[Vol. 7] Chapter 77: The Queen is Advancing!
Since Violet, the person closest to Xiao Guang, had suggested taking three full days to prepare, Enrique [Tree Bow] and Sophie [Tree Wall] had no reason to refuse. The whole situation had happened so suddenly that they hadn’t even had time to properly gather their team. After discussing the details and finalizing their plan, they each went off to make their preparations.
By the time everything was settled, the sky had begun to darken. Violet, along with Le Qiaoqiao and Hongyan, who had just successfully registered as Mithril-ranked adventurers, set off on their way back to the inn.
"Boss, do we really have to wait that long? I know our little dragon is strong… but she’s still a kid! She sleeps for so many hours a day, and if she doesn’t have food, won’t she be starving? What if those bad guys use dirty tricks to bully her…?"
Violet glanced at the thief girl beside her, who was now rambling on and on like a worried old lady. Her usual carefree grin was gone, her face was full of concern. Violet sighed, feeling a bit helpless.
"Didn’t I already say? Xiao Guang going missing isn’t your fault, so stop blaming yourself. As for those worries… All I can tell you is that her need for food and sleep isn’t quite what you’re thinking. It’s not like she’ll die without them."
"In short, trust her a little more. This level of challenge isn’t really that intense for her… But are you two sure you want to join this mission? It could take a long time, and there will probably be a lot of danger. I can’t even say for sure where we’ll end up. Weren’t you planning to head to the Holy Empire?"
Hongyan shook her head firmly, her expression serious.
"After something like this happened, do you really think we could just walk away? Maybe you don’t see me and Qiaoqiao as particularly important, but we won’t know if we can help unless we try. As someone who wields a sword, I can only act in a way that leaves me with no regrets."
The thief girl scratched her head awkwardly and muttered, "Yeah, same here... At first, I thought that if I kept following you, Boss, I wouldn’t get any real sense of adventure or chance to grow, since you’re so strong, there’s no real urgency or danger. So I figured I’d go off on my own for a while, but now this is the perfect opportunity, isn’t it?"
"I see..."
Violet nodded thoughtfully. Then, as if noticing something, she raised an eyebrow and gradually slowed her steps before nudging her chin toward the other two.
"You two head back first. I feel like taking a walk around the city alone. No need to wait for me at dinner."
"Huh?"
Le Qiaoqiao blinked in surprise at the sudden statement. But Hongyan, who was better at reading the mood, quickly understood and nodded. She took hold of the thief girl’s arm and started walking forward.
"Got it. The city isn’t exactly the safest place, so please be careful."
"Heh, don’t worry~"
"Eh? Wait! I don’t get it at all! Hey, don’t pull me—!"
Their noisy voices faded as they disappeared down the street, leaving Violet to shake her head with a small smile. Watching them get along so well was oddly reassuring.
Turning in another direction, she continued walking.
As a coastal city, Layla City naturally had strong oceanic influences in its architecture, culture, and daily life. The salty sea breeze drifted through the streets, less intense than out on the open water, but still a distinct characteristic compared to inland cities.
At this hour, with the sun setting, many street vendors had begun packing up their stalls, counting their earnings, and preparing to head home. Meanwhile, those who operated night markets were just rolling their carts out of the alleyways, ready to take over the spots vacated by the daytime sellers.
Most people wore smiles, their faces filled with hope and anticipation for the future. A city's true nature was revealed through these everyday moments.
No matter what challenges or dangers Layla City might be facing beneath the surface, on the outside, it remained a peaceful, prosperous city. One where people could live and work in harmony.
Before its hidden shadows could be fully exposed.
At some point, Violet had already moved through the bustling crowd, walking past the busy streets and into a narrow alleyway that was gradually being swallowed by the dusk. Step by step, she ventured deeper into the quiet passageway, continuing until no other presence remained around her. Finally, she came to a stop, gazing calmly at the dead-end wall ahead before speaking in an even tone.
"You can come out now."
"Gurgle..."
As soon as her words fell, something shifted in the shadow cast behind her by the setting sun. A series of irregular, dark protrusions slowly rose from her silhouette. However, the inky blackness that enveloped them quickly dispersed, revealing the true form hidden within.
It was a person.
A beautiful young woman.
She had short, blue-gray hair like a shadow at twilight. Her entire body was clad in tight-fitting, pitch-black fabric that adhered perfectly to her skin, highlighting her elegant and distinctly feminine curves. On her back, two slender swords of different lengths were crossed and secured. Despite standing there in plain sight, she emitted no aura or presence at all, as if she were nothing more than a lifeless doll.
Violet glanced back at her, briefly considering something before speaking, her first words were so unexpected that they seemed completely out of place.
"Hmm… Oh, I remember—‘When the twilight moon hangs high in the sky’?"
"Shadows are born from the darkness. The passphrase is correct. Greetings, Lady Violet."
At that moment, the cold, blue-gray-haired woman finally dropped to one knee, bowing her head respectfully before the priestess. Only then did the subtle traces of wariness and tension in her posture fade away.
"Alright, alright, get up. No need to call me 'Your Highness.' I'm not some noble or royalty… So, you're the Shadow Guard Lilya sent to assist, right? Your skills seem decent. What's your name?"
The cold-faced woman stood up but remained just as respectful and composed as before.
"Her Majesty has ordered that, in her absence, we are to regard you as our queen. Therefore, addressing you as 'Your Highness' is entirely appropriate. Also, I have no name. Please refer to me as [Shadow], Lady Violet."
"[Shadow], huh? Alright, whatever makes you happy."
Just as they had discussed, this woman was a Shadow Guard, one of the most elite and covert forces under Lilya, the Queen of the Human United Kingdom.
A little over a month ago, after temporarily resolving the issues in the Emerald Sea and preparing to return to the mainland, Violet had taken a detour. Using the [Invisible Spatial Portal] set up in Nitila’s room, she traveled to the capital city of the Human United Kingdom. Her main goal? To ask a certain queen for help in preparing clothes suitable for Xiao Guang, who was currently in a childlike state.
They are close, but not to a degree of complete trust. She didn't tell the Queen her main goals or other important details as she did with Sethlin, but she did reveal her adventure's destination.
Upon learning that Violet and her group would be arriving in the Austre Empire’s Layla City and staying there for a while, the queen immediately volunteered some "extra help."
Apparently, the Human United Kingdom already had an intelligence network embedded in Laila. And as it happened, one of Lilya’s most capable Shadow Guards was in the Austre Empire on a mission. Sending that agent to lend a hand was, in her words, just a convenient coincidence.
Of course, Violet could see right through her. Helping was one thing, but this was also Lilya’s way of keeping tabs on her. Probably to prevent another incident like last time, when Violet had up and vanished without a word.
Still, at its core, it was a gesture of goodwill, so Violet agreed. Lilya provided the contact code phrase and assured her that the Shadow Guard would find her once they arrived.
But as the days passed, over a week since they had docked, Violet started wondering. Where was this so-called Shadow Guard? Were they killed on the way here?
It wasn’t until today, on her way back, that she felt a subtle but distinct sensation of being watched. Then, upon seeing the travel-worn woman before her and sensing the incredibly well-hidden legendary-tier aura within her, Violet finally realized.
So this is what you call 'just a little help,' huh?