The Snake Demon Country and the Evil Dragon Domain were not separated by any great distance. In just a few hours, the group arrived there aboard carriages, accompanied by the remaining snake demon guards.
There were no grand, imposing city walls as one might imagine—only some vines summoned by magic and rickety pieces of wood piled together like children’s building blocks to form makeshift barriers.
This was the Snake Demon Country…
“Sorry about this.”
A breeze outside the carriage lifted Princess Celi’s ink-green locks, sending them swaying like willow leaves in a spring wind.
“The battle dragged on for far too long. The walls our ancestors built decades ago were completely destroyed, leaving the Snake Demon Country in this pitiful state. I hope it doesn’t amuse you too much.”
“No worries—we understand completely.”
Laer’s expression turned grave as she stared fixedly at those sorry excuses for walls. Behind them lurked many of Princess Celi’s kinfolk, their lower bodies shifted into sleek, agile snake tails, each clutching an assortment of weapons resembling bows, poised and ready.
It seemed they had spotted the princess’s crest on the battered convoy of carriages, for the tense standoff dissolved at a single gesture. They stepped out from cover and bowed deeply, welcoming their princess home.
…This was no primitive society. It was the harsh necessity of endless war.
The carriages soon pulled to the roadside. The sturdy horses, deprived of any real rest, at last collapsed in exhaustion, steam billowing from their heads as they thrust their muzzles into the cool, clear mountain spring.
“Lady Celi!”
A girl slithered down from her carriage, her slender snake tail twisting gracefully. She shared about eight parts of Celi’s features, though her bright, lively voice stood in sharp contrast to Celi’s poised maturity. A closer look revealed a similar semi-transparent gown of light gauze, but her figure and stature fell just a touch short.
Celi’s smile had never been warmer.
“Little Beili, I’m home~”
Little Beili had been peering at her with wary eyes, but the instant she caught that nostalgic scent wafting from Celi, she threw herself headlong into her sister’s arms.
“Wahhh, I’m so glad you’re safe, Big Sis!”
“Good girl, Beili. How could anything possibly happen to me?” Celi murmured, stroking her sister’s head.
Xuefei watched the whole exchange.
That look of pure indulgence—it was awfully familiar. After all, Leia wore the exact same expression whenever she gazed at Xuefei.
She had heard tell of Celi’s little sister many times, but for one reason or another, this was the first time Xuefei had laid eyes on her: the girl who resembled Celi so strikingly.
Noticing the stares from Xuefei and Laer, the snake demon girl named Beili poked her head out.
“If I may ask, who might you two be…?”
“Helpers invited by the Demons,” Celi said with an apologetic smile. She gently released Beili and inclined her head toward Xuefei. “This is my little sister—she’s a year younger than me.”
Xuefei extended her hand.
Should she flash a brilliant grin and say something casual like “Hi”? But every snake demon soldier in the vicinity had their eyes on her. Wouldn’t that undermine the Evil Dragon’s dignity?
She never got the chance to speak. Beili’s reaction made her swallow every word.
“D-Demons, Sis…?”
Beili glanced from her sister to Xuefei.
The girl’s simple shock, her worry, her disbelief—it was all laid bare for Xuefei to see.
Of course…
Inviting the Demons had been a massive gamble from the start, a desperate bid to secure divine artifacts and endless treasures. No one could say for sure whether the Demons might turn treacherous.
“It’s fine. Lady Xuefei and Lady Laer protected us all the way here,” Celi said with a wry smile, embarrassment plain on her face. “They’re nothing like what you’ve imagined.”
“Oh… I see.”
Beili schooled her features in an instant. The iron circlet shaped like a floral wreath atop her head marked her rank among the snake demon forces.
Emulating Celi’s poise, she dipped her head gracefully first to Xuefei, then to Laer standing just behind. Her manners were refined and genuine, outshining even the finest noble daughters—a striking contrast to her plain garb.
“Lady Xuefei, Lady Laer, good afternoon.”
Xuefei, never one to judge a book by its cover, offered a faint smile. “Mm. Pleased to meet you.”
“I as well,” Laer said, though her tone was perfunctory at best. Her face was as stiff as if it had just been pulled from a freezer.
That was Laer all over. She never spared a kind look for strangers—or anyone with ill intent, for that matter. Put her in a comic, and she’d be the archetype of the black-bellied ice queen.
“By the way, where’s the Demon army?” wondered a male snake demon trailing in Celi’s wake.
“The two ladies arrived first to help guard the Endless Treasure,” Celi replied.
But everyone knew the truth: this was just a chance to inspect the goods.
“Shall we head back to the palace first, my ladies?” Celi nodded, her demeanor growing even more reserved in front of her clansmen.
With that, the carriage dispatched to fetch them arrived. Celi and Beili escorted Laer and Lady Xuefei aboard, embarking once more on a short carriage journey…
~~~
“By the way, Lady Xuefei, are you alright?” Laer asked cautiously.
The carriage was rather cramped, having been converted from a luxurious compartment into two rows of narrow seats. Though still comfortable enough, it was worlds apart from the long-distance carriage in terms of quality.
Lady Xuefei quickly understood Laer’s implication and spread her hands with a shrug.
“It’s nothing. I killed that god before he could escape. No intel leaked, and I wasn’t hurt.”
“Is your body alright? If you’re feeling unwell, just tell me. I’ll contact Lady Leia and have her send us back to the Evil Dragon Palace.”
“No need. Let’s wait until we get the Endless Treasure,” Lady Xuefei said, lowering her head thoughtfully.
Some ominous thoughts flashed through her mind, and Laer caught that peculiar expression on her face.
“Xuefei?”
She had been fully corrupted by evil, no doubt about it. But what was she thinking right now?
Laer was puzzled.
Her duty was to ensure Xuefei returned to the palace safe and sound, to see her bear Lady Leia’s offspring, and to stand guard every day against invasions by the gods…
If no mishaps occurred, this was already a foregone conclusion.
Yet Xuefei seemed to be hiding something from her—something Laer couldn’t quite put her finger on. This was the most complex step in Laer’s inner plan, and the one most prone to accidents. If she could, Laer would love to crack open Xuefei’s skull and take a peek inside.
Lost in thought, Xuefei spoke up. “I have a bad feeling. The moment we get the Endless Treasure, we pull out immediately…”
It was already afternoon by now. Best to wrap this up before the day was out.
Moreover,
if they returned too late, Lady Leia would inevitably grow even hungrier and thirstier. What kind of tempestuous waves awaited Xuefei was anyone’s guess!
Xuefei’s cheeks flushed red.
“Let’s hurry back. After all… Leia’s waiting for me before we can hold the wedding, right?”
Definitely not homesick.
