Chapter 44: You Step Out First

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Qin Yu pulled Lysieltine’s hand as they crossed the vast plaza in front of the Weiyang Hall, moving between the rows of stern-faced guards.

The guards’ silver armor reflected the sunlight, as if gilded with a golden sheen.

Each guard held a Mo Dao; the blades shone so brightly under the sun that one couldn’t look directly at them.

“Are these your personal guards?” Lysieltine asked Qin Yu.

“These are the Imperial Gate Guards,” Qin Yu replied.

“Mmm, the weapons are very fine indeed,” Lysieltine remarked. 

“A single Mo Dao like that must cost quite a bit, no?”

“Uh…” Qin Yu shook her head awkwardly. 

“I’m newly appointed, I really have no idea!”

“Hehe, still slacking off as always, I see,” Lysieltine said with a soft laugh.

“Hmph! How am I slacking off? I’ve just started out and still haven’t fully grasped the workings of the court!” Qin Yu protested.

***

Everyone entered the Weiyang Great Hall. 

Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu took their seats atop the dragon throne, while the Saint Roppu Empire Delegation sat on the seat of honor across from Qin Yu’s imperial desk, and the Imperial Secretariat members of the Chengji Empire sat at Qin Yu’s right.

Once all were seated, Qin Yu spoke first: “Welcome to Her Majesty the Empress of the Saint Roppu Empire and the Saintess, who have led the delegation to our nation for a week-long state visit…”

Of course, such a long speech wasn’t written by Qin Yu herself, but had been prepared in advance by members of the Imperial Secretariat.

The address was tedious and dull, utterly lacking in sincerity, but Qin Yu had no choice but to grit her teeth and finish reading it.

Sitting opposite her, Lysieltine made faces at Qin Yu, causing her to nearly burst out laughing.

‘No laughing, no laughing!’ Qin Yu reminded herself silently.

At such an important occasion, she absolutely couldn’t lose composure.

Despite her efforts, a few of Qin Yu’s words still came out tinged with suppressed laughter.

Lysieltine, seeing Qin Yu struggle to keep from laughing, was in a great mood. 

She covered her mouth and pretended to cough, sneaking in a chuckle.

Luo Shangyu watched Qin Yu’s awkward state and raised her eyebrows, clearly amused.

Yin An, who knew Qin Yu well, had lines of worry on his face, praying inwardly that Qin Yu wouldn’t make a bigger scene.

At long last, Qin Yu finished reading the lengthy speech—over five thousand words in total.

Then it was Lysieltine’s turn to speak. 

She thanked the Chengji Empire for providing a platform for the two nations’ exchange, looked back on the history between their countries, and finally expressed hope for their future relations.

After the two exchanged their pleasantries, Qin Yu introduced her own side’s attendees.

Lysieltine also introduced her accompanying entourage.

With that, the first formal meeting of the Saint Roppu Empire’s mission truly began.

“We’ve dispatched troops to the Boermai Empire to assist their Royal Family,” Lysieltine said. 

“The Boermai Royal Family is in real danger this time!”

“We’ve also sent a force,” Qin Yu said. 

“We funded a Mercenary Group to go to war on our behalf.”

“Do you think a single Mercenary Group is enough?” Lysieltine asked.

“Of course it’s not enough. But even if we send more, it’s pointless.” Qin Yu voiced her own insights, drawn from her previous life’s experiences.

“Regardless of Valya’s strength as the rebel, just the Boermai Royal Family’s circumstances alone make this war unwinnable. They’ve lost the people’s support—most of the Boermai Empire’s citizens back Valya. How could the Royal Family win a war that goes against the will of the people?”

“…” Lysieltine fell silent. 

The fickleness of public opinion—she truly hadn’t considered this.

“But this war is one we have no choice but to fight.” After a long pause, Lysieltine said, “Given Valya’s character, her policies are full of ambition. If she successfully takes over the Boermai Empire, she’s very likely to wage war, and the Fantasy Realm will no longer know peace.”

“But…” Qin Yu pondered, “even for the sake of peace in the Fantasy Realm, if we insist on fighting this war, there’s no guarantee we can defeat Valya’s army.”

“Is she really that strong?” Lysieltine sounded somewhat dismissive. 

“Valya’s just a petty troublemaker, how powerful could she really be?”

“Valya is very strong.” Luo Shangyu, silent until now, finally spoke.

“Oh?” Lysieltine’s interest was piqued. 

“What makes you say so?”

“I saw it with my own eyes. In fact, I’ve seen her not just once, but twice.” Luo Shangyu began her slow account.

“The first time was at her investiture as Grand Duke. My teacher took me there.”

“Her investiture? That was ages ago, wasn’t it? How could you… Wait, are you an Elf?” Saint Lumia recalled the newspapers speculating about Luo Shangyu’s race.

“I am an Elf.” Luo Shangyu nodded and gently swept aside her long golden hair, revealing her ears.

Luo Shangyu’s ears were slender and slightly pointed at the tip. 

At a glance, they looked little different from a human’s, but closer inspection revealed the telltale traits of an Elf.

“At the investiture, the previous Marquis of the Demon Clan commented that Valya possessed the purest Demon Clan bloodline, her potential limitless.” Luo Shangyu explained after addressing Saint Lumia’s question.

“The second time was recently, when Qin Yu and I ran into her at Beach volleyball tournament.”

“Huh? You two met her recently?” Lysieltine and Saint Lumia stared, utterly stunned.

“Mm.” Qin Yu nodded. 

“We not only met Valya Ratmos, but also her wife—Lilith Verastan Countess, leader of the Blood Clan.”

“So she’s also…” Saint Lumia and Lysieltine exchanged glances and spoke in unison.

“That’s not the point!” Luo Shangyu interrupted the two. 

“From what I sensed, both of them are at least seventh-tier Quasi-Deity level. Moreover, from Valya, I felt an unprecedentedly powerful aura—the aura of a Demon King from the God-King era.”

“And supposedly, Valya can even transform for a short time into the strongest class of monster—an Old One level being.” Qin Yu added, “Her weapon is forged from the remains of an Old One, named ‘Dirge of the Demon Realm.’ Most frightening of all, her mastery of magic is approaching tenth-tier True Deity level.”

The moment those words left her lips, everyone was struck dumb, unable to utter a word.

The hall fell as silent as a tomb; only the sound of autumn wind whispering past the window frames remained.

“This is a matter of great import; let’s continue this discussion another day!” Lysieltine was the first to recover her composure,  “Let me give it some thought before we resume talks.”

Qin Yu nodded. 

Indeed, it was a bit much to burden old friends with such weighty topics right after meeting again.

“The last time we met, we were both crown princesses, and now—so soon—we’re both rulers of our own countries.” Lysieltine sighed deeply.

“Life is so unpredictable!” Qin Yu let out a long sigh. 

“The Chengji Empire too is beset by internal and external troubles; sometimes I don’t even know where to begin.”

“I hear the Oriental States of the Southern Continent are secretly supporting Valya, helping her overthrow the Boermai Royal Family to found a new regime, all to weaken our alliance.”

“In these circumstances, our two nations must work even more closely together.” Qin Yu said.

“Now, magic tools in the Fantasy Realm are at a technological singularity—on the verge of explosive progress. They’re going to radically change the nature of warfare.” Lysieltine said.

Coming from a world of advanced technology, Qin Yu understood this all too well.

“One of the main purposes of our visit this time is precisely to exchange knowledge about the development of magic tools.” As she spoke, Lysieltine gestured at the magic engineers in her delegation.

“Let’s hope we can learn from each other through this exchange and make progress together.” Qin Yu was full of anticipation for this exchange in magic tool technology.

***

As the two sides conversed, noon arrived before they knew it.

“Lysieltine, Lumia, let’s go to the Eastern Palace and host a welcome banquet for you. Everyone else, please go rest at your lodgings for now.” Qin Yu said to Lysieltine.

“Alright!”

The other members of the Saint Roppu Empire Delegation followed the eunuch attendants to their residence—Xiansheng Hall—while Qin Yu’s cabinet ministers tactfully left the Weiyang Hall, leaving the space to Qin Yu and Lysieltine.

“Let’s go!” Qin Yu called, and the four of them exited the Weiyang Hall through a side door.

In the Eastern Palace, the imperial kitchens had already prepared a lavish array of delicacies: traditional Chengji Empire dishes as well as flavors from the Saint Roppu Empire.

“It’s been over a year since we last gathered like this!” Lysieltine sat down.

“It feels like only yesterday.” Qin Yu smiled at Lysieltine. 

“I still remember the last time you mistook salt for sugar!”

“Haha!” Saint Lumia laughed out loud, unrestrained.

Luo Shangyu, not being that close to Lysieltine, just covered her face and stifled her laughter.

Lysieltine, cheeks flushed, pointed at Qin Yu to retort: “Last time you came to the Saint Roppu Empire, you—you… you…”

Lysieltine racked her brain to dredge up some embarrassing story about Qin Yu, but came up empty.

Counting both her lives, Qin Yu was over thirty, and on top of that, she was always cautious in her actions; such embarrassing stories were few and far between.

Unable to find a single piece of dirt on Qin Yu, Lysieltine’s face grew even redder, reaching a feverish crimson.

Seeing Lysieltine flustered, Qin Yu laughed heartily, savoring the moment; Luo Shangyu too couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

Amid the laughter, the bond between Luo Shangyu, Lysieltine, and Saint Lumia grew warmer.

The four gathered together for lunch, unburdened by status, chatting as freely as sisters.

During the meal, Qin Yu raised her glass to signal a toast.

The other three lifted their glasses, each filled with freshly squeezed, golden-orange juice.

“Clink!” The four glasses collided, their orange juices leaping with joy.

“May we have days like this every year, and may our friendship endure for all time!” Qin Yu wished for their lasting friendship.

“May all our wishes come true, and all that we encounter be what we desire!” Lysieltine voiced her hope for a bright future.

Then, they all tipped back their drinks together.

***

After the meal came their time alone.

The welcome banquet for the Saint Roppu Empire Delegation wouldn’t be held until evening, leaving the four with an afternoon of private leisure.

They went to the side hall of the Eastern Palace and settled onto the sofas within.

The sofas formed a circular ring around a round tea table in the center.

All of them, content and well-fed, sprawled lazily on the sofas as Qin Yu and Lysieltine discussed the latest developments in “The Adventures of David Day.”

Time passed quietly as they chatted.

Lysieltine pulled out her pocket watch, glanced at the time, and thought to herself, “It’s about time!”

With that, Lysieltine said to Qin Yu, “I have something very important to tell you.”

“Oh, go ahead.” Qin Yu responded lazily.

“This is just between the two of us. Lumia, can you and Luo Shangyu step outside for a moment?” Lysieltine gave Lumia a meaningful look.

“No need. Luo Shangyu is my best friend—she can know, too.” Qin Yu waved her hand.

“No, this is something that only the two of us can know.” Lysieltine insisted firmly. 

“Luo Shangyu, you step out first.”

Seeing Lysieltine’s serious expression, Luo Shangyu allowed Saint Lumia to take her hand and lead her out of the Eastern Palace’s side hall.