Volume 9, Chapter 43 – Things for Concealment

After leaving the dilapidated temple, Yisi and Camilla walked straight towards the city gate. Due to the increasing number of fleeing refugees, the gate was exceptionally crowded, filled not only with the impatient shouts of soldiers but also the low weeping of people and the cries of children. Just as the elderly priests had said, everyone living in the Duchy of Chloe knew that once the Empire attacked, its fall was only a matter of time. Therefore, these poor and weak citizens had to make a choice: either stay in the city and wait to be plundered by Imperial soldiers, or flee with their families to foreign lands.

Her gaze lingered on the refugees for a moment—it reminded Yisi of her dream with Andrea—then she quickly looked away. Yisi and Camilla turned into a small alley, arriving at an area filled with broken rubble and collapsed houses. This was the slum of the Duchy of Chloe. Lin, carrying her scythe and wearing her mask, was saying her final goodbyes to the children. From today onwards, they would no longer receive her help; they had to leave the city and fend for themselves.

“Hurry, hurry! Bring out the lightning staves and fire staves! Distribute the usable ones! Throw the unusable ones onto the training ground for the crafters to fix!”

“Captain, the base of this crossbow is rotten from the rain!”

“Then hurry up and find carpenters and blacksmiths to fix it! Last night’s scouts haven’t returned yet! The Imperial army might already be at the foot of the mountain! We don’t have time to dawdle!”

“Can we really win this war…?”

“Nonsense! Even if we can’t, we have to win! Believe in Lady Hero, believe in Lady Lin! She has already reached the realm beyond heroes! As long as she sneaks into the Imperial camp for a stroll, we can win without fighting!”

Nearby, some soldiers were inspecting war supplies while shouting loudly. Attracted by their conversation, a skinny man gritted his teeth and complained bitterly.

“Just hand that ‘savior’ over to the Empire, wouldn’t that solve it? If it weren’t for this jinx, we wouldn’t have to drag our families away! Heaven knows if we’ll die on the road! It’s all her fault! His Majesty the King must be mad not to hand her over!”

“You bastard!”

The skinny man’s complaint made the soldier called ‘Captain’ rush over immediately. Before the skinny man’s terrified eyes, he kicked him to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. A clearing quickly formed in the crowded area. The captain swept his magic staff across the crowd, warning them with a fierce expression.

“Lady Lin is the benefactor of us magic soldiers! If I hear anyone speak ill of Lady Lin again, I will treat them all as spies sent by the Empire! This is the Empire’s conspiracy to divide us!”

“Eek!”

Startled by the soldier’s glare, the skinny man immediately scrambled away into the crowd. The previously noisy flow of people quickly fell silent, everyone queuing up orderly and consciously to leave.

Have the seeds Lin planted in the past finally borne fruit? Unfortunately, it came too late.

Although she hadn’t seen this soldier before, Yisi could guess these were the people Lin had guided, who learned how to use magic and were promoted from ordinary soldiers. A few days ago, when she went with Lin to the Hero Academy and passed the soldiers’ training ground, this group had greeted Lin warmly.

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Yisi turned her head to look at Lin standing beside her—she had already finished saying goodbye to the children in the meantime.

“How does it feel? Being supported like this? Ah, although you’re usually supported within the Divine Religion too, Lin, I feel that being supported because of status and being supported because you once helped these people are two completely different feelings. Since the Empire issued the declaration of war, voices like that have increased in the city. It must be tough for you, right?”

“Are you here to mock me, Yisi?”

Lin’s voice sounded somewhat dissatisfied. Unfortunately, due to the mask, Yisi couldn’t see her expression. She has such a beautiful face, yet insists on hiding it behind a mask. Yisi couldn’t help but feel regretful and shrugged.

“No. I just thought, given your personality, being the focus of this whole conflict might make you lose sleep. After all, war inevitably involves death, and this war is nominally because of you. So I worried that guilt might prevent you from performing at your best in the upcoming actions.”

“Hah, you underestimate me too much, Yisi. While I can’t deny being sentimental, something of this level is not enough to shake my will. The ones who should truly feel guilty are the Norta Empire, who initiated the war. As long as I think that way, I won’t have any psychological burden and can always perform at my best.”

Waving her hand dismissively as if shooing away a fly, the masked Lin puffed out her well-developed chest, looking quite composed.

Camilla shot her a sideways glance.

“But you’ve been constantly seeking out Onee-sama and Laxy to adapt to your strength these past few days.”

“That’s a different matter. I jumped from the heroic domain to the realm beyond overnight; it’s natural that I can’t adapt to my strength immediately. At this critical juncture before war, I don’t have much time to adapt slowly. I can only accelerate the process through combat.”

“Well, well, let’s put those things aside for now. How are you feeling now, Lin? Although I agree that practical combat is indeed a shortcut to understanding one’s strength, just ten days is still too short.”

Just as Camilla said, since sending off Red and Purple, Lin had spent most of her time at Yisi’s temporary residence in the noble district. Apart from eating and sleeping, she was either fighting Laxy or Yisi. When fighting Laxy, Lin mainly learned how to use her magic power more reasonably. When with Yisi, it was an all-out battle using every ounce of her intellect. Unfortunately, even though everyone witnessed Lin’s efforts, ten days was too short, and the effect was limited.

The most significant shortcoming was that although Lin now possessed level 60 strength, she hadn’t mastered any Tier 6 magic. As a magic swordsman who studied both casting magic and close-combat magic, theoretically, as long as she obtained books with Tier 6 spell incantations, she could begin learning them. But theory was one thing, practice another. The complexity of Tier 6 incantations far exceeded imagination; in Yisi’s eyes, it was no different from memorizing a dictionary. It was impossible for Lin to master them in such a short time. This deprived Lin of the most threatening tool available to those in the realm beyond heroes. Anyone would think Lin was the least like someone from the realm beyond heroes.

Lin remained silent for a moment, then chuckled lightly.

“It can’t be helped. That’s why I have plans for what comes next.”

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“Plans for what comes next?”

“Umm…” Lin glanced at the crowded throng nearby. Due to Yisi and Camilla’s striking appearances, as well as her own masked figure, people kept looking their way. “This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s walk and talk.”

“Okay.”

Nodding lightly, Yisi took Camilla and followed Lin, who was heading into the city.

As she followed silently, Yisi began to observe Lin’s back.

Her waist-length black hair intertwined with the mysterious black veil gave Lin an aloof and cold aura. Since parting with Red and Purple, this coldness had intensified. Recently, Yisi had felt a change in Lin’s mentality, as if her non-stop battles with Yisi and Laxy over the past ten days weren’t about learning something, but simply to numb herself, to prevent herself from sinking into sorrow—in short, forcing a smile.

“You might have heard too. The scouts sent out last night to survey the surroundings didn’t return this morning. Although it’s possible they got lost in the deep mountains or were attacked by beasts, it’s more likely they were captured by people from the Empire. This means the Imperial army has already crossed into the Duchy of Chloe’s borders and might be right at the foot of the Ducal Capital now.”

“Aren’t you sending people to ascertain the facts?”

Although she said that, Yisi knew very well that the Imperial army was camped less than five kilometers from the Ducal Capital. Now, just climbing to the mountain peak would likely give a clear view of their movements.

“If it really is people from the Empire, sending out scouts to gather intelligence would just be sending them to their deaths. Better to keep them in the city and preserve our strength. Atwood already sent people to the mountaintop earlier. We should get information within fifteen minutes. If the Imperial army is indeed at the foot of the mountain, I plan to do something first. Just as Yisi and Camilla said earlier, I haven’t fully adapted to my level 60 strength yet, and my combat experience is far from sufficient. Therefore, I urgently need more realistic combat to adapt to my power. Judging by the timing, the Imperial army probably hasn’t completely settled in yet. Now is the perfect time to create chaos. I want to go to their camp and teach them a lesson. Of course, if I can wipe them out entirely with necromancy, that would be the best possible outcome.”

After speaking, Lin, wearing a thoughtful expression, looked at Yisi and Camilla, a hint of expectation in her purplish-blue eyes—she was waiting for them to agree with her plan.

A low hum came from Camilla’s throat, and she frowned slightly.

“Hmm… If you hadn’t broken through to the realm beyond heroes, I would say you were being arrogant. But now that you’re level 60, this is actually the most feasible plan. The Norta Empire’s decision-makers wouldn’t expect Lin to advance to the realm beyond heroes in such a short time. Furthermore, since their opponent is a small country like the Duchy of Chloe, they are even less likely to deploy powerhouses from the realm beyond heroes to the front lines. Ordinary individuals in the heroic domain definitely can’t stop Lin; they might even be eliminated by her instead. In this way, Lin can freely exert her strength in the Imperial camp and deal a devastating blow to their army.”

Like a wolf among sheep, before someone from the realm beyond heroes, ordinary people were just fish on a chopping block. While the slaughter-like nature of this action was undeniable, if it wasn’t done, it would be the Duchy of Chloe facing massacre and even annihilation. This world wasn’t like the one Yisi came from, where there were generally accepted rules against slaughtering civilians. Here, after defeating an enemy nation, plundering the wealth of its people, even taking them as slaves, was the established custom of this other world, reminiscent of Earth’s Dark Ages.

Camilla’s answer made Lin nod repeatedly.

“Yes, that’s what I thought too! Camilla truly lives up to being trained as a noble advisor!”

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Camilla’s frown deepened, her ruby-like eyes filled with doubt.

“But are you really going to do that? Slaughtering the Imperial soldiers will only provoke a greater backlash from the Norta Empire. In my opinion, it’s best to make the soldiers lose their will to resist, then detain them within the country as hostages. That way, you can gain a longer period of respite.”

“Yes, let’s do that! I’ll make the soldiers lay down their weapons first, then have the soldiers from the city come out to escort them! Camilla, you’re a genius!”

“It should be easy enough to think of if one calms down. Lin, you seem completely different from before. What are you thinking?”

“No, no, I was just negligent. It’s not what Camilla said.” Waving her hands hastily at Camilla, Lin’s tone was light. “Alright then, I’ll go explain this plan to the army commander first. Camilla, thank you.”

Lin’s thanks made Camilla pause, then she let out a soft hmph, turned her face slightly away, looking somewhat embarrassed, and muttered with her hand covering her lips, “…I just said a few things offhand. A plan like this that will decide the future course should probably be discussed with Atwood first.”

“I understand. In that case, let’s wait until nightfall to act. Night is more suitable for wielding necromancy.”

“Wait, Lin. Did you ask the Gospel before deciding this?”

Yisi called out to Lin, who was radiating joy and turning to leave.

Lin tilted her head with a strange look.

“No… The Gospel in Atwood’s hands cannot easily change its prophecy target. Mine isn’t in my possession either because Atwood needs it to interpret how to deal with the Empire.”

“I see. Then I’ll go with you tonight.”

“How could you! If the Imperials remember Yisi’s face, it will cause trouble for you later! Provoking the Empire is definitely not wise! You’re not a follower of the Divine Religion, Yisi; you have no obligation to help us! Besides, you’re not the type to kill, are you?”

Her eyebrows instantly shot up. Under the sunlight, the cyan scales on Lin’s face reflected an eerie light. Her anxious expression made Yisi sigh.

“Relax. I won’t attack the Imperials with you. At most, I’ll just watch from afar. Think of me as a lookout. Speaking of which, after you make the soldiers surrender, you won’t be able to notify the people in the Ducal Capital, right? With me nearby, as soon as I see the soldiers lay down their weapons, I can return to the capital and have the city soldiers go out to escort the surrendering Imperial soldiers back.”

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“A lookout… We’re not stealing anything. Well, fine. Just notifying the people in the city probably won’t get your face remembered by the soldiers. With Red and Purple gone, I do need a companion who can help communicate… But as a Cardinal of the Ymir Church, will helping our Divine Religion cause problems for you? Position-wise.”

“No, I always act based on my personal stance, unrelated to my identity. You don’t need to worry, Lin.”

Her shoulders slumped slightly. Lin let out a small sigh of relief and smiled.

“Then I’m relieved. Before the operation tonight, I’ll come notify you.”

“Okay. You should go discuss it with Atwood soon too.”

Tilting her head slightly, Yisi smiled and saw Lin off. When Lin disappeared down the street, she took a deep breath.

“Onee-sama, did you notice something?”

“No… it’s nothing. Tonight, Camilla, just stay in the mansion. I have to go out for a bit. I’ll be back at night.”

“Do you need me to prepare bathwater? The farmers have all fled. There might not be any milk or flower petals today…”

Still thinking about milk at a time like this. Yisi found it amusing and gently patted Camilla’s head.

“I’ll definitely be back late at night. You should go to sleep first, Camilla.”

“Can I sleep in your bed first? It’ll be warmer when you return. Ah, I’ll go back to my own room afterward. Onee-sama doesn’t need to worry.”

“Then your room will be cold when you go back.”

“Then I’ll spend the night with Onee-sama…”

“No, let’s not. Just have Laxy warm up the room with fire magic.” Feeling exasperated by her overly affectionate sister, Yisi gave Camilla a wry smile and waved her hand. “Go back now.”