Chapter 137: Reproached by the Blood Princess

Phil stood up and, in the faint light, reached out her hand to Su Ling.

“Hey, would you like to leave this wretched Royal Capital with me and join the Rebels?”

Join the Rebels?

Phil’s ears perked up, and she looked rather anxious. She fixed her gaze on Su Ling, as if afraid to miss even the smallest change in her expression.

Su Ling, on the other hand, was thoroughly shocked. She hadn’t expected Phil to make such a direct offer.

Could it be that Phil’s real reason for coming to the Royal Capital to find her was actually to take her away?

“Let’s leave this damned place together! I almost died here, and with the monks so feeble and unreliable, staying here is bound to be even more dangerous!”

“Phil, your invitation… I truly appreciate it,” Su Ling replied slowly. “But I can’t leave here.”

Hearing Su Ling’s rejection, Phil’s expression dimmed instantly. Her face was full of anxiety and confusion.

“Huh? Why not? Su Ling, don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then why do you insist on staying with the Blood Clan? They could take your life at any moment—aren’t you even a bit afraid?”

“No!,” Su Ling lowered her head, her fingers nervously entwined, as if sorting through her thoughts. “Phil, I trust you, but I just can’t leave the Palace right now… I have other things to do.”

“Other things?” Phil pressed, unwilling to let it go. “What could be more important than your own life and freedom?”

Su Ling took a deep breath and lifted her head, meeting Phil’s eyes calmly.

“Let’s not talk about me. Phil, is it really safe with the Rebels?”

“What are you saying…”

“I really don’t know much about the human rebellion, but the Blood Clan has always been hunting you down. Even I’ve heard about that,” Su Ling continued.

“The Kingdom of Ansels is ruled by the Blood Clan. Humans and demi-humans have long been under their control. Phil, over there, you’re lacking both supplies and manpower. There’s no way to balance out the might of the Blood Clan’s legions. If you keep resisting like this, will it really lead anywhere?”

“If you’re worried it’ll all be for nothing, does that mean you should just do nothing at all?” Phil suddenly raised her voice, calling Su Ling by name.

“You… of course I know that! But if you give up just because the enemy is strong, then you’ll be stuck like this forever!”

As she spoke, Phil’s voice started to tremble, and her eyes filled with tears, as if they might fall at any moment.

Su Ling didn’t know how to respond. Of course, she understood Phil’s feelings behind those words.

To fight a hopeless battle is called reckless, but at times like this, courage is exactly what’s needed.

Over this time, everything Phil had been through had already transformed her from a docile little maid of the Blood Clan’s castle into a member of the Rebels.

“Su Ling, believe me, we’re not as powerless as you think!” Phil grabbed Su Ling’s hand tightly. “Let’s go, together!”

Su Ling fell silent.

But…

“I don’t get it. What’s in this Palace that’s worth you staying? Is it Tii?” Phil finally voiced the question.

Su Ling knew what she shouldn’t say, but now, she could only let the conversation keep going.

“Well… Tii is included, yes.”

Hearing that, disappointment flashed across Phil’s face.

“Ah, right. For you, it must be Tii that you trust more.” She lowered her voice. “I know I’ve done terrible things to you before, so now, I just want to make up for it.”

“I’m not bothered about any of that,” Su Ling lifted her head slightly. “It’s just that I can’t leave. I’m sorry.”

In truth, Su Ling hadn’t finished speaking. The reason she didn’t want to leave the castle was partly because there were still people she cared about here, and partly because she didn’t want to join either side in this world’s struggle.

As the old saying goes, conquering and being conquered—this is the way of this world. Su Ling disliked war and cared nothing for power.

As someone who had reincarnated here, her goal was simply to live a peaceful life. She didn’t want to save the world; she only wanted to protect those around her.

“You really don’t hesitate at all…”

After being refused, Phil was weighed down with heavy emotions. She had never expected her offer would be rejected, nor had she thought rejection would hurt so much.

Seeing Phil’s dejected appearance, Su Ling felt a pang in her heart. She gently squeezed Phil’s hand, trying to offer her a bit of comfort.

“Phil, I’m sorry.”

“Heh, I understand your reasoning,” Phil exhaled, flicked her pipe, and forced herself to perk up. “Su Ling, just wait for me! I’ll overthrow this cursed nation with the Rebels and come to find you in the Royal Capital myself!”

“Phil…”

The pointed-eared girl pressed her hand to her chest, standing tall, pointing a finger at Su Ling.

“You just wait for me right here!”

She did her best to smile, and in that moment, Su Ling felt that the Phil before her had truly changed, as if she had become the protagonist of some grand adventure tale.

Moonlight fell upon Phil’s chest, illuminating the determination on her face.

Time passed, second by second, and when the first ray of dawn pierced through the clouds, shining down upon the land, Su Ling dragged her weary body, carrying the package Nori had requested, back to the Palace.

Phil had already set out at dawn, so their brief meeting had ended just like that.

All night long, Su Ling’s face was smeared with dust, and her mind wandered as she wondered what Sista might make for breakfast.

Today’s breakfast would definitely be late. Su Ling knew that, given the Blood Princess’s temper, she was bound to be scolded again.

Sure enough, as she opened the door, Sista was already waiting in the bedroom, sitting by the window, hands clenched tightly.

As soon as Su Ling entered and appeared in her sight, Sista’s sharp gaze immediately fell upon her.

“Where have you been? Why are you only coming back now?” Sista’s voice was as cold as ice.

Su Ling flinched a little. She hadn’t expected Sista to be this angry.

She opened her mouth, trying to explain, but for a moment couldn’t find the right words. All she could do was lower her head.

“Do you even know what time it is?” Sista continued, her tone edged with restraint, clearly struggling to keep her emotions in check. “You left the Palace without a word, and nobody could find you.”

Su Ling had thought Sista was just scolding her for being late, but she quickly realized that Sista was talking about her going out last night.

So, she gathered her courage and quietly said, “Sorry, Your Highness. Nori sent me out to buy some things, so…”

“Buying things? You are my personal maid—why are you taking orders from Nori?” Sista cut her off.

“I… I just couldn’t refuse…”

“Then what did you do all night?”

“I bought some herbs…”

“It takes a whole night to buy herbs?”

Su Ling lowered her head even more.

The more you say, the more mistakes you make. Even if it was Sista, there were things she simply couldn’t reveal.

“That… wasn’t really important…”

Sista frowned even more. She stared at Su Ling for a while, as if trying to read her mind.

After a while, she finally let out a breath and her tone softened a little.

“Fine. If you can’t say, I won’t press. But from now on, you are forbidden from leaving at night, no matter who orders you to.”

Yet another strict rule had been added.

“I’ll be careful,” Su Ling replied softly, nodding her head.