Volume 6, Chapter 24 – Drawing Closer

When Fia and Nola returned to the largest city of the Fire Cat Tribe, it was already evening. The sun was about to sink below the horizon, painting the sky with orange-red clouds that looked as if they were burning. The weariness accumulated from a day’s labor hung over the entire city. Pedestrians with bowed heads walked slowly on the streets, and even the air was filled with languor.

“Phew, we’re safe.”

Nola, landing on the city wall, let out a light breath. She waved to the soldiers surrounding them from both sides, signaling that there was no danger. Then, she turned her lovely face, full of exotic charm, toward Fia. Although Nola hadn’t fought monsters for as long as Fia, her eyes showed signs of exhaustion. Especially the fine down on her cat ears and her long fiery-red hair, which were sticking up everywhere as if she had just fought another cat and hadn’t had time to groom.

“Just getting back here, there must be countless things waiting for me to handle. I have to find Ying first to understand the situation while I was away. Do you have other things to do? If not, you can join me in making plans to deal with the monsters in the Weeping Mountains.”

“Of course I do. Not to mention I have to find that Wandering Knight, I first have to go back to Blossom to arrange this.”

Fia lifted the ornate golden longsword she had been holding and the recording crystal used to record the battle. In addition, besides fulfilling her promise to Davis, she also wanted to go to the Sea of Chaos to try out some forbidden spells. Although forbidden spells would harm her body, they had to be used when necessary; she couldn’t lose the greater for the lesser. She had nanomachines to repair her body, so injuries that would be fatal to ordinary people shouldn’t be too big of a problem for her.

Seeing the recording crystal, Nola swallowed, a trace of envy appearing in her purple cat eyes.

“Recording crystal…”

“What, you want it?”

“No. I can’t accept such a valuable thing. Besides, I use a different weapon than that undead. It’s too late to learn his swordsmanship now. The Wandering Knight should be at his residence. Just ask anyone and you’ll find the location. I’m going first.”

Saying this, Nola turned around directly.

“Wait a minute. You haven’t told me what you said to the Goddess.”

Mentioning the Goddess, Nola lowered her gaze, her expression dimming. She spoke slowly.

Rеad oո ΚαtRеaԁiոgСаfe

“The Goddess probably won’t come back. She entrusted me with everything she needed to say and said she would contact me if fate allowed. The Goddess didn’t know how to start with Claire’s curse either, only saying that since Divinity can temporarily deceive the curse, there’s no harm in continuing like this.”

She probably just didn’t know how to solve Claire’s curse at all. After all, the Goddess’s true form is a Darkborn, Fia thought to herself. When she learned the Goddess was a Darkborn, she had vaguely felt the other party probably couldn’t provide an answer. But before confirming the true identity, nothing was set in stone, so she had held a sliver of hope.

Now saying she wouldn’t come back… it was likely she was worried about being exposed, couldn’t bear to let the honest Nola know the answer, and, unable to withstand the condemnation of her conscience, fled in advance.

In other words, she had to go back to Blossom and meet with Erin Slate. Under her instruction, Twilight Flower’s primary mission had shifted from searching for traces of The Sovereign to finding the hiding places of gods. After so much time, there should be some clues. It must be said, Fia hadn’t completely given up on investigating The Sovereign; she had merely lowered the priority of finding him.

She hid this question deep in her heart and pressed further.

“What about the monsters in the Weeping Mountains? Why were they rioting?”

“It should be related to the fall of the Wasteland in your Silvar Kingdom. The Goddess told me that the Weeping Mountains have been experiencing frequent earthquakes recently. It was originally a peninsula protruding from Cold Night, with the ocean to the south. Now that the foundation of the World Tree Continent is unstable, it naturally got affected, with non-stop earthquakes… In short, the frequent earthquakes in the Weeping Mountains disturbed the monsters. Once the earthquakes pass, the monsters will quiet down on their own. Before that, my people need to build a defensive line.”

Nola glanced secretly at the soldiers standing around. As if afraid of being heard, she took a small step closer to Fia, her voice becoming much quieter.

“How long are you going to stay in Cold Night? Your goal is to make Tilulu king with you. After seeing your battle with that undead, I no longer think I can defeat you. But just because I can see the gap between us doesn’t mean others can. Without a real fight, my subordinates won’t believe that I, the Holy Son, can’t beat you.”

Fia couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.

“…Are you admitting defeat? I thought you wouldn’t recognize my strength unless you fought me.”

“I’m not a fool. I can distinguish what can be defeated and what cannot. Even if that magic of yours has side effects, you’re standing here just fine now, looking more spirited than me. I’m not alone. Opposing you won’t bring any benefits to the Fire Cat Tribe’s future. Pick a time. I mean for the duel.”

Rеαd oո KаtRеаⅾіոgCаfе

Something’s wrong.

Fia didn’t answer immediately. She looked into Nola’s eyes. Those purple vertical pupils, originally full of firm will, now held no spirit, like a kitten drenched in rain after being abandoned by its owner. Even if it couldn’t be described as giving up on oneself, one absolutely couldn’t say her words just now were born from a rational decision.

First rejected by Claire, then abandoned by the Goddess. Now, witnessing Fia’s battle with the undead made her realize just how inadequate the strength she had always been proud of truly was. In the end, she couldn’t even hold onto her position as leader. Under multiple blows, it was only natural to lose confidence and think she was good for nothing.

A person could accept criticism from others, but seeing someone stronger than themselves in their best field, and being unable to catch up no matter what, would become unbearable, plunging them into deep self-doubt and loss. Nola was like this right now. If it were someone with a nasty hobby, they would surely find ways to strike Nola down further, rub salt in her wounds, and mock her miserable state. This girl had no idea how pathetic she looked right now.

No, if I have to say it, I’m the one who created this result single-handedly. Using innate strength to negate the strength Nola gained through hard work, and then using this strength to take away Nola’s future as the leader of Cold Night. If kicking someone when they’re down makes one a bastard, then I’m the villain who pushed Nola into the well—even if I had no such intention subjectively.

Irritation rose in her heart. Fia clicked her tongue impatiently. Disregarding Nola’s thoughts, she stepped forward and pinched Nola’s cheek hard.

“Your expression is way too ugly.”

Nola frowned impatiently, swatting Fia’s hand away.

“Things have become like this; do you still expect me to laugh?”

“Your look of ‘whatever happens, happens’ is completely unlike you. How can I agree with you and say ‘Mm, okay’? Anyone who knows you can see something’s wrong with you right now. I’m not a complete villain; I won’t take advantage of someone’s misfortune.”

“Then what do you say we do? You look at my pitiful state and suddenly feel sympathy, wanting to separate the Fire Cat territory from Cold Night? If you want to do that, wait until I resign from the position of acting clan chief. I am inferior to you, but I won’t accept your pity and charity!”

Fia’s words seemed to ignite the frustration in Nola’s heart. Her tone became rude, and her entire aura became sharp. The surrounding soldiers looked sideways, wanting to intervene but afraid of getting involved.

Rеαԁ оn KαtRеαԁіոɡСаfе

Looking at Nola’s angry face, Fia paused and sighed deeply.

“You need rest. We’ll talk about the duel later. I did have thoughts of sympathizing with you just now. Sorry. I’m going to find the Wandering Knight.”

Although she said this, Fia didn’t turn to leave.

Fia’s words made Nola realize her loss of composure. She wanted to apologize, but couldn’t bring herself to do it. So she had to relax the tight muscles on her face, turn her head away, and say stiffly.

“See you tomorrow.”

Being angry is better than being listless like just now.

Thinking this, Fia looked at Nola’s lovely profile under the setting sun. Against the orange-red sunset glow, Nola’s long fiery-red hair turned into a dazzling rose-gold. But instead of adding to Nola’s beauty, this only highlighted the confusion in her eyes—a gray look of regret for her loss of control just now, and not knowing what to do in the future.

She raised her right hand and, like an older sister, stroked Nola’s hair, which was messed up by the evening wind, speaking gently.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re not alone.”

As if wanting to refute Fia, the corners of Nola’s mouth moved, but she ultimately didn’t say the words. Although Fia’s head-patting made her extremely annoyed, it also brought a familiar comfort, as if she had returned to childhood. She vaguely remembered that when she caught a cold in the past, it was Claire who sat by her bed comforting her like this, filling her cold body with warmth and reassurance.

The throbbing in her heart softened the words on her lips. She still used a stiff tone, but her gaze secretly looked toward Fia.

“Are you trying to say you’ll help me?”

Rеаd оո KаtRеaԁіոɡСαfе

That’s what I mean, but also not what I mean. You only guessed half right.

Fia answered in her heart. What she wanted to say was that if Nola had difficulties, she could turn to people she trusted, like her good partner Ying, or Claire who saw her as a niece. She didn’t say to ask her for help.

However, denying it at this juncture would be too unromantic. She chose neither to affirm nor deny, putting on a “that’s right” expression and feigning seriousness.

“If you ask me, I’d be happy to help you.”

“Hmph. It’s about time you took your hand away. Lived for almost a hundred years and still so short.”

Nola glanced at Fia’s raised hand. Due to her height, Fia’s action looked a bit strenuous.

The latter withdrew her hand, pursing her lips in a tease.

“Found something you’re better at than me and starting to feel smug?”

“Just stating facts.”

“Being able to talk back means your mood has improved a bit. Anyway, that’s what I wanted to express. I’m not trying to take away your things. As long as the attitude is reasonable, we can discuss anything you find difficult, including the duel. Deliberately fighting to a draw is fine too. Beastmen respect strength. If you lose, you’ll face criticism from your subordinates.”