Volume 4 Chapter 66

Volume 4 + Chapter 66: The Silence of Self-Reproach

Upon hearing Xia Lulu state that she, at Xia Yi’s age, would have absolutely dared not go to the Far North Lands, Xia Yi’s spirits immediately soared.

I’m going to prove I’m better than Xia Lulu!

“This mission is a piece of cake for me. Vicious criminals are completely insignificant before the Silver Dragon Princess… ah! No, before the Sword Saint who has weathered countless battles and storms!”

Xia Yi confidently declared.

“Very well. Then seize this opportunity firmly, daughter,” Xia Lulu said.

“Mhm!”

Xia Yi nodded.

However, she still had some worries in her heart. Her knowledge of the northern part of the Dragon Kingdom wasn’t that extensive, mostly limited to book learning.

Before her memory recovery, she hadn’t even left the Royal Capital.

Having experienced her period as the Human Sword Saint, she naturally understood that knowledge from books often has certain limitations.

But this time, she had to go alone. It would have been great if she could have brought someone familiar with the north…

“What’s wrong, daughter? Still have reservations?” Xia Lulu inquired.

“Ah? It’s nothing!” Xia Yi quickly denied. “Then it’s decided. I’ll set off once I’m prepared! That’s all for now!”

After saying this, Xia Yi turned to leave.

“…”

Watching her daughter’s retreating figure, Xia Lulu fell into a self-reproachful silence.

In truth, this solo journey wasn’t a hard requirement, it was something Xia Lulu had deliberately proposed.

The reason was simply to give Xia Yi some training.

She also understood that letting Xia Yi go to the Far North Lands alone held dangers, it was not the same as going to the human world.

The level of power on the human side was different from the Dragon Clan’s.

Sometimes, Xia Lulu wondered if she was being too harsh on her daughter. At this age, most young dragons should be at home, enjoying the care of their families.

Yet she always found various reasons to make Xia Yi leave home, to temper herself outside, even making increasingly unreasonable demands.

Because of her, Xia Yi couldn’t have a happy childhood like other children. Before even ten years had passed, she was already running all over the country, undergoing trials and hardships, facing life-threatening dangers.

She sometimes felt she was failing terribly at being a mother, compared to her own mother, she fell far short…

Just as Xia Yi was about to open the door and leave the dining room, Xia Lulu called out to her.

“Wait, daughter.”

“Hmm?”

Xia Yi leaned her body back in.

“What’s up, Xia Lulu?”

“This time, take that apprentice little maid from the Royal Maid Corps with you.”

“Xia Lulu, you mean… Elly?”

“Mhm. If I remember correctly, Elly grew up in the north. She’ll be more familiar and knowledgeable about the north than others. You can take her this time.”

Xia Yi blinked. “Xia Lulu, didn’t you say not to bring…”

“Elly isn’t a full member of the Royal Maid Corps yet.”

“That’s true!”

Xia Yi nodded.

The clumsy, silly maid Elly indeed needed more growth before becoming part of the Royal Maid Corps.

Otherwise, why did she always make mistakes and lose the opportunity every time she was about to become a formal maid?

“Xia Lulu, I understand. Then I’ll go find Elly!”

“Go ahead.” Xia Lulu didn’t say more.

Thinking she could have another helper, Xia Yi happily bid farewell to Xia Lulu.

“See you later!”

…

“La la la~ La la la~ I’m a happy floor-mopping dragon maid~”

The little Green Dragon maid Elly was using a mop to clean the palace floor, polishing it until it shone, spotless. Her professional skills were quite proficient.

Xia Yi watched from behind, observing Elly’s back. She found it a bit strange.

Elly was clearly a Green Dragon, how could she have grown up in the north?

Shouldn’t Green Dragons live in dark, damp, large forests filled with deadly miasma?

It truly was surprising.

“Ah? Your Highness!!”

Suddenly, like a reaction reflected in glass, Elly noticed a little Silver Dragon girl silently observing her nearby.

This almost scared her into jumping up.

As if by conditioned reflex, with an expression about to cry, she exclaimed, “Your Highness, I really don’t want to do anything bad!”

Xia Yi hadn’t even said anything yet, but Elly had already preemptively reacted. It seemed the lessons from previous encounters had left a deep impression.

“What are you talking about, Elly? I’m not here for you to do anything bad,” Xia Yi explained. “This time, it’s an excellent opportunity for your promotion to a formal maid!”

When Elly heard the word “promotion” from Xia Yi’s mouth, it triggered some unpleasant memories.

She had recently realized something, every time the Princess said she’d help her get promoted to a formal member of the Royal Maid Corps, the result was often a major misfortune, landing her in big trouble!

“Your Highness, please don’t cause trouble in the palace anymore. Her Majesty the Queen will really get angry!”

“Elly, this time is really different from before. I need you to accompany me on a journey to the Far North Lands,” Xia Yi clarified.

“The Far North Lands?!”

Elly plopped down on the floor.

“Wah wah wah!! Your Highness, I haven’t done anything bad lately! Don’t exile me to the Far North mining colony!!”

“It’s not a punishment. This time it’s an official mission. The Dragon Royal Family needs a Dragon Clan member familiar with the north to accompany us.”

“This… it’s actually an official mission! And even with Your Highness!”

Hearing it was an official mission, Elly immediately jumped up from the floor, so excited she was almost spinning on the spot.

“Ever since I entered the Dragon Royal Palace, I’ve worked hard until now but never received an official mission!! My first official mission is actually accompanying Your Highness!! This… this is such an honor!”

“What a shame, Elly. You seem unwilling, too resistant. I’ll have to ask someone else—”

Xia Yi used the tactic of playing hard to get.

“No, no!! Your Highness, I’ll go, I’ll go!! Please let me go, I beg you! Consider me, give me this chance!!”

This easily made the simple-minded Elly panic. She rushed forward immediately, urgently pleading.

Such an important mission was crucial for her promotion to a formal member of the Royal Maid Corps.

This time, Xia Yi really wasn’t making empty promises, it was a genuine opportunity.

“But, Elly, you don’t seem very confident or determined. Perhaps Atiya would be better…”

“Your Highness, I swear, this time I will definitely complete the mission properly!!” Elly raised her hand. “If anything happens to you in the Far North Lands, I’ll go straight to the mines myself! I won’t even come back, I’ll just start mining right there!!”

Hearing Elly’s firm declaration, Xia Yi’s heart blossomed with joy. This silly little maid was so easy to handle.

“Well then, if I must… Elly, I’ll reluctantly entrust this official mission to you alone.”

“Apprentice Maid Elly of the Royal Maid Corps, will ensure the mission’s completion!!”