Chapter 216: Zoya of the Northlands

Chapter 216: Zoya of the Northlands

There were no secrets in this World. Even if one thought only heaven and earth knew, walls had ears. Niels was making his own clever plans, believing he could deceive the heavens and cross the sea. But some rumors had already reached Northland City, and into Zoya’s ears.

At this moment, Zoya looked at herself in the mirror and felt a bit dazed. Unnoticed, too many changes had already taken place.

She had changed, but her father had not. He was still the father who brought her into the Northlands. Before, she didn’t see anything wrong with that. As a Noble, she was used to exchanges. She had this awareness since she was a little sensible. For the family, and for herself, to seize the opportunity to live better.

It was only after meeting Bran that she gradually understood, that was just self-comfort when she had no power to choose. Like back then, Bran sat on the rocking chair, rocking back and forth…

But when she gained a bit of power, so that she could say—No! She lost the courage to face it.

All of this couldn’t hide from Bran. It was just that he understood her, so he pretended to believe everything that happened to her. He pretended very well, but some things could never be feigned.

The old order had been broken. Nobles who lost the protection of the old order began to panic and started running around. Now there were people everywhere wanting to seek refuge in Northland City. These people worked hard to find opportunities, and also worked hard to trip each other up. They thought by suppressing others, they could snatch a good position.

But what if Bran never left a position for them at all? Why couldn’t they be a little wiser?

There were some things she didn’t want to manage, thinking she could keep playing dumb. As long as her father was a little wiser, as long as he knew how to restrain himself.

Now all the Nobles of the Green Kingdom used Bran as a talking point, everywhere promoting the legitimacy of Noble status. Her father thought he had gained huge benefits and possessed considerable connections. But these useless connections were merely nooses as Death approached.

In Northland City, she encountered many new people and new things. Those White Robes came from various places, but more or less had some family backgrounds. Their choices made her understand a lot.

For the emerging Wizards, Nobles were not worth mentioning at all. They were just shackles that bound the Wizards’ power. The White-robed Ones brought their families to Northland City, not wanting to break free from the old restrictions. These people were already eyeing this World and had begun making preparations. Their power grew too fast, but the World gave them too little.

Some policies Bran initially set had already drifted from their original interpretation. For example, Northland City protected all Wizards who entered this place, as long as you obeyed the law and held no ill intent. Now someone artificially added a supplement—no matter how much trouble you caused outside.

Many things were changing bit by bit. Those Wizards were treating Northland City as their last refuge, so they wholeheartedly maintained everything here. Even when facing the Mortals in the city, the Wizards were still polite, because the laws of Northland City also protected the Mortals here.

This was the Wizards’ ideal homeland, where Wizards and Mortals lived in harmony. But what about when these kind Wizards of Northland City stepped out of here?

She had seen these Wizards kill. As a member of Bran’s family, she also had corresponding duties. She often patrolled and guarded the homeland with the city’s Knights and Wizards. After handling several emergencies, she realized that her performance in the Arena could only be considered child’s play.

The Wizards of Northland City seemed to have inherited some of Bran’s traits. Their kind and tolerant words and actions were too deceptive. But when you thought they were kind and easy to bully, that was usually the moment Death arrived.

Zoya knew that as long as she continued to pretend not to know her former family, then Bran would keep pretending along with her. But she couldn’t! She couldn’t watch her father walk towards destruction.

Her Trial had never ended. Some things ultimately needed to be faced alone. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, Zoya, fully armed, walked out of the room.

The idle clansmen gathered on the Training Ground as usual. Seeing Zoya approach with a solemn face, they all stopped what they were doing.

Facing the gazes of her clansmen, Zoya spoke after a long moment. “I need to go back for a while.”

Danny smiled. “Do you want us to go with you?”

“No, this is a small Trial. I will return soon.”

“Hmm,” Danny patted her head. “For a Trial, taking your White Wolf partner shouldn’t violate our tradition.”

This time Zoya did not refuse and agreed happily.

The Northlanders had to follow tradition, but Eileen did not. She accompanied Zoya out of the City Manor, seeming preoccupied.

Eileen stared at Zoya’s profile. “What are you planning to do?”

“Imprison my father. He is no longer suitable to be a family head.”

“If—if he resists?”

Zoya’s hand trembled. “He wouldn’t dare! He has always been timid.”

“I mean—if.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Zoya couldn’t help raising her voice.

Eileen sighed. “I just want to remind you that currently, you don’t have the strength to control the overall situation. You are not Bran, nor are you one of those accomplished White Robes. You can’t even defeat me. So, you shouldn’t refuse the help of your clansmen. It’s not too late to turn back now.”

Zoya shook her head. “From the moment I said—Trial, there was no turning back. I was always curious before, why Dragon Riders were weaker than the Northlands’ Warriors. Was it only the difference in equipment? As I became a member of the Northlands, I gradually understood. You are too comfortable.

You don’t need to prove anything, just safely pass through your growth period. But we are different. We need to constantly prove ourselves and grow stronger in the process of proving ourselves.

Also, you said one thing wrong. You are no longer my match.”

Looking at the confident and proud Zoya, Eileen was speechless for a moment.

“I know you don’t believe it.” Zoya continued. “But these things are actually not important. What’s important is my choice. I have decided to face my past, my former family. What about you?

I will handle my own affairs, and then return to live and die with the people here. What about you?

You are a Dragon Rider, yet you live comfortably in Bran’s City Manor. As a friend? But you all know, from the moment the Dragon Riders tried to kill him, there was no going back.

We want to become his family, and Bran does not refuse this. Huahua, Danny, Ancient Tree are all his closest family. Have you ever seen a family more intimate than them? Very enviable, right? They are so good to their family, that’s why you are reluctant to leave.

But the more it is like this, the sooner you should make a decision. Don’t be like me, waiting until things gradually spiral out of control. This is the trouble I caused, so I must also be the one to solve it.

That is my former family. Hiding behind someone else is of course easier. But whoever deals with them will only leave behind a knot in the heart. This matter can only be handled by me. Only by me severing the past, will it not cause trouble for others.

I am Bran’s family, Zoya of the Northlands. What about you?”