In Xiaolu’s long and winding memories, most of the time was spent alone. The Red Sister, who was far away in the royal capital, rarely took the initiative to seek her out. Life was simple and lazy, never troubled by any urgent matters.
Occasionally, a few people managed to break into her simple life, but few left lasting impressions. Vyea from those years was one of them. After all, the First Brave was someone special; that title carried a weight too great to ignore.
So great that even a ghost like Xiaolu, who had wandered through a century of time, couldn’t help but pay attention.
Deep within the palace where the “All-Seeing Eye” was kept, faced with Vyea’s angry glare, Xiaolu simply pursed her lips and smiled:
“It’s really good that you came back alive.”
“Hmph…”
Like an old friends’ playful bickering.
Vyea suddenly let go of the anger in her heart and only sighed softly as she looked at her:
“Maybe so. Life and death, fortune and misfortune — who can really say for sure?”
“That’s not right.”
Xiaolu shook her head seriously and wagged her index finger:
“Being alive is everything. Sister Fu told me, once you die, it’s all over.”
“Is that so…”
Vyea knew Xiaolu wouldn’t lie, nor was she good at deceiving. Or rather, spirits like her were simple and pure. Those filled with murderous intent grew more ruthless; liars only told more lies; the kind and benevolent increased their healing deeds…
They all followed one path from birth to destruction.
Right now, even Xiaolu didn’t know that Fu Laviel was the Great Demon King, the Demon King of Kings.
The intelligence network was poor in this regard, but the confidentiality agreements those insiders signed were impeccable.
Vyea snapped her fingers against the glass:
“Are you ready?”
“What? The info for the specialist who treats monstergirl brains?” Xiaolu blinked. “You’ve caused panic across the entire Arbitration Office, and you’re still hiding this from your disciple… Sigh, that’s not good. I can’t just print out the doctor’s info for you.”
“Besides, your disciple is really upset right now. Are you sure you want to keep going? If not, wait another day. I’ll contact the Red Sister tomorrow. She knows more than I do and can surely answer your questions.”
Xiaolu was genuinely trying to help Vyea think through this.
The identity of a monstergirl was a very sensitive matter in human territory. Even with proper documentation, travel would still be heavily restricted.
Vyea shook her head, declining Xiaolu’s kindness, and softly asked:
“In human history, has there ever been a record of a monstergirl receiving the Hero’s Mark recognition?”
“No.” Xiaolu answered immediately, though a thought began to form.
Anyone connected with demons could never receive the Hero’s Mark. Besides, Vyea’s current Hero’s Mark was inherited from when she was a human Brave.
This situation was unique; there was no precedent at all.
But there was a good chance that Sister Ye wanted to use her hidden identity as a monstergirl in the shadows to become a Brave openly under the sun?
Could that really work?
With no precedent to rely on, Xiaolu felt anxious.
What if humans didn’t accept such a Brave? Instead, they might persecute her or cut her into pieces for research?
That idea was far too risky.
Yet, if she didn’t take this risk,
Sister Ye would forever have to hide her identity. On this land where Miracles appeared, success might come a thousand times, but if she failed even once and her disguise was exposed—then it would be utterly over.
The various bounty organizations, guild bounty orders, Adventurer Commissions in the human world would swarm like ants.
No matter how many she killed, humans were endless.
Among billions of humans, bizarre cases arose now and then. It was entirely possible that a specialized Brave who hunted monstergirls might appear, and that would be trouble.
Just like the Spoon Killer, this was not something to get involved with casually.
Xiaolu was worried. The safest and most practical way now was to help Vyea, with her monstergirl identity, find a powerful and influential Master in the royal capital, but even this was just a thought.
If spoken aloud, Xiaolu felt she might not live long; Sister Ye, as a righteous person, might not have to act herself—others would do it for her.
Such a pity.
Otherwise, with Sister Ye’s appearance, she could surely find a good Master in the royal capital and live peacefully in the human world.
But poor Sister Fu—her whereabouts unknown was one thing, yet her husband had been taken away by someone else.
Thinking of this, Xiaolu’s glowing green body dimmed.
Vyea said nothing of Sister Fu’s whereabouts, and all the news spreading outside was negative…
Sister Fu had probably already died.
“You seem to be thinking of something unpleasant.”
Vyea frowned as she looked at the flickering green glow of Xiaolu’s body and asked.
Xiaolu frantically waved her hands, nervously denying:
“No, no, I’m not, don’t say that.”
Her tone was even more suspicious.
Was she thinking about how to maximize the benefits from betraying me?
“Enough.”
Vyea reached out and tapped the glass container holding the “All-Seeing Eye” green gemstone with her fingers.
Knock, knock, knock!
“W-what’s going on?” Xiaolu stammered at Vyea’s gaze. “Why are you knocking on my house?”
“You really treat this like your house?” Vyea sighed in disbelief, knocking two more times. “Open up!”
“No!” Xiaolu was displeased. “You said you’d stay here all night to chat with me. What if you finish your business and stop talking to me?”
“No worries. I’ll take you out to play and let you feel the fresh air outside,” Vyea said, like a big gray wolf coaxing a rabbit to open the door.
“Besides, aren’t you curious what kind of monstergirl I am now? Open up, and I’ll tell you.”
“I know, you never come to me with good intentions!” Xiaolu angrily raised her fist, like a raccoon showing claws in warning. “You evil demon, after hiding so long, are you finally going to show your true face?!”
“Oh no! I’ve been hit in my weak spot by an evil demon! Six seconds left until my defense gauge recovers!”
Xiaolu suddenly weakened, clutching her chest as the glass container behind her slowly opened, revealing the dazzling green gem inside.
“6!”
“5!”
Vyea stepped forward quickly and, with three seconds left on the countdown, snatched the green gemstone floating inside the container.
At the same time, Vyea’s body began to melt like a blueberry cream cake under the sun. Xiaolu widened her eyes in shock, suddenly understanding the origin of Vyea’s current body:
“Sl-slimy!”
“Wrong.”
Under Xiaolu’s trembling gaze, Vyea tossed the green gemstone like a coin in the palm of her hand. A faint smile flickered in her emerald eyes:
“It’s a monstergirl.”
As she spoke, Vyea pulled up her Hood and donned a pale Mask to conceal her ambiguous smirk.
Just moments ago, Vyea had been a righteous comrade. Now, wearing the mask, her entire aura transformed drastically.
“Tell those humans this. The Undying Demon King has returned, and she will reclaim everything she lost!”
Xiaolu’s heart sank. This didn’t feel like an act.
Was this a genuine outpouring of emotion, or had the blows she suffered changed her personality and even her body in unpredictable ways?
“My old friend, what are you waiting for?”
Vyea clearly didn’t share Xiaolu’s hesitations and only found her dawdling uncooperative.
“Go notify the United Nations immediately. The message is that your gemstone body in Antler City was stolen by the Phantom Thief Kid, who intends to collect the rest of your gemstone fragments like the Dragon Balls to sacrifice them…”
There were too many elements to the story for Xiaolu, who felt Vyea was just reciting a menu.
Alright, it was indeed her illusion earlier.
The First Brave was the First Brave—no matter the upheaval, she could still joke without changing expression.
Xiaolu sincerely admired her.