Volume 5, Chapter 26 – Probing and Cooperation

“Your Highness, you’re back. Did the talk with the priest go well?”

As soon as she stepped through the gate, Anastasia, who had been leaning against the wall, immediately came forward with a relieved smile. Fia returned it with a helpless one.

“It went well enough. And there were some unexpected gains.”

“Unexpected gains?”

Anastasia, who accompanied Fia into the courtyard, looked puzzled. Fia simply brought a finger to her lips in a coy, shushing gesture. Ying’s claim that Chazo’s attack on the Snake-folk was just a feint had not been confirmed, and it wasn’t suitable for discussion in such a public place.

She looked towards Liti and Milu, who were weaving between the simple tents in the distance.

“What are Liti and Milu doing? And the others?”

“Her Highness Liti and Miss Euphimilu are comforting the wounded in your name. These people suffered quite a few injuries while protecting Tilulu. Although their external wounds have been healed by Radric and Tilulu’s magic, it will take a considerable period of rest for them to fully recover.”

At this, Anastasia’s expression became mysterious, and she leaned her lips closer to Fia’s ear.

“However, according to these followers, Tilulu doesn’t seem as incompetent as I had previously thought. She’s actually very smart.”

That’s only natural, Fia answered in her head. Tilulu was very shy. Just like some children who were cheerful and lively outside but became hesitant and quiet when they met relatives at home, strangers could make a person clam up ¹ refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent. .

After saying this, Anastasia returned to her previous posture.

“Originally, we were supposed to stay in a hotel in this city, but the hotels here are so dilapidated and unfit for your royal status. In addition, Tilulu invited us to stay at her temporary residence, which is why we came here. Miss Claire is still in the house brewing medicine. Would Your Highness like to go up and rest first?”

Although Claire is powerful, she’s not omnipotent like me. She’s not good at healing magic.

Fia shook her head lightly.

“No, I’ll stay outside a little longer. You, on the other hand, should get some rest, Anastasia.”

“Understood. I will return to the house once these people have quieted down.”

Anastasia returned to her original position, while Fia walked towards the back of the courtyard where Tilulu was. At this moment, Tilulu was checking on the last of the wounded. By the firelight, one could see a hint of fatigue on her young face.

“Lady Tilulu, you should go back and rest. We old brutes are fine, but if anything happens to you, I couldn’t bear it.”

“It’s what I should do,” Tilulu wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead. She lowered her head, her expression turning bitter. “If I could learn higher-tier healing magic, Uncle Gath’s leg wouldn’t have to keep hurting…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” the man, half-lying on the ground, laughed heartily. “Just seeing you safe and sound, little princess, is enough for me. You should go back inside. If I keep holding you up, the others will surely blame me.”

“Mm… Uncle Gath, you must rest well.”

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Nodding shyly, Tilulu stood up. And because of this, she caught sight of Fia walking over. Her youthful face was instantly filled with surprise, and her voice became a little sharper.

“Teacher, you’re back?”

“Yes, the matter with Woz has been settled. Do you have time now, Tilulu? I have something to talk to you about.”

“Of course. If it’s your request, teacher, I always have time.”

Teacher…

Hearing Tilulu call her “teacher” with such expectation again, Fia couldn’t help but feel a slight sting. She didn’t really have any magic she could teach her. “Teacher” was just an excuse to get close to her.

In Fia’s eyes, magic was something that could be used as long as one knew how to chant the spell, but this rule clearly couldn’t be applied to all magic casters. If she had to say what she could teach Tilulu, it would probably only be a vast number of magic books. Of course, in this world where magic was treated as a treasure, even just providing magic books was enough to be someone’s teacher, but that was not part of Fia’s common sense.

Soon, Tilulu led Fia to an empty backyard—or rather, it was more like an alley. This residence was located in a remote corner of the Snake-folk town, so the surroundings were filled with low and dense ruins, like a slum. Walking here, Fia could feel the gazes from those hidden in the corners of the ruins, their eyes sizing her up like thieves choosing their prey.

“Is teacher going to teach me magic? I only have Second-Tier magic power. I can’t use mid-tier magic…”

“Let’s talk as we walk. It’s too early to learn magic now,” Fia changed the subject. She looked back at the residence they had come from. Compared to the noble residences of Silvar, Tilulu’s place was shabby. But after coming to this nearly lightless slum and looking back, one would realize just how luxurious a house with lit windows was. “Does Tilulu usually live here?”

“Yes. It’s quiet and spacious here, very suitable for us. Uncle Zahr found this place for me specifically.”

“This looks like an old residence, doesn’t it? As a queen, don’t you feel it’s beneath your status?”

“How could you think that!” Tilulu raised her head and retorted pointedly. “Just by letting us live in the city, Uncle Zahr has already gone against the majority opinion. How could we ask for more unrealistic things…”

Towards the end, Tilulu’s voice grew smaller, and the white beast ears on her head drooped.

Fia couldn’t help but tilt her head.

“What’s wrong?”

Tilulu peeked over cautiously.

“A-are you angry?”

“Why would I be angry?”

“I suddenly answered you in such an impolite voice…”

Impolite? Fia was stunned for a moment, then realized. Tilulu was probably referring to the fact that her voice had been much louder than usual, lacking respect for a teacher. However, Fia hadn’t truly put herself in the role of a teacher, so she saw it as a normal exchange, with no impolite meaning.

Fia shrugged.

“I’m not angry. It’s normal for you to react that way. If someone I respected was misunderstood, my reaction would surely be more intense. But you, Tilulu, why are you always so self-deprecating? You are the beloved orthodox royal of the Cold Night. You should have more confidence. Only when you look unapproachable will others not dare to bully you. If you’re always so meek, even people who were originally afraid of you will dare to step on you. You must always be conscious of being a queen.”

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Tilulu opened her mouth, hesitated for a long time, then pursed her lips and said in a small voice.

“I’m just an incompetent person with only a royal bloodline…”

Fia’s brows rose imperceptibly, and she was secretly surprised. When Nola had asked her before, Tilulu had clearly answered that she wanted to become queen to avenge her family. So, Fia had thought she was the type who lacked strength but had a strong goal. But now it seems the reality might not be so. Perhaps Radric was the one pushing her from behind.

She couldn’t help but ask.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to avenge your clan and followers? To say you’re incompetent to a stranger you’ve just met like me, if I were to spread that, you would lose all face.”

“Teacher would never spread it.”

“So certain?”

“Of course,” Tilulu twitched her white beast ears, and her tiger tail behind her also stood up, looking exceptionally confident. “If teacher were a bad person, you wouldn’t have saved me and Radric in Aurora City, let alone execute that elf count who tricked us.”

Tilulu’s face was full of conviction.

Fia couldn’t help but find it amusing. She was indeed not a bad person, but she couldn’t be called a righteous one either. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be using the title of “teacher” to get close to her. But Tilulu was right about one thing: she really wouldn’t leak what she had just said.

“Let’s just say that’s the case. But listening to what you said just now, were you lying when you told Nola you wanted to avenge your clan? Generally, if you’ve made up your mind to take revenge, you wouldn’t say such discouraging words to an outsider.”

If it had reached the point of saying such things to an outsider, then it was not far from giving up completely. Because at that point, it was less about complaining to an outsider and more about persuading the part of oneself that was trying to persevere to face reality.

“What do you think, teacher?”

To Fia’s surprise, Tilulu answered her question with a question. She looked up and stared straight at Fia, her mysterious purple eyes giving no hint of her inner thoughts.

Fia was surprised for a moment, then regained her previous calm. She chose not to answer, but instead changed the subject with a reflective tone.

“So this is how Tilulu usually talks to Radric. I thought you were always the shy and quiet type. So you were just pretending.”

“Wh…” After Fia’s reminder, Tilulu instantly realized that her current self was different from her timid self during the day. The relaxed atmosphere of a moment ago vanished, replaced by a cautious look in her eyes. “Teacher… are you angry?”

Why is it this question again?

“How can I be so easily angered? I was just marveling that you were pretending to be well-behaved during the day, but you can actually talk to people just fine and have a clear understanding of yourself.”

Not ninety percent, but at least eighty percent of people couldn’t clearly recognize who they were, or they did but were unwilling to admit it.

In an instant, a blush appeared on Tilulu’s cute face. She raised her eyebrows, looking as if she were angry.

“Pretending to be well-behaved… I wasn’t pretending! It’s just that everyone during the day was stronger than me, so I didn’t have a chance to speak…”

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“So you’re not pretending now because you think you’re stronger than me?”

“Teacher is so mean. You know that even Radric is no match for you, yet you still tease me,” Tilulu puffed out her cheeks. “Clearly, if you just put out a call, countless people would be scrambling to be your student, yet you were willing to take someone as useless as me. That’s why I… I… no, that doesn’t seem right either…”

Tilulu frowned, as if pondering an exceptionally difficult matter. After a moment, she gave up thinking and said with a self-deprecating air.

“Anyway, I just feel very relaxed and safe with you, teacher, and I unconsciously said a lot. It must be because you’ve helped us so many times—and you’re very beautiful.”

“Should I be happy about that?”

Fia’s lips curved into a smile. It was as Tilulu said. Compared to ordinary-looking people, a beautiful and cute appearance did make outsiders more willing to express themselves and easier to gain their trust. And she had helped Tilulu many times, so it was only natural that she would lower her guard around her.

This feels like luring a little girl with candy. I seem to be becoming more and more like a villain.

When the two reached a relatively open ruin, Fia waved her hand lightly.

“Anyway, I came to find you to talk about serious business. You should know the beastfolk tradition of revering strength. If I’m the only one putting in the effort to restore your kingdom, even if I defeat Chazo, the remaining beastfolk will only fear me, not you. A person can ascend the throne with another’s power, but they can’t rely on it forever. You must establish your own authority and an institution of violence to secure your position. In this case, it means you have to have your own means and strength. Putting means aside for now, I can help you with strength.”

Hearing Fia talk about business, Tilulu’s expression became serious.

“But didn’t you say we’re not learning magic today, teacher?”

“That’s because learning magic slowly won’t yield results in a short time. Time waits for no one, and you don’t have many chances left.”

If the Holy Son Faction also lost to Chazo, then the entire Cold Night would become his one-man show. It was true that the tribes far from the capital could feign compliance with his orders, but this was based on some fundamental principles. It was like her father Yelido’s many consorts. He could turn a blind eye to them keeping lovers, but if the matter was exposed and the royal family’s face was lost, then he would not be merciful.

It was the same here. If a tribe really “colluded” with Tilulu, and without the Holy Son Faction to check him, that tribe would surely face a fatal blow and be used as an example to the other tribes. At that time, it would be extremely difficult to gain the trust of other tribes.

“Then what do you mean, teacher…”

“Hold out your hand.”

“Alright.”

Following Fia’s command, Tilulu held out her hand. Fia then took it—compared to her own, Tilulu’s hand was too cold, without any of the high body temperature a child should have. Liti and Milu, for example, always felt warm.

Perhaps out of shyness, when Fia took her hand, Tilulu subconsciously pulled back.

“Teacher is going to…?”

“Don’t be afraid. Watch closely.”

A moment after her words fell, Fia’s entire body gradually dissolved into the air right before Tilulu’s eyes. Tilulu’s eyes instantly widened. She subconsciously wanted to touch the spot where Fia had disappeared, but the warmth from her palm and the slight pressure from Fia’s grip made her body stiffen, her hesitant expression as if she had seen a ghost.

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“Teacher?”

“This is a kind of invisibility magic that makes me undetectable. You can do many things with it. For example, you can try pointing to an empty spot.”

“I… I understand.”

Swallowing, Tilulu raised her index finger and tremblingly pointed at a desolate, uninhabited hill in the distance. Fia then timely used [Fairy Fire], making a fireball shoot out from behind Tilulu.

An orange-red flame the size of a human head instantly illuminated the surrounding ruins. The fireball drew a perfect parabola in the air, flying to its maximum distance before gradually disappearing.

“So this is teacher’s magic… Even the fireballs are bigger than others’.”

“No, it’s your magic, Tilulu.”

Tilulu was stunned for a moment, but she remembered what Fia had said before and realized her intention. Her beautiful purple eyes widened, and her small mouth formed an “o” of surprise.

“You mean… you want me to borrow your magic to defeat others and establish my authority?”

“To be able to understand this layer, your head isn’t that dumb. The reason I brought you here is to practice some basic gestures. For example, pointing your index finger forward is [Fireball], and if your palm is forward, it’s [Thunder Spear]. After a little practice, we can go to other tribes to challenge their leaders, display your strength, defeat them, and make them submit to you.”

Fia dispelled the Cloud Moon of the Illusory Sea and gradually reappeared from the void.

Tilulu bit her lip, looking less confident.

“But is this okay? It’s deceiving everyone. And not all tribes will fall for it.”

“That’s why I said that the power gained by relying on others is not stable. While I’m helping you become queen, you can’t neglect your magic practice. As for whether all tribes will fall for it, it doesn’t matter. The very fact that the queen possesses a fearsome power can be a factor for others to weigh. Besides, magic doesn’t have to be used to be feared.”

“Moreover, a powerful person is always more reliable than a weak one. In this morning’s situation, if you could have pinned Woz to the ground under my guise, not to say he would have submitted to you, but at least he wouldn’t have dared to be so brazen.”

After Fia finished speaking, Tilulu frowned, as if deep in thought.

“Teacher, can I tell Radric about this?”

“Not only do you have to tell him, but you also have to have him cooperate, to make it seem like you had this power all along. You also have to come up with an explanation for why you suddenly became so strong. And, I must say this first, Tilulu, I can’t let you use a grand-scale spell, or you won’t be able to explain it away for decades. Therefore, we need to practice in advance to deal with various situations that may arise in the future. Extend your arms. I’ll give you instructions, and you do as I say.”

Saying this, Fia once again used the Cloud Moon of the Illusory Sea to become invisible. On their way here, she had already used [Mana Vision] to confirm that there was no one within a hundred meters, so no one would see them practicing.

She took a step forward and, like a coach, gently held Tilulu’s outstretched arms, raising them in front of her. The touch made Fia marvel at how petite Tilulu’s body was. Her slender wrists were like white porcelain, as if they would break with a little force.

It should be noted that Fia soon had no time to mind Tilulu’s petiteness, because her fluffy ears were constantly brushing against her nose, giving her a strong urge to sneeze. Fia had no choice but to use [Telekinesis] to press them down.

“Ahem, today we’ll start with the most basic offense and defense. Concentrate, Tilulu, and look at the ground in the distance.”