Xuefei watched Celi’s expression, and her heart sank.
She was a kind princess.
Xuefei still remembered it well. When the Hero Party had first fled into the Snake Demon Country—out of supplies, battered and covered in wounds—they hadn’t been driven away. Instead, with Celi’s help, they had evaded their pursuers.
But what had Xuefei done?
She hadn’t known about the contract Celi had signed with the Evil Dragon. Xuefei remembered that day vividly: the thrill of triumph as she clutched the Endless Treasure…
And then, upon learning the truth, Celi’s death—and the deep remorse that followed.
Those memories overlapped now, like an image seared into Xuefei’s very soul.
‘As long as the Hero can bring peace to the world… that would be for the best. Even if it costs my life.’
One night, Celi had died in the Royal Palace. From a results standpoint, the Evil Dragon’s forces had suffered devastating losses against the armies of other races, blunting their momentum considerably… but Xuefei had always carried a grudge.
…against herself.
Perhaps that was where it all began.
Was there really no other way?
If she could start everything over, Xuefei was certain there had to be another path—one that wouldn’t require that kind young woman to die… or force Xuefei herself to grow numb and heartless, becoming the sort who would abandon her comrades just to defeat the Evil Dragon.
It was as if her desperate wish had been heard. Xuefei had truly entered the second playthrough of the Camiran Continent…
But why did this second playthrough feel so utterly bizarre?!
She wasn’t the Hero chosen by the Gods to save the world. Instead, she stood on the side of evil! She even carried the Evil Dragon’s child in her belly!
Though, to be precise, Xuefei didn’t consider herself evil at all~
A Hero? She had no interest in that.
They were nothing but villains who abandoned their comrades for some so-called “good ending”…
“Yes, I will bring peace to the world,” Xuefei said with a brilliant smile. Laer, seated beside her, caught every nuance of that expression, so Xuefei reined herself in a little.
“Really? Really?” Celi’s eyes sparkled like stars. She leaped to her feet, brimming with excitement. “May I dance for you, Lady Xuefei?”
“No, that’s not necessary…”
Snake Demons were exquisite dancers.
Whether male or female, humanoid or serpentine, their bodies were far more supple than those of ordinary races—like water reshaping itself at will.
Celi was no exception.
She wore a dress of gossamer silk that revealed her graceful waist and adorable navel. Fine scales, barely visible to the naked eye, dusted her flawless skin. It was the kind of figure women everywhere dreamed of possessing.
But Xuefei felt no desire for it.
No girl, no matter how stunning, could compare to Leia.
She and Leia had weathered countless storms together.
No boasting here—these women simply didn’t measure up in Xuefei’s eyes!
It wasn’t about base, worldly lust, you see?
Even if she did take a fancy to another woman, Leia would no doubt make her lay a whole new batch of eggs. And who knew? By then, Xuefei might completely transform—perhaps even have her personality reset—turning into an emotionless breeding machine. Heaven forbid that ever happen!
“What a shame. My dancing is second to none…”
“And how about your magic power? Is that strong too?” Laer asked, propping her chin on her hand.
“Of course it is!” Celi declared proudly. “I’m the strongest Snake Demon around, so naturally I’m incredibly powerful!”
During the first playthrough, the Great Sage and Celi had once pitted their magic against each other. Laer had come out on top, but the Snake Demon Princess had left a lasting impression.
After all, the Great Sage had lost in one of the contests.
Laer was fiercely competitive.
But what about now?
Truth be told, Laer itched for a rematch. With the evil power surging through her veins, just who was stronger: her or the Snake Demon Princess?
Each of the three women harbored her own private thoughts.
Okate was the exception—the only man in the room, sitting off to the side. His face betrayed considerable tension. He was in his early twenties, after all, and the Snake Demon Princess’s alluring figure had him blushing faintly.
Still…
He wouldn’t dare make a move.
The two apparent beauties before him were among the most malevolent forces in the world!
Put another way, they were the final bosses of the Camiran Continent. The Hero Party, meanwhile, was little more than fresh-faced newbies straight out of Novice Village!
What was the gap between level 1 and level 100?
If it came to blows, Okate doubted he could take on either of them.
What he failed to notice, however, was Xuefei’s own curiosity toward him.
Just who had sent him here?
Xuefei didn’t dare ask directly for fear of alerting the enemy, so she chose to observe instead. The moment that evil dragon gaze fell upon Okate, the poor human gentleman felt none of Xuefei’s charm—instead, cold sweat poured from his body.
Those nearly diamond-shaped pupils seemed capable of devouring everything. Meeting that stare felt like beholding the end of the world.
Even Laer at her side found it utterly terrifying.
By comparison, the Snake Demon Princess was far more pleasing to the eye. Okate wasn’t sure if she turned people into stone statues for her collection, but her assurance of the Hero Party’s safety had skyrocketed her standing in his mind.
At that moment, Xuefei spoke up.
“Sir, you don’t look like a snake demon at all.”
“Ah…?”
Pretty intimidating, wasn’t it?
But Xuefei remembered that she and Okate had once been on pretty good terms.
She could only lament how things had changed. Some people could still roam the world as ambitious swordsmen, while others were already pregnant with the Evil Dragon’s child…
Whatever. No point dwelling on it.
Xuefei’s haughty demeanor didn’t soften on Okate’s account. She simply did her best to dial back her intimidating aura, lest she frighten her old drinking buddy—the one with whom she’d shared many a hearty bout of strong liquor.
“Could it be… you’re human?”
“As expected of Lady Xuefei…” Okate’s eyes darted evasively.
“Why would a human tag along like this?”
“It’s because he’s my guard,” Celi interjected at that point. “These humans were wandering lost in the wilderness—such a pitiful sight. I took them in, and they promised to protect me through all this chaotic strife.”
Xuefei let out a sigh and didn’t call her out.
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Without memories of the First Playthrough, she probably wouldn’t harbor much suspicion either.
After all, the most fearsome verbal ploy wasn’t outright lies, but half-truths.
“I’ll protect Her Highness with my life. If Lady Xuefei needs anything from me, just give the word.”
The carriage glided along smoothly, thanks to its special magical construction. Okate rose to his feet and bowed deeply to Xuefei and Laer.
This guy sure knew how to adapt on the fly.
She’d always pegged Okate as the blunt, foul-mouthed tough guy type. But now it seemed that in a crisis, anyone could tap into the hidden potential buried in their genes~
Suddenly, Xuefei’s slender brows furrowed. She seemed to sense something, her pupils dilating ever so slightly…
What was that?
Ahead of the carriage loomed a mass like a black tide, swallowing the entire world.
It resembled a suffocating swarm of insects, creeping slowly toward them from the opposite direction.
Looking closer…
It was an army hundreds of thousands strong, blocking the path right in front of the carriage procession.
Celi’s face drained of color.
“This… damn it, does that mean they haven’t retreated yet?”
“What is it?” Laer asked.
“It’s the beastmen’s army,” Celi replied, her expression turning grave. “When we set out for the Evil Dragon Territory, these bastards were chasing us relentlessly. We shook them off back then, but… they must have anticipated our return route after all?”
