Chapter 94

Chapter 94: The Swift Lightning Knights

The last time after being invited by Lady Phyllis, Lolan Hill came back to this cold drink shop.

Pushing open the door of ‘Blossom Beach’, several maid misses were still standing inside.

“Welcome!” One of the maids greeted.

“Hello, is Lady Phyllis here?” Lolan Hill asked.

“Yes, please follow me. Teacher has instructed so,” she replied.

On the second floor of ‘Blossom Beach’, Lady Phyllis was instructing some girls on their posture and rhythm. She held a delicate silk fan and explained the key points to these students in detail.

After a while, she finished her guidance.

“Are you curious?” Lady Phyllis observed Lolan Hill standing beside her for quite some time.

“Yes, they are the maids working here, right? One of them guided me in yesterday at the entrance,” Lolan Hill said.

“That’s correct, but being a maid is just one of their occasional roles.”

Lady Phyllis led Lolan Hill up to the third floor.

“In fact, they are all my students learning music, dance, and performance. They often perform at the theater too. I don’t lack money, so I have them work in the shop during their free time, which can be seen as payment for their tuition,” she explained.

Impressive, Lolan Hill thought. These girls mostly came from good families, with attractive appearances and well-maintained skin. Using them as shopkeepers would be like a downgrade for other competitors, no wonder the business was doing so well.

“Do you want to try being a maid for a while?” Lady Phyllis teased.

“No way~” Lolan Hill shook her head cutely, not wanting to do it at all. It was too embarrassing.

“Hehe, very fitting for your personality.”

“So, have you considered what I talked about yesterday?”

“Mm, I’ve thought it over, but I still have some doubts,” Lolan Hill sat on the sofa opposite Lady Phyllis.

“I haven’t performed on stage before, so isn’t this a bit hasty? After all, the entire city will be watching.”

Lolan Hill felt nervous even saying “the entire city.”

“Are you worried about making mistakes due to nervousness?” Lady Phyllis noticed her unease.

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry about it, little Lacy. Lady Phyllis winked.

“Just stand on stage and say that it’s your first time performing, so you’re a bit nervous. If there are any mistakes, ask for forgiveness. That should be fine.”

“Is that really okay?” Lolan Hill didn’t believe it. This seemed too arrogant and whimsical.

“Yes, because I can’t bear to say anything against you. Even though I used to be a songstress, I couldn’t help but like you when I saw you. Let alone those ordinary people who have no resistance.”

“You probably don’t know how much damage your appearance can do.”

Lady Phyllis looked at the slightly reserved girl in front of her. Every move she made revealed a youthful innocence and cuteness, making people feel pity.

“This…” Lolan Hill didn’t know how to respond. Whatever she said felt like boasting.

“Alright, but I’m still not clear about the process and programs of the festival. This has always been handled by the industry union of the alliance.”

“Not difficult. Dewdrop Festival originated from the chaotic war a thousand years ago. Back then, Saint Durlan led the people to defend this harbor during the war, repelling several attacks by the chaotic shadows, waiting until reinforcements arrived across the sea.”

“The small harbor thus gained fame, gradually developing over time, now becoming a renowned commercial city in the south.”

“To commemorate Saint Durlan, a grand Dewdrop Festival is held every three years in Hope Lane. Many people from Snow Flower Seven Kingdoms come to watch, making it very lively.”

Then, Lady Phyllis began explaining the details of the festival, and Lolan Hill listened quietly.

“Have you got the gist of it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. If you’re worried about singing, you can try tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“Yes, tonight there’s a play at the city theater, and Lanlir will also participate. You can sing backstage then, so you won’t have to appear. Just follow the score and script, it shouldn’t be too hard. How about giving it a try?”

Upon hearing this, Lolan Hill’s heart relaxed, feeling a desire to give it a try.

“Alright, could you tell me which play it is?”

“It’s a famous opera. I believe you must have heard of it. It tells the story of the origin of the legendary Swift Lightning Knights—’The Genealogy of Thunder God.'”

“Yeah, that legendary man is the dream of many young boys.”

—

In the Western Wind Kingdom, Saw Valley City.

Rebel troops moved through the city, taking control of various key points. The city walls were adorned with blue banners with golden stars.

The collapsed city gate was moved aside, the city walls riddled with gaps and collapses. Black smoke rose from many places in the city, corpses were moved by designated personnel to specific locations for cremation to prevent disease.

Pulman and a few companions ascended the city’s high tower, overlooking this wounded city.

“It wasn’t easy. No one expected Count Blackman to resist so fiercely,” said a burly man in thick armor.

“Yes, Saw Valley City’s surrounding land is fertile and produces black wheat, making it a crucial granary for the kingdom. Count Blackman is well-liked, and the standard of living here is much better than in neighboring areas, so it’s understandable that he had such strong resistance.”

“Pity he’s a staunch supporter of the Western Wind. We can only stand on opposite sides.”

Pulman recalled the count who fought to the death when the city fell. He felt a sigh of melancholy. Although he was an enemy, he couldn’t help but feel admiration.

“The Western Wind has rotted from the roots. It cannot be changed by just one or two good nobles. We can’t place our hopes and future on individual morals.”

A short figure spoke, hidden under a cloak, his face indistinct.

“Yes, we can only honor him properly. By the way, does Count Blackman have any descendants?” Pulman asked.

“His four sons all died in battle. Only a 12-year-old daughter was protected by her nanny hiding in the cellar. She was just caught by the searching soldiers this morning,” the handsome young man answered.

“Thorin, give the nanny some money to leave. Then, we’ll find someone with a good temperament to take care of her.”

“Alright,” Thorin agreed. He understood that if the nanny continued to take care of her, she might only become an enemy. Though they did not shy away from their actions, they did not want to see the child turn against them.

“Before Saw Valley City fell, Count Blackman had already transported most of the grain to the southern Imperial Capital. Now we don’t have much food left, only enough for a month. The next harvest is still two months away. This period is dangerous, Pulman,” Thorin continued.

“I know,” Pulman gazed at the lush wilderness in the south for a long time before speaking.

“But I’m more concerned about the Western Wind blindly pulling out its elite troops guarding the Chaos Vortex, that legendary knight order.”

“But we can’t turn back now, can we?” Thorin sighed.

“We can only move forward, even facing the renowned hero legends of the continent, the Swift Lightning Knights.”

—

(End of Chapter)