Identity Exposed
Serea looked into the courtyard, utterly bewildered.
"Aruka, don't act impulsively!"
Avril shouted, but Aruka answered resolutely.
"No one can take you and Auna from my side!"
As soon as he finished, he released Hidden Fang, who dashed out imdiately. But just halfway, a squad of guards blocked the path. The werewolves didn't hesitate either; they drew their weapons and shouted:
"Protect Madam Avril!"
The two sides were on the verge of clashing.
At this critical mont, the man who had jumped from the window beca anxious and shouted,
"You can't escape here! Resisting will only lead to aningless sacrifice."
"Hmph, then you underestimate the Bloodthirsty Fangs clan too much!"
To cover Avril's escape, Aruka was already set on fighting. Activating Primal Awakening, his speed and strength peaked. But even with that ferocious assault, the man was rely forced on the defensive.
Level 32, Gold Elite!
"Damn it, just hold them off! Don't hurt them!"
The man gave his order. To keep relations from deteriorating further, he couldn't use lethal force. The werewolves only fought while retreating.
"Protect Mada and Captain Auna!"
The werewolves shielded Avril behind them, while the ordered guards could only surround them and make probing attacks. For the ti being, both sides were at a stalemate.
But on the other front, things were different. Aruka fought with killing intent, while the man seed to be restraining himself, unwilling to truly strike back. As he fought, he tried to explain,
"Calm down. I'm not trying to take your daughter away; I just hope she can go back and inherit the Qili Family."
"Inherit the family or whatever—that has nothing to do with !"
Aruka slashed down with his broadblade. The man blocked but was still knocked back. After stabilizing himself, he kept persuading Aruka,
"Avril is our Qili Family's only direct heir. As her husband, you should understand her and let Auna inherit the 'Qili' surna."
"You're mistaken. Auna's surna is 'Bloodthirsty Fangs,' not 'Qili.'"
Aruka pressed forward step by step, forcing the man to retreat again and again.
Seeing their battle heating up, avril called out,
"Aruka, uncle Kait, stop fighting! Can't you just sit down and talk?"
Hearing Avril, the man called 'Uncle Kait' by her replied,
"I'd like to, but this brat simply won't listen!"
"You old bastard, there's nothing to talk about with you. Mada, take Auna and leave first!"
Neither of the two paid any mind to Avril's diation. Auna looked at Avril in confusion.
"Mom, are Dad and Grandpa Kait fighting because of ...?"
"No, this isn't your fault, auna."
Seeing Auna get downcast, avril hastened to comfort her, but her words did little to soothe Auna's feelings. Gritting her teeth, avril commanded,
"Hidden Fang, take over."
She said this, and though Hidden Fang hesitated, in the end it obeyed.
"Stop, you—"
A guard tried to stop her, but Avril glared at them fiercely.
"I am the head of the Qili Family, do you dare block ?"
Her voice overflowed with authority. The guards instantly relented, stepping aside to make way for Avril.
"Mada Avril, you..."
"Stay here and don't move."
Avril had the werewolves wait. Hearing this, they exchanged glances and then chose to obey.
Aruka and Kait hadn't noticed Avril riding Hidden Fang over as they kept fighting—until Aruka's blade rested at Kait's throat, and Kait's greatsword was about to fall on Aruka's head.
"Both of you, stop!"
A sudden shout froze them. Their weapons stopped only a few centiters from their opponent's body.
"Mada, you should just—"
"I'm not leaving. Put down your weapon."
"But—"
"Put it down, or I'll go ho with Uncle Kait, and you'll never see the child in my belly!"
Hearing this, Aruka was startled on the spot.
"M-My child!?"
"Did you hear !"
Avril raised her voice. In his shock, Aruka put his weapon down. Avril looked to Kait next.
"You too, put your weapon down. Otherwise, I'll leave with Aruka and you'll never find again."
"But...the command from the old family head is..."
"I'm the current family head. As the guard protecting the main family, do you listen to or not?"
"..."
Kait put down his sword, replying,
"Yes, mada Family Head."
With both of them disard, avril ordered,
"Throw away your weapons, and sit back down."
Although Aruka and Kait obviously disliked each other, they still threw their weapons aside and returned together to the room.
The guards were stunned by this scene.
"What are you looking at? Go do your jobs! Don't just stand there!"
Avril reprimanded them, and the guards quickly returned to their posts while the werewolves lingered awkwardly in the courtyard.
"Mada, we..."
"You too, always making a fuss following around."
"Uhh... As Mada says."
"Stay put, don't cause trouble, or after I deal with Aruka I'll co out and deal with you!"
"Yes, Ma'am."
Avril imposed her will, separating both sides. Seeing this, Serea and Leklis nearby found themselves sowhat lost on what was unfolding, but Avril quickly noticed them.
"Lady Serea, you already arrived?"
"I suppose I've been waiting for a bit."
"Perfect. Having soone of your status as a witness couldn't be better, so can I trouble you to spare a bit of your ti?"
"Witness?"
"Yes, please."
"But I'm an outsider—won't it be strange for to interfere in your family affairs?"
"It's fine."
"Alright, then let's postpone visiting my shop for a while..."
Serea agreed, and followed Avril inside. Serea noticed Avril clutching her belly, and combined with her earlier words, Serea had a good idea of what was going on.
Inside, Aruka and Kait were sitting stiffly at the damaged negotiation table. Once Avril entered, Aruka imdiately asked,
"Is it true about the child!?"
"Of course. But right now, I need to handle other matters. Everyone, sit!"
With that, both Aruka and Kait sat up straight, as a major eting about 'inheritance' began...
During their talks, Serea sat between Aruka and Kait, but the discussion didn't really concern her—she just listened from the side.
The core conflict was simple: as Avril's daughter and the sole direct heir to the Qili Family, auna was needed back in the Holy Dragon Empire to inherit the family.
But Aruka would not agree. Even if he had moved past his old grudges, he couldn't accept his daughter being taken away, nor could he abandon the tribe to accompany Auna to the human world.
They'd previously argued so much over this issue that it led to the earlier conflict. Now, although sparks were flying again, avril imdiately snuffed them out this ti—and her solution was...
"It's settled. The children's future shall be decided by themselves—Auna, and the soon-to-be-born child as well. If you want them to stay with either side, you'll have to win their acceptance. I won't interfere with their choices, but you must not force them!"
Avril declared firmly. As she moved to sit, Aruka hurried to support her, mindful of her pregnancy.
Avril didn't refuse. In fact, it seed she rather enjoyed it; stubborn as Aruka usually was, at tis like these he didn't dare talk back.
Taking this opportunity, she asked Aruka,
"Can you accept these terms?"
"But..."
"Eh? But what?"
"But nothing! I'll listen to whatever you say."
Faced with Avril's threat, Aruka dared not protest at all. Avril then turned to Kait.
"And you?"
"I... I can't decide myself. I need to report this to the old family head for a final decision."
As he spoke, 'the old family head' referred to Avril's grandfather, the retired Sword Saint of the Holy Dragon Empire—Talilo Qili!
"Fine, then make sure to deliver this ssage to Grandpa: His granddaughter or grandson is still in my belly. If he disagrees, he can forget about ever seeing the child, not even once."
Avril was very forceful—she was the only one who'd dare say such things to a retired Sword Saint.
"I'll deliver the ssage."
"That's all, then. Let Lady Serea serve as the witness for today's agreent."
Hearing this, everyone turned to Serea.
"?"
A bewildered Serea pointed at herself, and Avril smiled, nodding.
"Yes, I have to trouble you, lady Serea."
"Uh...alright, I'll serve as the witness then."
Serea agreed, and so the eting achieved its purpose.
"Thank you, lady Serea."
"It's nothing."
Once it was over, avril turned to Kait.
"Uncle Kait, you should be able to report this outco to Grandpa, right? So from now on, please don't disturb my family life."
"I have no intention of interfering, but Mada, are you sure you want to stay here? The family business..."
"Aren't you and Third Uncle managing things back at the family? And I didn't co here only for myself. Staying here helps expand trade with the Corrupted Jungle, which is a good transition for when I fully take over later, isn't it?"
"This...alright, but I really can't be at ease with you staying here, so you must keep the guards I brought with you."
"Alright, alright, I'll accept."
Avril could only reluctantly agree. The so-called guards were thirty mbers of the Qili Family's retinue. Since this is Otto Kingdom, bringing so many from the Holy Dragon Empire was already the maximum allowed.
"Then, uncle, head back and report, please."
"Kicking out so soon..."
"Your presence here will interfere with my plans."
"Tsk, you might be disappointed; I have to stay until I receive the old family head's reply. But don't worry, I won't interfere with your decisions during that ti."
With that, kait walked out of the eting room. Before leaving, he left a last warning.
"Brat, take good care of the Mada. If she suffers even the slightest, I won't be so easy on you next ti."
"My wife doesn't need you to worry about her."
They glared at each other, and rather than spar further with Aruka's 'protective husband' routine, kait hurriedly retreated.
"Finally, no one's bothering anymore."
Once Kait left, avril stretched and relaxed, making Aruka worry,
"Careful!"
"Huh? What's there to be careful about? You're always so jumpy."
Avril said, glancing at Aruka supporting her, a hint of happiness hidden in her tone.
"Mom, am I going to have a little sister?"
Finally able to speak, auna ran over. Avril affectionately stroked her daughter's head.
"Maybe it'll be a little brother, who knows?"
Seeing this harmonious family, Serea congratulated them,
"Congratulations, you finally have the chance to be reunited as a family."
"Yes, and it's thanks to the Queen's help as well."
As she said this, avril felt a little worried.
She was concerned about her family back ho. As head of the family, suddenly coming to develop trade in such a place must have made her uncles shoulder a lot of pressure. If she failed to deliver results, there would be opposition within the family.
For this, she needed to work hard to shift the rchant guild's trade center toward the Corrupted Jungle, giving her a reason to remain with her family. And to succeed, she'd need the help of one person—
Serea!
Though her Qili Family was large and powerful, trying to expand in this foreign land depended on Serea. She couldn't even get past Maregof without her.
So to Serea she was truly grateful. Only with her support could Avril break free of her family's shackles and stay with her loved ones.
"By the way, lady Serea is here to look at your shop, right?"
"Yes, I happen to be free today."
"Then let show you around, lady Serea."
"Is your health alright?"
"It's fine. It doesn't affect my movent at all right now."
Avril replied. Aruka wanted to object, but one glare from Avril silenced him. He reluctantly followed at her side as everyone walked together to the trading post's main street.
The trading post was not yet large, but with Qili Family investnts, it would continue growing and prospering.
On the street's most prominent spot, Serea saw her own shop—a two-story building, remarkably luxurious for the recently established camp.
Serea was satisfied. During the tour, she also shared about 'Lilith,' but didn't go into details. She only requested Avril and Julian keep it secret. Though confused, they agreed.
Having achieved her goal, Serea intended to return to camp, but it was already fully dark, and a blizzard had started. She had no choice but to stay overnight.
......
After Serea left, avril and Julian returned to the Xiyun rchant Guild branch. After Serea's explanation about 'Lilith,' both wore grave expressions.
"Did you find out?"
"I did. The girl's na is Lilith, but there's no surna marked."
"Serea, lilith—what a coincidence. Both nas of the Otto Kingdom's princesses appeared here."
Avril said. Julian added,
"Indeed. While I've never seen the princesses myself and can't verify Lilith's identity, it's said Lilith has beco the Holy See's Saintess. I asked the guards and, indeed, a group capable of using holy light arrived at the camp. I personally went to check the inn, and their leader looked exactly like Queen Serea."
Julian was already aware of what this implied.
"Serea Darkmoon and Serea Ottobloodstorm—I thought it was just coincidence. But now it seems they're probably one and the sa."
Avril spoke, while Julian added,
"But I heard Princess Serea of Otto Kingdom has already died in the Ailera Empire. Then, who is this Lady Serea..."
Julian stopped, but after so thought, avril looked over with a stern face.
"Not a word of this leaves you. Understood?"
"Yes, mada."
Julian got her aning. Loyal to Avril, he would keep Serea's secret.
And what did Otto Kingdom's matters have to do with them? The Xiyun rchant Guild never discriminated against trade partners, and would never leak any client's information—that was their core principle since founding.
"But I do need to find a chance to speak to Queen Serea in person."
Avril murmured, when footsteps sounded outside.
"Mada, I've bought what you requested."
It was Aruka. Hearing his voice, avril's sternness vanished, replaced by a young wife's delight.
"Alright."
Avril replied, and sent Julian away.
As for the Otto Kingdom princess or whatever, she didn't want to think about it. All she cared about now was reuniting her family and whether she could establish a trade network in the Corrupted Jungle.
......
anwhile, Serea gloomily returned to the inn. Standing before her were Leklis, leon, and Morlock.
"Have you inford them of the matter I entrusted to you?"
"Yes, the word is out."
Leon answered. They'd already told their subordinates not to talk carelessly. Though still confused, under Blood Spring's control they would only obey.
Serea noticed the doubt on their faces, especially Morlock and Leklis. Being from Otto Kingdom, the appearance of both Lilith and Serea's nas inevitably led them to suspect the truth.
"You all look confused?"
Serea asked. The three shook their heads.
"I'm sure you already have an answer in your hearts. So I'm allowing you to ask about the doubt within you."
Hearing her, they hesitated in silence—until, unexpectedly, morlock spoke up first.
"Princess Serea, you are Princess Serea, aren't you!"
Morlock seed very excited. Serea had long prepared herself for this question and answered bluntly,
"That's right."
Leklis and Leon had guessed as much, but hearing her confirm it felt surreal.
This is just too unbelievable!
Morlock reacted the most dramatically.
"It's really Princess Serea! You're alive—this is wonderful!"
Morlock went down on one knee. Serea found his reaction odd.
"You seem very excited."
"Of course. You might not recognize , but I know you. During your regency, you solved the famine in the kingdom's north and saved countless citizens, including and my brothers."
Morlock said. Serea naturally possessed those mories as well. Her title as 'Otto Lake Crystal' had been bestowed by the people during that very regency.
"Heh, I didn't know I had admirers. But after using such underhanded ans to control you all, I suppose the title 'Otto Lake Crystal' must disappoint you."
"No, not at all! We brought it upon ourselves. eting you is the fortune of several lifetis. No matter how Princess Serea's past, present, or future changes, we'll follow you. Please accept our allegiance in the na of my brothers!"
Morlock declared.
Watching as Morlock fell under her spell of 'charm,' Serea wasn't sure whether to be happy or what.
"I accept."
"Thank you, Princess."
"But enough with the 'Princess' and 'Your Highness.' Outside, you must continue calling 'milady.'"
"Yes, lady Serea!" x3
The trio replied, and Serea waved her hand.
"Alright, you can go. I'm exhausted and want to rest."
"Yes." x3
They withdrew, and Serea collapsed onto the bed. She just felt extrely drained. Couldn't win a card pull at a 0.5% chance, but ran into an impossible real-life situation. Luckily, she handled it before anyone else who'd t her did...
The more she thought, the more tired she beca, and Serea soon drifted off to sleep.
Elsewhere, after Leon and the others returned to their own rooms, leklis was particularly worried. As he turned a corner in the stairwell, he ran into the last person he wanted to see.
Astor!
"What a coincidence—you're staying at this inn too?"
Astor said, and Leklis narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, what a coincidence indeed."
Astor glanced outside, then spoke aningfully,
"Since fate brought us together again, and it's about 8 p.m., how about we have dinner together?"
"......"
Leklis didn't answer imdiately, but with the other holding sothing over him, he had no choice but to agree,
"With pleasure."
(To be continued...)
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