Moonlight spilled across the ground like water. The battle outside the city was too far away for anyone here to notice it just yet.

“Are you satisfied?” Yixing carried Greya on her back and walked slowly toward home.

“No.” Greya clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms. The resentment in her heart burned like fire.

“Why?” Yixing asked, his expression still unchanged.

“So many people died for me... I don’t deserve what they did for me. I haven’t avenged them, or my parents! How can you expect me to be satisfied? How can I close my eyes and rest in peace? If... if only I’d been stronger, as strong as you... If I hadn’t been so foolish, I could’ve seen through Kelai’s scheme sooner... Whenever I close my eyes, they’re all there in front of me! I don’t want to die like this! I don’t want Kelai to take my throne and gloat about it! I’m not satisfied. I’m not!” Each word came through tears of blood, each cry full of anguish. Greya sobbed until she could barely speak. In just one night, she seemed to have grown much more mature.

“Fourteen personal guards, and all those royal guards... So many people have already sacrificed themselves for me. Too many!” Greya choked on her words, then broke down crying without holding back.

“I’ll help you.” Yixing sighed and spoke softly to the person on his back.

“Then why... didn’t you help me just now? You were watching the whole time, weren’t you...? Xihe died, and you just watched her die.” Greya’s voice was weak. She knew that if she wanted Yixing’s help, she shouldn’t say this. But she couldn’t stop herself from questioning him, even though... she had no right to. After she said it, perhaps the tension that had kept her going finally eased now that they were out of danger. Or perhaps she was simply too exhausted after pushing herself past her limits. Either way, Greya’s head lolled to one side and she lost consciousness. She couldn’t tell whether she’d fallen asleep or passed out.

“Is she dead?” Yixing asked calmly. Ahead of them, Ragdoll was carrying the badly wounded Xihe. Ragdoll was a renowned expert on the bounty list. She couldn’t take on a ninth-circle mage head-to-head, but rescuing someone from his grasp was well within her abilities.

“Dora...” Ragdoll started to say, but immediately clamped her mouth shut. Yixing had already told her not to call him that, so she quickly corrected herself. “Yixing, just as you instructed, I’ve brought this person back alive!”

Yixing gave a slight nod. “Well done. Let’s head back first.”

“Xihe!” Calling out to the person she’d been worrying about, Greya bolted upright in bed. Cold sweat soaked through her clothes, and her underwear showed through the wet fabric. She gasped for breath, her head throbbing with pain. The aftereffects of pushing her magic past its limits last night might last a whole week.

“Your Highness.” A familiar face appeared before her.

Surprise, confusion, and all kinds of emotions swirled inside her. But in the end, joy won out. She threw her arms around Xihe and silently began to cry, unable to say a word. It was as if something had lodged in her throat.

“That’s enough, Your Highness. This isn’t the time to cling to me. Please, be dignified.” Xihe smiled, gently pushed Greya away, and stood up.

The sun was already high in the sky. Its light fell upon the two elven girls, making them look especially sacred.

The personal guard had changed into clothes that fit her, and her wounds had somehow already healed. Unlike the princess’s slender build, she was tall and straight-backed, with an imposing air about her. She was like a flower blooming on a high peak, like a lily in full bloom. Her appearance was every bit as beautiful as an elf’s natural advantages promised; her pale golden hair and fair skin were impossible to look away from.

She was every bit as beautiful as her princess, and her chest was especially impressive—it was more than a whole size larger.

Just then, Awei'er came over from the side carrying some food. She smiled warmly and set it down nearby. “Um... I made something to eat. I don’t know if it’ll suit your tastes...”

While the people upstairs were enjoying a peaceful moment, Ragdoll sat anxiously in the basement, waiting for Yixing to question her.

“So the Non-God Society, the group you belong to, is currently hunting me?” Yixing tapped on the table, his expression blank.

“Yes, Do... Yixing.” Ragdoll cautiously raised her head to study his expression.

“Um, if you told them who you really are, they’d definitely call it off immediately,” Ragdoll suggested.

Yixing shook his head. “I don’t want anything to do with that identity. Are you loyal to the Non-God Society?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m loyal... but there’s someone there who’s very important to me.” A tender look crossed Ragdoll’s face, though it vanished in an instant.

“Then go back and tell the Non-God Society that... they can’t afford to mess with me.” Yixing stood up. “And don’t connect me to that identity. Understand?”

“Y-you’re really going to let me go just like that?” Ragdoll was stunned. She’d thought that after exposing the big shot’s secret, she might have to spend the rest of her life living in his shadow!

“If you stay here, I’ll have to feed one more person. I’m just a humble nobody—how could I afford that? Go on, go. And remember to tell the Non-God Society not to come looking for trouble with me again.” Yixing waved her off, urging her to leave.

“Understood! Thank you! I’ll make sure the Non-God Society backs off. A mere Leng Qianfeng isn’t worth making an enemy of you over!” Ragdoll bowed gratefully. Then her body rippled, and she transformed back into a young man. The battle technique she’d cultivated really was extraordinary.

Battle techniques are a way of training, created by people who can’t use magic. They aren’t as varied or versatile as magic, but they let people fully draw on the power of their own bodies and grow stronger. This gives high-level warriors a chance to compete with mages. They may not match mages in versatility, but when it comes to pure combat strength, they aren’t far behind.

After receiving Yixing’s assurance, she thanked him again, then fled as fast as she could. It seemed the name Dora B Meng had really scared her.

With the matter involving the Non-God Society apparently settled, Yixing left the basement and went upstairs. He planned to see how Greya was doing.

When he reached the room, Yixing was a little surprised to hear laughter and conversation inside. The three girls had gotten along well in a short time. Awei'er’s friendly nature had probably played a big part in that.

When Yixing entered the room, Xihe, the royal guard, was the first to notice him. Her senses were sharp, but she merely stood up to show her respect and said nothing.

Awei'er noticed him next. She jumped up happily and hurried over. “Lord Yixing! You’re here!”

Greya was the next to notice him. She quickly stood up. “Thank you for saving us! The Firster Court will always remember your help!”

Yixing patted Awei'er on the head. As the girl smiled happily, he walked forward and asked coolly, “The Firster Court? Can you speak for the Firster Court now?”

Greya froze at his words. She lowered her head, her expression darkening. “I can’t... Not now...”

“No! Sir, she can!” Xihe interrupted Greya and stepped forward. She looked straight at Yixing without the slightest fear. “She is the voice of the Firster Court, the ruler of the elves, and the sole heir to the crown!”

Xihe was an impressive person. Even facing Yixing, she didn’t waver in the slightest. She knew exactly how powerful he was. But she also knew that if the princess lost faith in herself and relied entirely on the man before them to restore her rule, then even if she succeeded in reclaiming the crown, it would mean nothing. A country wasn’t truly ruled by the crown itself, but by the person wearing it.

Greya wasn’t stupid. Seeing Xihe stand her ground like that, she immediately understood what she meant. She swung her legs off the bed and lifted her chin like a swan. After rubbing her face, she gathered her courage and pulled herself together. Then she reached out and took Xihe’s hand, looking up at Yixing. “I wasn’t thinking clearly just now. No matter how low I’ve fallen, I’m still my father’s daughter and the queen of the elves!” Then she held out her hand. “Yixing, just as you promised last night, I hope I can count on your help.”