Chapter 204: As One

Chapter 204: As One

Life was full of color because many things that should not happen happened anyway, and many things one did not want to know were known anyway.

Zoya had learned about the rumors in Northland City long ago, because she had a good friend – Xialuo. Once the gossip spread, Xialuo nervously informed her. Once Zoya knew, Eileen, who was inseparable from her, also knew.

Now the delegations from Sangye and Qiuling had left, and Xialuo and Mavi had moved out of the City Manor. Xialuo was better off, she could move into the residence designated for Wizards. Mavi had it worse, temporarily staying at Earl’s home.

Several friends were now wandering aimlessly along the road outside the city. Xialuo and Mavi’s glances kept sweeping over Zoya. Although they often saw each other, they still found Zoya’s changes unbelievable. She had the Facial Markings like the Great Wizard Bran, and a face that, though still youthful, closely resembled Danny’s.

What happened to her? What were her abilities exactly? Many people were curious about her now, curious about how far she could go.

Zoya appeared calm on the surface, ignoring the prying eyes, but she was not calm inside. After hearing the news, Zoya immediately went to the Ancient Tree for confirmation. Nothing in the city could be hidden from the Ancient Tree. Although he consciously ignored some unimportant events, his way of recording the environment meant he did not miss any details. As long as everything happened within the range covered by his Mana, his body instinctively recorded it.

She got a definite answer from the Ancient Tree, but his indifference made her angry. So she asked, don’t you have any thoughts about this? The Ancient Tree then retorted, what thoughts? The mistress? I am still the tree master! This angered her so much she gave the Ancient Tree a hard kick, then walked away limping.

Yes, the Ancient Tree was right. Everyone here, including the Northlanders and even herself, could be considered masters of this city. But was that really the same?

The Ancient Tree, Huahua, Bran – these Monsters were transcendent beings. No matter how things changed here, it was hard to affect them. How foolish she was, expecting to see a normal person’s reaction from a Monster.

And even more foolish was that she had fallen for one of them.

Actually, I am a Monster too, right? Zoya subconsciously touched her face. Were these Facial Markings, this appearance, really hers?

Right? Everything gained through hardship, expectation, and all kinds of effort – how could it not belong to her?

In the silence, Eileen glanced at Zoya beside her. Though not entirely clear about her specific thoughts, she could sense Zoya’s conflicting emotions.

Although she had been constantly learning and imitating Danny, wanting and doing were completely different. She could have done better, but every time she tried to imitate Danny, her body started rejecting it instinctively.

She was a Dragon Rider, renowned alongside the Northlanders. She had admired the weapons, armor, and smelting techniques of the Northlands, but never their manners.

She had been proud once, and still was proud now; it was an inborn nature.

She liked everything in Bran Manor, but did not agree with the people living there. She wanted to take their place, not become like them.

She liked the gentle Zoya, not this increasingly fierce little woman before her. Now she could barely hold her own in a fight. Every sparring match left her feeling exhausted. This unshakeable fatigue gradually accumulated, becoming an unbearable burden.

Do I like Bran, or do I like his Manor? She felt somewhat confused. Perhaps she liked Bran a bit more. Back then, for some inexplicable reason, she liked staying by his side. She liked his cleanliness, his playfulness, his way of refusing others, the fact that he was nothing like a Northlander.

Zoya gave up her status, forgot many things, and became a Northlander. What about me?

Bran refused to give up his identity. I similarly cannot give up my identity as a Dragon Rider. That’s probably why I said I liked his Manor. Deep down, I already understood, but I still wanted to fight for it. Knowing full well I couldn’t gain anything, knowing the Manor could never become mine.

Back then, I walked out of the Manor arm in arm with Bran, riding together and wandering everywhere. Now, I even feel some resentment towards Bran. How nice it would be if he were still that little Idiot from the Manor.

Each lost in their own thoughts, they listlessly walked from inside the city to outside, then began heading back from outside the city.

Mavi couldn’t help but complain, “It’s all their fault, stirring up trouble over nothing.”

Xialuo glanced at him. “A Great Wizard should not involve himself too much in mortal affairs in the first place. Someone who understands the needs of the mundane world is more suitable for the position of City Lord. This is a good thing for Northland City and most of its people.”

Mavi said angrily, “Can’t they just be content?”

“How can they be content? The Great Wizard still hasn’t made a clear statement. We can’t even buy a piece of land to settle down here.”

Mavi looked Xialuo up and down, asking with uncertainty, “We?”

Realizing her slip, Xialuo hesitated. “Yes, us Wizards.”

“You’re a Princess. What’s so good about this place? The food isn’t great, the lodging is poor!”

“But it’s safe and free here. As long as I follow the laws here, this city will protect me. That’s the promise of Great Wizard Bran, and the promise all Wizards here make to each other. I don’t have to worry anymore about being casually pawned off or sold by my family.”

Xialuo turned her head towards Zoya and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, I already know.” Zoya looked at Xialuo’s suddenly pale face and sighed. “You thought that with Bran gone, you could pull some tricks. But who could you really fool?”

Xialuo panicked a little. “Who else knows?”

Zoya said irritably, “Many people know. They just don’t want to deal with it for now, so you don’t need to be too scared. But as a Wizard, if you want to rely on money to get land here, what difference is there between you and those Mortals?

As a friend, I must remind you, this city belongs to Bran. No matter what you think or do, in his eyes you aren’t much different from Mortals.

Although you study under the White Robes, you are also his students. Before you’ve even learned any real skills, you start scheming against your teacher. I really don’t understand what you’re thinking.”

Zoya’s reminder sent a chill down Xialuo’s spine. After that day, the rumors slowly faded, and many people breathed a sigh of relief.

But the matter was not over. This city truly needed a City Lord who could relate to the mundane world.

Moreover, the environment here still attracted young Wizards who were studying. That discourse about the mundane world was sinking deep into their hearts.

They longed to break free from the bonds of the mundane world, yet could not do without its money and provisions. They learned to look down upon Mortals, but had not yet mastered transcendent power. Although most of them came from wealthy families, they relied on their families for support. Once they wanted to break free from that control…

Therefore, they still wanted to own some permanent property here, to have a steady source of income, a home where they could settle.