Volume 5, Chapter 25 – A Friend in a Snowy Night

As for what Fia and Woz discussed at the meeting, it was nothing more than the specific strategies for dealing with Chazo in the future and Zahr’s funeral. Woz intended to test Chazo’s attitude first, avoiding conflict if possible. If Chazo was determined to eradicate the Snake-folk tribe, it would not be too late to completely break ties then.

Although Woz’s actions made Fia feel a bit strange, considering that if he didn’t do this, Chieftain Zahr’s death would seem utterly absurd, and Woz’s actions were tantamount to treason, making such a decision on behalf of the entire clan indeed required immense courage and the determination of a last-ditch battle. Fia reluctantly agreed.

After all, one couldn’t view everyone as themselves, possessing the power to slay gods. From an ordinary person’s standpoint, the fact that Woz hadn’t placed all his hopes on Chazo was already worthy of praise for his boldness. Most people would not dare to face reality and would naively believe in a desperate situation that as long as they laid down their arms, the enemy would let bygones be bygones and forgive them—the so-called surrender faction that often appeared in wars.

When Fia, with Ying draped in a greenish-blue veil, walked out of the residence and onto the pitch-black street, she immediately let go of Ying. However, to her surprise, not only did Ying not quickly separate from her, but her arm, like a snake, wrapped around Fia’s again. Not only did she hug her arm tightly, but she also rested her head affectionately on Fia’s shoulder. Although the total length of a half-snake’s body was much longer than Fia’s, because more than half of it was a tail dragging on the ground, their standing height was about the same.

“Hey.”

Fia frowned unhappily, bending her arm towards Ying, intending to push her away. However, Ying explained in an urgent whisper.

“D-don’t do that! My father is surely still watching me from upstairs! Please, just bear with it a little longer! I’m begging you!”

Following Ying’s words, Fia subconsciously looked back at the residence. As Ying had said, Woz was standing by a lit window on the top floor, gazing at her from afar. Seeing her turn back, he even smiled and waved, as if to say she should pay him no mind.

Fia had no choice but to use [Telekinesis] to put some space between her and Ying’s head, and then walked quickly without a word. It wasn’t until she reached a sufficiently remote alley that she moved away from Ying and turned into it. Ying, as if understanding, entered the alley with her.

As soon as they entered, Ying, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, supported herself with her hands on her tail and let out a long sigh of relief.

“Hah, I finally escaped. Thank you. I’ll find a chance to repay today’s kindness in the future.”

“So you really were getting away from your father,” Fia said with her hands on her hips in exasperation. “I told a big lie to Woz for you. Although I only brought you out because I hate this custom of forcing one’s daughter to submit and marry a stranger, what do you plan to do now? Let me say this first, I can’t possibly accept you.”

“Hmph,” Ying made an unhappy sound, pouting and looking at Fia defiantly. “Am I that unlikeable? Although I don’t have muscles and look weak, I do have a little confidence in my looks and charm. Besides, don’t elves like delicate-skinned women like me?”

“So you mean to take this opportunity to latch onto me? If that’s the case, I’ll pack you up and send you back to Woz right now.”

“No, no! I’m begging you, please don’t send me back,” seeing Fia about to carry her back, Ying’s attitude made a 180-degree turn. She quickly put her hands together, her eyes squeezed shut in a >_< shape. “I’d rather be your beast of burden than go back. That way, even as a beast of burden, I’d be one in the elf princess’s household. If I can snag a position like a consort, I can live a carefree life.”

This statement almost made Fia burst out laughing. This half-snake girl was too optimistic. She suppressed her laughter and distanced herself from Ying, who was almost sticking to her.

“Don’t even think about it. You are indeed very beautiful and charming, but I’m not interested in you. Besides, don’t you have Nola?”

“Huh?” Ying’s youthful and vibrant face suddenly stiffened, and then she frowned, her eyes looking at Fia as if she were an idiot. “Um… Your Highness, not everyone likes the same sex like you do. Nola and I are just close friends, not the kind of relationship you’re thinking of. Besides, Nola likes that woman named Cl… Cla-something, right? I only tease her because I find that side of her interesting. We beastfolk aren’t as promiscuous as you elves.”

“Is that so?”

With Ying’s reminder, Fia suddenly realized that because she had always been surrounded by elves, and the elf race had no clear distinction between men and women in marriage, she had been wearing colored glasses, always assuming that close same-sex friends were lovers. She had become abnormal. Normal female friends wouldn’t have a relationship like hers and Claire’s. ¹ tsk tsk fia

In that case, for me to always declare that Claire is my fiancée is truly earth-shattering and shameful.

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Suppressing the shame that was about to rise from her chest to her face, Fia pretended to ask casually.

“So what happened to you? And Nola? With your strength, if you insisted on leaving, your father couldn’t have stopped you, right?”

Actually, Fia also wanted to ask if her butt was healed, but that had a hint of sexual harassment, so she politely held her tongue.

Ying waved her hands repeatedly.

“It’s a long story. To put it simply, I was passing by on my way back to the city and saw that a funeral was being held, so I came down to see what was happening. It just so happened that my old man caught me. He refused to let me go with Nola. And Nola, because he’s my dad, couldn’t take a hard stance, so she and the others went back first, leaving me here alone.”

“It wasn’t a big deal. I could have gone back to the Fire Cat’s territory after attending my uncle’s funeral. But my old man put this on me and said I had to stay in the tribe and give him a grandchild before I could leave. I had no choice but to obey. If it weren’t for you, I would have had to pretend to be pregnant, then find a newborn baby on the street to be my child and give it to my annoying old dad.”

At the end, Ying looked up and tugged at the silver necklace around her neck, indicating that this was what was restraining her. Although her freedom was restricted, she didn’t show anger or hatred, only helplessness and dissatisfaction.

“This is a magic item we use in the Cold Night to discipline rebellious children. Once you put it on, you can’t disobey your parents’ orders, and you can’t take it off yourself. I was thinking of asking Nola to cut it off with her divine weapon after I left here.”

“Isn’t that the same as a slave collar?”

Seemingly reading the displeasure in Fia’s eyes, Ying shook her head repeatedly, as if telling her not to mind.

“It can be seen as a slave collar, but who would put such an expensive magic item on a slave when a slave brand would do the job? In your eyes, you might think my father’s request is outrageous, but among us beastfolk, a parent’s word is more stressful than a god’s command. Anyone who dares to disobey their parents will be scorned by the entire clan. I’m considered one of the more disobedient ones among the beastfolk, so don’t think my father is a bad person. It’s just a commonly accepted rule.”

“How did you know I was unhappy? Generally, people living in one environment can’t understand what people in another are thinking. You shouldn’t have been able to sense that I thought what your father did was wrong.”

Just as a person who has always been well-fed can’t imagine what a poor person eats every day, if Ying felt that her father’s command was correct, then she wouldn’t have thought that Fia would think it was wrong, because she couldn’t understand Fia’s way of thinking.

Ying wrapped an arm around her perfectly full chest and said with a proud air.

“I’m the strategist who advises the Holy Son. I have to understand the surrounding races better than others. Besides, I’ve lived in the world of elves and humans for a while, so I know a little about these differences. There was even a time when a boy who had a crush on me stood up for me and went to settle the score with my father, showing no respect for our customs at all.”

“He was doing it for your own good, right? It’s better than marrying a man you don’t know.”

“That’s true, but to go that far was too much. Anyway, let’s not talk about the past. For the next few days, I’ll be your lover. After my uncle is buried and you’ve repelled the soldiers sent by Chazo, I’ll leave. During this time, you can ask me to do anything, like serving tea or warming your bed, except for sleeping with you. I’m not that concerned.”

At this, Ying was about to slither out of the alley, but Fia frowned and called out to her.

“Hey, you’re not planning on just coming back with me like this, are you? I’m a taken woman.”

“So what if you’re taken? It’s not strange to have a mistress or two. Besides, I’m just pretending. With this necklace on, I can’t get too far away from you, unless you get the control of it from my father.”

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At this, Ying glanced at the empty, dark alley behind Fia, then her expression turned strange, and she shyly covered her chest with her hands.

“…Don’t get any ideas. Even as payment for the deal, being affectionate in the street is too difficult for me.”

“What are you thinking?”

As expected of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, always having unrealistic fantasies. With the mentality of an adult, Fia complained in her heart. She beckoned to Ying, signaling for her to come closer.

“I’ll help you take this necklace off. That way, you can go wherever you want.”

This time, it was Ying who tilted her head with a frown.

“You can, but you don’t want any payment? Don’t look down on me just because I seem younger than you. I know everything I should.”

Fia sighed helplessly.

“I have no interest in the payment you’re talking about. I’m only helping you because I don’t like to see innocent girls being forced to sell their bodies. Come closer. Yes, just like that.”

With Ying’s cooperation, Fia reached out and held the necklace, still warm from Ying’s body, in her palm. With a faint blue glow, in just a few seconds, the gem on the silver necklace dimmed under [Forceful Plunder]. Then, Fia took the necklace from Ying’s neck and handed it back to her.

“Alright, you can go now.”

“That simple?”

“How much more trouble did you want?”

Looking at the necklace in her hand, Ying’s gaze gradually became complicated, filled with disbelief.

“…If I hadn’t been restricted by this thing for the past two days, I would have suspected my father gave me a fake.”

“Have you forgotten that you just lost to me two days ago? A mere magic item can’t stop me.”

“That’s true.”

Ying nodded thoughtfully. Then, as if praising Fia, she affectionately patted her shoulder, a strange light in her eyes.

“As expected of the high nobility of Silvar. Not at all like the beastfolk nobles who like to take advantage. If you had taken the opportunity to touch me, I wouldn’t have said anything.”

She pushed the warm necklace to Fia, a smile on her lips.

“Thanks. Now I don’t have to stay here anymore. And, you keep the necklace as a gift. It’s a magic item that costs a lot to buy, though this much money is probably nothing to a crown princess like you. Also, if my father finds out I’m not with you, just say I broke the necklace and ran away overnight. Remember to act angry so you don’t get into unnecessary trouble.”

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Saying this, Ying cheerfully slithered two steps towards the alley’s exit. However, as if she had remembered something, she suddenly turned back, looked around mysteriously, and after confirming that no one was around, slithered back to Fia.

Fia’s eyes widened slightly.

“Did you forget to say something? Don’t tell me you can’t escape the city on your own and want me to see you off?”

“Not that. These ordinary soldiers can’t stop me. I wanted to tell you something else.”

Ying’s expression became serious, as if she were about to say something extremely important.

“I thought that guy Chazo’s brain had completely fried, and his confidence had swelled to the point where he dared to go head-to-head with you, Silvar. But now I don’t think so. The fact that he dared to divert soldiers who should have been fighting you towards us is definitely not just for Tilulu. She is the orthodox royal, yes, but she is definitely not important enough to divert an army during wartime. Chazo must have another plan.”

“The Fire Cat Tribe’s territory is right behind the Snake-folk’s. If Chazo is just using the Snake-folk’s treason as an excuse, but is actually taking the opportunity to move his troops closer to our Holy Son Faction’s main camp, and then eliminates us when we’re unprepared, things will be troublesome. What I mean is, whether he’s attacking Silvar or dealing with the Snake-folk, it might all be a feint. If you want to end this war quickly, you’d better take the opportunity while the Cold Night’s main army is away from the front lines and send Silvar’s army to rush their capital and destroy Chazo’s lair.”

Ying’s suggestion made Fia look surprised. She looked at Ying’s exceptionally serious, greenish-blue snake eyes, her heart filled with both surprise and suspicion.

“Are you serious about telling me this? I’m supporting Tilulu, not Nola. If I win, the one who becomes queen will definitely not be you.”

“But Chazo’s death is only beneficial for everyone. That guy is despicable and cruel, and he has a large army. With him around, it’s difficult for us to control the Cold Night. But if Tilulu becomes queen, there’s still a possibility of solving problems through dialogue between us. You just want to seek benefits for Silvar, not really be good to the Cold Night, right? We can each take what we need.”

“We’ll talk about that when the time comes.”

Fia gave an ambiguous answer. She had her own plans.

“Then you can come find me anytime you’ve thought it over. Remember not to look for Nola, or simple things will become troublesome.”

“Alright.”

“Then, as a return gift for your help tonight—”

Ying’s tone became charming. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she rose on her tail, her moist red lips and fair, bewitching face slowly approaching Fia.

Even a fool would know what was about to happen.

Although it’s a kiss from a beautiful monster girl, I’ll have to pass.

Fia held her hand up between them, causing the kiss that should have landed on her cheek to land on her palm instead.

Feeling the strange touch on her lips, Ying’s eyes widened, and then her eyebrows shot up in anger.

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“Hey! How could you!”

“We’re not even ordinary friends. How should I be? I don’t need this kind of return gift. If you’re going to leave, then leave. Otherwise, I’m going to call for people.”

Since Ying’s puffed-up cheeks looked like she was going to continue to be difficult, Fia held up five fingers.

“I’m going to count down. Five—”

The moment she said the number, a flicker of fear flashed across Ying’s youthful face, and her tense body looked as if she were afraid of something. She’s definitely thinking about yesterday’s flogging. Fia couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and smile. This expression immediately made Ying grit her teeth and shout defiantly.

“Hmph! You just wait!”

Then, before Fia could count to four, Ying angrily slithered out of the alley and quickly melted into the snowy night.

“Hah.”

Like an adult, Fia let out a helpless breath of white mist.

This is why little girls are so troublesome. Older sisters like Anastasia, Claire, and Erin Slate are so much more reasonable and understanding.

As the surroundings quieted down, Fia looked up at the pitch-black night sky. The heavy snow from the afternoon had gradually subsided. The light touch of snowflakes landing on her eyelashes made her want to close her eyes.

I should go find Tilulu. Her problem was bigger than Fia had imagined. If Tilulu became queen with a sincere heart, then she would surely face unprecedented difficulties. She could no longer be as weak and incompetent as she was now. Fia had to, while getting close to her, help her grow a little.

Time to go.

Exhaling another breath of white mist that swirled the snowflakes, Fia took a red scarf from her spatial backpack and wrapped it around her neck, then walked straight onto the street, which was covered in a thin layer of snow. The reason Tilulu had not attended Woz’s dinner was to see and treat her injured followers. These followers were loyal to the royal family and numbered only a few hundred.

Since the Snake-folk’s town only had a population of thirty to forty thousand and was not large, it didn’t take Fia long to find Tilulu’s location from memory.

A simple, open courtyard.

To be precise, it looked somewhat like an old residence that a lower noble had abandoned. The roof and walls were entwined with withered vines, and the black iron bars of the courtyard gate were clearly rusted. Numerous simple tents were set up in the courtyard. By the light of the fires, she could see the countless injured people she had seen before, lying inside. To her surprise, her own carriage was also parked here. She even saw Liti and Milu, wearing nurse’s caps, moving among the injured.

In addition, Tilulu was also here. It was clear that she was well-loved by the injured. Everywhere she went with a bowl of porridge, the injured in that place would struggle to sit up and gratefully accept the dinner she offered.

Compared to the cowardly Tilulu of the daytime, the current Tilulu looked content and happy. In fact, her petite figure was indeed very suitable for the role of caring for the injured, with none of the air of a queen.

Now is the chance to understand and get close to this young queen.

With this thought, Fia stepped into the courtyard.