Vol 4. Chapter 44: Xiao’s Unease

Inside the garden,

Elven Prince Audom was quietly sitting in the pavilion, and the person he was currently meeting was none other than the nominal Young Lady of the Black Rose Family.

To tell the truth, Audom just wanted to give up. He didn't want to resist anymore.

After all, when facing monsters like those from the Black Rose Family, his resistance was fucking useless anyway.

People often said that when facing a powerful enemy, one should have the courage to resist, so that at least one could die with a little more dignity. But Audom knew perfectly well that when facing these animals from the Black Rose Family, resisting would only bring him even greater humiliation.

Just look at his brother, who resisted them from morning till night, only to get hung up and beaten every single time, losing every last shred of dignity...

In short,

Audom had only one objective in coming to the Black Rose Family's camp this time—to protect his own miserable life...

The thought that a noble elf like himself was actually living such a suffocating existence made Audom want to cry...

However,

after Xiao brought him here and he saw Lady Yumo, Audom instinctively froze for a moment.

"She... A girl this beautiful... is actually an Abyss Demon?"

Audom had met Yumo once before.

Back then, in his eyes, Yumo had simply been a mastermind pretending to be innocent! She had definitely been the sinister and vicious type!

However,

after undergoing Xiao's 'training' over the past two days, Audom couldn't help feeling that the girl before him genuinely seemed harmless, even rather innocent and adorable.

Otherwise, Xiao wouldn't have needed to spend so much time rehearsing their stories with him...

But that guy... specifically went through all this trouble to make sure our stories matched, and then there's that completely genuine respectful expression of his...

At this thought, Audom couldn't help narrowing his eyes slightly.

In his view, although this black-haired girl was innocent, she was unquestionably the true mastermind behind the Black Rose Family.

Xiao was definitely afraid of her! Otherwise, there would be no need to fabricate so many lies!

If I tell the girl in front of me the truth, then maybe...??

...

For a moment, a bold idea surfaced in Audom's mind.

Perhaps the elves could finally free themselves from the Black Rose Family's oppression?!

At this thought, a flash of wild delight involuntarily appeared in Audom's eyes.

However,

just as Audom was considering this plan, an eerie voice abruptly entered his mind through telepathy.

"Your Highness, don't start thinking about unrealistic things~"

?!?

The instant those words sounded, Audom shuddered all over and couldn't help trembling as he glanced sideways at the black-haired man beside him.

At this very moment,

the black-haired man was staring at him meaningfully, seemingly having seen straight through Audom's thoughts. He even raised a hand and affectionately patted Audom's shoulder.

Although his face still bore the same friendly smile as always, Audom could read an intense threat within that smile.

It was as though Xiao were reminding him:

Before you speak, think carefully about the consequences...

...

For a moment, Xiao's warning from yesterday once again echoed in Audom's ears, making his entire body tremble while also causing the Elven Prince to question his own judgment.

If

he really did 'report everything to the highest authority,' would that actually be enough to stop the Black Rose Family?

Judging from the intimate way the black-haired girl had greeted Xiao earlier, their relationship was undoubtedly extraordinary. They were probably something akin to 'family.'

Even if the black-haired girl became furious over everything the Black Rose Family had done, she probably wouldn't deal ruthlessly with her own family for the sake of outsiders like them...

At most, she would probably teach the Black Rose Family a lesson or reprimand them.

And then?

The Black Rose Family would suffer, at most, some insignificant damage that barely hurt them.

But what about the elves?

They might suffer the Black Rose Family's terrifying retaliation...

Recalling the bone-chilling coldness contained in Xiao's words at the time, Audom completely abandoned the idea in his mind.

Forget it...

He... didn't dare take that risk...

He didn't have the confidence.

And so,

on the verge of tears, Audom swallowed the words that had reached his lips. Suppressing the sorrow in his heart, he forced himself to smile at the black-haired girl.

His gloomy state of mind even caused the light to fade from his eyes, leaving them vacant and hollow...

Then, while Xiao affectionately patted him on the shoulder, the handsome prince revealed a smile uglier than crying and waved at the black-haired girl.

"H-Hello... Lady Yumo..."

"Welcome, Your Highness Prince Audom."

Lady Yumo revealed an elegant and noble smile without the slightest reservation.

...

...

As far as Lady Yumo was concerned, upon meeting the elves, the girl couldn't help marveling at the profound friendship between the Black Rose Family and the elven race.

After several elven attendants entered the garden and greeted her, they were enthusiastically dragged away to 'catch up' by several of their close friends within the Black Rose Family.

Meanwhile, Elven Prince Audom approached Yumo with Xiao's arm slung around his shoulders.

Seeing the two chatting and laughing together left Yumo rather satisfied.

"Looks like Xiao really has made some pretty good friends~"

Lady Yumo couldn't help thinking to herself.

However,

after chatting for about ten minutes and expressing the gratitude she felt toward the elves, Yumo couldn't help frowning.

This is... strange...

When I saw this Elven Prince in the cave before, wasn't he still brimming with energy?

So why... now? Why does he look so lifeless and utterly exhausted?

Calling him half-dead wouldn't even be an exaggeration.

"Are you all right, Your Highness Prince Audom? Why do you look so listless?"

"Huh?"

Audom responded blankly.

Although he appeared vacant on the surface,

inside, Audom couldn't help launching into a torrent of profanity.

?!

Huh!?

Why do I look listless?! You've got the fucking nerve to ask?! Isn't it all because you damn Black Rose bastards have been tormenting me like crazy these past few days?! Not only have you spent all day threatening me until I'm mentally and physically exhausted, you even gave me entire fucking books of lines to memorize?! I haven't had a proper fucking rest in days! How the hell could I possibly look energetic?!

Audom roared hysterically inside his heart.

Of course,

no matter how loudly he screamed internally, Audom maintained a cheerful smile on the surface.

Then, after searching through his mind for the 'lines' Xiao had given him, Audom shook his head with feigned 'helplessness.'

"It can't be helped, Lady Yumo. After suffering the attack of the Abyss Demon horde, we had nearly exhausted all our magical power and were already completely worn out. On top of that, these past few days, we've continuously been helping treat the wounded refugees from Skyvault. That's how I ended up with these dark circles..."

As he spoke, Audom gave a bitter smile and raised a hand to rub his panda-like eyes.

"You're... already this tired. Shouldn't you get some proper rest?"

"It's all right. I simply couldn't bear to watch innocent people suffering, so I wanted to lend them a hand. Although it's been somewhat exhausting, seeing them recover their health... still makes us quite happy."

"I see..."

Lady Yumo couldn't help nodding repeatedly as she cast Audom an approving gaze.

As expected of the elves, who've always been so warmhearted.

That spirit of selfless dedication really is admirable!

Lady Yumo couldn't help sighing with admiration inwardly.

"Then... you really need to get some proper rest. Your health is your most important asset, after all."

Meanwhile, seeing the black-haired girl's completely unquestioning expression, Audom couldn't help twitching his brows slightly.

She... She actually believed that?!

Everyone on the continent who knew anything about elves knew that the elven race had always disliked interfering in other people's affairs. Although they wouldn't actively harm others, they generally wouldn't choose to help them either.

He claimed that they had been helping with rescue efforts?

And this girl actually believed him?

Could it be that, in her eyes, the elves genuinely were some warmhearted race that loved helping others?

How... did she ever get that impression of us?

...

No, don't tell me... it's because of him...

As though realizing something, Audom nervously glanced from the corner of his eye at the black-haired man beside him.

Considering that practically every word he was saying right now had been written by this Black Rose Duke, Audom couldn't help feeling chills run through him.

He can predict so accurately exactly what this young lady is going to ask...

Then this young lady's impression of the elves must also have something to do with the Black Rose Duke.

'Deceiving your own superior? What the hell kind of organizational structure is this...'

Audom couldn't help complaining inwardly.

Although he had roughly figured out part of the truth, Audom certainly didn't have the courage to expose it.

While firmly committing this matter to memory, the Elven Prince gave the girl a grateful look.

"Thank you for your concern, Lady Yumo. We'll be sure to take care of ourselves."

The moment those words left his mouth,

Xiao, who was standing beside him, rose with a cheerful smile and looked toward the black-haired girl with a slightly apologetic and helpless expression.

"Sigh, since the Elven Prince is already this exhausted, Lady Yumo, perhaps we shouldn't insist on keeping him here as a guest. We should let His Highness Audom return and rest."

"Huh? That's... a little disappointing... but... all right... His health is more important, after all."

Hearing this, Yumo couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

Yumo still had many things she was curious about regarding the mysterious elven race.

Although she still had plenty of questions she wanted to ask Audom, it really wouldn't be appropriate if he was this exhausted.

After thinking for a moment, the considerate Lady Yumo ultimately agreed with Xiao.

"In that case, Your Highness Audom, you should head back early and get some proper rest. Don't exhaust yourself too much."

"Mm. Thank you for your concern, Lady Yumo."

"Then, Lady Yumo, I'll escort His Highness Audom back first."

After giving a respectful smile,

Xiao once again hooked an arm around Audom and turned around, preparing to leave the garden.

At the same time as he turned around, an almost imperceptible smile slowly appeared on Xiao's face.

As expected,

Lady Yumo's reaction was almost exactly as he had predicted~

After secretly rejoicing for a moment, Xiao planned to send Audom away as quickly as possible.

Although he had made plenty of preparations beforehand, to minimize the possibility of being exposed, it was still best to get Audom out of here as soon as possible.

Fortunately, Xiao had tormented Audom quite thoroughly recently, making him genuinely look like a half-dead man completely drained of strength...

However,

just as Xiao was thinking this,

Lady Yumo's next words made his entire body tremble.

"Oh, right, Your Highness Audom. Didn't the elves say that you came to Skyvault this time to give some kind of Holy Sword to the Child of Destiny? Could I take a look at that Holy Sword?"

Hearing those words,

Xiao's ass abruptly clenched, and a drop of cold sweat immediately trickled down his forehead...

"Lady Yumo... wants to see that Holy Sword he'd personally trained?"