96. Until Next Time!
Matt gazed at the swordsman before him in astonishment.
His figure was tall and straight, exuding an oppressive aura even while standing still.
He was clad in silver armor, crafted from exceedingly rare materials, combined with the pinnacle of human craftsmanship, providing unparalleled defensive capabilities. Even the most ferocious of magical beasts could not leave a scratch on it. The armor's surface was etched with gilded magical runes that, when infused with magic, would activate small magical arrays, forming a shield against magical attacks.
Every piece, from the visor to the gauntlets and greaves, was blessed with master-level enchantments, significantly enhancing the wearer's abilities.
The value of this armor was astronomical, a treasure beyond measure, and it belonged to one man—
Wright Schubert.
Anyone donning this armor was none other than the revered human Sword Saint.
"Sword Saint, what brings you here?" Matt inquired.
The typically elusive Sword Saint's sudden appearance here was so unexpected that Matt wondered if he was dreaming.
Even as a high-ranking subordinate, he had never seen the Sword Saint before.
Matt was very curious, focusing his attention, but unfortunately, he couldn't discern the expression beneath the helmet.
…
The Sword Saint did not respond immediately, his gaze drifting past Matt and into the infirmary.
Matt seemed to guess the reason and asked, "Sword Saint, are you here to visit your student?"
The Sword Saint nodded.
"Understood. Please go in. Mr. Daniel is resting inside. I won't disturb you further."
Matt stepped aside, knowing when to leave, not wanting to intrude.
After all, the Sword Saint was a national hero, his return from the Dragon Kingdom had inspired humanity, convincing them that even dragons could be defeated, bolstering the confidence of the human world.
Inside the room.
Daniel was feeling sleepy and had already lain down.
But the commotion outside startled him awake, and seeing the man approaching, he nearly fell out of bed in shock.
"Teacher, what are you doing here!?"
The Sword Saint approached Daniel.
Daniel regretted not wearing his armor; it had been years since he last saw his teacher, and now he was seen in such a disheveled state.
But it seemed the Sword Saint didn't mind.
Daniel had much to say, but the words wouldn't come out.
"I'm sorry, teacher, I couldn't defeat the dragon race, and I fled back in defeat."
"It's alright."
The Sword Saint finally spoke.
Daniel noticed his teacher's voice was raspier than he remembered. Had it always been like this? But it had been years, and it was normal for his teacher to have changed after so many experiences.
The Sword Saint sat down, not removing his heavy armor, maintaining his vigilance even in discomfort.
Daniel felt he had much to learn, resolving to wear his armor daily like his teacher.
Perhaps influenced by the Sword Saint, human swordsmen were increasingly adopting a sturdy, defensive style, favoring heavily armored warriors over the once-popular agile, lightly armored fighters.
"Teacher, did you come to see me for a reason?" Daniel asked.
"I want to hear about what happened in the Dragon Kingdom."
"Alright."
Daniel recounted his experiences in the Dragon Kingdom in great detail, emphasizing certain aspects.
"…Teacher, in the end, I was outmatched in swordsmanship by the Silver Dragon Princess and was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, my teammates had already used a magic scroll to escape."
"I've already reviewed the reports from the others."
"…Teacher, why could the Silver Dragon Princess use your swordsmanship?"
Daniel was puzzled but asked anyway.
The Sword Saint was silent for a while before shaking his head, "I can't give you an answer."
"Alright." Daniel sighed.
Perhaps it was just his imagination at the time.
"Don't spread word about this matter; it might cause unnecessary trouble."
"Okay."
"Then I shall take my leave." The Sword Saint stood up and departed.
Watching his teacher's retreating figure, Daniel's emotions were mixed. "Teacher, you've changed so much in these six years, you're not the same as before…"
After leaving Daniel's room, the Sword Saint seemed contemplative.
He had only stood outside for a moment when others saw him and couldn't help but shout, "It's the Sword Saint! Am I seeing things?!"
"Where? Where? Where is the Sword Saint?"
"My goodness, I've never seen the Sword Saint from such a close distance!"
Suddenly, people began to gather around the Sword Saint, and even the doctors couldn't stop their enthusiasm.
The adoration for the Sword Saint had reached a fever pitch throughout the nation; his mere appearance could cause such a stir.
After all, he was the hero who had slain a dragon.
…
…
In the Dragon Kingdom, within the dragon clan's palace.
"Princess…"
…
"Princess, it's noon, you shouldn't sleep in too late."
…
"Princess, don't you want to go outside and play?" Sera said helplessly to the lump hiding under the covers.
"No, no, I won't go!" Xia Yi's voice came muffled from beneath the blanket as she rolled around on the bed.
"I'd rather stay in my room and do homework than go out!"
"Why is that?"
"I don't want to see anyone; I've contracted a terrible disease where I'll explode if I do! It's incurable!"
Xia Yi, recalling the events of the past few days, felt so embarrassed that she had hidden in her room for days, not taking a single step outside.
Especially this mischievous maid, who had mocked her before, treating her as a source of amusement!
"I won't give anyone the chance to laugh at me!"
"No one would laugh at you, Princess. Everyone adores you," Sera explained.
"No, I don't want adoration!"
"Then what do you want?"
"I want… awe! Yes, the kind of awe that comes from fear of a powerful being's strength and submission in the face of ruthless methods, all combined together!"
Sera struggled to keep a straight face. Our little dragon princess seemed to be far from any of those qualities.
"Princess, I know you don't want to come out, but what if there were osmanthus cakes?"
"…What did you just say?"
The previously reclusive Xia Yi poked her head out from under the blanket at the mention of osmanthus cakes.
"Did you say osmanthus cakes?"
"Yes, today you can have osmanthus cakes."
"Sera, if you're deceiving me, I will be very angry!"
Xia Yi tried to look as fierce as possible.
"If I get angry, the consequences will be severe, and you won't be able to withstand my fury!!"
"Your Highness, I'm not joking with you, because for today's afternoon tea, it is indeed the turn for the osmanthus cake."
With Sera's reminder, Xia Yi remembered.
Due to Xia Lulu's orders, she couldn't just eat whatever she liked, so the desserts for afternoon tea were on a rotation.
Come to think of it, all the other desserts should have had their turn by now, and today was indeed the day for osmanthus cake.
Hmm…
She began to feel troubled.
Xia Yi really didn't want to go out, not wanting to see anyone at all.
But if she didn't leave her room, she wouldn't be able to have the osmanthus cake.
"Alright, alright… just for the sake of the osmanthus cake," Xia Yi reluctantly said, quietly agreeing.
"Very well, Your Highness."
"I'll get ready then!"
Xia Yi stood up, throwing off the blanket.
She put on her slippers and walked to the vanity, intending to dress up, but then she suddenly remembered her declaration from a few days ago.
That was close!
She almost subconsciously acted in a very feminine manner again.
She must maintain her true self, not take it lightly, and must do the opposite!
"This is fine, let's go out!" Xia Yi said.
"Your Highness, you are currently wearing slippers."
"Is there a problem? Those who achieve great things are not bogged down by trivial details!" Xia Yi flatly refused.
She was currently wearing casual clothes that she would wear in her room.
"But, Your Highness…"
"There are no buts, you don't need to persuade me! My mind is made up!"
Xia Yi interrupted her personal maid's advice.
She opened the door and strode out.
She walked out with a vigorous aura!
Sera smiled slightly and followed Xia Yi out.
However, Xia Yi hadn't walked far before her momentum weakened.
She began to feel uncomfortable all over.
Ever since she became a princess of the dragon race, she would definitely pay special attention when going out.
Even on the night she ran out to cause trouble, she had to change her clothes…
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Sera asked.
Xia Yi now felt that the slippers were burning her feet, wanting to run back to her room to change into her little leather shoes, and to put on white stockings…
It was so uncomfortable.
Her body felt so uncomfortable.
She also wanted to change her hairstyle, oh right, she used a hairpin last time, today she would use a bow…
Such thoughts kept bubbling up from the bottom of her heart, she couldn't suppress them, and her body began to rebel.
"I, I'm fine!" Xia Yi stubbornly shouted.
"So what?"
"If others see you looking so lazy, it will seriously affect the image of the Silver Dragon Princess. Everyone will think you are just a cute, spoiled girl next door, and your dignity will continue to decline."
"……!!"
These words struck Xia Yi's heart, and she could no longer ignore them. Embarrassed, she closed her eyes, grabbed Sera's sleeve, and said in a low voice:
"Sera, take me back… to change clothes."
"With pleasure, Your Highness." Sera took Xia Yi back to her room again.
…
After a while, Xia Yi left her room again, following Sera to the palace where they usually enjoyed afternoon tea.
The little princess's silver hair was tied into a pair of low ponytails with a bow, she had changed out of her casual attire and was now wearing a white high-waisted pleated skirt, an outfit that accentuated her chest, slightly elevating the modest mounds. Her slender, fair legs were covered in white silk stockings, paired with little leather shoes, making her princess image almost flawlessly impeccable.
Now she felt comfortable.
No matter what, after dressing up, she finally didn't feel uncomfortable anymore.
Although as a result, she still changed her clothes…
But one must not only look at the outcome, the process is important too!
She had struggled during the process, which meant she deeply remembered this matter, so it couldn't be considered as succumbing subconsciously!
As for resistance…
Well, that would be a matter for next time. Next time her resistance would surely be exceptionally firm and unyielding!
Xia Yi sat in the chair, thinking to herself.
"Your Highness, please enjoy," Sera said as she placed the osmanthus cake and tea in front of Xia Yi.
Seeing the osmanthus cake, the silver-haired loli's face immediately blossomed into a smile, the gloom swept away, as her favorite dessert instantly immersed her in delight, forgetting all her troubles.
Seeing the little princess's expression, Sera couldn't help but find it a bit amusing. The princess was still so easy to handle, all it took was an osmanthus cake to easily resolve the situation.
Xia Yi took pieces of the osmanthus cake into her mouth, picking up the fork, she instinctively stabbed down.
Clack!
The silverware made a crisp sound against the plate.
This signified that the brief moment of bliss was quickly coming to an end.
Xia Yi felt a bit forlorn, looking pitifully at Sera, "Is there no more?"
"Yes, Your Highness, that was the amount for today."
"Just a little more, please."
"No more."
"Just a bit more~~"
Sera regretfully said, "I'm sorry, Your Highness, the Queen has said not to let you have too many sweets."
"…Hmph, it's Xia Lulu again."
Xia Yi pouted unhappily, puffing up her cheeks like a pufferfish.
Speaking of which, her current state was all thanks to Xia Lulu.
If it weren't for her little dragon rearing plan, she wouldn't have picked up a bunch of extremely difficult habits to change, and at this rate, she was going to degenerate into a girl!
As much as Xia Yi was unwilling to accept it, it was futile, she couldn't beat Xia Lulu.
Trying to find her weaknesses was useless, and scheming against her didn't work either…
Remembering how her past actions had been fruitless made her feel powerless.
Was there a flaw in her plan?
"Your Highness, what's wrong? Your expression suddenly looks a bit strange."
"It's nothing, Sera, what's the date today?"
To avoid Sera's suspicion, Xia Yi casually asked.
"Your Highness, today is the seventeenth of June."
"…Eh, I've got it!!"
Xia Yi realized why she was always unable to outplay Xia Lulu.
She had been overlooking a very important aspect!!
No wonder Xia Lulu was always wary of her, never letting her guard down.
"So that's it… I understand now, hehehe!"
Xia Yi's confidence was back!
In her heart, she began to brew an extremely terrifying conspiracy…
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