reflecting her understanding of his unspoken words.
He felt as though he could smell the alcohol wafting from the pouch, and if this continued, he was sure to get dizzy.
In the end, she resealed the pouch, returned to her seat, and took a couple of sips before putting it back into the storage box.
"If you feel like drinking, just call me. You can focus on the road, and I can feed you if you like."
Sigrid leaned forward, a playful smile on her face as she spoke to Ranchi.
"No, no, that's alright," he replied, already catching whiffs of the sweet and sour milk alcohol on her breath.
The prison pigeon had taught him a lifelong lesson—to abstain from alcohol entirely.
"Sit tight, we're off."
As Ranchi prepared to urge the Snowfield Spirit Deer forward once more, he spared a moment to glance at the Shadow World's information.
【Mission Objective 1: Read the letter from your old friend, Caliera; Head to the Demon Realm, City of Purgatory, Pasquale. (To be continued)】
【Mission Objective 2: Understand the state of mind of Black Sun, Lanculos: 0.13%. (To be continued)】
For a long while, he would need to concentrate on the road ahead and wouldn't have the luxury of diverting his attention to the Shadow World's affairs.
After leaving the Papal Throne Room, the mission objectives had changed once.
Since then, whether it was encountering Sigrid or continuing on their journey, there had been no further fluctuations.
Ranchi was still unable to fully grasp the connection between the two Shadow World missions.
He could only speculate.
As progress on the first mission objective influenced changes in the second, continuing on this journey would naturally lead to the completion of the tasks.
With a gentle flick of the reins, the Snowfield Spirit Deer sprang into motion once more.
Their graceful forms darted across the snowy terrain, hooves kicking up a flurry of snowflakes.
The sled glided smoothly over the soft snow, its passage marked by a soft, sandy whisper.
Ranchi skillfully guided the sled, his expertise evident as the sled gradually pulled away, leaving two long tracks in the snow.
In the back of the sled, Talia stirred, her brow furrowed as she awoke. Blinking, she peered around, taking in her surroundings.
She had unintentionally dozed off for quite some time, and night had fallen.
As she had expected, the carb-loaded meal—a variety of burgers from the border of Peland—had left her feeling sleepy. Ranchi had bought one of each for her, telling her that this might be her last chance to try them in the Shadow World.
She had eaten them all, torn between gratitude for his thoughtfulness and annoyance at his dramatic proclamation.
Upon waking, Talia looked around cautiously.
There didn't seem to be any imminent dangers.
They had merely paused for a moment, and now Sigrid joined her by the window seat.
"Yawn," Talia stretched, pulling the blanket with her as she offered half of it to Sigrid.
In her current state, as long as she remained still like a doll, her energy consumption was at its lowest, barely drawing upon Ranchi's magical power.
However, any movement on her part would immediately start draining his reserves.
"Thanks," Sigrid readily accepted Kaliera's offer, moving closer to her and wrapping herself in the blanket.
She studied Kaliera, who had been unconscious for most of the journey, with a curious gaze.
In her eyes, Kaliera resembled a dreamlike beauty, her features elusive yet undeniably captivating. Sigrid was certain that Kaliera possessed the most enchanting countenance, a conviction that came from the heart.
As she continued to observe, Sigrid noticed a striking resemblance between Kaliera and her childhood image of her mother.
Before she could dwell on this thought further, Kaliera's eyes, filled with questions, turned towards her.
"Why are you staring at me?" Talia asked, tilting her head.
"Kaliera, do you feel tired?" Sigrid inquired softly, leaning back in her seat.
"No," Talia replied, though in truth, she felt incredibly comfortable. As a semi-magical being, she perpetually enjoyed a state of abundant energy, untroubled by any physical discomforts.
If she had her way, she would never want to revert from this state.
"Then why do you look so lackadaisical, so unlike your usual dazzling self?" Sigrid remarked.
She found it peculiar that Kaliera, who always carried herself with such pride and hauteur as a high-ranking demon, now resembled someone who had retired and let themselves go.
Yet, despite her current state, Kaliera still exuded an air of nobility and an unyielding spirit, as if she would rather perish in her position of power than lower herself or submit to another.
"It's... I used to..." Talia's heart constricted as she struggled to find the right words.
Could Kaliera truly be so admirable and worthy of respect? Even in death, it seemed she maintained the dignity befitting a Ninth-Rank Great Demon, earning the admiration of her peers and wielding a unique feminine allure that played an irreplaceable role in the world's affairs.
In contrast, Talia's thoughts turned inward as she reflected on her own shortcomings.
Previously, she had been unconvinced by Ranchi's differing assessments of her and Kaliera. But now, she, too, harbored self-doubts.
Before Talia could stumble through an explanation, Sigrid spoke up.
"I've always felt that you're too hard on yourself," Sigrid said sincerely. "You don't owe the Demon World anything. If anything, they owe you."
Shepaolian, too, had once found Kaliera difficult to approach and overly strict with her when they first met. But as she came to know Kaliera better, she realized that Kaliera was even stricter with herself and surprisingly gentle and indulgent towards Shepaolian, often turning a blind eye to her transgressions.
"I..." Talia faltered, feeling even more ashamed as she listened to Sigrid's comforting words.
She, too, had once been a princess of the Demon World. But after encountering Ranchi, she had gradually succumbed to her desires.
Even...
Even now, she couldn't resist the pleasurable sensation of being fed by him.
If word of this got out, she would rather die than face the embarrassment!
Every time Talia recalled those moments of being "indulged" by Ranchi, she wanted to find a hole to hide in.
She attributed her current state to Ranchi's influence—he bore about seventy percent of the responsibility.
But she also acknowledged her own share of the blame, which amounted to at least thirty percent.
"But it's fine the way you are now," Sigrid continued.
"Don't you think it's embarrassing for me?" Talia mumbled.
Lies may spare pain, but only truth will set one free.
After meeting her sister, Iferitia, Talia finally understood that she couldn't compare to the very best, and without her princess status, she had lost nearly everything.
"How could that be? I wish you could set aside the Demon World's affairs and chores and just spend every day with me," Sigrid confessed, wrapping herself tighter in the blanket and snuggling up next to the silver-haired witch.
If she could bring Kaliera back to the present world, she would ensure she lived a carefree and happy life in the Protoss Empire, free from the burdens of her past.
The idea of exclusively enjoying Kaliera's care and attention, even for just twenty-one days, was something she had only dared to dream about before.
"But there's someone who complains about me all the time, saying I eat too much, I'm too old, and I'm useless," Talia said, her voice a mixture of gratitude and resentment.
The more she compared herself to Sigrid, the more she resented Ranchi's treatment of her.
"Having a good appetite is a wonderful thing," Sigrid reassured her. "As a martial artist, I require a lot of energy, and sometimes I indulge in large meals as well. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I was possessed by a demon," Sigrid confessed.
"No wonder you're so strong," Talia realized.
Although if Sigrid went all out, this amount of strength would undoubtedly be insignificant, but for someone her age, it was already beyond the norm.
"As for age, I definitely feel that older women have more charm."
Sigrid thought seriously and nodded.
"Yes, do you think so too?"
Talia felt a sense of camaraderie and regret at not having met Sigrid sooner.
How could this little girl understand so much!
"Of course."
Sigrid affirmed,
"And as for saying that you're useless, that's pure slander. You're the most useful! Just sitting there motionless, you're a sight to behold, like the world's most beautiful artistic masterpiece."
Sigrid smiled and added to the demonic beauty beside her.
It might be impolite to think this way, but if she could add Kaliera to her collection, the entire collection would gain luster because of this demonic fairy.
"Boo hoo, Sigrid, I haven't heard such words in years."
Talia finally couldn't help but hug Sigrid, not wanting to let go of this warm and soft body.
Every word was sincere and heartfelt.
Even without a lie-detecting spell, Talia could see Sigrid's honesty in her eyes.
Where did this little angel come from?
If she could bring Sigrid back to the present world, she would definitely take Sigrid, who had grown up in an orphanage, home and raise her like her own daughter.
Fortunately, Sigrid and Shubelian played well together, like sisters.
It would be the same amount of effort to raise one as it would be to raise two, just an extra set of cutlery.
Ranchi, in the driver's seat of the deer carriage, was wholly focused on analyzing the road conditions, oblivious to the harmonious conversation between Talia and Sigrid in the backseat.
Until they successfully navigated a lengthy curved road beneath a mountain cliff.
"I knew we should turn here, going straight would've led us off a cliff."
Ranchi cheered proudly,
"By the time I finish this trip, I'll be able to draw a new edition of the 'Shadowland Map' that even a 3-year-old could understand."
As expected, his potential to navigate was brought out under pressure, and now he was a qualified guide.
Sigrid, who was still chatting with Talia in the backseat, suddenly turned to Ranchi.
"Holy..."
Sigrid bit her lip.
I am Sigrid now; I am Sigrid now.
She reminded herself.
Sigrid and Sigrid's affinity should be kept separate and portrayed authentically.
"What's wrong?"
Ranchi turned his head, puzzled.
He thought he heard a brief sound from Sigrid.
"Your Holiness, do you think this book will sell?"
Sigrid asked with a smile.
"I don't think anyone would buy it,"
Talia lazily leaned over and replied from the side.
Sigrid's body temperature was very warm, like a heater, making Talia feel sleepy again in this bumpy, icy, and snowy night.
"Maybe there will be, you know, I know a super outrageous road idiot."
Ranchi briefly turned his head, but before he could fully turn around, Sigrid covered his head with both hands.
"Watch the road."
Sigrid reminded him.
Since the Holy Son taught her to drive, he should lead by example.
"......"
Ranchi felt Sigrid slowly release her hands.
He was surprised.
He never expected that twelve years later, the grown-up Sigrid would be so casual with him, often touching him without realizing it.
He decided to talk to her about this issue when they reached the first hotel in the city of the Shadowland, as she was no longer that little girl.
"By the way, that 'super outrageous road idiot', she must have caused you a lot of trouble, right? Has she always been a pain in your neck?"
Sigrid suddenly asked from behind Ranchi.
Upon hearing this, Ranchi seemed to be reminiscing, and then a smile appeared on his face.
"No, I've always wanted to draw a new edition of the 'World Map' that even a 3-year-old could understand and give it to her so she wouldn't get lost again."
He muttered, holding the reins.
"Boo..."
Sigrid averted her gaze and lowered her head, curling up in the backseat.
She covered her chest, and apart from the noisy wind and snow, all she could hear was the sound of her heartbeat.
As expected.
She even liked the fact that he disliked her.
Hearing her heart beat so loudly, she longed to hear Ranchi tell her that he felt the same way.
(End of Chapter)
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