Chapter 73: Chapter 73: "I Miss You.
The Duke’s pupils contracted sharply!
He gripped the letter tightly, his fingertips trembling slightly.
[——For the Duke, personally.]
Four large words met his eyes.
"Teacher Dai Li brought me cream-filled chocolates today. I love them. She said the Duke had them sent back from the Royal Palace just for me."
"Jieao brought me many classical books, just as I asked."
"Among them was a history of the Snake Clan."
"I’ve always been so curious. What kind of place do you live in, Duke? What are the customs of the Snake Clan? Was the world you saw when you were little different from how it is now?"
"But~"
"I know you won’t tell me about these things on your own."
"I ate a lot of tangyuan today, and I also had a strawberry milkshake. Teacher Dai Li said you’ve been very busy lately and will come see me when you have time."
"I know."
"I heard that war is breaking out in many places, and you have so much official business to handle that you don’t even have time to sleep."
"Um..."
"Actually, what I really want to say is... I think I miss you a little."
After all that rambling, Yu Zhizhi had finally gotten to the point.
Although the Duke hadn’t come to see her again after that night, the time they had spent together before—
She remembered it all.
Seeing those words, the Duke’s throat tightened. His jaw clenched, and his vertical golden pupils stared intently at the letter in his hands.
"I received a postcard from Mumu today. She went to Cuiwei Canyon and had a lot of fun."
"I’m so envious."
"I want to go out and have fun too..."
"What are you doing right now?"
"Did you have a good day?"
"Have you eaten? Have you slept? Are you still having nightmares?"
"When will you come see me..."
"Take me out to play~"
This letter was written over a long period, not in a single day.
The contents of the letter were disjointed. The little female seemed to have written down whatever came to mind, making the text sporadic and incoherent.
Just reading it, the Duke felt a sudden, inexplicable pang in his heart.
He could almost see the image of the little female sitting alone in her cage, waiting day after day for his return.
He had been giving her the cold shoulder during this time intentionally.
The Duke knew he was on the verge of falling for her. He needed to pull away, to regain his calm and composure. He couldn’t get any more entangled with her.
But...
But she had written—
"I’m a little scared."
"I don’t know how long I’ll be locked up. I envy Mumu. She can go wherever she wants and has seen so many things I’ve never seen."
The Duke’s body stiffened. He stared at every word on the letter, his heart nearly stopping.
"I..."
"I have to leave."
"There are many, many reasons. Please forgive me for not being able to tell you."
"The place I’m going is very far away, and I don’t know if I’ll ever have the chance to come back. So, while I still can, I want to write down everything I want to say."
"I hope you can be a little happier."
"I’ve prayed to the gods that you won’t have nightmares anymore."
"Don’t look for me, okay~"
"I probably used something like a Teleportation Array and have already left the Imperial City. Let everyone get some rest. Don’t blame them. They were all very good to me."
"It’s time to say goodbye..."
"If we can really meet again someday..."
"Duke, I hope you won’t punish me."
"And—"
"I hope you’ll give me a hug."
Yu Zhizhi didn’t know why the Duke was angry.
She was a little scared.
She didn’t know how to face an angry Duke and instinctively wanted to avoid him.
Besides, she had a mission to complete.
She couldn’t stay here.
This time, she left without saying goodbye, leaving only a letter for the Duke.
In the future, if they were to meet again—
She just hoped the Duke would be willing to give her a hug.
She didn’t want to be locked up again.
Finally.
She left one last sentence—
"Be good to the cubs."
...
Yu Zhizhi used the Teleportation Scroll and felt the world spin. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a field of snow-covered ruins.
Just as the scroll’s instructions had indicated, her stomach churned with acid. The feeling was very much like motion sickness.
After recovering a bit, she was hit by a bone-chilling cold.
"AH... CHOO!"
She sneezed and hugged the red backpack in her arms tightly. Looking around, she saw nothing but vast white snow in every direction—she had suddenly gone from a place where spring was in full bloom to a brutally cold region.
’Is this the Moon Rising Empire in the far north?’
’I remember the place I chose was [Paradise].’
’Judging by the name...’
’It sounded like a very cheerful place.’
’And it only cost 100 Points.’
’It’s just a bit cold.’
Yu Zhizhi wasn’t wearing much; thankfully, she’d put on an extra coat before teleporting. She stood up from the snowdrift, swaying unsteadily, and started walking toward a shop in the distance.
Suddenly, a system voice sounded in her mind—
[DING! Congratulations, Host, on unlocking the 4th main quest. You are required to capture the heart of an adult male of the Mermaid Clan (identity irrelevant) within two months. Success is defined as becoming pregnant with his cub. Failure or exceeding the time limit will result in obliteration! Host, please hurry. The countdown begins now—]
’The fourth main quest has started!’
Yu Zhizhi carefully reviewed the quest details—
’The Mermaid... Clan?’
’Hmm, I remember reading about them in an Ancient Book of history. They’re said to be an extremely Rare race living in the most hidden parts of the Deep Sea Empire.’
But, she remembered, the Moon Rising Empire and the Deep Sea Empire were in completely opposite directions...
The young woman stood there in a daze.
"Should I have stayed at the Duke Mansion a little longer...?"
[System: Remaining in one place will not unlock the main quest.]
’So, "exploring around" at the right time is the key.’
"Oh..."
The place Yu Zhizhi had arrived at was [Paradise] in the Moon Rising Empire. She didn’t know what region she was in, but the surroundings were completely desolate.
Broken, snow-covered buildings towered into the clouds everywhere. Every step she took into the snow felt like plunging into a bottomless pit.
Just as she was about to reach the only shop in sight—
An alarm suddenly blared from high above!
Soon, a formal announcement broadcast over loudspeakers reached the ears of every Beastman present.
"The 4th snow tide of the year is imminent. All residents, please take your identification cards and proceed to the shelter tower. Please note, you will not be able to enter the shelter without an identification card. Be sure to wear your identification information on your chest."
"In thirty minutes, the snow tide will cover the entire area of Paradise—"
"Please manage your time and proceed to the shelter tower in an orderly fashion. Do not crowd. Violators will be punished by Paradise."
...Huh?
’A snow tide?!’
Yu Zhizhi froze for a moment. She saw many different kinds of Beastmen rush out of the shop, their faces fraught with panic.
One of the Beastmen got into an off-road vehicle. After everyone piled in, the car sped up and vanished from Yu Zhizhi’s sight in the blink of an eye.
She waved her arms frantically, trying to chase after them, but she tripped and fell in the thick snow.
No Beastman noticed the little female in the borderlands.
The cold wind rushed down her throat like a small knife slicing flesh, and Yu Zhizhi choked until tears welled in her eyes. She clutched her red backpack tightly and, pushing against the fierce wind, chased step by step in the direction the car had disappeared.
But the path was just too difficult to walk...
With every step Yu Zhizhi took, the wind pushed her back.
’Sob... I’m not going to die in this awful weather, am I?’
’A snow tide...’
’The name makes it sound similar to a mudslide or a volcanic eruption—’
Just as Yu Zhizhi’s mind was racing with wild thoughts, a pair of dark brown boots appeared before her.
"KSHHH—"
The newcomer was holding a walkie-talkie, and he immediately reported to his superior.
"Coordinates 223, 466 area. Found a female of the Rabbit Clan. Faction unknown, Level unknown. Requesting permission to bring her in."
