Something about me... seems strange.
Mengxi couldn't help realizing that.
She clearly knew those weapons couldn't possibly hurt Sister Yumo.
Yet the moment she saw those so-called Royal Knights pressing their swords against Yumo's neck, an inexplicable wave of anger still surged uncontrollably through her heart...
However—
She had no time to think about why she felt that way.
The instant the squad captain revealed that disdainful, contemptuous expression, Mengxi transformed into a streak of silver light and flashed into the sky.
Boom!!
Accompanied by a deafening explosion and a burst of silver radiance—
Before the Royal Knights could react, the captain's helmet was blasted clean off, while Mengxi's kick caved in and grotesquely twisted his face into an almost comical shape.
With another burst of force from her tiny bare foot, the captain was sent flying backward, crashing miserably into a pit nearby.
“Cough...! Cough!”
After spitting out several mouthfuls of blood along with a few teeth, the captain barely managed to crawl back onto his feet.
Wow...
Watching the scene unfold, Miss Yumo couldn't help exclaiming inwardly.
Although, in Yumo's opinion, attacking the Royal Knights wasn't exactly a wise decision...
That was a little impulsive...
Still—
A High Mid Sixth-Tier squad captain had just been defeated instantly?
Even though Mengxi hadn't fully recovered yet...
Although she was still only Mid Sixth-Tier, there was no doubt that after their previous battle, she had become significantly stronger.
Seeing the heroine steadily growing stronger...
A trace of gratification unconsciously appeared in Yumo's azure-blue eyes.
Along with...
A sense of accomplishment.
Meanwhile—
Seeing their captain attacked, the Royal Knights immediately drew their weapons and surrounded Mengxi.
Their coordinated magic formation was already complete, prepared to launch an attack at any moment.
However, just as they were about to make their move, the captain who had been kicked away raised his voice in time.
“Don't act rashly!”
"..."
Hearing the order, the knights temporarily abandoned the idea of attacking and instead watched the beautiful silver-haired girl with wary expressions.
“You... you're Miss Mengxi, aren't you?”
Looking at the stunning young woman before him and recalling the instructions given by his commander, the squad captain—Abike—wiped the blood from his face before speaking respectfully.
“Mengxi? The Child of Destiny?”
After hearing their captain's words, several knights who had only just realized her identity cried out in surprise, staring at the silver-haired girl in astonishment.
“Captain? She's the one His Majesty ordered us not to harm?”
“Exactly.”
Abike smiled faintly.
“Who else could such an extraordinarily beautiful silver-haired girl possibly be?”
Although having his nose shattered by a single kick left him thoroughly irritated, the orders from both his commander and His Majesty came first.
Carrying out the Emperor's will...
That was his duty.
Suppressing the anger boiling inside him, Abike slowly performed a formal greeting toward Mengxi.
After all, the woman before him might very well become the Empire's future queen.
Being polite was the wiser choice.
“Miss Mengxi, please forgive our earlier discourtesy. However, I ask that you refrain from interfering. This is an internal matter of our Empire.”
“An internal matter?”
“Yes. The Duke Family violated the Fifth Imperial Law by colluding with the Abyss Demons. Therefore, His Majesty Xue Tianao has ordered every member of the Duke Family's main household to be brought back to the Imperial Capital, Sky Dome City, to stand trial. This little girl is the Duke Family's daughter, so naturally she must accompany us.”
“Xue Tianao? That guy... actually became Emperor?”
“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince has already ascended the throne.”
“And this order came from him?”
“Yes. Therefore, Child of Destiny, I ask that you not obstruct us.”
“Heh... what a joke.”
A cold sneer escaped Mengxi's lips.
An icy chill slowly overflowed from her light-purple eyes.
“The Duke Family has devoted itself to protecting the northern frontier for so many years, and now you're accusing them of colluding with the Abyss Demons? That's utterly ridiculous. Or is this simply another fabricated accusation from Xue Tianao?”
“Miss Mengxi, please do not insult His Majesty! His Majesty has always acted openly and honorably. He would never frame a loyal servant of the Empire! The Duke Family must be hiding some unspeakable secret!”
After hearing Mengxi's words, both Abike and the knights behind him immediately revealed furious expressions.
“Heh... I seriously doubt that.”
“Believe whatever you wish. But Miss Mengxi, please do not stop us from taking this young lady away. This is our nation's internal affair. The Asumos Church has already reached an agreement with us. As merely the Church's candidate Saintess, you have no right to interfere.”
As he spoke, the squad captain couldn't help revealing a smug grin.
One of the Royal Knights beside him couldn't resist adding teasingly,
“Of course... if Miss Mengxi were willing to become the Empire's queen, then you'd certainly have the right to interfere.”
“You people...”
Hearing those words, Mengxi became even more irritated.
The silver-white Holy Aura inside her body immediately began surging violently, gradually gathering around both of her fists.
If Sister Yumo were really taken to the Imperial Capital for trial...
She would inevitably run into that stallion, Xue Tianao.
For some reason...
Mengxi simply didn't want Sister Yumo to meet that man.
Xue Tianao was far too greedy.
If he ever saw Sister Yumo's true appearance—
No.
Forget her true appearance.
Even the adorable little Xiaomo she currently was would probably catch his eye.
If Sister Yumo's ultimate goal truly was to destroy the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons, then helping Xue Tianao—the Child of Destiny—grow stronger might very well help her accomplish that goal.
And although Xue Tianao was utterly disgusting...
Objectively speaking...
He really was handsome.
Combined with how incredibly skilled he was at winning girls over...
What if Sister Yumo ended up being charmed away by him?
More importantly...
Xue Tianao was currently stronger than she was.
Would Sister Yumo choose to stay by Xue Tianao's side and accompany him in his growth just to achieve her objective?
The mere thought of it made Mengxi feel both irritated and anxious.
Just imagining Sister Yumo resting in Xue Tianao's embrace...
Filled her heart with overwhelming rage.
Her fists clenched tighter and tighter.
Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms.
Drop by drop...
Blood dripped onto the ground.
“Seriously... you're all asking to die...”
To prevent that unbearable future from ever becoming reality—
Brilliant silver-white light suddenly erupted from Mengxi's eyes.
The aura surrounding the young woman rose higher and higher.
Although she was only Mid Sixth-Tier, the pressure she released left every knight present struggling to breathe.
The few knights who had mocked her moments ago immediately turned pale with fear, hastily assuming defensive stances.
Even Abike's expression changed dramatically.
“Miss Mengxi! This would be a violation of the agreement!”
“To hell with your agreement.”
“You're not taking her away.”
As silver light surged outward, a silver energy sword rapidly condensed in Mengxi's hand.
However—
Just as Mengxi was about to strike down the Royal Knights and "rescue" Miss Yumo—
A dazzling white meteor suddenly descended from the heavens, carrying with it an overwhelming, terrifying aura.
It landed directly beside Mengxi.
An arm shot out from within the white radiance, instantly grabbing Mengxi's wrist.
The aftershock of that immense power shattered the silver energy sword she had just created into countless sparkling fragments.
At the same time—
A familiar voice reached Mengxi's ears.
“Calm down, Mengxi. It's not appropriate to completely fall out with them right now.”
?!
“Huh?”
Momentarily stunned, Mengxi quickly turned around.
As the white light gradually faded—
A heroic white-haired young woman wearing the black-and-red military uniform of the Light of the Sun stood before her.
Meeting the girl's azure-blue eyes, Mengxi bit her lip in surprise.
“B-... Big Sister Bai? Why are you here...?”
That's right.
The person who had suddenly appeared—
Was none other than one of the Asumos Church's Three Heavenly Apostles.
White Yama.
Carefully pulling Mengxi behind her, White Yama quietly whispered,
“I'll explain later. Don't rush into anything.”
After softly persuading Mengxi to calm down, White Yama slowly walked toward the Royal Knights, who still had their weapons drawn.
Faced with her appearance, and feeling the terrifying fluctuations of Holy Aura surrounding her, every Royal Knight couldn't help trembling as they stared nervously at the woman before them.
“We will honor our agreement and refrain from interfering in your nation's internal affairs.”
“But I ask that you leave as quickly as possible.”
“Do not disturb our candidate Saintess's rest.”
?!
The moment those words were spoken, everyone present—including Abike—immediately revealed expressions of relief.
After all, none of them wanted to fight one of the Heavenly Apostles.
With their strength...
Facing someone like her...
Would be nothing short of certain death.
“Thank you very much for your understanding, Lady White Yama! We'll withdraw immediately!”
Seeing that she had no intention of interfering further, the Royal Knights hurriedly seized Yumo and rushed toward the location where their commander was waiting.
Watching them disappear into the distance—
White Yama finally let out a sigh of relief.
Then she helplessly turned toward the silver-haired girl standing nearby with an icy expression.
“Mengxi, our Church worked very hard to reach this agreement with Xue Tianao. Were you really prepared to tear it apart... just for one little kid?”
In response—
Mengxi irritably turned her head away.
“She isn't some little kid...”
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