Chapter 31: I come from the future

Livia felt the powerful wind rushing against her face, the touch of the leather saddle pressing against the white stockings beneath her armor, instantly dispersing the pent-up frustration in her heart.

Her status as an illegitimate daughter was like an invisible shackle, trapping her between two worlds.

She hated that cold “home,” hated the hypocritical noble social circles, hated the various constraints of Capital Lucien, and most of all, she despised the shallow gazes that only coveted her beauty.

Only on the battlefield was she truly Livia.

Only in battle did she never feel lost.

She did not fight for some vague sense of justice; she simply loathed all evil, loathed this world stained by sin.

She wanted to save Marianne, save all the suffering, save this world on the brink of destruction.

For that, she must fight!

The lone star in the dark night hung high above, still pointing the way.

The stars whispered in her ears, singing her a victory song.

She softly hummed an ancient ballad along with the stars, her voice crisp like a lark’s: “Hey, hey, hey, falcon! Flying over mountains, forests, fields, and valleys…………”

“The ringing bell calls, calls, calls…………”

“My lark of the grasslands…………”

Her song and the white lightning-like figure drew the attention of the pirates, some even mesmerized.

However, when this beautiful “lark” lightly leapt from her galloping horse, as if dancing a deadly waltz in the sky, and precisely landed beside the heavily guarded pirate leader, all fascination instantly turned to horror!

“Pfft!”

A flash of cold light!

The burly, battle-hardened berserker leader’s head was sent soaring high, his face frozen in disbelief.

“It’s an Emblem User!!”

The pirate camp erupted with terrified screams!

Chaos spread instantly!

Some pirates tried to take hostages, but Livia’s star power swirled around her, an invisible force gently enveloping the terrified girls tied to wooden planks, pushing them to safety.

At the same time, she made a gesture towards her father’s position behind.

“Release the arrows!”

Friedrich ordered sharply without hesitation!

Buzz—!

At the Kingdom Army’s position, the archers and ballistae, long prepared, unleashed their assault simultaneously, a dense rain of deathly arrows and heavy stone projectiles thundered down!

The lightly armored pirate infantry lost their command without their leader, scattering and turning into spiked hedgehogs under the onslaught, screams rising one after another.

Experienced heavy-armored veterans hurriedly raised their round shields, trying to form a protective formation, but under the concentrated ranged fire, even their shield wall began to crumble!

Livia’s Star Power formed the strongest barrier, firmly protecting the villagers pushed away from the battlefield.

“For the Kingdom! Charge!” the cavalry commander roared!

The first wave of heavy cavalry, like a torrent of steel, thundered into the chaotic pirate ranks with unstoppable force!

Sharp lances pierced leather and flesh with ease, while heavy warhorses trampled all who stood in their path into mud.

The flying axes hurriedly thrown by the pirates were bizarrely deflected by Livia’s manipulation of Star Power just as they neared the cavalry!

Boom!

The first charge shattered the pirate formation!

Before the remaining pirates could regroup their pikemen, the second and third waves of heavy cavalry delivered successive devastating blows!

Where the iron hooves passed, men and horses alike were thrown into chaos and carnage.

The pirates’ ferocity and cunning, their very means of survival, were as fragile as paper against the Kingdom Army’s disciplined cavalry charges!

Facing this one-sided slaughter, the pirates’ morale completely collapsed!

“Run!”

“Monster! That woman is a monster!”

They threw down their weapons and fled toward the sea, crying and screaming.

But how could two legs outrun four?

Livia was like a white Grim Reaper weaving through the retreating soldiers, every flash of her star-lit sword leaving a spray of blood behind.

Those who surrendered on their knees begging for mercy were mercilessly beheaded by the Kingdom infantry following closely behind.

The Border Count’s only order was clear: no survivors!

The desperate remnants retreated to their last line of defense—several makeshift low walls.

They suddenly pushed out hidden heavy ballistae!

Simultaneously, horse pits dug in advance were exposed, and several cavalrymen who charged too fast fell, horse and rider, into the spikes below!

“Watch out!”

Livia shouted sharply, and Star Power instantly wrapped around the fallen cavalrymen, softening the impact.

They clumsily climbed out, looking at their horses pierced by wooden spikes with lingering terror, casting grateful glances at Livia.

Livia had no time to respond.

Her figure was like lightning, and the fine steel longsword her father gave her turned into a curtain of light, precisely slicing through the heavy ballista bolts shot at her.

In the next instant, she charged into the ballista position!

The swordlight slaughtered, and the pirates operating the ballistae, along with the cumbersome machines, were cut to pieces!

“Crack!”

The overloaded longsword finally shattered.

Livia didn’t care.

Her left hand grasped at empty air as brilliant starlight gathered and stretched in her palm, forming a translucent, star-glowing “Wind Sword.”

She no longer slashed, instead using it as a blunt weapon, striking the helmets of the stubborn pirates with precision, knocking them unconscious one by one.

At that moment, at the horizon over the sea, a huge “sun” ablaze with orange-red flames finally broke free from the sea fog, casting myriad golden rays over Grey Mist Cape.

The magnificent sight made the bloodied Livia pause slightly.

“So beautiful…” she whispered softly.

Before she could finish speaking, without turning her head, she threw a backhanded punch, sending a pirate who feigned death and tried to sneak attack flying through the air, crashing heavily on the rocks, silent forever.

Border Count Friedrich galloped up to his daughter’s side, but the battle was already over.

Livia von Stern stood quietly amidst the blood-soaked battlefield.

A few strands of her platinum hair stuck to her cheeks, matted with blood; tiny crimson stains marred her delicate face.

There was no joy of victory or exhaustion from slaughter on her face—only a cold, icy calm.

The golden rays of dawn bathed her, casting a sacred yet eerie glow over her bloodied white armor, blending breathtaking beauty with cruelty, like a Valkyrie stepped out of myth.

Friedrich stared at his daughter, seemingly unharmed but as if dragged out from a pool of blood, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Father,” Livia spoke first, her voice still cold, “the sword you gave me—I broke it again.”

“No matter! It’s just a sword!”

Friedrich quickly waved his hand, pained but helpless, “I’ll find you the best blacksmith! The last one bragged about it being indestructible, but obviously, his craftsmanship wasn’t up to par! I’ll settle accounts with him later!”

He paused, looking at his daughter’s serene face, unable to help but ask, “Livia, today…you earned quite a bounty. But what’s so good about that bastard from the Laval Family? Shouldn’t I find you a better fiancé? The Crown Prince is still unmarried. When we return victorious, I’ll petition His Majesty…”

“I want him—Allen de Laval.”

Livia interrupted her father, her tone resolute.

“Huh?! Why?!”

Friedrich nearly jumped off his horse.

Could it be his daughter really liked that little bastard?

A complete failure in family education!

“He…means something special to me.”

Livia slightly turned her head, avoiding her father’s probing gaze, a complex emotion flickering deep within her blue eyes.

This subtle movement appeared to Friedrich as a sign of shyness!

His voice grew nervous and changed pitch as he grabbed Livia’s shoulders, “Livia! You…you’ve met Allen de Laval?! Do you really like him?”

Livia silently turned her head away, saying nothing.

This silent “confirmation” struck Friedrich like a thunderbolt, drowning him in despair.

In his mind, a scene even appeared—

Allen de Laval riding a donkey, coming to his door, speaking cheekily, “Hey, old man, is it safe to park my horse downstairs?”

He blacked out.

“Father, he’s here.”

Livia suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with coldness.

“Who?”

Friedrich hadn’t reacted when Livia suddenly pushed him aside!

At the same time, the sword at his waist was drawn lightning-fast by his daughter—clang!

The metallic clash was piercing!

Livia held her father’s sword, firmly blocking a dagger suddenly thrust from thin air, wrapped in an ominous black aura!

A figure cloaked in a wide black robe appeared like a phantom where Friedrich had just stood.

“Too bad, almost.”

A hoarse voice came from beneath the hood, tinged with regret.

“…You’re the one who led the pirates here?”

Livia held her sword ready, her voice icy, stating a fact.

The cloaked man seemed surprised, then curiously began to chat: “This village has some ‘experimental materials’ I need. I had them hold longer, but these trash wasted my precious research time.”

“You’re from the Crimson Spiral Cult?”

Livia frowned.

“You’ve lost a lot recently, how dare you show up again?”

“Oh?”

The man’s tone turned playful.

“Beautiful miss, you seem to know a lot? We haven’t lost much lately.”

“The scum who died in the capital weren’t your people?” Livia countered.

“…Hmph!”

The man’s voice suddenly darkened.

“It’s all that useless fool’s fault! He absorbed a woman he shouldn’t have…”

Livia’s eyes sharpened.

“He absorbed who?”

“A noble’s maid.”

The man stared into Livia’s eyes, voice obsessive, “Your sapphire-like eyes…so beautiful…I want to take them down as my most precious collection…”

“…What kind of person can become your cult’s ‘Abyss Walker’?”

Livia, as if not hearing the threat, continued to ask.

The man hesitated, voice suspicious: “How do you know ‘Abyss Walker’?”

“I fought him.”

Livia said calmly.

“Hahahahaha!”

The man suddenly burst into manic laughter.

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible! The Abyss Walker is the true liberator who broke the cage of the Evil Creator, the savior of humanity walking the edge of madness and sanity! You? You want to defeat him?!”

“I didn’t defeat him.”

Livia’s voice was flat.

“He killed your ‘Listener of the Stars,’ then vanished.”

A memory flashed deep in her mind—

In that blazing inferno that seemed ready to burn down the entire capital, a black-haired youth stood amidst the corpses, smiling at her: “You’re late, Livia.”

“You also know about the ‘Listener of the Stars’?”

The man’s laughter abruptly stopped, silence falling, voice heavy, even fearful, “Livia von Stern…your Star Emblem should have led you to our master! Why oppose us?”

“Because you’re all madmen who want to destroy humanity.”

Livia’s answer was concise and powerful.

“Foolish! You are all blinded by this false world!”

The man grew agitated.

“The end is coming! Only our master can save humanity!”

“…”

Livia repeated the word, stars swirling in her blue eyes.

She looked down at the man, a faint yet bone-chilling smile curling on her lips: “After chatting with me so long, don’t you find it strange?”

The man suddenly stiffened!

His Emblem ability…had no effect?!

“Wait! Your Emblem…can resist mental intrusion?!”

He shouted in disbelief.

At that moment, Livia struck lightning-fast!

Swish!

Swish!

Two cold lights flashed!

Both of the man’s arms were severed at the shoulders!

Then two more flashes!

His legs were severed at the knees!

Pfft!

Livia’s longsword pierced precisely through his rapidly beating heart beneath the black robe!

“Thanks for the info.”

Livia’s voice was as cold as ice.

“You think your Hypnosis Emblem works on me? Someone tried that before. Don’t your cults have any new tricks?”

With a flick of her wrist, the longsword shredded the deformed heart.

Even cut into a human stick and heartless, the man didn’t die immediately!

He muttered in disbelief, “But the Hypnosis Emblem was just developed by me! How could you possibly…”

Before he finished, his body writhed like boiling liquid, numerous slimy, suction-cupped dark purple tentacles burst out from his torn clothes, wildly thrashing toward Livia!

“Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!”

Livia’s swordlight became a silver storm, accurately slicing all incoming tentacles!

Slime and flesh splattered!

“Did I come too early?”

Livia pondered, swinging her sword while analyzing seriously, “Most of your organs have been replaced by twisted flesh. Besides the Hypnosis Emblem, you must have implanted multiple Fake Crests. I guess you have Death Avoidance, Aura Concealment, and…Personality Transfer?”

Livia named the man’s abilities like a list of treasured knowledge, as if she had fought him more than once.

“You…how do you know my abilities?!”

Exposed completely, the man screamed in terror, his voice twisted by fear.

“Of course I know you.”

Livia finally smiled, that smile strange against her bloodied face.

“Code name ‘Puppeteer’ Bloodflesh Priest. I’ve been looking for you a long time. If you had fully developed the Hypnosis Emblem, you’d have stirred up quite a storm in the capital.”

“But my Emblem isolates mental pollution. Your Personality Transfer doesn’t work on me. Today, you’ll die here.”

Livia calmly sentenced the man’s death.

“Who…who exactly are you?!”

The man roared in despair, “You shouldn’t exist in the script arranged by our master!”

Livia paused her sword, looking down at the writhing remnant on the ground, her blue eyes sparkling with stars as if reflecting endless space and time.

“I am Livia von Stern.”

She spoke clearly, word by word, “But I come from the future.”

Heh heh…from the future?

With the end near, the man gave up struggling, his broken body letting out a ghastly laugh, “That future…

“Will humanity…be saved?”

Livia hesitated, then slowly shook her head.

“Hahahaha! I knew it! Our master is right! He is the true savior of humanity…”

The man’s mad laughter abruptly ended, leaving complete silence.

Livia used her sword tip to lift the tattered black robe, revealing only a pool of rapidly decaying, foul-smelling viscous substance.

She lowered her sword and traced a wheat-ear symbol before her chest—a prayer gesture used by lay believers in the Church.

“Even someone as hopeless as you, please rest well. Don’t ‘resurrect’ like someone else to continue harming humanity.”

Livia raised her head, looking toward Capital Lucien.

Her bloodied golden hair fluttered in the morning breeze, her gaze faint yet resolute.

“Mm, don’t worry, I won’t take this lightly.”

Livia softly spoke to the stars, her gentle tone filled with a firm determination to save everything, “This time, I will save humanity.

“From that…true demon.”