Free Web NovelThey say friendship is like a treasured wine — unlike other things that quickly expire, the longer it is kept, the more fragrant it becomes.
Beneath the warm and vibrant pale-green glow, the whole space felt like it had been steeped in vanilla-scented cream ice cream, though even the air carried a touch of mournful chill.
Shrouded in luminescent green, Xiao Lü’s expression was blurred. Vieya could not tell whether she was crying or laughing. Only her body, made of flowing streams of information, flickered now and then, like dropped frames in a broken projection. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Vieya knew: this only happened when Xiao Lü’s emotions surged violently.
She wanted to do what people in movies always did at long-awaited reunions — rush forward and give the other a great big hug. A hug born of pure feeling, warm enough to soften the scars of time. And such a hug need not last long, only long enough for the other person to feel your warmth and presence. Finally, whisper gently at their ear:
“I am back.”
Her green pupils quiet and steady, just as she had been in those days, Vieya looked at her and said softly, as if merely recounting:
“I am back, Xiao Lü.”
With a wail, the blurred green figure flung herself forward, trying with all her phantom being to press against Vieya’s body. Her voice was choked with grief, carrying a sob to the very bone:
“...Brother Ye, how did you end up like this? I almost... I almost couldn’t recognize you... Wu wu, Sister Red said you and Sister Fu died together in some sort of pact, that you would never come back to see me again. I didn’t believe it. But the Hero Squad all said you were dead. The humans across the continent said you were dead. Even your disciple, in the end, tried to comfort me, saying you would never return. Everyone thought you were gone. They are all so hateful...”
Vieya embraced her, though the other’s body had no weight, no touch. Listening to her cries, she remained silent, letting the glowing green tears fall onto her arm.
Though as intangible as air, those tears felt icy cold. Cold enough to sear.
Honestly, she had never been good at comforting others. But even someone as slow as she was knew: in such moments, one should let the other’s emotions settle first before saying anything else.
I really have turned into a detestable adult who only thinks of herself. Vieya sighed inwardly while gently holding the phantom close.
“Forgive me, Xiao Lü. Whatever you want to say, please say it. Tonight, I will be here.”
“Then let’s pinky promise.”
“...Mm.”
Vieya gave a quiet reply. She sat down on the floor, leaning against the massive glass container, green eyes calm as she gazed forward.
On her left was the emerald gem glowing inside the container. On her right was the phantom spirit of that gem, Xiao Lü.
Xiao Lü was delighted. “Luckily today I’m off duty. Otherwise, seeing you like this, Brother Ye, the first glance I would have misjudged. Those humans might have captured you...”
“But, Brother, what happened three years ago? Did you really do as Sister Red said, and die together with Sister Fu?”
“No.” Vieya chuckled and shook her head.
“Ha, I knew it! How could you two do something that stupid!” Xiao Lü grew indignant. “Sister Red lied to me again!”
But the instant she spoke of Sister Red again, her anger shifted into worry. Sister Red was not like her. For centuries she had been confined in the Royal Capital, and it had been many seasons since they had last spoken.
“Xiao Hong?”
“Yes.” Xiao Lü pouted. “Her temper has always been bad, but in recent years it has grown worse. She always says the Royal Capital is a place that makes her miserable, like a dazzling cage. She swears that one day, she will set that cage aflame and burn it to ashes.”
...
Fengxiang Town.
Rain poured down in torrents, the winds swirled, and pink lightning flashed within the clouds. Under the eaves of a knightly outpost, the female knight Fino of the Demon-Hunting Order stood, holding a slanted black umbrella.
Weather along the southern border was always like this — storms would come without warning, never giving people time to prepare.
Her eyes were full of heavy thoughts. Word had spread that the monsters surging from the depths of the forest had already clashed with soldiers heading to the front. Inside the city, defenses were thin, and opportunists had begun to stir, eager to seize advantage from the crisis.
She sighed, and thought of her parents.
“Little girl, where is your home? I will take you back.”
Fino lowered her head, gazing at the timid little girl clutching a black cat. At that age, she herself had still been clinging to her mother and father’s arms, spoiled and demanding milk.
“...”
The little girl hugging the cat said nothing. Her golden eyes flicked once toward the city gate, then dropped again as if burned.
Catching that glance, Fino was startled. So she really had come from a village outside the walls?
Through the curtain of rain, Fino could vaguely see an orange fire-cloud swelling in the distance, born of some violent explosion. Bright, glaring — and then gone in an instant.
The fighting on the front must be fierce...
And yet for such a blast, no sound reached the city. The battlefield must still be some distance away from Fengxiang Town.
After calculating for a moment, Fino looked back down at the little girl holding the cat.
“Then do you know where your father and mother are?” she asked.
“...”
The little girl was silent. She met the black cat’s gaze, then shook her head.
You really know nothing, huh!
Thankfully, Fino ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) had never expected much of her. She merely gazed out at the endless downpour and murmured, “I am sorry, little one.”
She said, “I may not be able to take you home. I cannot help you find your parents. And it is dangerous to keep you by my side.”
She crouched slowly, the umbrella still shielding them both, freeing one hand to gently pat the hooded head. She met the golden eyes beneath the hood, anxious and afraid, and spoke softly:
“Remember this, little one. In a moment, I will give you my umbrella. Follow the road behind us. Avoid people when you can. Keep going until you see a house with a white-tiled roof. There you will find a round arched gate. Go straight inside. The sisters there are good people. They will take you to find your mother...”
Suddenly, Fino’s expression changed. She sprang to her feet, staring into the rain. Fear glimmered in her eyes.
At the same time, sharp whistles of alarm rang out from the outpost!
Monsters had appeared.
The black cat, who had seemed to be dozing, slowly opened her eyes. Golden pupils glowed faintly in the stormy night. She tapped the little girl with her fluffy tail.
“Meow! Time to go, Demon King-sama.”
The umbrella was shoved into the little girl’s uninjured right hand. Fino drew her sword and plunged into the rain, joining the armored knights rushing out of the post.
“Will they die?”
The little girl in the black cloak stood in the downpour, gripping the large black umbrella, her head bowed.
“...I do not know, meow.”
“Then... can I still go home?”
“Home? You mean Demon King’s Castle... That depends on whether your mother still wants you, meow.”
“...I have a mother?”
“Meow. You have not only a mother, but also a father.”
“Then I...”
“Do not think too much. They are both dead. Meow.”
