Chapter 29: Although It’s a Bit Early, Of Course You Can!
Lin Yan’s assurances did little to ease Xu Bai’s apprehension; in fact, they heightened it.
That look in her eyes… definitely suspicious!
Lin Yan narrowed her eyes, adjusting her armor with satisfaction.
“Actually, clothes similar to what you’re wearing, big sister, would be fine. No need for anything special.”
Xu Bai had a sudden idea, remembering that Lin Yan, even in casual attire, favored men’s clothing and never wore dresses or skirts.
That would be… acceptable.
“Like mine?” Lin Yan looked surprised, clearly not expecting this request.
She hesitated, then said with a troubled expression, “But, if you wear clothes like mine, it wouldn’t be very… suitable for you…”
“…Is it because there wouldn’t be a size small enough?” Xu Bai looked up at Lin Yan’s six-foot frame.
Even in the past, Lin Yan had been much taller than Xu Bai, which deterred most men from pursuing her, while attracting the attention of many young women.
Hence the rumors about Lin Yan being…
Of course, they were just rumors; Xu Bai didn’t know the details.
“Not exactly…” Lin Yan looked at Xu Bai’s earnest, almost innocent expression, her hesitation growing.
However, she really wanted to see this adorable little girl dressed in clothes similar to her own.
With that thought, she gritted her teeth. “Of course you can!”
Although it felt a bit premature for Bai to wear such clothes, she really wanted to see it!
Just indulge my little whim, Lin Yan thought.
“Whew… thank you for understanding, big sister.” Xu Bai sighed in relief, having successfully averted a potential disaster.
Just then, Uncle Lin returned with a carriage, stopping before them and bowing respectfully.
“Everything is arranged, Miss, and this little miss—”
“Her name is Bai, Uncle Lin,” Lin Yan corrected him.
Uncle Lin paused, then smiled. “Alright, Miss Bai, please get in. We’ll return to the mansion to prepare. The banquet begins at sunset.”
Her name had acquired another suffix. Xu Bai sighed inwardly; she wouldn’t be able to escape this.
At least one person got her name right. She looked at Lin Yan with a touch of gratitude.
Lin Yan, already in the carriage, extended a hand to Xu Bai, a bright smile on her face.
“Bai, come on up!”
“Okay…”
Xu Bai reached out, her small, delicate hand dwarfed by Lin Yan’s calloused one.
She had once extended her hand to Lin Yan like this, though it had been after a fight, to help her up from the ground.
Now, their roles were reversed. It was a bit ironic.
Before Xu Bai could dwell on it, Lin Yan pulled her into the carriage, then called out excitedly, “Uncle Lin, let’s go!”
“Yes, Miss.”
Uncle Lin’s voice came from the front, and the carriage started moving.
…
Glaimond felt increasingly uneasy.
He sat in the Clock Tower, the highest building in Vikarn Port, looking at the overcast sky, his expression calm.
But a sense of unease gnawed at him.
“Why…?”
His subordinates had just reported that someone had breached the most secure area of Vikarn Port and left undetected.
Glaimond knew it must have been the elusive “Bounty Fox,” Sasha.
To his surprise, she hadn’t rescued Lugner, nor had she killed him.
Either action would have completely ruined his plans.
But she had done neither, seemingly only chatting with Lugner before leaving.
Of course, Glaimond didn’t believe they had merely chatted… Had Sasha obtained some information from Lugner?
His expression darkened as he considered the possibilities.
He had tracked the retired Lugner to Vikarn Port, meticulously gaining control of this small city, even paying a hefty price for a fragment of the Imperial Authority, all for one of the nine coveted positions of Legendary Knight.
Previously, he wouldn’t have even been considered for such a position, but the most likely candidate had been inexplicably abandoned by Lugner and left to die in Saint Noyes.
Glaimond had sensed an opportunity, setting in motion what he believed to be a perfect plan, targeting the former Legendary Knight, Lugner.
Even without Sasha and the mysterious demon girl, there would have been other “scapegoats.” He had planned for every contingency; everything should have proceeded according to his design.
But why…?
“Sasha, a mercenary who appeared in Vikarn Port about seven months ago, possesses the ability to bypass all security measures, freely entering and exiting restricted areas.”
Glaimond reviewed Sasha’s intelligence reports. All information on her ceased seven months ago. There was nothing prior to that.
It was as if, before seven months ago, “Sasha” didn’t exist…
And her combat abilities were shrouded in mystery. There was no concrete data; she always seemed to have the upper hand in every fight, never pushed to her limits.
Or perhaps, she deliberately avoided being pushed to her limits.
And the mysterious demon girl who had been with Sasha… Glaimond had felt a primal fear upon seeing her the first time, a fear that hadn’t resurfaced during their second encounter.
And the second time, her hair had been a darker shade, her eyes different, as if those unsettling dark-gold pupils had been an illusion.
One mystery after another…
“Should I continue…?” A flicker of doubt crossed Glaimond’s mind, but he quickly hardened his resolve. “No, I have no other choice!”
“For the Empire, I must continue!”
A knock came at the door, and the messenger’s voice called out,
“General, the nobles are inquiring whether you will be attending the banquet at the City Lord’s Mansion tonight, as scheduled.”
“Banquet? …Ah, yes, that’s right.” Glaimond rubbed his temples. “Those gluttonous old nobles… well, it’ll be a distraction.”
Although he looked down on these pleasure-seeking nobles, he couldn’t deny their usefulness in securing his control over Vikarn Port.
“I’ll be there. Tell them to wait.”
“Yes, General.”
The sound of the messenger’s retreating footsteps faded, and Glaimond leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.
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