Chapter 270 - Darkmtl
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Chapter 270

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Winter Orchid

I brushed past several people and came in front of Sophia, winking at her.

“Uh…”

I reached out to scratch my cheek, suddenly not knowing what to say. After a moment’s hesitation, I could only ask, “Are you alright?”

Of course, I knew she was fine. A glance was enough to tell. Her hair was messy, and her elaborate dress from earlier had gotten dirty from the hem touching the ground with wine stains, but she probably hadn’t noticed yet… Apart from that, she was unharmed.

She was just a bit scared. Her lips were slightly pale, and her pupils trembled uncontrollably. When I asked if she was alright, she only pursed her lips and shook her head stiffly.

I needed to distract her a bit…

So I pointed to her feet and said, “It’s dirty.”

Sophia looked stunned when she heard this, then looked down and softly said, “Ah!” She quickly shook her skirt, but seeing that it didn’t help, she immediately lifted her head and nervously said, “How can we worry about such things now! Peylo, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

“But I saw you and those people hiding under the table… You’re really okay?”

“Really fine.”

“Oh… Who were those people? What happened tonight? Why did it suddenly turn so… What’s going on? I was almost scared to death… Peylo, is your dress torn? Are you injured? Why did you have to get involved…”

Sophia fired off a string of questions like a machine gun, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her panic.

“I’m really fine…”

I hadn’t seen her this flustered before; she must have been truly terrified…

“Sophia, let’s leave here quickly.”

A middle-aged nobleman with a goatee walked over, took her hand, and then looked at me, “Miss Peylo, it’s unfortunate to meet you under such circumstances. I am Sophia’s father. Thank you for taking care of my daughter at the academy. The banquet has ended, and there might still be danger. Would you come with us?”

When he spoke, I looked around.

The brief battle had long since ended, and the guests’ panic was gradually subsiding. They were orderly leaving the venue under the guidance of the guards. The assassins’ bodies had all been removed, leaving behind a mess of bloodstains and debris. Reckt stood not far away, whispering with several people who were stained with blood. It seemed someone had been injured, but fortunately, it wasn’t serious. He gave a few instructions and then headed towards Victoria.

Apart from him, I saw a few others approaching, but most of the guests were preparing to leave. After the recent commotion, few people dared to stay any longer, and their queen clearly had no intention of continuing the banquet.

But I wasn’t ready to leave yet…

“No, Uncle. You go first.”

Sophia’s father nodded and didn’t say much more, pulling Sophia away.

“Peylo…”

Sophia seemed to want to say something else, but then she glanced towards Victoria and shook her head, “It’s fine, take care.”

“Alright.”

After they were gone, I turned back, but I couldn’t see the Duke anymore. It seemed he had been taken away to the dungeon.

On the other side, Victoria was consoling the royal mother and daughter. She patted the little girl’s head and talked to the woman for a while. Once they left, she turned to talk to the old knight. During this process, a few people gathered around Victoria. I recognized them as familiar faces from the previous meeting.

“Your Majesty, are you well?”

“I’m fine.”

“As expected, everything went as planned…”

“It’s an honor for us to have such a young and foresighted king like Ethanbell…”

“Tonight has truly opened my eyes…”

“Now that Duke Lexx is gone, the Cleve family is like a headless fly. I wonder how those youngsters will act…”

Victoria remained unmoved by these compliments. Her beautiful face remained calm, responding indifferently. After a short while, Reckt came to her side, but he didn’t stay long. He whispered something to Victoria and then walked away, smiling at me when he saw me. He waved to a few members of the Swords of Canny and led them away quickly.

“Miss Peylo, thank you for your help tonight!”

“You knocked Captain Bart away with just a blink! I saw it!”

“That punch was powerful, truly impressive! Haha!”

I smiled and shook my head, not wanting to join the conversation. I found a chair some distance away and sat down, resting my head on the polished table where the white cloth had been removed. Under the bright lights, the banquet hall was slowly emptying, and I sat alone, lost in thought.

Captain Fat’s body was already gone.

Someone had carried him away without me noticing… That sight suggested he was in serious trouble.

I really didn’t mean to kill him…

My heart felt blocked, heavy and suffocating.

…I wasn’t feeling sorry for him, nor did I think he deserved death or anything like that. I had no such thoughts. He was just another person I barely remembered before tonight. But he suddenly attacked me… I fought back, which was justified, no doubt.

No doubt…

But I killed that guy just like that, effortlessly, like breathing.

I accidentally killed a “disposable person.” It was easy to take a life when I was fully conscious… I felt a bit queasy about it. But what bothered me more was that everyone seemed to treat it as a matter of course. No one blamed me or told me it was wrong; naturally, I didn’t have to worry about going to jail.

Because they thought it wasn’t wrong. You should treat enemies this way. Perhaps someone even secretly rejoiced, thinking that Shantelle Castle had finally been bound. Everyone would benefit together. Moreover, Miss Peyelo was a Papal Knight. She might be very angry right now… For the kingdom, this was great news.

I didn’t need to pay for this “manslaughter”… Well, I considered it manslaughter myself.

I didn’t have to pay for this. I killed him, and there were no legal consequences. It seemed everything was as it should be.

But I could have spared his life…

It seems…

I could kill someone without flinching…

… Oh!

Stop thinking about it.

Being sentimental…

But I was still gloomy, feeling nauseous and uncomfortable.

This mood only eased slightly when the fragrant goose meat was served in front of me.

If I’m not happy, I need to adjust my mood…

Eating makes me happy.

“From what I can tell, even if the situation is dire, Duke Lexus wouldn’t bet on just one chance…”

“He didn’t bring any close allies tonight, and his son, known for his brutality, didn’t show up either. We can’t let our guard down; we must be vigilant…”

“Find out where the Iron Guard is stationed outside the city as soon as possible. Investigate their scale, troop deployment, and food supplies. Pay attention to the movements of the surrounding cities…”

“If conditions permit, quickly evacuate all residents from small towns like Rochelle and Vendome… Take everything you can carry. Leave nothing behind…”

Victoria and the others were having a small meeting nearby. I listened intermittently but soon focused entirely on the delicious food on my plate.

The goose was steamed, its meat fatty yet not greasy, melting in the mouth. I finished the whole plate, licking my lips with a lingering taste.

I want more…

But it seems there’s none left. The butler who brought the meal couldn’t be found. So I looked expectantly at Victoria—

She was still busy.

Forget it…

Take a break.

I got up and ran to the washroom on the left side of the hall, washing my oily mouth and hands covered in cream. I tilted my head to look in the mirror, messing with my bangs until I was satisfied, then walked through the corridor back to the cloakroom and pushed open the door.

“Peyelo Miss!”

Two maids were still here. When I entered, they hurriedly stood up from their chairs, looking nervous.

I asked them to fetch the black dress I had tried on earlier. After changing, I returned to the hall. I noticed the old knights had already left, and Victoria had also risen, seemingly about to leave.

Is it over?

I ran after her, gently tapping her shoulder. Victoria turned around abruptly.

“What are you doing?”

“Where did you go?”

We spoke almost simultaneously, both stunned.

“I changed dresses.”

“To get some fresh air.”

Uh…

After a moment, I smiled sweetly, “I’ll go with you.”

The banquet was long gone.

The hall was empty, only the servants and butlers bustling about. Staying here was pointless.

Victoria’s birthday dinner was ruined… Come to think of it, I haven’t even prepared a gift for her.

But…

There’s still plenty of time before midnight.

…………

Night deepened.

The rain had stopped.

The sky outside the palace was dim and overcast. The moonlight was hazy, stars unseen.

Stepping out of the grand palace gate, walking through the wet square, Victoria and I paused under the verdant trees.

It was quiet here, filled with the scent of spring rain.

A squad of armored guards, clad in silver, silently followed us. When we stopped, they stood ten meters away, not approaching any closer.

“Huh?”

I looked up, gazing at the lush leaves on the branches above. These leaves resembled the wings of butterflies ready to fly, spreading outward from the leaf base, with a tender white center and droplets of dew on the leaves.

“How beautiful!”

I jumped in place, raising my arms to pluck a branch, but fell short.

“What kind of tree is this?”

“Winter Orchid. A tree that only blooms during heavy snow,” Victoria said softly.

Her words puzzled me, and I immediately stopped preparing for a third jump, turning back with confusion.

“But Esterbel, there’s no heavy snow here.”

“So this tree will never bloom.”

“Why plant it then?”

“Because its leaves are brightly colored and very attractive. The palace gardeners went to great lengths to transport these few trees from far away, planting them here for people to admire. They say it’s the perfect landscape tree for Esterbel’s climate because its flowers are ugly and unremarkable. People hope it never blooms, which is the true value of Winter Orchid.”

“Oh…”

There’s a tree that becomes uglier when it blooms?

Strange tree.

I looked up again, gazing at the greenery overhead, suddenly finding it less appealing.


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I Come From the Abyss to Save Humanity Today

I Come From the Abyss to Save Humanity Today

Despite Coming From the Abyss, I Will Save Humanity, I, The Abyssal, Have Decided to Save Humanity Again Today, I, Who Came From the Abyss, Will Save Humanity Again Today, I Who Came From Hell Also Want Save Mankind, Laizi Shenyuan De Wo Jintian Yeyao Zhengjiu Renlei, Láizì Shēnyuān De Wǒ Jīntiān Yěyào Zhěngjiù Rénlèi, 来自深渊的我今天也要拯救人类
Score 8.2
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2020 Native Language: Chinese
The Abyss—represents pure annihilation, they possess incomparably powerful strength, following their instincts to devour all life in the world. However, one day, a traitor appeared among them. “Miss Sylvia, it’s time to demonstrate your power.” “Eh~ but the dessert, hasn’t been finished.” She is still a manly man today.

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