Cecile, the Wind Devourer—her title alone revealed little of its true meaning.

Cecile raised her longsword before her chest, steam billowing from her body. The keen-eyed would notice—

All wind within a ten-mile radius had vanished.

And with the wind, people disappeared too.

To every onlooker, Cecile seemed to evaporate like steam on the spot.

Only the glinting silver blade and splattering crimson wolf blood remained,

Woven into a symphony of sorrow by the Azure Wind Wolves’ dying howls.

“So this is the power of a Radiant Ten Stars Wind Devourer… Huh. Makes no sense to me.”

Ryosuke’s gaze lingered on the battle below, but his mind stayed locked onto that lingering presence nearby.

Unlike Dilu, Ryosuke couldn’t briefly expand his domain to pinpoint the intruder.

But the other side couldn’t either—or they’d have charged straight for him.

Judging by aura alone, it was likely a sixth-tier magical beast.

Another sharp wolf howl pierced the air. The Azure Wind Wolves retreated in perfect formation.

Wind swirled gently over the ashen grass without warning. A red-haired woman in rose-patterned light armor reappeared in Ryosuke’s sight.

Steam still hissed from her armor…

Cecile’s expression turned grim. From the wolf pack emerged a singular giant—

The Azure Wind Wolf King.

“Oh! *That* guy!”

Ryosuke wore a face that said *Exactly as expected*, watching the fight below with keen interest.

“Shouldn’t the Wolf King be deep in the forest? This is just the outskirts.”

Cecile tensed. The Radiant Ten Stars represented youth, not invincibility. A sixth-tier beast equaled a human Fighter King.

And Cecile? Merely a Great Fighter. Her place among the Ten Stars relied entirely on her bond with the wind.

Facing this overwhelming foe, retreat already flickered in her mind.

The Wolf King acted strangely. Its ghostly eyes scanned the surroundings, ignoring Cecile completely—as if searching for something.

“How dare you ignore this princess…”

Cecile couldn’t stay still. Thick steam erupted around her, her form blurring until she vanished.

The Wolf King shot a sideways glare. Its right claw slashed empty air—

And sent a red figure flying.

—Cecile.

She slammed into several maple trees before crumpling to the ground.

Ryosuke sighed, watching the unconscious Cecile. He leaped down from his branch.

The Wolf King had meant to finish the insolent girl, but that terrifying aura stirred again. It retreated several steps, wary.

Ryosuke stood in human form now, his beastly aura fully suppressed. Only high-tier beasts could see through his disguise.

“Stop gawking, dumb wolf! This young master stands right here!”

Ryosuke glared up at the beast. *I’m in front of you—what are you even looking for?*

“Awooo?”

The Wolf King let out an almost human sound of disbelief. Its jaw dropped. It scrambled backward four steps, blinking rapidly at the tiny figure before it.

“Can you even speak human, you dumb wolf?”

“Awooo…”

Its tone turned wheedling. Probably meant *no*.

“What’s your name?”

“Awooo~”

“Argh!” Ryosuke slapped his forehead. The Wolf King flinched back twenty paces. “I nearly exposed my own stupidity trying to chat with a beast in human tongue!”

*[Uh… too late? Eh, whatever…]*

Ryosuke walked to Cecile. Seeing her pain-twisted face, he thought: *Serves you right.*

He hoisted her up like a sack of potatoes and slung her over his shoulder.

“Well then. Farewell.”

“Awooo!”

A howl echoed behind him. Ryosuke turned, eyes sharp.

“What? Got a problem with me taking her?”

The Wolf King whimpered once, then vanished into the forest depths. The remaining wolves disappeared like mist.

Ryosuke sighed softly. “What was that beast even doing out here… Wait. Is this supposed to be comedy?”

“Yeah! That’s gotta be it!”

The ever-entertained Sima Luan Tong strode out of Ashen Forest, the unconscious Radiant Ten Star slung over his shoulder. Ahead, dust clouds rose. Hoofbeats thundered closer…

***

Next evening.

Inside Princess Cecile’s palace in Xianglong City, a series of ear-splitting shrieks tore through the air.

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Time seemed to freeze for half a second. On an icy crystal bed, a graceful red-haired woman and an elderly man in lavish robes stared at each other.

“Magru! What are you screaming about!”

“Oh! Beautiful Princess! Forgive this servant’s lapse! Your sudden awakening startled me, and I just… you know…”

“Just *what*?!”

Cecile seethed. She remembered fighting the Azure Wind Wolf King, getting swatted unconscious—and waking up here.

“Did the knights bring me back?”

“Indeed, Princess! Heaven’s mercy! Your retainer knight #208 found you and a silver-haired youth collapsed roadside. Such fate! It was his birthday that very day…”

“Magru! Have you been a butler too long?! Get to the point!”

“Yes!”

“Speak!”

“Done.”

“Hah? Magru! Are you joking with this princess?!”

“Never.”

“Then speak properly!”

“Done.”

“You—!”

Cecile felt unusually fiery today. Steam began rising from her skin. *Did they pump me full of heat-inducing medicine while I was out?*

“Princess, please calm down! May this humble servant utter a sentence exceeding thirteen words?”

Cecile clutched her throbbing head. Her slip’s strap had slid off one shoulder.

“Magru! That sentence *already* had fourteen words! Stop counting and talk!”

Seeing the middle-aged butler start counting on his wrinkled fingers, Cecile cut him off.

“‘Did the knights bring me back?’ ‘Yes.’”

“Good…” Cecile’s arms dropped limply. “You even copied my tone and expression perfectly, Magru.”

She swayed, trying to rise. Magru rushed to hold her down.

“Princess! You mustn’t move! Your fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae are misaligned. They need time to settle.”

“Hah? Sounds serious?”

“Rest assured, one week’s recovery will suffice.”

“One week for *that*? Whatever…”

Cecile’s mind flashed to that detestable pretty boy. Her teeth clenched.

“Magru! Help me! Capture that pretty-faced brat!”

“Pretty-faced? Ah! You mean your savior! His family is currently receiving the city lord’s audience.”

“Savior? What nonsense are you spouting, Magru?”

“He carried you out of Ashen Forest, Princess.”

“That kid’s still here?”

Cecile fell silent. That insolent brat had used her as bait! The memory of his silver hair and that obnoxious “this young master” catchphrase made her grind her teeth.

“Damn it! Just a kid! And he stole so much from me… I’m so furious!!!”

“Princess, calm—”

“Calm nothing! Where are they?!”

“Well… Princess, you really shouldn’t—”

“Magru…”

“In… in the banquet hall… Captain Ace is there too!”

“Oh~~~ That old fossil’s present? Then this princess *must* attend!”

“But Princess! Your back!”

The elderly butler lunged to restrain the restless princess—only grasping wisps of steam.

The next moment, Princess Cecile stood at the doorway, clutching an elegant evening gown.

“Thank you for your service, Magru. Farewell.”

She flashed a sweet smile over her shoulder, then dissolved into steam once more.

“Disaster…”

Magru seemed to age decades in seconds. His trembling hand pulled a blue crystal from his pocket. Slowly, deliberately, he crushed it.

It wasn’t just the crystal shattering—

It was his already broken heart…

Two tears traced paths down his wrinkled cheeks…

***

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall…

The spacious hall held only six or seven guests. Among them sat Sima Luan Tong, the dragon-girl Alfa, and the giant Apsen.

At the head sat Xianglong City’s lord. To his left sat city officials; to his right, familiar faces:

Captain Ace of the Crimson Mercenary Corps and his officers.

Throughout the feast, Ryosuke only spared polite nods for the city lord’s thanks, otherwise drinking steadily. Alfa chirped “meow” while playing with a crystal cup. Apsen methodically devoured plate after plate of lamb legs.

Most conversation flowed between the city lord and Crimson Mercenaries. Captain Ace had initially greeted Ryosuke’s “father” politely—but received only silence. After that, he stopped trying.

Shockingly, the trio showed zero discomfort in their situation. One could only sigh:

…*Truly, blood runs thick.*

*Crack.*

The city lord’s blue crystal ring shattered without warning.

“Magru failed. Notify logistics—dock his salary this month! Useless man!”

The aged lord grumbled. All present watched him with reverence.

Since the Iceflower Evil God Dragon incident, Xianglong City’s fame had eclipsed the other two main cities.

It was poised to become the continent’s greatest.

One could only say—

*What a perfectly timed name change.*

The old lord raised another toast. But those in the know understood—

The storm was coming…