Volume 1, Chapter 31

Within the lawless zone between Windward City and Deepwinter Forest,

“BOOM!!~”

With an earth-shattering roar, a sacred aura abruptly descended from the heavens. The silver light drifting in the air rapidly converged upon the blade of the silver-haired maiden.

After a dazzling flash of silver radiance,

The massive centipede-shaped Abyssal Demon before the silver-haired girl was abruptly cleaved in two! After emitting a few final agonized shrieks, this fifth tier Abyssal Demon completely lost its life force, transforming into two lumps of dead flesh that polluted the pristine snowy landscape.

Surveying the now-defeated Abyssal Demon before her,

Mengxi slowly dispersed the silver light gathered upon her rapier and sheathed it.

‘Compared to other regions, the Abyssal Demons near Deepwinter Forest are indeed stronger and more ferocious…’

After experiencing several skirmishes with Abyssal Demons,

The girl reached this conclusion internally.

Upon arriving at this judgment, the girl’s brow furrowed even tighter. After all, in Mengxi’s view, the new generation of church knights within the Ashurmos Church already struggled considerably when combating Abyssal Demons within the Red Lotus Leaf Empire ¹ 红莲叶帝国 (hóng lián yè dì guó),Honglianye Empire it’s still a mouthful even if I stick to the Chinese name .

If they were to face the Abyssal Demons of the Northern Frontier, they would likely perish even faster.

This couldn’t help but trouble Mengxi greatly.

‘Can’t rely on them. Must still rely on myself.’

The girl’s amethyst eyes narrowed slightly, a resolute glint flashing within them.

At this moment,

The several treasure hunters Mengxi had just saved gazed excitedly at the female knight mounted on horseback, wearing a pure white mask, her heroic bearing radiating vigor. Believing themselves doomed upon encountering the Abyssal Demon, they never expected to be rescued at the critical moment.

The joy of surviving a brush with death filled these treasure hunters’ hearts.

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This holy knight who had saved them and slain the Abyssal Demon was undoubtedly their savior. Mengxi’s image in their eyes grew increasingly lofty and radiant. Especially upon sensing the unparalleled, affinity-inducing sacred aura surrounding the girl, a fanatical spark ignited in their eyes, even though they were not followers of the Ashurmos Church. Subsequently, these people hurriedly knelt and kowtowed to express their heartfelt gratitude.

“Thank you, Knight, for saving our lives!!”

“We are grateful, Milady!”

“From now on!! I… I believe in the Ashurmos Church!!”

……

……

Hearing these treasure hunters’ words, which sounded like those of fanatical believers, Mengxi gradually felt a twinge of displeasure within.

This unique sacred aura permeating her surroundings, known as the Goddess’s Blessing, caused living beings around her to unconsciously develop favorable impressions and a sense of dependence towards her…

The effect was even more pronounced on those with insufficient strength.

It was precisely because of this aura that Mengxi had gained tens of thousands of supporters shortly after being brought back to the church.

This ability was extremely convenient,

But Mengxi herself did not like it.

It always felt as if it forcibly distorted others’ wills. Moreover, it made it difficult for Mengxi to distinguish which people around her were genuinely well-intentioned towards her, and which were influenced by the Goddess’s Blessing?

‘Troublesome.’

“You all should avoid treasure hunting recently. The area around Deepwinter Forest is currently unstable. If you don’t want to die, stay far away from here.”

After coldly warning these treasure hunters,

Ignoring their subsequent words, Mengxi turned her horse and rode towards the Ashurmos Church squad behind her.

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Simultaneously,

Another female knight from the church squad rode her horse up beside Mengxi.

After glancing at those treasure hunters still continuously kowtowing, the female knight couldn’t help but reveal a teasing smile: “Truly worthy of the blessing bestowed by the Goddess. Those heretics are actually kowtowing to you, Captain? Simply unimaginable?!”

Then, as if recalling something, a flash of excitement suddenly appeared in the female knight’s eyes.

“No wonder the Archbishop agreed to let you come to Windward City, Captain. When the people of Windward City are ravaged to despair by the Abyssal Demons, and then you and Lady Bai Yanluo appear, you’ll surely be able to turn them all into devout followers of our church!”

“Is that so,”

Mengxi replied indifferently, not intending to say much more to the other.

The female knight was already accustomed to Mengxi’s cold demeanor and didn’t feel displeased. Instead, she continued riding alongside Mengxi.

“Speaking of which, Captain! Before Lady Bai Yanluo arrives at Windward City, it’s best you don’t reveal your identity as the Chosen Maiden.” The female knight earnestly advised.

Hearing this,

Mengxi’s brow unconsciously furrowed slightly.

Due to finding it troublesome and despising those fanatical, self-oblivious gazes, she had never intended to reveal this identity anyway.

But…

“Why say this suddenly? Isn’t Archbishop Nick eager for everyone to know I’m the Chosen Maiden?”

“Because recently, it seems people from the Divine Punishment Holy Church have appeared within Windward City.”

“Hmm? Divine Punishment Holy Church?”

“Yes, exactly. Those who worship the Demon God and believe Abyssal Demons represent divine purification of the world. They are inherently hostile towards our Ashurmos Church. If they learn of your identity as the Chosen Maiden, they will absolutely seize the opportunity to cause trouble! Although your strength is formidable, the Divine Punishment Holy Church is not lacking in experts either.”

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“Alright, I understand.”

Mengxi gave a slight nod.

“Thank you for the reminder, Garona.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s my duty.”

The female knight called Garona smiled slightly, seeming quite pleased by Mengxi’s thanks, her face even flushing faintly.

However,

Just as Garona intended to continue conversing with this adorable Chosen Maiden, a light cavalry scout who had gone to reconnoiter in the distance happened to return and directly approached Mengxi.

“Captain! Another group of people has been spotted near the Fort Garros to the northwest.”

“Hmm, again? Abyssal Demons could attack at any moment. Are these people truly so unafraid of death? Instead of safely hiding within Windward City, they actually enjoy venturing out so much?”

“Perhaps they cannot stay within Windward City anymore.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Those people appear to be slave smugglers, likely the ones Marquis Duke is currently hunting.”

“Oh? Such a coincidence?”

“So, Miss Mengxi, what should we do?”

“Let’s go capture those individuals. Might even earn a favor from Marquis Duke.”

The silver-haired girl made her decision at this moment.

Meanwhile,

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Within Deepwinter Forest, near Fort Garros,

A pink-haired girl around fourteen years old, clad in tattered cloth garments, covered in wounds, struggled to navigate through the withered forest at the periphery. Due to her thin clothing and trek through the snowy terrain, the girl was already shivering uncontrollably from the cold, her breathing growing increasingly labored. The continuous loss of blood caused her vision to gradually blur.

Behind her, several black figures relentlessly closed in.

She was being pursued.

The delicate, blood-stained face of the pink-haired girl was now filled with terror, helplessness, and despair…

Undoubtedly,

Due to prolonged lack of food and water, brutal torture, and the invasive bone-chilling cold,

The girl’s body was nearly at its breaking point.

However,

Even in such dire physical condition, the girl still gritted her teeth, enduring the severe cold and the intense pain from her wounds, exerting every ounce of strength to run forward! Because she clearly understood that if she missed this opportunity, she might never return to her family’s side.

Only,

As the several black figures behind drew ever closer, the light of hope within the girl’s heart grew increasingly faint.

‘Grandpa… Grandma… Save… Save me…’

Yuan’er ² ‘er is a suffix that is used to add a sense of smallness and endearment, not actual part of the name …

Didn’t want to die.

Yuan’er, wanted to go home…