Volume 4 Chapter 105

Volume 4 + Chapter 105: Almost Forgot About It

This piece of news was undoubtedly a powerful shot in the arm.

Xia Yi had believed that Miu Miu’s soul had already been completely devoured by Elizabeth, the Vampire Ancestor.

If that were truly the case, then Miu Miu would effectively have vanished from this world entirely—no different from death itself.

Yet it turned out that Miu Miu had foreseen such an outcome in advance, and had secretly entrusted an important backup of her soul to Xia Yi for safekeeping.

Which meant that…

“As long as I defeat Elizabeth, the Vampire Ancestor, reclaim Miu Miu’s physical body, and then release Miu Miu’s soul sealed within the seed back into that body, Miu Miu will be able to awaken once more!” Xia Yi arrived at her conclusion.

“Exactly so, Silver Dragon Princess.”

Joshua nodded in affirmation.

“One can only say that Miu Miu Borgia was truly clever. She actually made use of the World Tree’s ability to record existence, using a World Tree seed as a backup for her soul. Although a single seed cannot compare to a true World Tree, it should be more than sufficient to carry the soul of a higher-order being.”

Even though Xia Yi now knew that Miu Miu could still be saved, there was still one unavoidable obstacle.

That obstacle was the Vampire Ancestor, Elizabeth.

To save Miu Miu, Elizabeth had to be defeated. If Elizabeth could not be overcome, then everything else was merely empty talk.

“Silver Dragon Princess, the seed in your hand is the key to saving Miu Miu Borgia,” Joshua reminded her. “It is also the final hope.”

“…I know.”

Xia Yi tightened her grip around the seed in her hand.

“Then, since there are no further issues, I should take my leave from the Dragon Clan’s royal palace.”

Joshua stood up, clearly preparing to say goodbye.

“How will you leave the Dragon Kingdom?” Xia Yi asked.

“You don’t need to worry about that. The Silver Dragon Queen, Xia Lulu, has already made arrangements for me. Later on, your Dragon Clan will secretly escort me to the Crimson Empire.”

“I see.”

“From here on, you’ll wait for new information to come from the Crimson Empire before deciding your next course of action. After that, everything will be in your hands.”

Joshua hesitated for a moment, as if holding something back, before finally speaking.

“Once everything is over, I want to return to the Far North Lands—to see my patients there, and my apprentice, Sheryl, and then begin a new life.”

“You can do that, Mr. Joshua. Sheryl will surely be waiting for your return in the Far North Lands,” Xia Yi replied warmly.

“…Mm.” Joshua smiled.

……

After seeing Joshua off, Xia Yi returned to the Dragon Clan’s royal palace.

“The royal palace really is much nicer~ The Far North Lands were freezing to death. Even wrapped up in thick padding, I still felt cold,” she couldn’t help but sigh.

The dragons who could live in the Far North Lands long-term were truly impressive.

“Your Highness, now that we’re back at the royal palace, this journey to the Far North Lands can be considered a complete success, right?” Elly said excitedly.

“I can’t believe this was my first time carrying out an external mission—and I even did it together with Your Highness—and it didn’t end in disaster!!”

“Now that you mention it, that really is true.”

Thinking back on it, Xia Yi realized that Elly, this trainee little maid, had actually managed to play her role convincingly, without exposing any flaws in front of the other dragons.

Granted, a large part of that was because the dragons of the Far North Lands knew very little about the real Xia Yi.

But compared to Elly’s usual clumsiness—constantly messing things up and failing to earn formal recognition—this performance was genuinely unexpected.

Could it be that…

Could Elly also possess great potential, perhaps even becoming an outstanding royal maid like Lucia or Serra in the future?

“Elly, your performance this time really surprised me,” Xia Yi said.

“Really? Your Highness!! I… did I perform well?” Elly asked, eyes wide.

“Of course. This time, you must be properly rewarded. Let me think…”

Xia Yi pondered for a moment.

Compared to any material reward, what Elly truly longed for was probably becoming an official member of the Royal Maid Corps, wasn’t it?

Alright—decision made!

“Elly, I’ll inform the Royal Maid Corps about your excellent performance this time. After that, you should soon be given another chance to formally advance!”

“That’s amazing! That’s amazing! Thank you, Your Highness! That means I won’t have to keep enduring anymore… sob… sob sob…!”

Elly was so moved that her eyes filled with tears.

“I’ll definitely seize the opportunity that Your Highness has given me… I’ll become a full member of the Royal Maid Corps as soon as possible!”

“Work hard, Elly. I believe in you,” Xia Yi said, casting her a trusting gaze.

“Your Highness, next you’re going to see Her Majesty the Queen to act spoiled, right? I won’t disturb you any further.”

“Mm, let’s go, Elly,” Xia Yi replied instinctively.

“Okay~”

Just as Xia Yi turned around, she suddenly sensed that something about Elly’s words was off. She immediately panicked and hurriedly grabbed Elly by the shoulders.

“Wait—don’t go!”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“Don’t talk nonsense!! What do you mean, going to act spoiled with Xia Lulu?!”

Xia Yi puffed up angrily.

“I’m going to see Xia Lulu purely to report on work matters! Do you really think I’m the kind of person who likes to act spoiled with her?!”

“I think—”

“Hm?!”

Xia Yi shot Elly a sharp glare.

“Eeek!”

Elly was so startled that her words were abruptly cut off.

“Listen carefully, Elly. I am already a mature adult. There is no way I’d casually go act spoiled toward someone, let alone seek praise or validation! That sort of foolish behavior is something only children do. There is absolutely no chance of it happening to me—it would damage my dignity! And someone with dignity like me would never do such a thing, understood?!”

Xia Yi unleashed a torrent of words in one breath.

“I… I understand.”

Overwhelmed by Xia Yi’s imposing aura, Elly obediently nodded.

“Alright, Elly, you may go.”

“Goodbye, Your Highness!” After saluting, Elly withdrew.

“Hehehe.”

Xia Yi’s imagination began to run wild. She could already feel her prestige within the royal palace about to skyrocket!

After all, Elly was a notorious chatterbox. Without Xia Yi needing to say a word, Elly would definitely go around the palace spreading tales of her glorious achievements.

With Elly’s promotional abilities…

Heh heh heh!

When the time came, who in the royal palace would still dare treat her as a mere mascot?!

Bringing Elly along to the Far North Lands had truly been the most, most, most correct decision ever.

“Alright then, next I should go see Xia Lulu. Once she learns of my accomplishments in the Far North Lands, she’ll surely reward me properly—ahem, no, that’s not right. She’ll definitely look at me in a whole new light. And then she’ll…”

Xia Yi paused mid-thought, then suddenly remembered.

“Oh! Right, right! That way, the Silver Dragon Queen won’t dare underestimate my unyielding will as a Sword Saint. I’ve already taken control of the forces in the Far North Lands—she’ll definitely feel intimidated and won’t dare look down on me anymore!!”