Chapter Seventy-Seven: Miss Queen Is On the Attack!

Since Miss Vilyric, who has the closest relationship with Xiao Guang, suggested a sufficient preparation time of three days, the Tree Bow and Tree Wall, who were too rushed to gather personnel, naturally had no reason to refuse. After detailed discussions and establishing a specific action plan, they each went off to prepare.

After that, as dusk set in, Vilyric took the already registered Mithril-level adventurers, Miss Le Qiao Qiao and Hong Yan, and set off on the way back to the inn.

“Boss, do we really have to wait that long? I know our little ancestor is powerful… but she’s still a child. If she has to sleep so long every day without food, wouldn’t she be very hungry? What if those bad guys use despicable methods to bully her…”

Looking at the Miss Thief, who was filled with worries and had lost her carefree smile, resembling a fifty-year-old aunt constantly nagging, Vilyric felt a bit helpless.

“I told you, Xiao Guang’s disappearance isn’t your fault. There’s no need to feel so guilty. As for your worries, I can only say her needs for food and sleep aren’t exactly as you think; it’s not like she would die without them.”

“In any case, trust her a bit more. This level of training isn’t too intense for that child… But do you really want to participate in the action? That could take a long time and possibly involve quite a bit of danger. As for the specific direction, I can’t grasp it right now. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the Holy Empire?”

Hong Yan shook her head seriously.

“With something like this happening, do you think we can just leave without care? Maybe to Miss Vilyric, Qiao Qiao and I are just optional players, but we have to try and see if we can be of any help. Those who forge swords only seek to act with a clear conscience.”

Following her, Miss Thief also rubbed her head sheepishly.

“I’m pretty much saying the same thing… I was only thinking that always following the boss doesn’t seem to bring any sense of urgency for adventure or growth since you’re so amazing, so I wanted to go out and try on my own. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity?”

“I see…”

Vilyric pondered and nodded, then seemed to notice something, raising an eyebrow and slowly stopping as she motioned with her lips toward the two.

“You two should go back. I want to take a walk alone in the city, so you don’t have to wait for me for dinner.”

“Ah?”

This sudden statement left Le Qiao Qiao slightly stunned, but Hong Yan, who understood the situation better, quickly nodded and took the initiative to pull the Miss Thief forward.

“Got it. The city isn’t very peaceful, so please be careful.”

“Hehe, don’t worry~”

“Hey? Wait! I still don’t fully understand! Hey, don’t drag me away!!!”

The two girls’ noisy figures quickly disappeared at the street’s end. Watching them get along so well, Vilyric couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head slightly before turning and walking in a different direction.

As the coastal city of Leila is built by the sea, its architecture, culture, and lifestyle naturally brim with marine elements. The salty breeze from the sea flows continuously through the air; while it may not be as obvious as on the ocean’s surface, it’s an especially notable characteristic compared to the cities on the continent.

At this moment, dusk was upon them, and some mobile vendors were already tidying up and counting products, preparing to close and head home. Of course, many night stalls were just beginning to push their carts out, taking over the positions of those daylight stalls and getting ready for business.

Most people wore smiles on their faces, filled with hope for the future and visions of a good life. The city’s essence reflects in these little moments.

The coastal city of Leila, no matter the problems or challenges it currently faces, appears to be a peaceful, prosperous city where people can live and work happily.

Until the shadows, known only to a few, are revealed.

Unbeknownst to when, Vilyric had already passed through the throngs of people, crossed the street, and walked into an alley gradually darkened by the setting sun. She made her way deeper into the alley until there was no one around. Finally, she stopped, calmly gazing at the dead-end wall, and spoke softly.

“Should be time to come out, right?”

“Glub glub…”

As soon as her words faded, a series of irregular black protrusions slowly rose from her shadow cast on the ground, but soon after, the dark shadows wrapping them rapidly dissipated, revealing the true form within.

It was a person.

A very beautiful young woman.

She had short, blue-gray hair like a shadow and was wrapped head to toe in a black tight-fitting fabric that allowed for smooth movement, perfectly conforming to her skin and outlining her feminine curves. At her back hung two finely crafted swords of differing lengths, and despite standing there, she emitted no presence whatsoever—expressionless, as if merely a lifeless doll.

Glancing back at her, Vilyric thought for a moment, and her first words were a complete head-scratcher.

“Um… oh, I remember now… the moon hangs high in the sky?”

“Shadow born of darkness, correct passphrase, pay respect to Miss Vilyric.”

At that moment, the woman with blue-gray hair knelt on one knee and lowered her head respectfully, relaxing her slight guard and readiness.

“Alright, alright, get up. No need to call me ‘Your Highness’; I’m not some noble… so you must be the shadow guard sent by Liliya to help, right? Your strength is impressive; what’s your name?”

The cold woman stood up, her attitude still respectful and unchanged.

“Your Majesty commanded that when outside, seeing you is akin to seeing the Queen, thus the title ‘Your Highness’ is quite fitting. I do not have a name; please call me ‘Shadow’ instead.”

“Shadow, huh? Alright… as long as you’re happy.”

Just as they had conversed earlier, this person was a shadow guard, one of the most elite and covert forces under the current Queen Liliya Meikailande of the United Kingdom.

More than a month ago, after temporarily resolving the Emerald Sea Region issue and preparing to head back to the mainland, Vilyric specifically used the Portal set in Princess Nitira’s room to visit the City of Courage in the United Kingdom, primarily to request Miss Queen to prepare some clothes suitable for the young transformation of Xiao Guang.

As one of the most trusted by the Priestess, although she hadn’t laid out everything, Vilyric had shared plenty of secrets and plans with Liliya.

Upon learning they intended to land in the coastal city of Leila in the Ost Empire and stay there for a while to rest, Miss Queen immediately volunteered, stating that there was indeed a shadow intelligence agency set up by the United Kingdom within that city, and she could conveniently send a competent shadow guard currently on a mission in the Ost Empire to help her with some small tasks.

In truth, Vilyric could tell that helping was one thing, but Liliya probably wanted to further grasp her movements to prevent another instance of disappearing without a word like last time.

Despite having some small thoughts, it was still a good intention, and the Priestess agreed to it.

Liliya provided the previous contact code and indicated that the shadow guard would seek her out upon arrival. Vilyric had been puzzled lately… it had been over a week since they docked; where was the promised shadow guard? Surely she hadn’t been left hanging, or something?

Until today, sensing that peculiar feeling of being watched during her return and seeing before her this seemingly worn-out shadow guard, and detecting the deep-rooted legendary aura within her, Vilyric finally realized.

Wow… this really is “just coming to help out a bit.”

   

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