Free Web NovelChapter 162: Chapter 80: Edith’s Invitation! How About a Nest of Little Succubi?
’However, a piece of Elite-quality equipment costs between three and ten Gold Coins. Equipping each of them with a full set would be a real strain on the Guild at the moment...’
"Sigh. I’ll buy a piece for each of them when I get back. Then, we can start preparing to challenge a higher-difficulty Demon Cave."
Su Xuan muttered to himself, then rose and stepped into the Teleportation Array, heading to Edith’s domain for their appointment.
When he arrived at Edith’s manor, the scent of roses filling the air was intoxicating.
’But for some reason, there seems to be a unique fragrance mixed in with the scent of roses?’
’The scent of a Succubus?’
He didn’t dwell on it and walked straight into the manor.
Edith was in a garden pavilion, reading a book. Beside her, a woman with curly blue hair caught Su Xuan’s eye.
The woman was engrossed in painting, her subject not Edith, but a distant rose.
"You’re here~"
Spotting Su Xuan, Edith gave him a gentle wave.
Su Xuan walked to Edith’s side, his gaze shifting to the blue-haired woman who was still painting.
"And this is?"
"She is the Second Princess of the Star Kingdom—Catherine," Edith explained.
"Hello."
Catherine gave Su Xuan a slight smile before returning her focus to her painting.
’Second Princess?’
Su Xuan was confused. ’Is there some special reason Edith wanted me to meet the Second Princess of the Star Kingdom?’
"Have a seat."
Edith smiled, inviting Su Xuan to sit. She then gently set down her book and said, "I have a favor to ask of you. And, of course, it’s one you won’t refuse."
"What is it?"
Su Xuan looked puzzled. ’What could possibly be something I wouldn’t refuse?’
"It’s about White Rose..." Edith gracefully crossed her legs, lifted her teacup, and took a delicate sip, a mysterious glint in her eyes.
The moment she spoke, Su Xuan understood. This was, indeed, something he couldn’t refuse.
"Has something happened to White Rose?" he asked Edith.
However, it wasn’t Edith who answered him, but Catherine.
"The Guardian Flowers across the Star Kingdom are withering one by one. Blood Jasmine, Violet, and Blue Lily are already on the verge of collapse. And now, White Rose has also begun to show signs of withering," Catherine replied, still painting.
Hearing this, Su Xuan frowned slightly and looked toward Edith.
"It’s true."
Edith nodded. "Everything she said is true. This must be the work of the Night Witch."
’The Night Witch...’
Su Xuan frowned. ’The Night Witch doesn’t just want to destroy White Rose... She’s going to destroy the other six Guardian Flowers as well? What is she planning?’
"This is a power struggle." Catherine gently set down her paintbrush. Her sky-blue eyes met Su Xuan’s, her tone serious. "It’s clear my father has sided with the Night Witch. He wants to make Vivian the next King."
"Perhaps so~"
Edith chimed in her agreement.
"So, I need you to stop White Rose from withering," Catherine continued. "You just need to hold out until the Star Ceremony is over. By then, we’ll have a way to deal with the root cause of the withering."
...
Su Xuan fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. He understood why Edith had summoned him, but there was still one thing he didn’t get.
So he asked, "I heard the Star Kingdom is asking for military aid from other nations to deal with the Demon Cave problem, even allowing foreign troops into the Royal City. Why?"
"Is that really happening?"
Catherine looked shocked at Su Xuan’s words. She had never heard anything about this.
"The reason is simple."
Edith, however, seemed perfectly calm. She explained with a smile, "The dying King is willing to let foreign armies into the Royal City for only one reason: he’s confident he can make his enemies stay there forever. As for what he plans to do with them, I haven’t been able to find out."
"Trap his enemies in the Royal City forever? Isn’t he afraid of retaliation from the other nations? The Sun Sect Country is many times stronger than the Star Kingdom," Su Xuan asked, confused.
"Is it really so hard to find a scapegoat?" Edith countered with a smile.
Her words made everything click into place for Su Xuan.
’But who’s the scapegoat? The Demon Race in the Demon Cave?’
’Or is it someone else entirely?’
"Whatever their motives, if we want to seize control of the Star Kingdom, we must be prepared to face it all!" Edith said softly, gently swirling the tea in her cup. "I need your help. If you’re willing to stand with me, I will grant your every desire!"
As she spoke, her gaze swept nonchalantly over Catherine, who sat beside them. The look seemed to imply that even giving the Second Princess to him as a Maid would be no problem at all.
That single glance made Catherine’s heart shudder. She realized she was just another pawn in Edith’s game, with no power to resist.
"You want to use my Demon Eye against Vivian, don’t you?" Su Xuan asked, having caught the implication in Edith’s words.
"Correct~" Edith smiled, resting her left hand lightly on her cheek. "So, will you accept this commission? Of course, if that’s not enough, I have several hundred Little Succubi just waiting to be... nurtured. As long as you think your body can handle it~ they can all be yours."
As she spoke, she seductively traced her lips with a fingertip, a captivating, bewitching expression on her face.
...
Back at the Guild, Su Xuan mulled over the information from Edith. He was still completely in the dark about the old King’s true intentions.
’Is it really just to ensure Vivian’s smooth ascension to the throne?’
’Or is he hoping to find some way to prolong his own fading life?’
"I’ll talk to Lucia tomorrow," Su Xuan muttered. She might be able to help him.
But for now, he needed to find Rosaline and take a trip to Sunset City.
"Rosaline, I’m heading out. Come with me."
Su Xuan knocked on her door and called out to her.
Rosaline immediately opened the door. "Is it urgent?"
"Yes. Let’s go, quickly."
With no time to explain, Su Xuan grabbed Rosaline’s hand and dashed toward the Teleportation Array.
After a flash of light from the Teleportation Array, they appeared in the familiar halls of Yerman Castle.
"Go find Roxia. We’ll meet in Natasha’s room," Su Xuan instructed.
"Got it."
Rosaline nodded and headed for Roxia’s room.
Meanwhile, Su Xuan went to Natasha’s room. He knocked gently on the door. "Natasha, are you asleep?" freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"Mr. Su Xuan!?"
Hearing Su Xuan’s voice, Natasha immediately came to open the door.
The door opened to reveal Natasha in a light nightgown, her eyes fixed on him with anticipation.
"Mr. Su Xuan, what are you doing here so late...?" Before Natasha could finish, Su Xuan’s gaze had already fallen on her status bar. It clearly displayed the [Withered] Status!
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and asked gravely, "Natasha, have you been feeling unwell at all lately?"
"Unwell? I don’t think so." Natasha shook her head gently. "I just feel so tired all the time. I’m drowsy even when I’m not doing anything..."
Hearing this, Su Xuan’s brows furrowed.
The withering of White Rose had begun. Faced with this reality, Su Xuan was deeply concerned. ’How can I help Natasha get out of this? Even Edith and the others are powerless against it...’
’Wait!’
In that instant, an idea flashed through Su Xuan’s mind. He remembered the Soul Necklace Natasha wore, and the remnant soul of the Valkyrie dwelling within it!
’Perhaps she knows how to stop the withering of White Rose!’
’But...’
Su Xuan recalled his first encounter with the Valkyrie. He’d only managed a single glance before she had coldly shut him out.
’I wonder if I’ll be able to communicate with her this time?’
But regardless of the outcome, he had to try!
"Natasha, can you give me the Soul Necklace for a moment?" Su Xuan asked.
"Mm."
Natasha took the necklace from her neck and handed it to Su Xuan.
As Su Xuan’s Power of the Soul seeped into the Soul Necklace, a tremendous wave of Divine Power violently slammed into his mind.
At the same time, a cold, harsh voice echoed once more in Su Xuan’s ears:
"Human! How did you get in here again! GET OUT!"
