Forced to Sell Myself to the Female Lead After Killing the Male Lead

"You should know that Alpine Gorge is the key passage connecting the Northern Border and the Central Plains. If those Royal Knights wanted to return to Skyvault quickly and meet that stallion... ah, I mean, meet that Child of Destiny, they had to pass through Alpine Gorge. But the gorge is narrow, filled with dangerous terrain, and covered in special mist. It's the perfect place to hijack a convoy! At a time like that, all we had to do was use the Elves' Saint-Domain spell, Wandering Forest, and that entire escort unit would unknowingly walk straight into our ambush. As for anyone nearby, they'd remain confused by the illusion for quite a while and wouldn't notice anything was wrong. Hehe~ By the time they realized how serious the situation was, we'd already 'rescued' Lady Yumo!"

Inside a cave outside the gorge, Zhong Xizhi enthusiastically explained her rescue plan to Yumo, hoping to earn her praise.

As a half-dragon, Zhong Xizhi had been abandoned by her family from childhood, sold into slavery, and eventually brought into the Great Winter Forest as a sacrifice.

Yumo had saved her life.

More importantly, she was the first person to accept her without the slightest prejudice against her bloodline.

To Zhong Xizhi, repaying Yumo's kindness had become the purpose of her entire life.

If she could receive even a little praise from her benefactor...

There was no greater happiness.

After listening to her explanation, Yumo smiled with satisfaction, gently patted Zhong Xizhi on the head, and sincerely praised her.

"That's impressive. Honestly... if my own little girl were even half as clever and cautious as you..."

(Limo: "Ah-choo! Hm? Why do I feel like Mother was talking about me again?")

Receiving Yumo's affectionate pat and heartfelt compliment, Zhong Xizhi revealed a thoroughly satisfied smile.

"Hehe~"

"Oh, right. About this Wandering Forest... enmm... shouldn't anyone above Saint-Class be able to see through it if they paid attention?"

"That's right."

Zhong Xizhi nodded matter-of-factly.

"But we deliberately chose the right timing and location, so the deputy commander leading the convoy never noticed. Besides, the two strongest members of the Royal Knights weren't traveling with the main force, so there wasn't really anything to worry about."

"Hm? They weren't with the main convoy?"

"That's correct, Lady Yumo. Since the main force had to escort the weaker family members, servants, and all the collected 'evidence,' they moved rather slowly. The Child of Destiny wanted Marquis Xiumu-Duke and his wife to reach the Imperial Palace as quickly as possible so he could completely restrain the Northern Border's influence. Therefore, he ordered the strongest members of the Royal Knights to escort the marquis and marchioness ahead at full speed toward the Imperial Capital."

"So... by now... Grand... I mean... Xiumu and the others... are almost at the capital?"

"Yes. However, Lady Yumo, you don't need to worry too much. Although the charges are completely fabricated, judging from Xue Tianao-Valedin's personality, he'll still go through the motions of a trial. He won't execute the marquis and marchioness immediately."

"I certainly hope so."

Taking a sip of the hot tea Qiu Mingtong handed her, Yumo thoughtfully gazed toward the distant direction of the Snow Night Empire's Imperial Capital.

Meanwhile...

Qiu Mingtong expressionlessly continued tending the fire while preparing food and tea for Lady Yumo.

From time to time, she also shot warning glances toward the Black Rose Family knights standing guard outside the cave.

"This is a lady's resting place. No men allowed."

After being warned by Qiu Mingtong, the knights who had hoped to visit Yumo could only leave dejectedly.

With envious eyes, they looked toward the other members of the Nightingale Organization inside the cave before miserably returning to stand watch outside.

Meanwhile, the female members of the Nightingale Organization happily enjoyed the advantages of their gender, eagerly greeting Yumo one after another.

In response to the children's enthusiasm, Yumo kindly greeted each of them in return.

However...

After reminiscing for a while and chatting about the peaceful and happy everyday life of the Black Rose Family...

Yumo suddenly remembered something.

Curiously, she looked toward Zhong Xizhi, who was making pastries together with Qiu Mingtong.

"By the way, Zhong Xizhi, about that Wandering Forest you mentioned... enmm... isn't that a spell only the Elves can use? How were you able to cast it? I remember Saiboke-Baniya saying it was never taught to outsiders."

"It wasn't."

Zhong Xizhi smiled and shook her head.

"Hm? Then this time...?"

"This time, an extremely 'helpful' Elven Prince happened to be traveling to Skyvault as well. Since we were headed in the same direction, he 'voluntarily' helped us with the operation~"

"An Elven Prince... willingly helped you? He's traveling with you as well?"

"Yes, Lady Yumo."

"Oh?"

A hint of interest gradually appeared within Yumo's ruby-red eyes.

Ever since arriving on the Anqieka Continent over five hundred years ago, the Elves had always been the kindest race she had ever encountered.

Many of the wonderful everyday items inside the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons...

Many magical technologies she could scarcely imagine...

Had all been "gifts" from the Elves.

In fact...

The very reason she could now walk across the continent in human form...

Was thanks to those beautiful, kind-hearted, and wonderfully helpful long-eared people.

To Yumo...

If someone treated her well...

She naturally wished to treat them well in return.

If someone had helped her...

She wanted to repay that kindness personally.

Although the Black Rose Family had undoubtedly already presented the Elves with many gifts...

Yumo still wanted to give them something herself as a token of gratitude.

Besides...

She also wanted to meet this Elven Prince.

She was genuinely curious about Elven royalty.

She had heard they were even more beautiful...

And possessed the ability to communicate directly with nature.

'I'd really like to see that for myself~'

Yumo thought with growing anticipation.

"Zhong Xizhi, since it's still early anyway... could I meet this Elven Prince? He specifically came to 'rescue' me, after all. I should at least thank him personally."

?!

"U-Um... Lady Yumo... you want to meet him?"

Hearing those words, Zhong Xizhi immediately wore an awkward expression.

"What? Is something wrong?"

"N-No! Not at all... I'll... I'll go tell him."

As she spoke...

Zhong Xizhi immediately stood up.

Before Yumo could react, she transformed into a streak of orange-red light and shot out of the cave.

"...Hm?"

Yumo blinked in confusion.

'What's with the rush?'

—

Less than a minute after Zhong Xizhi left...

A handsome Elf with emerald-green hair slowly arrived at the entrance of the cave.

His face practically radiated the words "noble," "elegant," and "happy."

Dressed in an exquisitely tailored white robe, he was none other than the Seventh-Tier Mid-Level Elven Prince, Audom—the younger brother of the Elven King, Shukaros.

Although he was the younger brother of the Elven King...

At this very moment...

Prince Audom was silently cursing his older brother hundreds of times over.

If his brother hadn't forced him...

He would never have left the Elven Forest to attend the coronation ceremony of the Snow Night Empire's new emperor.

Actually...

Attending the ceremony itself wasn't the problem.

The Elves had attended such events before.

The problem was...

Members of the Black Rose Family would also be there.

After being bullied by them for so many years, the Elves had long since developed psychological trauma.

None of them wanted to see anyone from the Black Rose Family.

Naturally, they had wanted to decline the invitation.

Unfortunately...

The Black Rose Family had personally come to the Elven Forest to "invite" them.

'Damn it!'

And then...

That worthless older brother of his had immediately sold him out.

He had appointed Audom as the official representative of the Elves at the coronation.

'Damn it!'

After that...

He had been dragged here by the Black Rose Family to work as free labor.

And now?

He couldn't even eat a peaceful meal before being dragged away yet again to meet some "important person."

"Fuck!"

Although unwilling in every possible way, Audom knew perfectly well that resisting the Black Rose Family was impossible.

He could only steel himself and follow Zhong Xizhi into the cave.

At this moment, his heart was filled with anxiety.

According to Zhong Xizhi...

The person he was about to meet...

Was the true leader behind the Black Rose Family.

The most noble woman in the entire world...

The boss behind the Black Rose Family?

The leader of that gang of hooligans?

And she's a woman?

I'm done for.

Calling me here in the middle of the night...

She must have taken a liking to my beauty!

Thinking of that, Audom nervously clutched his chest and sighed toward the heavens.

'Father... Mother... forgive me... I'm afraid your son may not be able to protect his chastity...'

Filled with unease, Audom silently prayed as he stepped into the cave.

The instant he entered...

A graceful black-haired figure appeared before him without him even realizing it.

Along with her came the delicate fragrance of jasmine.

"Oh? You must be the Elven Prince?"

The sudden voice and the sweet scent instantly startled Audom.

His thoughts snapped back from prayer to reality as he stared blankly at the black-haired girl standing before him.

She was nearly two heads shorter than he was...

Yet incomparably beautiful.

Her phoenix-like brows framed bright, captivating eyes.

Her ruby-red pupils gleamed with extraordinary vitality.

Every glance she cast seemed capable of stealing a person's soul.

Her delicate nose was exquisitely sculpted.

Her skin was as white as snow.

The single touch of crimson upon her lips resembled a proud red plum blossom blooming against winter snow.

Her silky black hair, fading into crimson at the tips, cascaded down her back like flowing satin.

Combined with the smile capable of ensnaring anyone's heart...

She looked like an immortal fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

'So beautiful...'

Audom couldn't help marveling inwardly.

The Elves were famous for their beauty.

Yet compared to the girl before him...

Even the greatest beauties of his own race seemed to pale in comparison.

'W-Who is she...?'

The thought naturally arose in his mind.

If it were her...

She could have his chastity if she wanted it.

A number of rather strange thoughts quietly surfaced inside his head.

Not only was the girl astonishingly beautiful...

She also possessed an entirely different aura from the female assassins around her.

She probably wasn't a member of the Nightingale Organization.

She seemed so gentle...

She didn't even resemble someone from the Black Rose Family.

Could she be the mysterious leader?

Enmm...

But her aura didn't seem particularly powerful.

She didn't really look like the final boss.

Shouldn't the mastermind be someone overflowing with evil energy, sporting three heads and six arms with a terrifying demonic face?

"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"

Seeing Audom standing there in a daze, the black-haired girl asked curiously.

Her voice immediately brought him back to his senses.

Feeling rather embarrassed, Audom looked apologetically at the girl.

Regardless of who she was...

Basic etiquette had to be observed.

Taking a deep breath, he put on his signature courteous smile.

"My apologies, Miss. Greetings. I am Audom-Kailrosa, Prince of the Elves."

As he spoke...

Audom gracefully bent down, preparing to take the girl's hand and perform a proper hand-kiss.

However...

The instant he lowered himself...

An indescribable chill suddenly erupted from every direction like countless razor-sharp swords.

It pierced straight through his body.

Audom's expression changed dramatically.

Startled, he slowly lifted his gaze...

Toward the source of that overwhelming killing intent—

Behind the black-haired girl.

There...

Zhong Xizhi...

Qiu Mingtong...

And everyone else who had been smiling just moments ago...

Were now staring directly at him.

Their gazes were so terrifying that they looked capable of slicing him into ten thousand pieces.

?!!

In that instant...

Audom stopped breathing.

'What the hell?! What's going on?! What did I do this time?! qwq...'