Chapter 52: The Farewell Garland

The meeting was ongoing.

Skarn recounted every detail from the attack to the present, leaving nothing out—including the Vampire and the Giant Bloodsucker.

By the time he came back to his senses, night had already fallen.

After a brief discussion, the two decided to set up camp and return to the Kingdom of Novalia together the next day.

In a corner of the camp, Bai sat on top of Xiao Hei, staring absentmindedly at the Red Spider Lily in her hand, which emitted a faint glow.

She seemed lost in thought, unsure of what she was thinking.

Beside her lay four completed Flower Crowns.

“Rooaaar [Are we going back?]”

Xiao Hei asked.

Bai nodded, forced a smile, and replied softly, “Mm, we’re going back tonight.”

Xiao Hei turned his head and rubbed against Bai, letting out a low whimper.

[I want to go with you too.]

“No, Xiao Hei will be punished by Yarabella-sama.”

Bai refused, patting Xiao Hei in a comforting manner.

[I don’t care.]

“But Bai cares. Xiao Hei is Bai’s friend. Bai doesn’t want to see Xiao Hei get hurt, so promise Bai, okay?”

Xiao Hei fell silent for a long time.

It seemed he was struggling with himself, but in the end, he compromised.

[If I find out Yalbera hurt you, I’ll go after you no matter what.]

He knew that twisted woman was watching from over there, but it didn’t matter.

He wasn’t afraid of Yalbera’s strength—even though she had nearly killed him a day ago.

But to Xiao Hei, in this world, his only weakness was Bai.

Bai put the flower back in her pocket.

Suddenly, she spoke.

“Let Bai down, Xiao Hei.”

[What are you going to do?]

She picked up all the Flower Crowns beside her, her smile turning the moonlight into a backdrop.

“Say goodbye to them.”

***

Inside the tent, Aurelia removed her battered silver armor and stretched her sore muscles in exhaustion.

At that moment, Bai’s voice came from outside.

“Aurelia (Sister), are you there?”

“Coming.”

Aurelia called out.

She opened the tent to find Bai smiling adorably, holding a blue Flower Crown in her hands.

“Ta-da~”

“Is this…for me?”

Aurelia took the Flower Crown in surprise.

“Hehe, Bai put a lot of effort into it.”

Bai said with a grin.

“Thank you, Bai…This is the first time anyone has given me a Flower Crown. Um, I feel a little embarrassed.”

A blush spread across Aurelia’s cheeks.

She scratched her face, showing a rare girlish shyness.

“Bai will put it on you, (Sister).”

Bai stepped closer, stood on tiptoe, and placed the Flower Crown on her head.

The pale blue crown complemented her golden hair, enhancing her beauty, and the blush on her cheeks added a unique shyness.

At this moment, Aurelia seemed to shed her identity as a warrior and looked more like a beautiful young woman.

“How is it?”

Aurelia asked shyly.

Bai nodded like a pecking chick.

“Bai still thinks Aurelia (Sister) looks best when she smiles. Usually, you’re too scary!”

“Eh? Really?”

“Mm! Bai will go now!”

Bai waved and ran out of the tent, still smiling.

“Bai! Wait! Why are you in such a hurry?”

Aurelia tried to call her back, but Bai had already dashed away, leaving Aurelia alone.

She wore the Flower Crown, looking at herself in the metal mirror—putting it on, taking it off, putting it on again—until a gentle smile appeared on her lips.

***

On the other side.

“Uncle Skarn, are you there?”

Bai called toward the command tent.

Inside, Skarn’s rough voice answered.

“Come in.”

Bai entered with the Flower Crown on her back and saw Skarn still studying the Map on the table, planning tomorrow’s retreat.

“So it’s Bai. It’s late—you should be sleeping. Kids need their rest.”

He grinned.

Bai puffed out her cheeks and muttered grumpily, “Mm, Bai isn’t a kid anymore.”

Then she smiled, took out the purple Flower Crown from behind her, and held it out.

“Ta-da~ For Uncle Skarn.”

Skarn looked confused and pointed at himself.

“For me? Really?”

“Mm!”

Skarn accepted the Flower Crown and placed it on his head.

How to describe it—a burly man nearly two meters tall wearing a Flower Crown looked a bit out of place.

He held it gingerly, afraid to break it, a stark contrast to his usual carefree self.

Bai looked at Skarn and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Pffft.”

“W-what is it? This is my first time wearing one too.”

Skarn coughed.

“It’s nothing, just realizing that Uncle Skarn can be pretty cute sometimes.”

Bai giggled and ran off again.

Skarn tried to call her back, but it was too late.

He looked at the Flower Crown, then shook his head and smiled.

“This kid…”

***

Next up is Vera (Sister).

Bai went to her tent and called out for a while, but no one answered.

Bai scratched her head in confusion.

“Where else could she be?”

Suddenly, she remembered something and hurried back the way she came, running to where Xiao Hei was.

Sure enough, under Xiao Hei, there was a struggling figure.

“Stupid dragon! Where did you hide Xiao Bai? Tell me, did you wrap her up in your tail again?”

Vera shouted, hands on her hips, at Xiao Hei.

She even tried to climb onto his tail.

Xiao Hei didn’t even glance at her, snorted in disdain, and then flicked his tail.

Vera’s screams exploded in the air.

“Aaah! Stop! You’ll make Xiao Bai dizzy!”

Bai stood there, watching Vera bounce around trying to catch Xiao Hei’s tail, looking like a fool.

She even wondered if she should still give her the Flower Crown.

Bai tiptoed closer, waited for the right moment, and as Vera landed, she pounced, laughing.

“Vera (Sister)!”

Vera was startled by the sudden tackle, but then, seeing who it was, she laughed in delight.

“Xiao Bai! Where did you go? I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

“Bai went to find Aurelia (Sister).”

At Bai’s reply, Vera pouted jealously.

“So, you love your Aurelia (Sister) so much, did I come at the wrong time?”

“No, no! Hehe, anyway, Bai has a present for you.”

Bai smiled, taking out a yellow Flower Crown.

“Ta-da~”

“You made this?”

Vera asked in surprise.

“Mm!”

Bai nodded.

She accepted the Flower Crown without hesitation and put it on, spinning around joyfully.

“How is it? Does it look good?”

“Vera (Sister) is very beautiful.”

Bai praised without hesitation.

“Well, not bad for your first try.”

Vera sniffed, but her face couldn’t hide her joy.

She grabbed Bai’s hand again.

“But when it comes to Flower Crowns, us Elves are the best at making them. Come, follow (Sister) back to the tent, and I’ll make you a really pretty one!”

She started pulling Bai toward her tent—but then—

The hand she was holding suddenly slipped free.

“What’s wrong? Xiao Bai?”

Vera asked in confusion.

Bai stopped, head down, her silver-gray hair covering her face, hiding her expression.

She had to leave…

She looked up, forced a smile, and said,

“Bai still has other things to do. Vera (Sister), you go back first.”

Vera paused.

She felt something was off with Bai…Was she sad?

It must be my imagination.

After all, we’re going back tomorrow.

There’s no reason to be sad.

Vera smiled.

“Then I’ll go back first. Xiao Bai, make sure to sleep early, or you won’t grow tall.”

“Bai isn’t a child!”

Bai puffed her cheeks, complaining in protest.

“In (Sister)’s eyes, you’re still far from grown up, hahaha!”

Vera laughed loudly, her voice as bright as ever.

She walked backward a few steps, then looked back, uneasy.

Bai was still standing there, smiling.

Maybe…it’s just my imagination?

Until Vera entered the tent, Bai’s smile slowly faded…

She was silent for a long time, then spoke softly.

“Time to go, Xiao Hei.”