Malevolent – Chapter 44 – Successfully Escaped, But Feelings Remain Complicated

Have I,

Have we really escaped?

Sitting inside the rapidly moving transport vehicle, little Ailiya still looked around at everything inside with disbelief. After carefully sensing and confirming that there was no curse power in the surroundings, and that she was indeed wrapped in thick spiritual energy, the silver-haired girl finally began to feel the reality of escaping from the Veiled Domain.

Although it had been a spur-of-the-moment bold attempt, who would have thought it would actually succeed in the end?

When she last saw that octopus’s giant tentacle, Ailiya thought they were doomed.

Unexpectedly,

The tentacle actually stopped?

Was it worried those barbs would hurt us?

That can’t be possible, how would that kind of monster care about our safety?

Though they were saved, Ailiya’s heart was still filled with confusion. Moreover, the unease in the little girl’s heart had become even more intense after leaving the Veiled Domain.

Through the window, the girl directed her anxious gaze toward the distance, toward the direction of the Veiled Domain.

Will that monster let us go?

Also,

Enmm,

If we suddenly ran away?

Would she be worried?

Hmm?!

Wait?!

What am I thinking?! Why should I care about the Malevolence’s feelings?!

That’s a monster!!

Shaking her head frantically, Ailiya hurriedly tried to throw the strange thoughts out of her mind.

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…

——”Worried that the corrupted beasts will come after you?”——

Just as little Ailiya was shaking her head like a rattle drum, an authoritative yet gentle voice quietly entered the girl’s ears.

Following the voice, Ailiya glanced to the side at the woman sitting opposite her, wearing an eye patch and a stylish military uniform. This woman was Xestila, the overall commander of this rescue mission.

Upon learning that Lianna’s daughters had been found, Xestila immediately brought troops to provide support and personally took on the task of protecting the three little ones.

After all, these children were the daughters of Lady Lianna, the next generation’s Divine-Graced Maiden, and moreover, they possessed the potential to control the Sacred Stone.

Xestila did not feel comfortable entrusting the protection detail to anyone else.

At this particular time, there were too many people with ulterior motives…

After observing Ailiya’s changing expressions, Xestila understood her unease and subsequently revealed a kind and reliable smile.

“Don’t be afraid, you are all very safe now. Look, so many people are protecting you.”

As she spoke, Xestila pointed out the window.

Little Ailiya followed Xestila’s gesture and looked to the side.

“Protecting us?”

What met the girl’s eyes was a vast, imposing escort formation.

Besides the exceptional soldiers, the formation also included numerous heavy mechs. They were arranged in rows, each mech radiating a cold metallic gleam, with weapons on their shoulders full of deterrence, their steps steady and powerful.

In the distance, heavy artillery vehicles sped across the dusty ground, each vehicle like a behemoth, dragging heavy gun barrels behind them, with laser targeting systems on the turrets flickering slightly, ready at any moment.

In the sky, armed fighter jets circled at high altitude, their wings cutting through the clouds, emitting piercing roars. The aircraft formations were tight, like eagles soaring in the sky, their dense formation giving a sense of invisible pressure.

These fully armed war machines seemed like an invisible shield for Ailiya, surrounding her convoy, where any enemy attempting to approach would have nowhere to hide under the crushing force of this steel flood. The entire scene was magnificent, giving an impression of utmost safety yet also inspiring awe.

Strictly speaking, this was the first time little Ailiya had been in such close contact with the Covenant’s armed forces, the first time she had easily witnessed these terrifying weapons that fought against corrupted beasts.

Indeed, these giant mechanical creations had a terrifying presence.

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But Ailiya did not feel the reassurance that Xestila had expected; the girl’s heart still received no comfort. After all, the pressure this entire army gave her…

Was far less than Gaia Lobir’s power.

However, Ailiya was a considerate child. Faced with Xestila’s concern, the girl took a deep breath, suppressed the uneasiness in her heart, and pretending to be calm, nodded and revealed a sweet smile.

“Mm…”

Seeing that the girl had been “reassured,” Xestila smiled slightly. Then, this Covenant Marshal eagerly inquired about another crucial matter.

“Ailiya, do you know where your mother is?”

It should be known that, although bringing back Ailiya and her sisters was important, finding Lianna and recovering the Sacred Stone was the fundamental purpose of their mission.

The Sacred Stone was their treasured weapon against the Malevolences, and it had to be found.

Therefore, apart from the troops escorting Ailiya back, the main force was still searching for traces of Lianna near the Veiled Domain. Now, Xestila was obviously hoping that Ailiya, as her daughter, could provide some valuable intelligence.

When these words reached Ailiya’s ears, the little one suddenly trembled all over.

On the other side,

The twins, who had been leaning against Ailiya’s embrace, blinked their watery big eyes upon hearing this and directed curious gazes at their sister.

Earlier, because they had been suddenly brought to an unfamiliar environment, Miya and Weiya had felt uneasy, so much so that they didn’t dare to speak, just leaning against their sister.

And now?

After becoming somewhat familiar with their surroundings and the somewhat fierce-looking auntie beside them, Miya and Weiya gradually relaxed.

Once relaxed,

Miya eagerly asked the question she cared about most,

“Big sister Ailiya, where did mommy go? Why hasn’t she come yet… wuwu…”

As she spoke,

Miya blinked her azure eyes and pouted her little mouth in dissatisfaction.

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She had been told before that mommy would be back soon.

How come she still hadn’t seen mommy?

Miya looked at Ailiya with a bit of a tantrum, her expression seeming to say, “Bad sister lied to me!”

Spiritual energy even began hesitantly seeping from her body, clearly in a state ready to throw a fit.

Compared to Miya, although Weiya didn’t speak, her small hands tightly hugging Ailiya already revealed her inner anxiety.

Weiya also wanted to find mommy.

“This…”

Looking at her two adorable sisters who wanted to find their mother, Ailiya smiled somewhat bitterly,

“Mommy has some business, but… she’ll be back soon. Miya and Weiya need to be good, or else mommy will be angry when she returns.”

Patting Miya’s head and kissing Weiya’s face, Ailiya comforted them softly.

Hearing this,

The twins looked at each other before obediently nodding. The spiritual energy around Miya dissipated, and Weiya no longer clutched Ailiya’s arm so tightly.

Clearly,

The two little girls were still afraid of making their mother angry.

After comforting her sisters, Ailiya turned her complex gaze toward Xestila:

“Lady Xestila…”

“Just call me Auntie.”

“Auntie Xestila, about my mother…”

When speaking on this topic, Ailiya’s expression became serious and grave.

Mother has already been killed by the Malevolence,

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And the Terran Malevolence has taken on mother’s appearance…

This matter, Ailiya believed, must be told to the military officer before her. Otherwise, if the Terran Malevolence infiltrated the Covenant forces in her mother’s guise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However,

Just as Ailiya opened her mouth, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes, and the words she was about to speak were awkwardly swallowed back.

The reason was simple,

Her sisters were watching her.

Glancing slightly to the side at Miya and Weiya, who were nestled beside her, staring at her with wide, curious eyes, Ailiya fell silent.

No matter what,

Ailiya didn’t want her sisters to know the fact of their mother’s death yet.

After hesitantly looking at her sisters twice, Ailiya turned to Xestila with some inner conflict.

“Auntie Xestila, could we talk somewhere else?”

Hearing this,

A glimmer of confusion flashed in Xestila’s eyes.

Although she didn’t understand why Ailiya was unwilling to directly share information about Lady Lianna, Xestila chose to respect Ailiya’s thoughts.

“Alright.”

With that, Xestila carefully opened the door beside her, preparing to take Ailiya to the upper platform of the transport vehicle to talk.

However,

Just as Xestila opened the door, unexpectedly, a voice full of joy suddenly penetrated the interior of the car along with the howling fierce wind.

——”Hahaha! Ailiya! My little Ailiya! My lovely niece, I’m so glad you’re safe!!”——