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Chapter 824: Lan Qi's Intention (Part 2)
Chapter 824: Lan Qi's Intention (Part 2)
They all perished in the Blood Moon Dark Age.
"I will give them an answer after the war in the Kreithian Empire ends."
This time, Lan Qi didn't brush her off. He looked directly at the great demons and answered sincerely,
"The only right thing to do now is to break through Bloody Moon City and put an end to the vampire catastrophe."
This was Lanclos' unfinished wish and the most important task of his life.
"If we can't even do that, we'll repeat the same mistakes."
"Repeating the same history, making the same mistakes, over and over again."
He murmured the words he had once heard.
Half of his face was filled with disappointment, while the other half was joyful, and his heart was filled with compassion and pity.
"So, you really knew all along..."
Sinora was stunned and snapped out of her daze.
They had never known if Lan Qi was pretending or truly unaware. He was like a deity, devoid of human emotions, and no one could reach him.
He had always been calm and detached, as if understanding or not made no difference to him.
But now, after traveling from the North Continent to the South Continent, through the long years of the Blood Moon Dark Age, he seemed to have shed his divine aura and become a tangible mortal.
"We'll help you to the end."
Pranae said to Lan Qi, gently patting his shoulder.
Pranae rarely made decisions so decisively.
Even though he anticipated that the odds of success in the surprise attack on Bloody Moon City were much lower than expected, with a survival rate of less than fifty percent, he was determined to give it his all.
Success wasn't the end, and failure wasn't the end either. They had to keep moving forward, and compromise with the enemy was out of the question.
If they didn't defeat the vampires, they would never find peace in the afternoon, a lesson in courage that Lan Qi had taught them by always leading from the front.
As for what would happen afterward, whether success or sacrifice, he believed that Lan Qi had the ability to handle it until he created a world without end, a relatively perfect world.
"Yes, we'll help you. We'll always be your best partners."
Antanas banged the table and smiled at Lan Qi, making a promise.
She couldn't wait to return to Icrite and celebrate with everyone.
"Do the urgent things first, then the important ones."
Ifatiya repeated Lan Qi's school motto, putting it into practice.
"The Goddess of Fate will protect you. May your valor be eternal, and may your name be known throughout the world."
The Ice Maiden closed her eyes and prayed.
Although the rain continued to drizzle outside, the first floor of the mansion in Saint Kreithian Monastery was filled with a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere, dispelling any sense of dampness and cold.
...
In the bedroom on the second floor.
The sound of the door closing and the lock clicking softly echoed in the room.
The curtain was half-open, allowing the thin morning light of a winter day through the clouds and drizzle to enter the room.
Houbailian slowly opened her eyes.
She looked around at the unfamiliar yet comforting surroundings.
Houbailian, a virgin, noticed a pair of eyes watching her.
They belonged to the person she knew best, Talia.
Talia had placed two chairs by her bed and was watching over her, probably having waited a long time for her to wake up.
"Houbailian, how are you feeling?"
Talia asked with concern, noticing that Houbailian was awake.
"I..." Houbailian nodded slightly and struggled to sit up.
Her waist-length hair was slightly disheveled, and her muscles ached, feeling as if her very bones were about to fall apart.
According to the brief explanation from the Ice Maiden before she fell asleep last night, Melogas's rampaging power was ridiculously strong, to the point where even Sinora and Antanas couldn't easily stop her. This power came with an unimaginable cost.
Even with her poison resistance, Houbailian couldn't control her power like Melogas.
Now, Houbailian thought that Melogas was a demon with an exceptionally strong mental will, her obsession consistently driving her, even to the point of madness.
"Don't force yourself, just lean against the headboard."
Talia saw Houbailian's condition and understood.
Last night, the demon world doctor Antanas had already examined Houbailian.
Fortunately, Houbailian had an unusually high poison resistance and a body structure compatible with the Profanation Queen Melogas, allowing her to withstand Melogas's power. Otherwise, if another demon used Melogas's poison on themselves, they would likely die after just one use.
After all, she had only seen a technique that could barely raise a Seventh Rank to the Eighth Rank domain once—
It was the legendary magical artifact, Parloni's Vengeance Record, which also required a life-threatening cost.
The reason Nigel, her and Lan Qi's good friend in Flower City, survived after having a fragment of the legendary magical artifact embedded in him by Perlman was, on the one hand, because Nigel had been secretly partially modified by Perlman since he was young, making him a successful experimental subject with some compatibility with Parloni's Vengeance Record.
On the other hand, Nigel had an extraordinarily strong will and a determination to protect Flower City.
Only with both of these qualities could one use a power beyond reason.
"Xiu Bao, my Xiu Bao."
Talia looked at the recovering Houbailian and couldn't help but hug her, tears welling up in her eyes, worried that she had been seriously injured and would never wake up.
Houbailian was initially dazed, hesitating for a moment before slowly placing her hand on Talia's back.
"I'm really fine, Tata."
Houbailian spoke softly.
In the future, she probably wouldn't use Melogas's Profanation of Sovereignty again, unless it was a moment where she had to risk her life no matter the cost.
She didn't know why Talia was so emotional at this moment, but she knew that this was the time to comfort Tata.
"How long did I sleep for?"
Houbailian allowed Talia to hold her and asked.
She seemed to have had a hazy dream.
In her dream, she had profaned her fake aunt, the Profanation Queen Melogas.
Melogas, from a position of superiority, told her that she wasn't yet qualified to use the power of the demon king, not even the power of the profanation demon king that transcends life and death), and that she, as a half-baked little princess of the demon world, wasn't capable of using it. If she didn't have the determination to face a hundred deaths, she might as well give her body to the Profanation Queen to use.
"Just one night."
Talia slowly released Houbailian and replied.
She had stayed up all night, worried sick, and had been by Houbailian's side the entire time.
Talia found Sid's behavior strange as well. Although no one was guarding Sid last night, it was a perfect opportunity for him to monopolize Lan Qi, but he insisted on keeping his promise with Tata and stayed here to watch over Houbailian. Then, in the morning, he went downstairs to help Xiao Hei Mao.
Talia couldn't understand whether Sid and Houbailian knew each other or if their relationship was good or bad.
As she thought about this, Talia brought over a breakfast wrapped in tin foil from the bedside table for Houbailian.
This breakfast was originally for Talia, but since she didn't know when Houbailian would wake up, Sid had brought the breakfast and then gone downstairs to continue preparing it.
As a result, just after Sid left the room, Houbailian woke up.
After opening the tin foil, it revealed a golden-brown toasted bacon and pineapple bread, steaming hot and sprinkled with chopped green onions and cheese.
"Ah."
Talia held it with her hand below and brought it to Houbailian's mouth.
"I'm not a child anymore."
Houbailian's cheeks turned slightly red, but she still took a bite from the end, her expression gradually becoming relaxed.
The crispy outer layer, the soft and hot inner part, the chewy dough, the sweet fragrance of melted cheese, the sweet and sour pineapple, and the elasticity of the bacon—
Houbailian felt that this was the moment she truly came back to life.
So, this was how Tata felt when she was fed while leaning against the headboard.
Questioning Tata, understanding Tata, becoming Tata.
Perhaps this was the path that every demon princess had to walk.
"..."
Talia inexplicably understood Houbailian's thoughts.
Why was even Houbailian starting to do tasks? Talia was confused, so she poured a cup of honey lemon tea and, in between feeding Houbailian breakfast, gave her a few sips of the warm tea.
"Here, Houbailian."
Talia handed Houbailian the lemon tea, and Houbailian took a sip from the edge of the cup.
"Mmm."
Houbailian sipped the tea, first tasting the warm, sweet fragrance of the sugar, and then the refreshing flavor of the lemon. As the moisture in her mouth was absorbed by the bread, the warmth spread down her throat and into her stomach, dispelling the coldness from waking up on a winter morning.
Despite growing up without a mother's care, Houbailian found that living with Talia for so long had made her extremely adept at taking care of her. Talia knew exactly what she liked and needed, and even understood her body better than she did.
Before long, Houbailian was almost full.
Then, Talia cleaned up the tin foil.
She sat back down in her original spot.
But when she looked at Houbailian, she didn't say anything.
Houbailian sensed Talia's hesitation.
She unexpectedly understood Talia's feelings at this moment.
Perhaps it was a kind of telepathy.
Based on their long-term understanding of each other.
Or perhaps, it was time for them to be honest with each other.
"..."
Talia placed her hands on Houbailian's pure white bedding, avoiding Houbailian's gaze, and fell silent for a moment.
It had been raining outside for a while, and Talia finally turned to Houbailian.
"Houbailian, during the time I spent in Flower City with Lan Qi, a lot happened, and I've come to see him in a different light. We went through life-and-death situations together, and because of that..."
Talia's words trailed off, as if she couldn't bring herself to say more.
"So, what happened?"
Houbailian's gaze was fixed on Talia's eyes.
Talia appeared calm, but her embarrassment was evident.
"Tata, don't worry. No matter what, I'll believe in you. My father taught me that even if we're deceived, we should still believe and try to clear up misunderstandings. If one side doesn't take the first step to trust, there will never be true trust, and we'll always be plagued by misunderstandings, making decisions we'll regret for the rest of our lives."
Houbailian took Talia's hand, her warmth spreading through her palm.
"Hmm."
Talia's voice was tinged with guilt, but also filled with gratitude.
After spending so much time with Houbailian, Talia had long believed in her.
Her elegance, her sharpness, the blend of melancholy and determination, precision and courage in her demeanor, the innocence and purity, and yet she possessed a wealth of healthy and correct knowledge.
"..."
Talia paused briefly, lowering her head slowly.
She held Houbailian's hand tightly, conveying all the thoughts and feelings she couldn't express through the warmth of her palm.
"Houbailian, I think I... I like Lan Qi."
Talia bowed to Houbailian and spoke sincerely,
"So, I won't hide from him anymore. He's more than just a disciple to me."
Talia looked into Houbailian's eyes, confessing sincerely.
"Oh, I see."
Houbailian's expression was one of relief.
"It's good that you can be honest with me."
On the window glass not far from the bedroom, Talia and Houbailian's profiles were reflected.
Their naturally cold eyes couldn't hide the turmoil in their hearts, like melting ice.
"Liking Lan Qi isn't a bad thing. I like him too; it seems we have similar tastes, Tata."
Houbailian didn't understand why she suddenly felt so courageous, able to speak so directly, but she no longer wanted to hide anything.
She couldn't help but be moved by a man who would always risk his life to protect her. She couldn't deceive herself or others any longer.
"So, we're going to fight over a man, huh..."
Talia's eyes sparkled, as if the last knot in her heart had been untied.
"No matter what happens between the three of us, we'll always be family."
Houbailian reached out and hugged Talia tightly.
Outside the bedroom, Sigrid leaned against the door, holding a tray. She had overheard their conversation and was relieved, ready to leave.
After delivering breakfast to Tata, she had sensed Houbailian's awakening in the room and decided to stay and listen to her condition.
Truthfully, she envied both Houbailian and Tata.
They had something she had never had since birth.
She could only experience it in her dreams.
...
Inside the room, Talia placed her hand on Houbailian's back.
"Houbailian, since you asked me to be honest with you, there's something else I need to tell you."
Talia sat in the chair by the bed and leaned close to Houbailian's ear,
"Actually, we met in the previous Shadow World, and I'm sorry I lied to you then."
She spoke again, then proceeded to tell Houbailian about what she had seen in the central room of the Inferno Corridor Academy.
She told her about the many causes and effects of the small sparks left behind by Caliera.
She spoke of how Caliera had given everything, lighting the final firefly that led to Lanclos' victory, and the key to his salvation.
Now that she had promised not to deceive Houbailian and had returned to the present world, she could tell her some things.
"..."
After hearing Caliera's true ending, Houbailian sat in a daze, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
"Is that so..."
Houbailian's tears flowed down her cheeks, her clear tears accompanied by a sob, expressing both reluctance and relief.
"As I thought, Caliera was no longer in the Bloody Moon Calamity."
Houbailian clenched her hands tightly and said.
That was how fate worked.
Unpredictable before it happened, unchangeable after it occurred.
Caliera was destined to become the Great Demon Race's trial, the Descent of Elysium, and Houbailian had known this fact since she saw the fourth basement level of Helrom Prison in the Northern Continent.
Even if Caliera had seen her future in the Tibarius Mirror, she would still choose to die generously.
Caliera was, indeed, Caliera.
"Houbailian, I believe that if Caliera were still alive, she would have asked me to use the Descent of Elysium on you, pretending to be her. So... I pretended to be her."
Talia spoke hesitantly, unsure if she was right or wrong.
She had been working on integrating into human society for a long time.
Now, she didn't know how much she resembled a human or a demon.
"Thank you for always protecting me, Tata."
Houbailian also spoke sincerely, looking at Talia through the fading tears and gradually clearing vision.
Her words were not clumsy or dull, but rather like a gentle stream, both soft and intense.
Clear and transparent, they reflected her true heart.
"..."
A loud crash sounded outside the room as a plate shattered on the floor.
"Huh?"
Talia and Houbailian looked at the door in confusion.
"What's going on?"
"I'll go check."
Talia stood up.
As Talia walked over to the door curiously and opened it, she looked left and right down the corridor, but there was no one outside the bedroom.
(End of Chapter)
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