Volume 2, Chapter 18 – Ambition

Translator Note

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“What I want to ask about is the matter regarding Bernard.”

As Fengling spoke those words, Xue Tian’ao’s expression changed slightly. After glancing thoughtfully toward the nearby window, Xue Tian’ao once again put his arm around Fengling’s shoulder.

“My dear sister, this isn’t the place to talk.”

No sooner had he spoken than a faint golden light suddenly rippled around Xue Tian’ao. In the next instant, following a surge of magic power, both Xue Tian’ao and Fengling suddenly vanished from the spot.

“This… how so suddenly?!”

The abrupt change caused Fengling to let out a cry of surprise. By the time she regained her senses, the scene before her eyes had undergone a world-shaking transformation! In this moment, Fengling realized with astonishment that she had been brought to the roof of the Fallen Leaves Palace by Xue Tian’ao.

After glancing at the vast and magnificent view of the capital, Fengling turned her head irritably toward her brother. Of course, she didn’t dare meet his gaze directly, only daring to look at Xue Tian’ao’s sharp eyebrows.

“Why did you suddenly bring me here?!”

“Haha, it’s nothing, just looking at the scenery. We siblings haven’t had a good talk in a long time, so why don’t we chat today?”

“Sorry, Brother, I have nothing to talk about with you.”

“I see, what a pity,” Xue Tian’ao sighed with feigned regret.

Then, this dashing and handsome man sat down on the roof without the slightest restraint, crossed his legs, and leisurely gazed out at the imperial city.

“Our brother Bernard? Sigh, how pitiful, to be killed by Blood Butterfly just like that. Don’t worry, sister, I will avenge him in the future.”

“Heh.”

Hearing Xue Tian’ao’s words, Fengling couldn’t help but cold snort.

“Brother, stop acting. Although Bernard was a bit foolish, he was very good at escaping. Under those circumstances, he certainly would have used spatial teleportation to return to the palace! And the bloodstains I discovered earlier in the Imperial Garden happened to be Bernard’s.”

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“Oh? According to what you’re saying, there was an assassin in our palace? Someone who assassinated my dear brother?”

“Haha, isn’t that assassin you? My dear brother, who else but you would move against Bernard.”

“…”

Following Fengling’s words, the fourth princess and Xue Tian’ao stared at each other in silence for several seconds.

“Hehe~ Hahahahaha!!! As expected of my sister, you really are smart. It wasn’t in vain that I thought so highly of you!”

After a moment of silence, Xue Tian’ao laughed out loud without restraint.

Since he had offhandedly set up soundproofing magic around them, he wasn’t worried about their conversation being overheard. However, it wouldn’t matter even if they were heard, as everyone near the Fallen Leaves Palace was one of his trusted confidants.

After his wild laughter subsided, Xue Tian’ao looked at Fengling playfully.

“Yes, I did indeed kill him.”

“W-Why did you kill him?! He was your brother!”

“But he never treated me as an older brother, did he? Have you forgotten how he bullied me when I was young?”

“That… that was when he was a child and didn’t know better!”

“Hehe, yes, I don’t care if he knew better or not. And even if it was because he didn’t know better then, what about now? He never respected me, did he? He even constantly conspired with Father to trip me up for the sake of the Crown Prince position. Besides, I didn’t kill him for no reason; I had already given him two warnings. You know, Fengling, I never give anyone a third chance.”

Feeling the chill in Xue Tian’ao’s eyes, Fengling had to exert slight control over her emotions.

“Did he… do something again?”

“Hehe, he did quite a lot while I was away on an overseas visit. He helped Father weaken my influence in the Sky Dome, tampered with my mines, sent people to poison me, and even took it upon himself to use a Magic Fission Bomb to attack the Chosen Maiden.”

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“Bernard… he actually attacked the Chosen Maiden?”

Hearing this, Fengling couldn’t help but reveal a look of surprise. After all, after having the fortune of meeting the Chosen Maiden before, Bernard had been completely infatuated with that girl who was as holy and beautiful as a goddess, remaining obsessed with her. How… how could he suddenly attack the Chosen Maiden?!

Seeming to see through Fengling’s confusion, Xue Tian’ao laughed toward the sky.

“Haha, no need to overthink it, my sister. He simply held the foolish notion of ‘if I can’t have her, I’ll destroy her’.”

“So, you killed him?”

“If he didn’t die, how could we give an account to the Ashurmos Church? Besides, anyone who touches my woman has only one path: death.”

Hearing this, although Fengling was extremely displeased, she didn’t dare to berate Xue Tian’ao. Since this man truly dared to move against the third prince, it meant he was already confident in opposing their father.

However, the young girl couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

“Y-Your woman? Xue Tian’ao, I remember you’ve only met that Chosen Maiden twice. How did she become yours? And including Lilia, your harem already has five members, hasn’t it? Are you… still not satisfied?”

“Hehe, don’t use that tone.”

Xue Tian’ao dismissed Fengling’s question with a wave of his hand.

“I am the man who will save the world, so what’s the harm in marrying a few more women? As for the Chosen Maiden, she is destined to be with me.”

“Destiny? Heh, where does your confidence come from? What makes you think she… she would really be willing to be with you?”

“Why not?”

“She is the Chosen Maiden, the most noble woman in the prophecies. Why would she be willing to share a man with other women?”

“Hehe, I’ve already considered that.”

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“Considered it?”

“Yes, so the position of my primary wife has long been reserved for her! Even if she is unwilling, it doesn’t matter. No one can resist my Eye of Destiny. These eyes can see through others’ thoughts via eye contact and can invisibly increase their favorability toward me. As long as I wish, there is no one I cannot conquer.”

As he spoke, Xue Tian’ao revealed a smile full of extreme confidence. With a sudden flash, he appeared beside Fengling and, without a word, pulled her into his embrace, speaking slowly in a magnetic voice.

“Furthermore, it’s not just the Chosen Maiden. My dear Fengling, you will also belong to me sooner or later.”

“You!! Stop dreaming! Father wouldn’t allow such madness!”

“Hehe, that old man can’t stop me. But don’t worry, I won’t force you. You can take your time to consider.”

“…”

Looking at the man before her who was both familiar and strange, who even made her feel terrified, Fengling couldn’t help but clench her fists.

‘Sure enough, Mengxi still cannot be handed over to a stallion like you…’

At the same time, inside the small wooden cabin deep in the eastern part of the Deepwinter Forest.

In Yumo’s room, Mengxi, who was fast asleep on the bed, suddenly trembled as her brows furrowed tightly. She seemed to be dreaming of something terrifying, or perhaps she had felt a strange chill, for her delicate body suddenly began to shake.

Seeing this, Miss Yumo, who had been keeping her company for a long time, revealed a look of worry.

‘Is this… a nightmare?’

Thinking this, Yumo slowly raised her hand to pat the silver-haired girl’s back, speaking softly in a tone used for coaxing a child.

“Don’t be afraid~ Don’t be afraid~ Big sister is here with you~”

“No one can hurt you~”

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“If anyone tries to lay a hand on you, I’ll slaughter them~”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid~”

With Yumo’s comfort, Mengxi’s expression gradually returned to calm. After letting out a cute “mhn,” she continued to hug the giant bear plushie tightly.

“Whew~”

Seeing this, Yumo breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment just now, she had thought the medicine had some side effects. Now it seemed it was just a simple nightmare. But why did she suddenly have a nightmare?

Forget it, I’ll check again.

With that thought, Yumo slowly closed her eyes. A ripple of gentle Shadow Essence slowly spread out, completely enveloping Mengxi’s body as Yumo carefully sensed her physical condition.

Ummu~ It looks like the effect is pretty good~

After sensing for a moment, Yumo revealed a sweet and quite satisfied smile. After another course of treatment tonight, once the female lead fully recovers, she should be able to reach the early stage of the sixth tier.

Heehee~ That brings her one step closer to the eighth tier.

Alright, that’s enough for now.

Nodding silently and patting Mengxi’s small head, Yumo slowly left the bedroom, carefully closing the door.

“Now then…”

The black-haired girl spoke softly, looking thoughtfully toward the distant mountain peak. That was precisely where Bai Yanluo was being held.

That Heavenly Apostle… hmm, it’s time to consider how to handle her.

Come to think of it, how are female knights who fall into enemy hands usually handled…