Chapter 74: Hi, Long Time No See

“Whew… whew… that scared the life out of me… What the hell are those monsters? This damned place, the Holy Empire, is truly not for the faint-hearted, every creature is more outrageous than the last!”

Having fled back at lightning speed to the temporary safe haven it had set up in Mingguang City—a highly concealed underground chamber—Plakaka peeled off the nearly drenched black cloak of the Nightwalker, collapsing onto the bed and gasping for air.

It was a truly hair-raising escape.

That bizarre white fox was the monster of all monsters.

The Saint of Bright Light, the succubus Chloé, including that old guy who served as the president of the Lingyin Merchant Association, even that pseudo-god-level demon lord summoned with one foot in the door… These characters were undoubtedly strong, but even if Plakaka lacked confidence in defeating them in a head-on confrontation, at least it knew how to run away—after all, that was a specialty of a ratfolk!

The strength of these masters had a visible boundary; they were strong enough to sense but not strong enough to be trifled with.

But that masked white fox was entirely different; when it unveiled its true aura and power, summoning that terrifying black sphere that nearly stopped Plakaka’s breath, it felt no threat from this creature at all!

What was even more horrifying was that its proud talents of invisibility and diminished presence seemed utterly useless before this vixen. Plakaka had thought it was hiding perfectly well after hearing a warning, yet it could still be effortlessly locked onto!

Its survival instincts screamed at it with certainty; had it not acted decisively to reveal itself and beg for mercy, that ghost-like black sphere floating in the air would surely have splattered its rat brain into mush at the end of the countdown—no escape, no defense.

This kind of absolutely overwhelming pressure that made even the thought of resistance impossible was something Plakaka had only ever felt from Lord Vilyric, the one who had given it this second chance at life—a presence beyond common reason or imagination.

Maybe… it should just make up an excuse and sneak back to the United Kingdom to save face?

“Oh, little queen, it’s not that I’m not working hard, but if this keeps up, my life is really in jeopardy…”

Exhausted and slumped against the somewhat hard bedboard, Mr. Ratfolk sighed helplessly as it reflected on recent encounters.

And just then, as if responding to its voice of despair, a light and beautiful young girl’s voice suddenly echoed in the previously empty and utterly secretive underground chamber.

【Long time no see, your timid nature hasn’t changed a bit, Plakaka~】

“Who?!”

Almost reflexively, the ratfolk tensed up, its sharp claws shooting out as it crouched low by the bed, its keen eyes quickly scanning the dimly lit, small underground chamber, especially the hidden exit, ready to spring into action or escape at a moment’s notice.

Of course, it had to confirm the enemy’s position and intent first; being good at fleeing made Plakaka painfully aware that it shouldn’t just run at the first sign of an enemy. Exposing a vulnerable back would only hasten its demise.

However, it found nothing; the sparsely decorated basement remained empty and silent, and aside from itself, there seemed to be no other living beings around.

This shocked Plakaka.

Though it was afraid of dying, it didn’t mean it was cowardly. When facing an enemy that completely crushed it, it could only rely on begging for a slender chance at survival, but as long as there was still hope, Plakaka preferred to fight for its survival through its own efforts.

Thus, the most important thing now was to find out who had just spoken; everything else could wait.

The girl’s melodious voice chimed again, sounding as if she had no intention of being haunting.

【What’s the matter? You can’t remember me after such a short time?】

This time, Mr. Ratfolk suddenly realized.

No wonder it had searched the basement without seeing anyone; that voice had been speaking directly in its mind!

Wait, this incomprehensible, seemingly god-like power, and the increasingly familiar subtle sensation in the voice…

Hesitating, Plakaka cautiously muttered to itself in the basement.

“Are you… Lord Vilyric?”

【Oh my, I thought you really forgot! So you still remember my name?】

“Is it really you?!”

Like it had suddenly found a giant safety net, Mr. Ratfolk felt a rush of excitement, but quickly calmed down, glancing around the empty space, pondering for a moment, then carefully asked again.

“Um… can this little rat dare to ask where and when we first met?”

The cheerful voice in its mind carried a hint of laughter.

【Hmm, afraid I’m a fake trying to trick you? Let me think… Ah, it was probably during the Western War between the United Kingdom of Humans and the Beast Kingdom over a year ago! Back then, I was temporarily serving as the bodyguard to the princess, Liliya, and we met in the basin called Tapeya. I remember at the time, this prestigious lord of yours didn’t even fight back and just begged for mercy! Later…】

“Okay, okay! I get it, I get it! Wow, wow, wow! You are indeed Lord Vilyric, please don’t say anymore!!!”

Having been reminded of an embarrassing past, Mr. Ratfolk quickly interrupted the priestess in its mind, then questioned with some confusion.

“By the way, Lord Vilyric, weren’t you doing something in the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons a while back? How come you’re already back in the Holy Kingdom’s western capital, Mingguang? What is this…?”

【Hmm… just a little trick to convey thoughts, my real body isn’t here. I noticed you were in that ancient castle, so I thought I’d drop by to say hello.】

Plakaka, being a very astute rat, instantly grasped the meaning of those words, nearly gasping in reflex.

“Oh! So that white… cough, that Miss White Fox let me go because you intervened?!”

【Yep! Otherwise? She… is rather a good friend of mine. Because she has some matters to attend to alone, she temporarily agreed to look after my companion, plus we have some means of communication between us. Otherwise, you’d be in trouble tonight.】

“Got it! Thank you, Lord Vilyric, for saving my life!”

Dramatically, Mr. Ratfolk threw itself to the ground, worshipping the empty space before it.

After all, it would be foolish not to cling to a big thigh; if a certain priestess was willing to help, then for Plakaka, completing Her Majesty the Queen’s mission would be as easy as pie.

【What are you bowing for? I’m not even there. Alright, let’s hear about your situation; how’s the task given by Liliya coming along?】

“Um, it’s… it’s…”

   

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