“If that really doesn’t work out, twins would be fine too~”
“Leia, you don’t mean… you…”
Xuefei was already at a loss for words.
Of course she understood what Leia was hinting at, which was why she felt an instinctive twinge of fear.
She couldn’t even imagine it—Leia setting her sights on the Holy Sword, let alone wanting to shove it into her own belly?!
No way. Absolutely impossible, no matter what…
Leia covered her mouth with a light chuckle, her eyes curving into pretty crescent moons. But right after, she fixed Xuefei with a teasing gaze.
“The only way to avoid destroying the Holy Sword is to let it succumb to evil corruption too. I just can’t think of any other method.”
“You’re not the Hero, so you can’t wield the Holy Sword’s power. If you really want to save it, then… carry it to term~”
Xuefei had gotten the hint loud and clear.
Her past self had actually been a villain. Because of that, revisiting those old memories filled her not just with shame, but overwhelming guilt.
The companions’ deaths? She was the direct cause.
Those memories were clues, yes—but they were curses too.
“This whole thing… um… let’s put it on hold.”
Xuefei had no idea what to do. She didn’t dislike the idea of children—in fact, she loved the thought of Leia’s seed taking root and growing inside her.
But come on. Turning the Holy Sword into a baby? That was just too bizarre, no matter how you sliced it!
“Don’t worry. We’d only preserve the Holy Sword’s soul and memories. Our child would still be born perfectly normal~” Leia pressed her case logically.
She wasn’t some monster, after all.
Leia had no intention of abandoning a former comrade-in-arms she’d once fought alongside, especially not one Xuefei herself had cast aside. The Holy Sword had been the Hero Party’s one bit of comic relief—a tough gig over all these years.
“…We’ll talk about it later.”
“Got it. I’ll wait for your answer, Xuefei. But until then, I’ll hold on to the Holy Sword for safekeeping~”
“Wha—”
Xuefei started to protest, then trailed off.
Truth be told, she did want to save the Holy Sword. Just… not like that.
Besides, she wasn’t some adventurer trapped in a spider cave.
But the Holy Sword’s fall was inevitable now. The next time she laid eyes on it, it might be a Demon Sword, steeped in fermenting evil energy and serving as some loyal guard’s blade. Or it might not even be a sword anymore—something utterly bizarre instead.
The baby thing could wait. Definitely.
And so, after Leia’s purple-red magic began corroding the Holy Sword, Xuefei watched with lingering reluctance, wondering just how much it would have changed the next time they met.
~~~
Before long, lunchtime arrived right on schedule.
The table was soon laden with a feast of every delicacy imaginable—far more lavish than any so-called royal banquet. Lamb legs, beef, roast chicken, seafood: anything Xuefei could dream up.
Yet in front of the two Evil Dragons, the notion of “too much food” didn’t exist.
Leia usually cooked dinner for Xuefei herself, but the midday meal came courtesy of the ever-thrifty Maid Corps.
They were a cadre of capable beauties.
Put another way: with looks that could rival any celebrity, every one of them was a powerhouse in battle and labor alike.
Xuefei’s recovered memories confirmed it—the Evil Dragon’s guards outclassed every “boss” the Hero Party had ever tangled with. She’d witnessed it firsthand: the Goblin Giant, that nightmare of the early game and scourge of the midgame, casually one-shotted by one of them.
Under Leia’s expert management, they’d been reborn on the Camiran Continent in these adorable maid guises, their combat prowess only sharper than before.
Heaven help any foolhardy Hero who tried to barge in~
“My deepest thanks.” Before touching her chopsticks, Xuefei offered a noble’s graceful smile to Leia.
“The Evil Dragon Palace runs so smoothly every day thanks to Laer’s tireless efforts. You’ve worked so hard~”
“Indeed, Laer’s been outstanding. But you don’t have to push yourself quite so much every day,” Leia added.
“Ehehe.”
Head Maid Laer blushed and scratched her head, her small hands twisting together in shy fidgeting.
Praise wasn’t what had her flustered, though. As Head Maid, compliments were par for the course. No, it was Xuefei and Leia that had her heart aflutter.
These two ladies were just so full of love!
Even at mealtime, they traded those deep, affectionate glances. Leia’s gaze grew more possessive, inching closer to Xuefei, who pulled away in feigned annoyance—though her racing heart gave her away, all soft and bashfully adorable.
Leia’s jealous devotion paired with Xuefei’s playful coyness? It was almost too much for Laer to handle!
“Hang on, Laer—what’s that on your wrist?”
“…This, you mean?”
On Laer’s arm hung a cute little pendant.
It appeared to be a chibi-style figurine of a young girl—a doll.
With silver hair cascading down her back, she exuded a cold beauty laced with the shy innocence of someone untouched by the world. Even with her slightly disproportionate body, it was clear the doll’s prototype was an adorable beauty.
Wait a second.
Something felt off…
The doll sported a pair of black dragon wings and a set of immature dragon horns.
Everyone knew there were only two Evil Dragons on the Camiran Continent.
So, who exactly was this doll based on?!
“This is Xuefei herself.”
“Don’t just hang me on your wrist like some accessory! Haven’t I turned into a mascot now?” Xuefei grumbled nonstop, but to Laer and Leia, it came across as nothing short of coquetry.
“Hehe, Lady Leia approved its production, so all the maids have one just like it.”
Xuefei shot Leia an incredulous look, only for the latter to respond with an indulgent smile.
It looked like it was true?!
“Leia, you’re the worst,” Xuefei huffed, puffing up like a blowfish on the verge of exploding.
“It’s okay. If you really hate it, I’ll order them all recalled. Anyone hoarding Xuefei dolls goes straight to the dungeon~”
“W-Well, maybe not that far.”
Xuefei knew exactly what lurked in that so-called dungeon.
Pink toys.
Some that buzzed to life at the slightest touch, others resembling flails—but far smaller and lighter than any real weapon, perfectly sized to overpower her.
From a certain perspective, those toys had been one of the key factors in her fall to Evil Corruption.
“Fine, whatever. Let’s just eat. Hmph…”
“Hehe, let me feed you, Xuefei. This time, mouth to mouth~” Somehow, Leia had a piece of meat dangling from her lips, her gaze turning playfully seductive.
“No way. I’m mad at you,” Xuefei declared, hands on her hips.
“Come on, just once~ Tonight, you get to take the lead.”
Xuefei wavered under Leia’s charms and finally caved. “F-Fine… but only once, got it?”
“Deal~”
Little did she know, whether she took the initiative or not, she’d end up as the one pinned beneath Leia anyway.
~~~
After lunch, Leia rested her chin on her hand, staring wistfully in the direction Xuefei had gone.
Suddenly, a maid poked her head cautiously through the restaurant door. She glanced around, sighed in relief at the absence of Xuefei, and approached Leia.
“Evil Dragon Lord…”
“Laer, whatever it is, just spit it out. No need to be so tense.”
“Yes.” Laer’s eyes drifted toward the restaurant entrance. “Leia, are you sure this is a good idea?”
“You mean the Holy Sword? Truth be told, I’m not entirely certain.” Leia spoke honestly—there was no point in lying. Laer had already picked up on Xuefei’s odd behavior long ago.
“What if she slips away? Or betrays you again? She’s Dragon Clan and all, but she’s still Xuefei…”
Xuefei was one of a kind.
Time and again, Leia thought she had her emotions all figured out, only for Xuefei to pull away without fail.
It had happened before, and it had happened in the First Playthrough.
“I don’t know.” Leia shook her head. She couldn’t read minds anymore, and Xuefei’s true feelings remained a mystery. “But I believe it’ll be fine.”
