The young maiden pursed her lips, displeased: "I just think about how many people are competing with Her Highness for the title of 【Brave One】. What right do they have to be mentioned in the same breath as Her Highness?"
"Not to mention, we even have to provide them with a venue and compete on the same stage. I hope those so-called brave one candidates are actually useful and won't be scared out of their wits by a dragon."
In Eleanor’s eyes, her own royal sister was the only person in the world worthy of that title.
Artedinis chuckled softly, leaning against the railing of the corridor. From her vantage point, she could overlook the entire city.
"The 【Brave One】? I have no interest in that title. My crown need not pass through the hands of others; it shall be forged by the glory I cultivate myself. If one is to call oneself a brave one, one must first possess earth-shattering achievements. Only after the act of dragon-slaying can one be called a brave one. Before that, it is all empty vanity."
"Compared to the interesting opponents or allies the Sanctuary has found for me, I still prefer to cross swords with my siblings of the same bloodline. Take Charlotte, for instance; the last time I sparred with her was two years ago. Thinking back on it, the memory is still quite delightful."
Mentioning the Radiant royal family who had parted ways, Eleanor showed disdain, seemingly very dissatisfied with the "traitor":
"That traitor! If she hadn't bathed in dragon blood, she would have been defeated by you long ago!"
The imperial princess’s beige hair fell, obscuring one eye, while her remaining indigo eye drooped slightly:
"Perhaps, but I am not someone who makes excuses. Regardless of the reason, if someone can pique my interest, then they are sufficiently valuable."
Artedinis rested her slender finger against her lips, tilting her head:
"For instance, that unusual Lady of the Lake—to be so generous this time as to bring out her own treasures to bless mortal trials, that is quite different from her usual style."
"The Lady of the Lake..."
Eleanor furrowed her delicate brows and asked:
"Does Your Highness have a connection with the Lady of the Lake?"
Her impression of the Lady of the Lake was not very good, as these spirits always acted as if they were superior to everyone else.
Artedinis wore a smile on her lips:
"I met her on the way back. She said some strange things, which, thinking about it now, must have been referring to this ally of mine. To be held in such high regard by both the Lady of the Lake and the Sanctuary, I cannot help but feel curious myself."
...
Almost at the same moment, at twilight, the clouds on the horizon seemed to be ignited by fire, dyeing the rolling hills in a hue of warm gold and dark purple.
Nestled among the mountains, a lake of deep, emerald green water appeared bottomless. On the surface, smooth as a mirror, ripples stirred.
A graceful figure emerged from the mist, her toes lightly touching the surface, sparking ripples.
Water droplets slid along the tips of her shoes, yet the moment they touched the lake, they turned into a swirling mist, veiling her lithe silhouette in an ethereal haze.
Moon-white gauze robes cascaded in layers, accentuating a waist that could barely be spanned by two hands. Damp, golden-brown hair hung over her shoulders and back, and the water droplets from the ends of her hair fell into the lake with a melodic sound.
"Azure Maiden."
A voice called out, causing the golden-brown haired fairy to look up and survey her surroundings.
Before she knew it, a dozen figures had appeared on the surface of the lake.
They sat or stood in various postures, yet all trod upon the water without sinking. They were all dressed in cool, holy robes and had most of their faces covered by headscarves; they were clearly all ladies of the lake.
The one who spoke first was the lady of the lake closest to Azure Maiden. She appeared to be only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a curvaceous figure and a calm temperament. Her deep brown hair was neatly pinned behind her head, with a few loose strands falling across her forehead, lending a lazy air to her dignified face.
"You summoned us here. What is the matter?"
Her voice was low and gentle, like an undercurrent beneath a deep pool.
"A while ago, we heard that you requested magic beans from our sisters and gave them to mortals for trials. Since when have you become so generous?"
Azure Maiden did not answer immediately. She slowly scanned the sisters on the lake, taking in their expressions, then touched her flawless cheek with one hand and said:
"I am merely fulfilling my duties and mission. Is that not what the ladies of the lake are meant to do?"
Pretending to be innocent? Ugh, do not disgust us.
A silver-haired lady of the lake sitting on the water hugged her knees and said coldly:
"Azure Maiden, if you are going to keep joking, we shall take our leave now."
Seeing that her sisters were truly about to leave, Azure Maiden dared not feign innocence any longer and hurriedly said:
"Fine, let me be direct."
"Sisters, I am here to bring you a boon, to help you find release from the shackles of fate."
As soon as she finished speaking, the other ladies of the lake fell silent for a moment before asking:
"Azure Maiden, what do you mean?"
The golden-brown haired, graceful fairy twirled a strand of hair by her shoulder and laughed:
"Just as you suspect. Everyone, the fate that binds you will remain for at least another century. In such a long time, you spend most of your days trapped in that dull, empty dream, with only a brief window of time to even meet with me here."
The ladies of the lake present sighed, feeling deeply the truth of her words:
"It is indeed very boring, but what is happening in the Zhexuan Kingdom is supreme fate. What can we do? Not everyone is as lucky as you, able to obtain divine authority and escape the service of the fairies."
She really knew how to touch a sore spot!
Azure Maiden bit her fingernail, her gaze dropping as she said:
"Supreme fate is not entirely inescapable. I once met a son of man who was capable of seeing through supreme fate."
You are bragging!
"Azure Maiden... you..."
Azure Maiden knew her words were hard to believe, so she brought out more convincing proof:
"You may not believe me, but you must believe that primordial fairy, right? That man is a contractor of Mephistopheles."
"Me..."
"Is that the Supreme One?"
"The Morning Star... the Lord of Hosts..."
The ladies of the lake were astonished, their voices dropping significantly, as if merely speaking the name of Mephistopheles was a form of blasphemy and sin.
"Why else would I have returned in defeat last time? Is there any reason for a hero of my choosing to fail?"
Azure Maiden said angrily, her heart flaring with frustration at the thought of how she had been corrupted by Faust and Mephistopheles.
"In any case, I will use the resources at my disposal to pave a path to the Zhexuan Kingdom, so that this contractor of the Sacred Deity can come here as a matter of course."
"And then, complete the supreme fate that binds you."
The ladies of the lake were truly tempted now, though one familiar with Azure Maiden’s nature spoke up:
"It sounds good, worth a try, but what is it that you seek?"
They did not believe Azure Maiden was acting out of such kindness; they knew that competitors are rarely benefactors!
Azure Maiden elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt and smiled:
"I have already said, I am merely fulfilling my mission, to present a trial to this hero who is a son of man."
If he failed to pass, then the primordial fairy, having lost his contractor, would have no reason to continue hunting her down.
And if he passed? Well, then what more was there to say? She would surrender!
Even when facing a legendary veteran like Mephistopheles, she would never sit idly by; she had to resist with all her might.
But if all her methods of resistance were broken and she was pushed into a hopeless situation, then Azure Maiden would be quicker than anyone else to kneel and beg for mercy.
Rate on N.U.
