Volume 6, Chapter 35 – A Reasonable Doubt (Illust.)

At the border between the plain outside Brinkat City and the dense forest, a group of about a hundred people was walking briskly on a dirt path. Seeing them, the surrounding adventurers made their way one after another, observing them curiously. Even more people chose to follow them from a distance, hoping to pick up some scraps.

—It was not uncommon for the army to leave the city to subjugate monsters in Brinkat City. The army possessed good equipment and organizational structure. Although individual levels might not compare to elite adventurers, their coordination and trust in each other were things adventurers couldn’t match.

Therefore, the army could often hunt much more game than ordinary adventurers. When they finished hunting monsters, they would often leave behind many monster materials they couldn’t carry. These adventurers following behind could then go and harvest the recoverable parts from the monsters after the army returned.

Although this act of picking up scraps was seen as cowardly, it was a means of survival for many novice adventurers lacking combat power. In this process, they gradually understood the characteristics of various monsters and learned which methods to use to extract and preserve the valuable parts of these monsters, which could help a lot in subsequent real battles.

“Although… although the strength and identity of these children are extraordinary, this concubine still wants to ask: is it really okay to let them go directly to the Weeping Mountains to fight monsters at such a young age?”

Following behind Fia, Tsukuyomi, with her pink long hair pinned up in a golden bun, was full of worry in her words.

“No problem. They just look young; their actual combat power cannot be measured by age.”

Fia answered with a smile.

Now that she knew from Nola that the Goddess wasn’t in the Weeping Mountains, there was no need to stay there for long. Taking advantage of the abundance of monsters to quickly raise her companions’ ranks, and then, after achieving the goal, crossing the Netherworld vertically to go directly to the southern part of the continent where the Eternal Daylight Mages were located—this was the fastest process to get results.

The World Tree Continent was a terrain larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, with a large inland sea in the middle. Specifically, the area of the Northern Continent was twice that of the Southern Continent. But because of the long and narrow inland sea traversing the continent, the influence of the Northern Continent could hardly reach the Southern Continent. If a person from the Southern Continent wanted to see a person from the Northern Continent, apart from crossing the sea, they had to choose either to cross the Netherworld at the easternmost end of the continent or to take the connection between the Molten Flow and the largest human empire at the westernmost end of the continent.

It must be said that the last route shouldn’t be considered a safe choice. The Molten Flow was full of volcanoes, and monsters were numerous and cunning; it was a region as dangerous as the Netherworld. Coupled with the fact that the Cloud Sea of Phantasmal Beasts was located in the Southern Continent, close to Dragonfall, it could be said that the entire Southern Continent lacked a decent large-scale civilization and was an undeveloped savage land.

To go to such a dangerous area, Fia couldn’t rest assured letting Liti and the others continue to follow her without raising their levels first. As for the method of improvement, it was still the same old way: Fia brought monsters suitable for her companions’ ranks to them, and everyone worked together to solve them. As long as this was repeated many times, the magic power cap would increase rapidly. After that, all that was needed was to improve actual combat skills.

“Sister is very strong! And with Sister Anna and Sister Claire watching from the side, even if a ninth-rank demon comes, he can only flee in panic~”

Facing Tsukuyomi’s worry, Liti, walking on the dirt path, answered in a brisk tone completely devoid of tension. The atmosphere in Cold Night was much more leisurely than in the Silvar Kingdom, which made Liti, who usually lived in a high-pressure environment, very relaxed. To use an analogy, the current Liti was like a fawn leaping briskly across a stream when ice and snow melted.

“Hahaha…”

Tsukuyomi laughed, but there was no smile on her face. She only felt that Liti was exaggerating and didn’t understand what the ninth rank meant to ordinary people. If a god had an envoy, then the envoy must be ninth-rank. With that strength, they could sweep across all secular countries on the continent.

“Mmh, Miss Tsukuyomi definitely didn’t believe me.”

Sensing Tsukuyomi was perfunctory with her, Liti pouted unhappily.

“Well…”

Tsukuyomi had to look at the soldiers and other cat-person representatives following behind—the monster riot in the Weeping Mountains was no small matter. If Brinkat City, where the Charm Cat Tribe lived, fell, the Water Cat Tribe and Grass Cat Tribe on the flanks and rear wouldn’t have it easy either. Now that Nola, the clan chief of the cat-people, had come in person, it was impossible for other tribes not to send representatives to follow.

As for what such a big lineup was for, of course, it wasn’t to provide protection for Liti’s group. Fia hadn’t made such a request to Nola—with Fia’s merit of saving the Fire Cat Tribe in the war, she could absolutely make this request. The mission of this army was to scout and explore monster movements, while also acting as guides for Fia and protecting Nola, Tsukuyomi, and the others as leaders.

Fia wanted to set traps between Brinkat City and the Weeping Mountains. Without local guides, it would be easy to create unnecessary canyons. The residents of Brinkat still had to live here in the future; overly complex terrain would only add trouble to people.

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“Don’t make things difficult for the kitty.”

Milu, like an older sister, lectured Liti expressionlessly.

However, this made Tsukuyomi’s expression even more subtle. The term “kitty” obviously referred to her, but using “kitty” as a general term was somewhat disrespectful to the Charm Cat race.

In the end, it was Fia who stepped forward. She put her hands on her hips, her exquisite doll-like face full of helplessness.

“Speaking of making things difficult, aren’t you two both making things difficult for Tsukuyomi? Miss Tsukuyomi, please don’t mind them. They are a bit too undisciplined; I will discipline them strictly in the future.”

“…I can understand.” Tsukuyomi answered with a bitter smile. She unfolded the yellowed parchment map in her hand with both hands and gestured to the areas on it for Fia. “After passing this path, ahead is the place where novice adventurers often go. Although I issued a notice prohibiting entry to this area last night, there will inevitably be adventurers staying in the forest overnight to hunt their desired monsters. So later, please wait for our people to drive away the adventurers lingering in the area before taking action.”

“It’s fine. I’ll help you find people too.”

Fia agreed readily. She also didn’t want her magic to accidentally hurt innocent people.

But this decisive attitude filled the faces of the Water Cat and Grass Cat representatives behind Tsukuyomi with worry. Especially the Charm Cat guard beside Tsukuyomi frowned repeatedly, extremely dissatisfied with Fia’s exaggeration even at this point.

During the discussion last night, Fia explained to Tsukuyomi and the Charm Cat nobles how she would create traps—using magic that changes terrain to create natural chasms that monsters couldn’t cross.

The Charm Cat nobles naturally thought Fia was exaggerating. Magic that changed terrain did exist in the world, and magic that could create natural chasms wasn’t unknowable forbidden art, but very few people could use them. Fia’s words were like saying that as long as a person kept hunting monsters, they could eventually become a ninth-rank magic user. Easier said than done.

If not for Nola vouching for Fia, saying Fia was a high-ranking magic caster who defeated Chazo head-on, the Charm Cat nobles would have scoffed at Fia’s statement last night. In their view, Fia might indeed be able to change terrain, but in the end, she could only change a little, like raising a mound on flat ground or creating a large pit dozens of meters in diameter. Although this was also powerful, don’t forget that the border between Brinkat and the Weeping Mountains stretched for more than ten kilometers. A magic caster would have to rest for half a day after casting one large-scale spell; it would be better to build a city wall.

Fia glanced at the map in Tsukuyomi’s hand—Tsukuyomi’s chest was too impressive, blocking part of the map. Fia had to push the map aside with her hand to see the whole picture clearly.

“Deploying magic here, isn’t it too close to Brinkat City?”

“Well…” Tsukuyomi looked troubled, as if worried about angering Fia. while observing Fia’s expression, she said carefully, “I think being closer to Brinkat City will make the traps easier to manage and repair.”

“Out of consideration for convenient follow-up maintenance? Then I’ll restrain the power a little.”

“Talking about restraining power… even if she can beat two Demon Generals, can she create a natural chasm of more than ten kilometers? With this strength, why not go catch Absolute Evil instead of wasting our time here…”

“Shh—keep your voice down.”

The Charm Cat guard finally couldn’t help but complain in a low voice. Another guard beside her winked repeatedly, telling the former to shut up.

Unfortunately, everyone present, especially Fia, Nola, and Tsukuyomi, still heard this guard’s words. Fia turned her head and noticed the expressions of the Grass Cat and Water Cat representatives behind her. Although these two were frowning at the guard’s big mouth, the distrust in their eyes was very obvious, manifested in frequent eye contact. More importantly, not only these two representatives but even Tsukuyomi’s face had a hint of worry.

Even with Nola’s guarantee, in the eyes of ordinary people, completing a trap to protect a city alone was too exaggerated, exceeding their imagination.

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Fia gradually understood all this.

Thinking from this standpoint, Tsukuyomi risking the magic affecting the city to set the trap closer to the city… the reason was already obvious. The closer the trap was to Brinkat City, the less work there would be. Tsukuyomi was considering her, but digging deeper, there was still a lack of confidence in her strength.

I’m being looked down upon.

To Fia’s surprise, Nola’s reaction was bigger than hers. Nola’s tail stood up, and she frowned, her words full of aggressive sharpness.

“Haven’t been to Brinkat for a while, Tsukuyomi, is this how you teach your subordinates? I said Fia is a guest I invited. She is the benefactor of our entire clan. Without her, we would be a defeated army now.”

The majesty and pressure of a leader made Tsukuyomi lower her head. She answered in a low voice, seemingly wanting to plead for her guard.

“I’m sorry, Lord Holy Son. She is new and doesn’t understand the rules…”

“Speaking ill of a benefactor, and the other party is a princess of a country. Wanting to cover up the fault with just ‘newcomers’?”

Nola narrowed her eyes slightly. This wasn’t entirely because she had a personal relationship with Fia, but more due to the nature and customs of beastmen. Beastmen believed in blood for blood and kindness for kindness. No matter who it was, once they did something ungrateful, they would immediately be spurned by all beastmen. Not to mention Fia was a princess of a country. A guest invited by herself being insulted by a mere guard was also a rather ugly diplomatic incident.

Seeing Tsukuyomi lower her head in silence, Nola simply stopped. She announced coldly and mercilessly.

“According to Cold Night law, harming a benefactor who saved you warrants beheading if there is malicious intent. Now your guard verbally attacked her own benefactor. Cutting off her tongue is not excessive. Tsukuyomi, will you do it, or shall I?”

Just for one sentence, cutting off the tongue is a bit too much.

Fia found it somewhat hard to accept. She knew beastman laws were simple and direct, but that didn’t mean she could understand them. This guard didn’t know her strength; it was reasonable to doubt her. It was just that speaking the doubt out loud was improper. For her, whipping or other physical pain would be enough to pass. The Charm Cat Tribe only had females and no males. Cutting off the tongue would mean losing the charm to attract people around them. Charm Cats must rely on absorbing others’ energy to survive. Cutting off the tongue wasn’t as simple as just being unable to speak.

However, to avoid continued misunderstanding, it was necessary to clarify others’ misconceptions about her. Assigning the task of promoting her to this guard as additional punishment would be most appropriate.

While Fia was thinking, Nola lost the patience to wait for Tsukuyomi’s answer.

“If you won’t do it, I will!”

She took out a short blade from her storage item backhand. Her right hand neatly bypassed Tsukuyomi, heading straight for the pale-faced, stiff guard.

“Wait, Nola.”

“Wait for what? You are a guest I invited. I won’t allow my people to behave atrociously toward a guest!”

“But the punishment of cutting off the tongue is too heavy—”

Before Fia could finish, Nola denied it flatly, raising her eyebrows.

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“You are a princess of a country, and even more our benefactor. Not cutting off her head is already giving Tsukuyomi a face!”

Even if fire cats are an easily angered race, they shouldn’t be angry to this extent, Fia retorted secretly in her heart. She had to use her trump card. While grabbing Nola’s arm, she moved her lips close to Nola’s ear and whispered.

“Didn’t you point your sword at me before? Think about how I treated you?”

Whipping.

Nola thought of it almost reflexively. Since becoming the Holy Son of Cold Night, she had never suffered such humiliation. The mental pain was more unforgettable than the physical one; she would never forget it in her life.

She froze instantly. The anger on her face faded rapidly, replaced by a constantly changing expression and stiff movements. It took her a long time to squeeze out a sentence, glaring fiercely at Fia who was close at hand—this was the first time she had seen Fia’s face up close. Those red eyes watching her, capable of reflecting her embarrassed face, seemed to possess magic, attracting her gaze, making her dazed for a moment, even beautiful enough to silence her.

Although this crow elf always gives me difficult problems, she’s quite good-looking. No, I should say too moving…

Even though I’ve spent time with Fia before, I’ve never felt Fia was this cute like today. Something must be weird…

The anger at her subordinate’s transgression disappeared without a trace at some point. Nola struggled to move her attention away from Fia’s blinking, cute eyes. She moved her eyeballs to look at Fia secretly, muttering softly.

“I’m speaking up for you here.”

“Then you should care more about my thoughts. Whipping or other physical punishment is enough for her. Cutting off the tongue is too bloody; it will scare Tilulu and the others.”

“…Tch.”

Nola clicked her tongue to express dissatisfaction, then answered Fia with action. She put away the short blade in her hand, scanned the pale Charm Cat guard who was sweating profusely from fear, and pointed to the ground.

“Kneel down. Thank Fia for sparing your tongue. Go back and ask Tsukuyomi for punishment yourself. I want to see the punishment result.”

Hearing the words, the Charm Cat guard’s eyes widened as if it were incredible. The Holy Son’s stubborn character was known to everyone in the Fire Cat Tribe. Just now she was thinking about how to survive after having her tongue cut off; she never expected Nola to retract her order.

Unable to hide the joy on her face, she fell to her knees with a plop . As if she didn’t know what pain was, she kowtowed repeatedly to Nola and Fia while crying. Her forehead collided with the mud, making thumping sounds that were frightening.

“Thank… thank you, Lord Holy Son! Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Princess!”

If she keeps kowtowing, she’ll definitely get a concussion. With an expression of not knowing what to say, Fia ordered the Charm Cat guard to rise.

“Get up. Watch your words and deeds in the future.”

“I will definitely keep your kindness in mind!”

“Why haven’t you withdrawn yet?”

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Tsukuyomi, reacting, said coldly. Then, she put on an apologetic smile and fawned over Fia, her expression seeming to say thank you—this probably contained gratitude for saving her subordinate and also for saving her face, Fia guessed. She quickly brought the topic back to clarifying herself.

She looked left and right. This was already the edge of the forest. Looking forward along the dirt path, the road went deep into the dark green dense forest, endless at a glance, like a bottomless cave. One could hear the low roars of high-ranking monsters deep in the forest just by looking.

“Let’s choose here. You guys go in and invite the people out. Remember to shout louder; don’t miss anyone. My magic isn’t as simple as a crack a few dozen meters long.”

Fia took out the [Cloud Moon of the Illusory Sea] and said with a smile.

Translator Note

HELLOOOOOOOOO WE GOT ILLUSTRATION FROM THE ART CONTESTTTT!!!!

LOOK LOOKKK!!!

Night time Fiaa!!! isn’t it cold wearing that light dress?…

Credit: @Aisu_frull / MafuyuKaoriXY(Discord)

EEP TIMEEEE!! looks peacefull TvT

Credit: dear mourning dove / dustquail (Discord)

THANK YOU!!