Chapter 29: Bond Upgrade
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: Bond Upgrade
After putting the issue with Edward aside, Xie Bai had to face an existence even more troublesome than him.
"Cecilia."
Otherwise known as the perverted lolicon.
Hearing Xie Bai call her name, Cecilia’s interest was instantly piqued.
"What is it, my little white-haired sister? Did you start missing me the moment you chased me away? Don't you worry, little sister, I won't hold a grudge."
Seeing Cecilia preparing to lung at her again, Xie Bai immediately made a "stop" gesture.
"Stop right there."
Cecilia didn't slow down.
"Ehehe, since you called out to me, you can't take it back. I'm not stopping—"
Xie Bai leveled Funeral Rites at her.
"Ugh... how could you threaten me like that? If you keep this up, I’m really going to be heartbroken..."
Xie Bai felt a metaphorical row of black lines slide down her forehead. Then, she spoke up abruptly.
"It’s not like I won’t let you touch me. If you’re willing to submit to me, you can touch me however you like."
Cecilia’s eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?"
Xie Bai nodded.
"You can call me Bai."
Upon hearing this, Cecilia immediately dropped to one knee.
"Beautiful and adorable Sister Bai, I, Cecilia, am willing to submit to you. Your beauty and wisdom have earned my heartfelt admiration. I swear my loyalty is absolutely sincere."
Ehehe, it’s just an oath, she thought. Back when she was running with the Assassin Association, she’d made plenty of them. They were all just empty, hypocritical pleasantries. But if it meant coaxing Sister Bai, she didn't mind acting a bit more sincere.
【"Cecilia's" loyalty has increased to 1】
【Lust's Blessing triggered: "Cecilia's" loyalty has been locked at 1000】
【The number of Children of Fate under your command has reached a new threshold】
【Child of Fate Bond has been upgraded!】
【Beginning of Fate (3/3): Luck +2. Your weight within the world has increased slightly. The main storyline will be more easily influenced by your actions, and the Malice of the World toward you is reduced.】
OK!
Another Child of Fate successfully swindled.
With the bond upgrade, her Luck stat had finally reached "1." It had finally touched the minimum level of a normal human being.
After confirming the notification, Xie Bai gave a casual wave of her hand.
"Alright, you can go now."
Cecilia froze.
"Eh?!!"
"Sister, how can you be like this? I did exactly what you said! I even sold out my dignity, and yet you’re so heartless that you’re just going to dump me?..."
Xie Bai frowned.
"Tsk..."
What kind of nonsense was she spewing? She made it sound like Xie Bai had done something untoward to her.
"By the way, what are those documents you brought over?" Xie Bai pointed at the papers nearby, stealthily changing the subject.
Cecilia didn't notice anything was off and naturally began to explain.
"These? I found them during my second sweep of the well. They're records for a Directional Teleportation Array, and the coordinates happen to point exactly to Carlos Lilanka."
"I figured Edward is good at this sort of thing, so he can whip up the array and get us back. Even if he’s unlucky enough to blow it up, he can just keep trying until he succeeds."
Hiss. Finding a Directional Teleportation Array leading straight to Carlos Lilanka in a remote place like this? That was a bit too convenient.
At that moment, Edward approached. After a quick glance at the materials Cecilia had brought, he spoke up.
"It’s a pure symbol-based teleportation array. It doesn't require special materials, just the inscription of the corresponding patterns and symbols. It’s the cheapest and most convenient type of array; we really can try multiple times until it works."
Edward paused for a moment.
"Though, it would be best to succeed on the first try. It might be a bit dangerous for me to get caught in another explosion right now."
True. Edward’s HP had only recovered to around three hundred. Even with his explosion resistance, he probably wouldn't survive another blast.
Seeing that the two of them had seemingly solved the problem of how to return, Xie Bai spoke.
"Since you two have everything under control, I’ll be going first."
Then, before Cecilia could react, Xie Bai activated Shadow Return and slipped away. By utilizing the shadow of a passerby she had marked previously, she quickly emerged and returned to Carlos Lilanka.
However, there was one major difference: Carlos Lilanka was currently embroiled in a defensive war.
Xie Bai: "?"
Watching the massive alchemy machines in the sky, combined into aerial beasts to block the Void Insect Race, Xie Bai was stunned.
What was going on? The Void Insect Race had already attacked? So soon?
She had only gone to a deserted village to grind some mobs, and she came back to a full-scale invasion? It hadn't even been three days.
Currently wearing her Robe of Concealment, Xie Bai blended into the crowd to observe. Before she could finish processing the situation, a massive alchemy machine flew over the city.
The crowd instantly erupted into a frenzy.
"Look! It’s the Golden Dragon! His Majesty has arrived!"
"What? His Majesty actually descended to the battlefield in person?!"
"What kind of talk is that? His Majesty swore he would be here personally. Are you doubting him?!"
"Fantastic! With His Majesty here, we’re saved!"
"His Majesty once repelled a million-man army single-handedly. Dealing with mere bugs will be a walk in the park for him!"
"With the fire support from the Golden Dragon, the Sky Guards on the front lines can finally rotate back for repairs!"
"With His Majesty’s help, we will definitely overcome this insect crisis!"
"Praise His Majesty! Praise the Aodu Empire!"
His Majesty?
Xie Bai looked up at the giant machine in the sky. It was a massive ship that combined alchemy technology with medieval aesthetics. It looked like a spaceship out of a sci-fi work, though the art style was vastly different.
But what did that have to do with her?
If anything, these people were a bit too fanatical in their worship of that Emperor. If he could really handle thirty million Void Insects on his own, the Aodu Empire would have wiped out the Void Insect Hive long ago. There wouldn't have been a plotline where Roland had to secretly seal the hive.
After pushing through the crowded streets, Xie Bai reached a secluded corner. Thanatos emerged from the shadows. He bowed slightly to Xie Bai before speaking.
"My Lord, those Void Insects are among your kin. Since you possess the recognition of the Poem of the Void, those insects will obey you unconditionally, despite their lack of intelligence. We can use this opportunity to conquer this place and pave the way for the great work of your Return."
Conquer?
Xie Bai suddenly remembered that her only means of influencing her reputation was through "Conquest." If she used the power of the Void Insects now, she could easily conquer Carlos Lilanka—perhaps even the entire Aodu Empire.
However, Xie Bai replied with total indifference.
"Too much trouble. Besides, I’m not interested in playing at world conquest. That’s the kind of thing those Chaos Cultists enjoy. I’m not that kind of person."
Thanatos froze at her words, appearing momentarily moved. Then, he adjusted his posture and bowed respectfully.
"As you wish, My Lord."
*
"My Lord, thank you for your mercy in granting me this chance at atonement."
In the memory, the young girl opposite him smiled faintly.
"There, there. I’m not blaming you for anything."
"You just need to stand guard here until a long time from now."
"It might be ten million years, or perhaps twenty million."
"When that time comes, you might encounter an existence that looks very much like me, but isn't me."
"You don't need to agonize over whether it's truly me or not."
"As long as she is a kind soul who doesn't crave world conquest or anything like that, you may follow her with a clear heart."
"After all... being the villain is a role I can play all by myself."