Volume 6, Chapter 78 – After the Destruction

When Fia brought Nola and Ruth back to Brinkat City, it was already evening. The twilight sun dyed the sky orange-red, and the shadows of the buildings in the city were stretched long. If it were usual, the streets would definitely be filled with a lazy atmosphere, with people dragging their tired bodies home listlessly after a day’s work. But now, Brinkat City was only a scene of busyness.

Of course, the busyness here wasn’t in a positive sense. Due to the huge explosion in the Weeping Mountains in the afternoon and the sun soaring into the sky, everyone in the city walked out of their homes in panic to inquire about what had happened. Ying, who had taken over the army, immediately sent soldiers out of the city to the pass to prepare for the enemy, and at the same time ordered soldiers to open the city gate leading to the hinterland of the Fire Cat Tribe. If there were citizens who wanted to escape, they could leave at any time.

This kind of magic that collapsed mountains and cracked the earth had exceeded the understanding of normal people. Under the circumstance of not knowing what exactly happened, letting more people flee was the correct choice. There were countless monsters living in the Weeping Mountains; even ordinary people could imagine that countless monsters would run out of the forest due to fright soon.

But fortunately, Fia’s appearance resolved the crisis. Now Fia, Nola, and Ying were standing by the bed, their gazes occasionally looking at Ruth, who was still unconscious on the bed. Because the overly dense aura of death on Ruth would affect normal life, Ying sent away all the maids in Tsukuyomi’s mansion. The room was so quiet that even breathing sounds were clearly audible.

Her turquoise snake tail swayed back and forth unconsciously; Ying let out a thoughtful murmur.

“Hmm… So the current situation is, Nola’s Goddess is actually a Darkborn, and a quite powerful undead among the Darkborn at that? But Nola and Lady Goddess have known each other for several years, right? How come you never discovered it? I remember the Flame Greatsword glows as long as it gets close to a Darkborn.” Speaking of this, Ying glanced at the Flame Greatsword Nola leaned against the bedside. The Flame Greatsword was emitting an orange-red glow that was hard to ignore. “Isn’t this obvious enough that even I can see it?”

“Uh.”

Embarrassment was written all over Nola’s face, and her gaze also shifted guiltily to the side.

“Because Lady Goddess always used magic to hide herself, so I thought the Flame Greatsword glowing was because it was bewitched by the illusion barrier and didn’t take it to heart. After all, who would think Lady Goddess is a Darkborn? This thought is blasphemous.”

Just like the most dangerous place is the safest place. Calling herself a Goddess and doing some things befitting a Goddess’s identity, no one would think the thing hiding behind was a Darkborn. One must know, Nola had received a divinely bestowed weapon from this necromancer girl.

Although understanding this point, Ying still had an expression hard to let go.

“…Even so, you should have been able to sense something wrong from the abnormality of the Flame Greatsword. In the final analysis, it’s still you being too careless, Nola. Hah, saying these now is all hindsight. Better tell me about the current situation. This Lady Goddess completely lacks the evil atmosphere of a Darkborn. If not for the aura of death on her making me uncomfortable, I would suspect she is a princess of some small human country. When will she probably wake up? And are the monsters in the Weeping Mountains okay now?”

“I don’t know when Lady Goddess will wake up either. Fia said she was parasitized by something called a Chaos Seed. Attacking us was also because her body wasn’t under the brain’s control. As for the monsters, I think there should be no problem.”

When her voice fell, Nola also glanced at Fia—her eyes, blinded by looking directly at the orbital bombardment, had long been healed by Fia.

After Fia brought Nola and Ruth to dodge a wave of impact, Fia put the two down and went into the Weeping Mountains herself to solve the undead in the illusion barrier. The illusion barrier was fundamentally a type of magic circle, unable to remain intact under magic of the level of orbital bombardment. Therefore, within a few seconds of the explosion, the scene inside the illusion barrier flickered constantly like an old TV losing signal. Finally, the misty forest disguised by the illusion disappeared, and the desolate ancient battlefield was exposed to all undead.

These undead naturally thought of escaping. Pity their reaction wasn’t timely enough. Often just running a step or two, their bodies were swallowed by the rolling heatwave and shockwave. When Fia returned to the illusion barrier, the inside had turned into scorched earth. Only a very small number of undead survived; this part of the undead escaped the disaster because they were buried deep underground sleeping.

Then, the undead who realized their identity went crazy and killed each other like Mist Demons. To prevent these undead from running out of the forest to plague the Charm Cats, Fia solved them with a large-range [Flame Wheel]. As for those undead who disappeared in the first wave of explosion but didn’t die completely because there was no positive life to offset their negative life, according to Fia’s observation, these undead wouldn’t revive in a short time. No need to worry for now. She can wait until this big undead on the bed wakes up to discuss. From her past behaviors, it can be inferred that she belongs to the kind side.

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Precisely because of this, Nola said there was no need to worry about the monsters in the forest running out.

Of course, these weren’t the main point. The main point was that the person who caused this terrifying change was right in front of her eyes. If not seeing it with her own eyes, Nola would absolutely not believe Fia could release magic of such power, swallowing most of the Weeping Mountains. Even just glancing at the explosion center, her eyes were blinded. Even if she hadn’t seen ninth-rank magic, she believed this had already exceeded the category of ninth-rank magic.

She couldn’t help thinking of herself looking for trouble with Fia regardless of life and death back then, and even calculating after being defeated by Fia that if switched to an open field for a one-on-one frontal duel, she should have a chance of winning. Looking back now, it was purely because Fia always treated her as a child and didn’t regard her as an opponent, so she could linger on until today. If it were someone from Cold Night, this body would definitely have entered wild dogs’ stomachs and turned into fertilizer long ago.

However, while embarrassed, there was joy in Nola’s heart. She saw that fire with her own eyes, so she understood best how powerful Fia’s magic actually was. It was like if the person she liked was happy, she would also be happy. She was genuinely overjoyed. It seemed Fia’s strength was her strength, so much so that the look in her eyes looking at Fia became affectionate.

“What do you mean by no problem? What exactly happened?”

“Ying didn’t see it, of course you don’t know. Fia’s magic solved all the monsters, including those Chaos as many as the sea. That was basically a sun falling to the ground. Just glancing at it, my eyes were blinded! Ah, right, Ying can let those people on the street go home. That explosion won’t affect us. Pity Ying missed it, otherwise you would also toward Fia—”

“Ahem.”

Just when Nola was in high spirits and about to start a long speech, Fia coughed dryly to stop Nola. She didn’t mind people knowing she could do orbital bombardment, but she didn’t like the atmosphere of showing off. Being here herself, not stopping Nola was equivalent to tacitly approving Nola’s act of praising her, and then making herself look like deliberately showing off. Not to mention she had vaguely guessed now that Nola might have extraordinary feelings for her—even if Nola wanted to praise her, do it on occasions where she wasn’t present.

Maybe Nola herself didn’t realize it, but she now had an expression like a child showing off a new toy.

Fia explained with simpler and more direct words.

“Anyway, to avoid the Chaos climbing up from the abyss affecting Brinkat, I was forced to use the last resort. Although I controlled the explosion power, the aftermath might affect nearby villages. Ying better send someone to check the losses. If the losses are heavy…”

“We will take responsibility ourselves!” Not waiting for Fia to speak, Ying hurriedly closed the possibility. “If you didn’t use this kind of magic, Brinkat City would have been swallowed by that Chaos even Lord God fears. We should thank you for surviving. How can we ask you to compensate for the losses? We can’t do ungrateful things.”

No, I didn’t mean to pay money. Ying, you are too excited.

Fia answered in her heart. She saved everyone in Brinkat City; the explosion aftermath affecting rural mud houses was helpless. Losing part of the property was better than losing lives. What Fia wanted to say was, if the losses were heavy, she could provide some conveniences to help people quickly return to their original lives. For example, giving low-interest loans in Dofilia’s personal name, and creating a pile of inexhaustible salted fish and black bread for people to fill their stomachs.

Fia explained her thoughts in as euphemistic words as possible. Then Ying’s eyes instantly burst with starlight. She swam forward, her look full of expectation, just short of hugging Fia.

“Low-interest loans? And countless pickled fish? Are you serious?! This is more—oh no, I don’t mean asking you to compensate. This is just a metaphor. What you said is more generous than compensation. We need them exactly at this time!”

According to Ying, not just the Fire Cat Tribe, the entire Cold Night was very poor. Because of having no money, nothing could be carried out, such as building canals, roads, reclaiming wasteland, and expanding the army to clear monsters harassing towns. These were all places requiring large budgets. Pity Cold Night didn’t have the money to do these things, so the snowball couldn’t roll up, always trapped in the prison of poverty.

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Now that Fia was willing to provide an initial fund for the Fire Cat Tribe, things that couldn’t be done originally could be executed now. Plus the fish and bread Fia promised, Ying even felt she could try to do things she dared not even think about in the past.

“Princess, m-may I ask how much we can borrow? Should we publicize the magic you released? I saw your magic; even Lord God cannot compare with you. That must be the legendary ninth-rank forbidden spell!”

“Ying, your motive is too obvious.”

Nola couldn’t help reminding from the side. Ying just said she couldn’t see the explosion because of the Weeping Mountains blocking it, and now turned around and started praising, even getting the magic rank wrong. Nola couldn’t help having an impulse to hold her head and flee from here.

Moreover, Ying’s action of holding Fia’s hands and rubbing them against her chest now also made Nola exceptionally mindful. Her eyes seemed about to pop out of their sockets, and her tail swung significantly. This was a symbol of unhappiness.

“What, this is the great benefactor willing to provide us with loans. We can finally repair the roads. In the future, coming to Brinkat City won’t require walking on mountain roads full of mud anymore. The wheat grown by Charm Cats can also be transported out conveniently. Just thinking about it makes me feel comfortable to death.”

While Ying held Fia’s palms with both hands, rubbing her cheek against the back of Fia’s hands intoxicatedly, the amused Fia poured a bucket of cold water on Ying.

“Um, Ying, the money I lend you is not just for the Fire Cat Tribe, but for the entire Cold Night.”

“Eh? The entire Cold Night?” Ying stopped rubbing her cheek on Fia’s hand. She first looked surprised, then gradually came back to her senses. “I understand. When the Elf troops enter the Royal Capital of Cold Night, you and Tilulu will be the Queens of Cold Night. It is reasonable for the Queens to improve the people’s lives. That is to say, the loan you give us is only a small part; the lion’s share will fall on Cold Night?”

“No, I mean this money is for both the Fire Cat Tribe and Cold Night. I plan to hand the money to you and Tilulu for joint custody. The Fire Cat Tribe is a part of Cold Night. Hmm… If Tilulu is willing, moving the capital to the Fire Cat Tribe is also a good choice. It’s closer to Silvar here, safer.”

Although Fia said so, Ying’s face became hesitant. She carefully looked at Nola standing beside Fia, her turquoise snake eyes full of worry.

Nola was the master of the Fire Cat Tribe. Fia, without confirming Nola’s thoughts, said in front of Nola that she would include the Fire Cat Tribe under Tilulu’s rule. With Ying’s understanding of Nola, she was really worried Nola would flip the table on the spot. One must know, Fia hadn’t dueled with Nola according to beastman tradition yet.

However, what astonished her was that Nola just looked away and whispered resentfully.

“If Ying thinks it’s suitable then it’s fine, no need to ask me.”

What is wrong with my Clan Leader?

Ying was confused. Just like Ruth felt incredible that Nola would help Fia against her, she also wasn’t used to Nola’s drastically changed attitude.

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Nola guessed what Ying was thinking, so she continued to explain.

“Having seen magic of that level, what else is there to say? Even Lady Goddess is not Fia’s match. It’s even more impossible for me to defeat Fia. I am convinced wholeheartedly.”

“Nola, you became smarter…”

“What became smarter, isn’t this a matter of course?”

“Where is it a matter of course? The old you would definitely seek a duel with Fia no matter what was said, insisting on admitting defeat only after being formally defeated.”

“Would I?”

“You would!”

Ying answered extremely solemnly. The serious expression made Nola’s expression stagnate.

Although Ying liked to joke, this sentence should be from the heart. Nola hesitated for a while, pouting reluctantly.

“If not for Fia waking me up, I might have resigned from the position of acting clan leader by now, leaving Cold Night alone. She helped me so much; I should show some reaction anyway. And more important than anything, with Fia’s help, the territory can be developed. If the Fire Cat Tribe doesn’t join Tilulu, it will only be left further and further behind by Tilulu’s Cold Night. This runs counter to our original intention instead. Even if I can’t be Queen, I can let the people of Cold Night live better by assisting Tilulu, no longer repeating my tragedy back then. I can’t neglect the root and pursue the tip.”

“…Doesn’t sound like words you can say.”

Ying’s face was full of suspicion. Her gaze constantly sized up Nola, so much so that Nola covered her chest with both hands, becoming shy.

“What are you looking at?”

“I’m looking to see if you are the Nola I know. Fia this and Fia that, the attitude is also different from before. Did the Princess steal your heart quietly while I was away?”

“Wh! If you say strange things again, I’ll throw you out!”

“Hoho? I understand. Just treat it as such~”

As if getting an affirmative answer, Ying curved her eyes and covered her mouth to snicker. She winked one eye at Fia, quietly gave a thumbs up, and finally walked directly toward the door, waving her hand.

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“You guys chat first. I’m going out for some air. Sigh, this aura of death is really uncomfortable. I’m dying of sleepiness. I must take a good bath; maybe I won’t be back for several hours.”

Your acting is too obvious.

Fia roasted in her heart. Nola’s denial made Ying understand everything instead. Having such a teammate like Nola was really her misfortune.

That said, now with the two of us in the same room, what should I do?

Fia couldn’t help glancing quietly at Nola. The latter also realized the extra person had left, so embarrassed that she didn’t know where to put her sight.

Simply use the thirty-sixth stratagem: leave! ¹ The Thirty-Sixth Stratagem, the final in the classic Chinese collection, is often summarized as “If all else fails, retreat” or “If you have exhausted all stratagems, retreat”, emphasizing that sometimes the best move is to disengage when cornered or outnumbered, allowing for regrouping or waiting for a better opportunity, a tactic not always listed but implied as the ultimate choice.

Having decided on the strategy in her heart, Fia found the right timing to speak.

“Then I’ll also leave fir—”

“I—”

Almost simultaneously, Fia and Nola spoke together.

Then, under the candlelight on the wall, their gazes met, and they lowered their heads awkwardly together. Especially Nola, whose face under the dim candlelight was already flushed.

Really fatal.

Fia began to groan in her heart.

How great it would be if I didn’t know what Nola was thinking.

Why am I so smart, and Nola so clumsy.