Volume 3, Chapter 2 – The Current State of the Duke Family

Inside Windward City in the Northern Frontier of the Snownight Empire, several days ago.

Following Wilt’s defeat and flight, along with the Blackrose Family’s timely assistance, the crisis within Windward City was considered to be completely over. Once the remnants of the Divine Punishment Holy Church were all crushed or had fled the city, peace and tranquility finally returned to the city.

However, after experiencing such a massive battle, the vast Windward City was riddled with scars. One-third of the city’s internal area had been reduced to ruins, especially the city center where the eighth tier experts had clashed. Although these powerhouses had mostly fought in the air, the aftershocks of the battle had still turned the city districts below into a hellish sea of fire, entering a state of total destruction.

Tens of thousands had died in this conflict, hundreds of thousands were injured, and millions were left displaced. This largest city of the Northern Frontier had undoubtedly suffered an unprecedented blow. The entire city remained in a state of extreme depression and grief.

Fortunately, even in such an oppressive atmosphere, the city’s reconstruction and the resettlement of refugees were proceeding in an orderly manner with the assistance of Sikta, the commander of the Blizzard Knight Order, and several other capable members of the Duke Family.

The only troublesome issue was that transportation and communication had suffered a devastating blow. After all, the Divine Punishment Holy Church had previously intended to completely cut off any possibility of Windward City seeking outside help. Rebuilding the roads and communication networks required a massive amount of money, which placed an even heavier burden on Windward City’s already impoverished finances.

However, the costs of reconstruction and the compensation for the citizens’ property, issues that should have caused the Marquis’s family great distress, were not currently an issue. This was all thanks to the Blackrose Family’s generous contribution.

Of course, there was no such thing as a free lunch. As the price, the revenue from the mining of the Northern Frontier Ice Crystal Mine would belong entirely to the Blackrose Family for the next ten years.

Yet, the current Duke Family was unable to focus on such a major matter. The entire family was frantic, dealing with the mess left behind by Benjamin. At the same time, the Marquis and his wife, who served as the family’s pillars, were unable to participate in handling affairs due to their heavy injuries. The atmosphere within the Marquis Mansion was arguably even more oppressive, but this situation seemed to have improved slightly this morning.

At this moment, in the early morning at the edge of the Marquis Mansion in the city center, the sound of a woman crying with emotion drifted out from a relatively well-preserved house.

“Xia… Xia’er! I’m so glad you’re alright, I was worried sick and thought they had taken you away…”

Inside the room, under the tearful gaze of the servants, the newly awakened Afnora was emotionally holding the cute pink-haired girl in a tight embrace as tears flowed steadily from her eyes. After holding her for a long time and feeling the girl’s warmth, Afnora reluctantly released the little girl from her arms. “By the way, Xia’er, are you injured?”

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Facing Afnora’s question, Miss Yumo, who had transformed back into Xia’er, shook her head with a sense of helplessness. Her heart felt very complicated. Yumo knew very well that this tender voice, these longing eyes, and the hand softly stroking her did not belong to her; they belonged to Xia’er.

But, sigh, whatever, she would cooperate for a while longer. They had already endured so much misfortune that it might be too cruel to lay her cards on the table now.

“I’m fine, Grandma. I’m doing very well.” Yumo gave a sweet smile, perfectly portraying the innocence and cuteness of a little girl. While being adorable, she also mixed in a hint of concern for her family. Hearing these words, especially that long-awaited address of ‘Grandma,’ Afnora was deeply moved and couldn’t help but pull Yumo into her arms again.

“Xia’er, you’re finally… willing… willing to call me Grandma…”

“…”

In response, Yumo simply smiled slightly and leaned quietly against Afnora’s chest, enjoying this strange ‘care’ from an elder. In a sense, Yumo quite enjoyed it, as she hadn’t experienced this kind of care since coming to this world over five hundred years ago.

“Mhm, don’t worry anymore, Grandma. I’m fine.”

“Xia’er…”

While the two were enjoying their warm moment, the doctor beside them spoke up somewhat helplessly. “Miss Xia’er, the Madam has just woken up and still needs some physical examinations. Could you give us some space?”

“Mhm, I understand, Doctor Lorin.” Yumo nodded obediently. “Then Grandma, I’ll be going now. Please rest well.”

“Mhm, go ahead, Xia’er.” While responding, Afnora reluctantly let go of the girl in her arms and then watched as she slowly walked out of the room.

After leaving Afnora’s room, Miss Yumo took a leisurely stroll through the dilapidated garden. Looking at the countless temporary tents and huts not far away, and the groups of people busy working among them, Miss Yumo couldn’t help but sigh helplessly.

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‘They’ve really worked hard.’ Working day and night recently, they probably hadn’t had much rest, right? Maybe she should have Little Tong and the others prepare some condolences later.

As Yumo was walking slowly and contemplating various issues, a small black cat with two tails sped through the crowd like a flash of lightning. It arrived at Yumo’s side and, without a word, began to nuzzle her feet affectionately, making her raise an eyebrow.

“You little…”

Clearly, this cat that was sticking out its tongue and acting cute to try and gain favor was the Duke Family’s Guardian Beast, the rank-eight Lei Jie.

“What is it, you? Are your injuries healed?”

“Thanks to Lady Yumo, this old man is no longer in mortal danger and is currently recovering slowly.” Lei Jie spoke in a low voice while no one was around.

“Then go back to resting. Why did you suddenly come looking for me?”

“Actually,” the black cat seemed to become a bit hesitant.

“What is it? Just say it.”

“It’s just, Lady Yumo, this old man followed your orders so desperately before to protect the Chosen Maiden. I wonder if you could…”

“You want a reward?”

“No, no, no! I don’t!” Lei Jie shook its head repeatedly in denial, which caused Miss Yumo to frown in confusion. “Then what do you want?”

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“That… actually, this old man just hopes that my previous rudeness to you can be wiped clean… I wonder if that’s possible…”

“Hmm? About the matter of attacking me, didn’t I say it didn’t matter?”

“Uh, no, it’s not just you. I hope that your children, specifically Lady Li Yu and the others, won’t come to settle accounts with me either.”

“Hmm? Li Yu and the others?” Hearing this, Yumo raised an eyebrow curiously. Those girls didn’t even know yet. But why did this cat seem even more terrified when mentioning Li Yu and the others than it did when it had attacked her?

Looking at Lei Jie, who was shivering slightly and looking at her with expectant eyes, Yumo felt a sense of oddity in her heart. Li Yu and the others were clearly so kind and obedient, why was this cat so weak at the mere mention of them? It was as if her children were some kind of monsters.

‘I don’t like that…’ At this thought, Miss Yumo felt slightly displeased. Of course, she didn’t plan to hold a grudge against Lei Jie; perhaps there had been some misunderstanding between it and her children in the past? Besides, this cat had kept its word; when it said it would protect a dream, it really did protect Mengxi. Even when it was nearly killed by Wilt in the end, it still protected Mengxi. It kept its promise, and from that perspective, this cat had performed better than many humans.

“Fine, they won’t settle accounts with you.”

“Really? Thank you so much, Lady Yumo!!” Upon receiving Yumo’s promise, Lei Jie immediately began to “meow” excitedly, even jumping and dancing on the spot. “Then, Lady Yumo, I’ll go back to protecting Miss Mengxi!”

“Oh, right, there’s no need to go back and protect her.”

“Eh?” The cat tilted its head in confusion. “Lady Yumo, have you changed your mind?”

“Mhm, I suppose so. I’ll be protecting Mengxi myself lately anyway. As for you, just do your original job.”

“My original job?”

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“Mhm, which is to protect this family.” Saying this, Miss Yumo looked toward the room where Afnora was with a complicated expression.

“Understood, this old man will protect them with his life.” Lei Jie lowered its head respectfully. However, in the next moment, as if remembering something, Lei Jie slowly turned its head to look at another large tent nearby. “By the way, Lady Yumo, the Marquis just came out of that tent.”

“Ummm, I understand.”

A few minutes later, under the respectful gaze of two members of the Blizzard Knight Order, Yumo slowly stepped into the Duke Family’s cemetery, which was where Xiumu was currently located.

As soon as she entered the cemetery, Yumo saw the old Marquis leaning against the trunk of a giant tree, staring thoughtfully at the entire burial ground. The current Marquis looked even more haggard, his eyes vacant and his face pale, completely lacking the spirited aura he had when they first met.

Sensing Yumo entering the cemetery, Xiumu turned his head wearily toward her. “Xia’er, you’ve come…”

“Yes, Grandpa. What’s wrong? Why are you so listless?”

“Xia’er, I’ve realized that I seem to have done something very stupid…”

Yumo remained silent.

“I… I actually attacked Yuan’er…”

‘What??’ Yumo thought.