After Niya ran out, only Cecil and Leticia remained in the room.
The door was half-open. Light from the corridor spilled in, clearly illuminating Leticia's pathetic figure as she sat slumped on the floor.
Her face was still deathly pale.
The pressure from a moment ago still lingered on her.
She had never imagined that one day she would be pushed to such a point by a seemingly weak little Horned Tribe demon.
There was no Holy Light around her. No maids kneeling to serve her. No fawning nobles.
There was only a cold room, stones that suppressed her magic, and a fist that had almost landed.
Cecil looked at her, the smile on his face having returned to its usual light, airy quality.
He bowed slightly to Leticia, his movements elegant to an almost excessive degree.
“My deepest apologies. Our little maid accidentally disturbed you.”
Leticia looked up at him, her eyes still filled with a mix of terror and indignation.
Cecil’s tone was gentle.
“Niya was simply too concerned about the fruits of Miss Lin Ling’s hard work.”
“I hope you can calm yourself a little in this quiet environment.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, I shall take my leave.”
With that, he slowly backed away.
One step. Two steps.
His movements were not aggressive at all. He behaved like a polite nobleman making his exit.
But as he retreated, the tip of his tail flicked slightly.
A thread of extremely fine magic silently slipped into the shadows by the door.
It circled lightly around the shattered porcelain, the spilled water, and the spot where Leticia had just fallen.
Like an invisible thread, it began to gather the aura, the residual sounds, and the emotional fluctuations in the room piece by piece.
Leticia didn't notice. She simply glared at Cecil, as if trying to maintain the last shred of her dignity.
Cecil stepped outside, and the door closed again.
Click.
The lock engaged. The sealing barrier lit up once more.
Leticia was isolated within the room.
And the smile on Cecil’s face only began to fade slightly as he turned the corner of the corridor.
Around the corner, Aliviel was leaning against the wall waiting for him. She had her arms crossed, her purple eyes curving slightly as if she had just watched a decent performance.
“So those apologies just now were all just for show?”
Cecil raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite hurtful to say.”
Aliviel chuckled. “Your magic is certainly getting more proficient.”
Cecil’s tail flicked gently. “Just some insignificant little tricks. They're for confirming the hostage's status, recording emotional reactions, and judging whether she'll cause more trouble later.”
Aliviel looked at him. “Sounds harmless.”
Cecil said with a smile, “Of course.”
“Then, my dear Scout, why did you mix some Succubus Dream Dust into my magic?”
Aliviel’s gaze didn't waver in the slightest.
“Who knows?” Her tone was airy. “Perhaps I was worried the noble Miss Saintess would be further provoked. Perhaps I was afraid she’d faint from anger. Or perhaps it was just a passing whim.”
Cecil let out a low laugh. “A passing whim to lay Succubus Dream Dust on a Saintess?”
Aliviel smiled slightly. “Dreaming won't hurt her. It’s much gentler than Niya’s punch, isn't it?”
Cecil fell silent for a moment, then his smile deepened. “True.”
A sudden surge of magic power came from the other end of the corridor.
Aliviel tilted her head to listen. “Baroque and Lin Ling are back. I can sense magic coming this way.”
Cecil looked up. “So soon?”
“They seem to be coming back from the experimental field.” Aliviel’s lips curled up. “It seems our Miss Saintess had a very productive day.”
Cecil stretched. “Let’s go, then. Let’s go greet our family’s demon pet.”
He paused, then corrected himself with a smile. “Or should I say—the real Saintess?”
Aliviel let out a soft laugh, and the two of them walked toward the entrance, one after the other.
...
When Lin Ling returned to the Demon King's Castle, the Levitation Magic on her had weakened significantly.
Pale green currents of air still swirled around her feet, but they weren't as light and fast as when she had first flown out of the castle.
She wobbled upon landing. Fortunately, the little purple bat behind her gave her a gentle push, preventing the tragedy of a Saintess tripping on flat ground and losing a point of health.
Lin Ling leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
The little purple bat flew in a circle around her and then landed lightly on her shoulder.
Lin Ling stroked its small head. “You worked hard too.”
The little bat blinked.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor ahead. Lin Ling looked up to see Niya running toward her, clutching something in her arms.
“Miss Saintess!”
“Niya?”
Before Lin Ling could react, Niya had rushed up to her. They nearly collided. Fortunately, the Levitation Magic on Lin Ling hadn't completely dissipated, and the air currents cushioned her, causing her only to wobble.
“Whoa, Niya!”
Lin Ling looked down and saw that Niya was holding a piece of bread that had been squeezed a bit out of shape. Although its form was a bit tragic, it was still clearly soft bread.
Lin Ling’s eyes lit up instantly. “Is this for me? Niya, you’re too kind!”
She reached out and took the bread.
Niya froze. In the next moment, her expression changed drastically.
“No! Miss Saintess, you can’t eat that!”
But Lin Ling had already taken a bite.
Niya’s voice shook with panic. “That piece fell on the floor! You’ll get a stomachache!”
She hurriedly reached out to try and take the bread back.
Lin Ling, however, hugged the bread and stepped back a bit. “It’s fine.”
Her mouth was full of bread, making her words a bit muffled. “The floor isn't that dirty anyway.”
Niya’s eyes turned red with worry. “But it really did fall on the floor.”
Lin Ling looked down at the bread in her hand. It was indeed squashed and didn't look very appetizing. There was even a bit of dust on the edges.
But it was still soft. It was soft bread made from the grain harvested from the experimental field. It was something the Head Chef and the kitchen staff had carefully baked. It was food that many in the Demon King's Castle could once only dream of.
Lin Ling gently brushed off the dust. Then she took another bite.
Niya was stunned. “Miss Saintess...”
Lin Ling swallowed the bread and said seriously, “The Head Chef and the others worked very hard to make this. And you clean the Demon King's Castle so well every day. Besides, didn't everyone used to eat things like this even if they fell, because they couldn't bear to waste them?”
She looked at Niya. “So why can’t I eat it?”
Niya’s lips trembled slightly. She suddenly didn't know how to answer.
Lin Ling looked at the bread and smiled. “Besides, it just fell on the floor. It’s still edible.”
With that, she took another large bite.
This bite was too big. Just as Lin Ling chewed a couple of times, her expression suddenly froze. “Mmph.”
Niya’s face went pale. “Miss Saintess?!”
Lin Ling raised her hand and thumped her chest. “Chok... choking...”
Niya was so panicked she didn't know where to put her hands. “What do I do? Water! Where is the water?!”
Just then, a hand reached out from the side, holding a glass of clear water.
“Honestly.” Aliviel’s voice carried a hint of helplessness. “Miss Saintess, I don’t even know what to say to you anymore.”
Lin Ling hurriedly took the water and gulped down several mouthfuls. She finally swallowed that piece of bread.
She let out a long breath. “I’m alive.”
Niya almost cried. “Miss Saintess, you can’t eat so fast in the future.”
Lin Ling nodded guiltily. “I know.”
Aliviel stood before her, looking at the remaining bread in her hand and then at the breadcrumbs on the corner of her mouth. Her eyes flickered slightly.
Then, she suddenly reached out and cupped Lin Ling’s face.
Lin Ling froze. “Lady Aliviel?”
Aliviel leaned in slightly and looked at her closely. Lin Ling felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. “Is... is something wrong?”
Aliviel looked into her eyes. Those pale blue eyes still held a bit of moisture from when she was choking. Her cheeks were flushed from the flight back and the water. There were breadcrumbs at the corner of her mouth, and her hair was a bit messy from the wind.
By no means did she look like the holy statues enshrined in the White Tower by the Holy See.
But Aliviel suddenly laughed. It was a soft laugh. “Hehe. This way, you look more like a Saintess.”
Lin Ling looked completely bewildered. “Huh? Me?”
She looked down at the half-eaten bread in her hand, then touched the corner of her mouth.
Aliviel didn't answer. She simply used her fingertip to gently wipe away the breadcrumbs from Lin Ling’s mouth. Then, as if suddenly changing the subject, she said, “It’s nothing. Eat more meat tonight so you won't look so thin and weak.”
Lin Ling was even more confused. “Why are you suddenly saying that?”
Aliviel had already let go. She turned to leave. The little purple bat flew off Lin Ling’s shoulder and landed lightly on Aliviel’s fingertip.
Aliviel didn't look back, only waving her hand. “Remember not to be in such a hurry. Don’t choke again.”
Lin Ling stood there. “...Oh.”
She looked at Niya. “What did Lady Aliviel mean just now?”
Niya looked down at the bread in Lin Ling’s hand. She remembered the way Leticia had swept the bread onto the floor. After a long while, she said softly, “I also think Miss Saintess looks more like a Saintess.”
Lin Ling: “...”
She shyly took a small bite of the bread. This time, it was a very small bite. “Why are you all acting so strange today?”
Niya didn't speak. She just looked at Lin Ling, her gaze even softer than usual.
...
Night soon fell.
Lin Ling originally thought she had already experienced enough for one day. Flying out of the Demon King's Castle, seeing the new magical beasts in the experimental field, discovering a Battle Rooster that seemingly knew the Iron Mountain Lean, eating a piece of soft bread that had fallen on the floor, and having her face cupped by Aliviel while being told she looked like a Saintess.
As it turned out, when dinner time arrived, she realized the real highlight was yet to come.
Niya walked into the room carrying a large platter covered with a silver dome.
Lin Ling sat at the table, her gaze uncontrollably glued to it.
The aroma. It was the aroma of meat.
This wasn't like the usual soup with just a hint of meat flavor. This was the scent of real roasted meat.
Lin Ling’s eyes gradually lit up. “Niya.”
“Yes?”
“Is this...”
Niya smiled and placed the platter on the table. “Miss Saintess worked hard today. This is a dinner specially prepared for you by the Head Chef.”
She reached out and lifted the cover.
In the next instant, Lin Ling froze.
On the platter lay an entire roasted Battle Rooster. It was golden brown and crispy, with a rich aroma. Even though it had been roasted, it still stood on the platter in a very resolute posture.
Its legs firmly supported its body. Its chest was puffed out high. Its wings were slightly spread. The middle-parted feather crest on its head even stubbornly maintained a certain unyielding curve.
Lin Ling stared at it for a long time. Then she slowly spoke: “Is this... its final act of defiance?”
Niya: “...”
Lin Ling walked halfway around the table, becoming more and more impressed the more she looked. “Even after becoming dinner, it still maintains a fighting stance. As expected of a Battle Rooster. Even if a strong warrior exits the stage, they must do so standing up.”
Niya didn't know how to respond for a moment. She could only whisper, “The Head Chef said this was the best one.”
Lin Ling looked at the roasted chicken and swallowed her saliva. She had been waiting for this day for too long.
Ever since she first arrived at the Demon King's Castle, she had been thinking about real, large pieces of meat. Later, grain grew in the experimental field. There was soft bread. There was soup. There were dishes with a slight meat flavor. But this was the first time she had seen an entire roast in the true sense of the word.
Lin Ling picked up the steak knife, then suddenly stopped. She looked up at Niya. “What about the Demon King and the others?”
Niya’s body stiffened slightly. “Eh?”
Lin Ling looked at her. “Do they have some too?”
Niya’s gaze drifted. “O-of course they do.”
Lin Ling put down the knife. She narrowed her eyes.
Niya grew even more nervous. “R-really.”
Lin Ling suddenly leaned in closer and sniffed lightly around Niya. Niya’s face turned red from the shock. “Miss Saintess?”
Lin Ling slowly straightened up. Then she looked up at the ceiling at a forty-five-degree angle.
“Niya.”
“Yes?”
“I smell it.”
Niya asked nervously, “Smell what?”
Lin Ling’s tone was somber. “The scent of a lie.”
Niya: “...” She froze completely.
Lin Ling looked down at the whole Battle Rooster. Her gaze slowly softened. “They don't have any, do they?”
Niya lowered her head and didn't speak. Silence was her answer.
Lin Ling had actually guessed it long ago. She had just returned from the experimental field today. Although Baroque had brought back quite a few magical beasts, those beasts had only just adapted to the environment created by the magic suppression stones.
The number that could be immediately slaughtered for food could not possibly be enough for everyone in the entire Demon King's Castle to get meat. Moreover, some had to be kept for further breeding.
The so-called “specially prepared for Miss Saintess by the Head Chef” was actually everyone leaving the best portion for her.
Lin Ling looked at the roasted Battle Rooster on the platter. The aroma was very tempting. She really wanted to eat it. Especially that chicken leg. Golden. Glistening. It looked delicious.
Lin Ling stared at it for three seconds. Then, without hesitation, she reached out and tore off a drumstick. She held it up. “This one’s mine.”
Niya blinked. “Miss Saintess?”
Lin Ling pushed the rest of the large platter toward Niya. “Take the rest and share it with the Demon King and everyone else.”
Niya was stunned. “But this was for you, Miss Saintess.”
“I’ve already taken the most delicious part.” Lin Ling waved the drumstick in her hand. “The drumstick is the essence of the whole chicken, you know.”
Niya looked at her. “But...”
Lin Ling stood up and pushed the platter into her arms. “Alright. Go quickly. Chicken is best when it’s hot.”
Niya held the platter, her eyes turning slightly red. “Miss Saintess...”
Lin Ling feigned a serious expression. “Don’t look at me like that. I just feel that eating an entire Battle Rooster by myself would make it easy to suffer a backlash from its fighting spirit.”
Niya: “...” She almost laughed.
Lin Ling leaned in closer again and whispered, “By the way, the drumstick is the most delicious part. If you take a sneak bite on the way, just say I ate it.”
Niya’s eyes widened. “I-I won't sneak a bite!”
Lin Ling said seriously, “It’s not sneaking a bite. It’s an authorized tasting by the Saintess.”
Niya stood there, holding the platter, at a loss. Lin Ling reached out and gently pushed her back. “Go on. Let Aliviel and the others have a taste too. And the Demon King. If Uncle Baroque says he doesn't need any, tell him it’s my order for him to eat it.”
Niya finally nodded vigorously. “Mm!”
She picked up the platter with the Battle Rooster, missing only one drumstick, and walked quickly toward the door.
When she reached the door, she looked back at Lin Ling. Lin Ling had sat back down at the table and was looking down at the drumstick in her hand, her eyes sparkling as if she possessed the most precious treasure in the world.
Niya couldn't help but smile. “Miss Saintess.”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.”
Lin Ling took a bite of the drumstick and said muffledly, “You’re welcome. Now go.”
Niya held the platter tightly and walked quickly out of the room. She was going to find everyone and the Demon King. The Battle Rooster in her hands gave off a warm steam, but her heart felt as light as if it were being held up by something even warmer.
Rate on N.U.
