[Announcement: Lulutina was sentenced to three days of detention and fined three thousand for dispensing unknown potions in a public area. Due to the positive feedback from the potion, the detention was waived, and only the fine of three thousand was imposed.]
Lulutina: “It wasn’t me! It was the witch!!!”
Unfortunately, when the Enforcers arrived, they only caught her alone. Her protest was ineffective.
By the way, it was Bai Xiaozhi who reported the case.
She looked down on using such tactics just to win Wu Xiaomi’s favor.
……
Although Wu Xiaomi didn’t quite understand what it meant to be moved by feelings, she still decided to maintain this relationship sincerely.
After all, feelings could be nurtured little by little~
“This time, the mission is an escort… I thought we’d be teleported straight to the capital,” Ah Lei sighed.
True enough, rest time always flew by quickly. Luckily, this mission didn’t seem intense; it was more like a leisurely journey toward the destination.
“I didn’t expect your escort mission to be an escort too,” the Miss Law Enforcement Officer chuckled heartily. “With you around, it’s much more reassuring.” She was also a member of the escort team.
The escort target would land at Feisi City’s harbor, then traverse the vast border Shamanic Forest, finally heading to the Nayi Kingdom’s capital.
“Who exactly are we escorting?” Ah Lei looked up in shock at the massive ship in the harbor.
The ship was made entirely of crystal; from the outside, people could see everything happening inside each cabin.
Except for certain rooms like the restroom and bedrooms, which were covered with curtains, the rest was carved from a single piece of crystal.
Its luxurious and opulent aura was overwhelming.
The sunlight reflecting off it seemed to brighten all of Feisi City by several levels.
“Although the Nerrifa World is vast, it’s ruled by only two empires. This ship belongs to the royal family of one of them,” the Miss Law Enforcement Officer explained respectfully.
“What royal family?”
“Limelight Theocracy—the Sky Angel Empire ruled by ‘Angels.’”
Angels?
[What about the other empire?] Wu Xiaomi asked curiously.
“The other belongs to the land beneath our feet,” the Miss Law Enforcement Officer bowed solemnly, “Nayi Kingdom—the Earth Kingdom.”
That was a bit hard to believe.
The land area of Nerrifa World is more than five hundred times that of Earth, yet there are only two countries.
How have they managed to refrain from war?
“How do they avoid fighting? With only two nations, surely they’d be like water and fire, constantly clashing,” Ah Lei asked the question Wu Xiaomi was curious about.
“There used to be constant warfare. Everyone wanted to be the sole ruler of Nerrifa World. But after hundreds of years of fighting, they got exhausted and stopped.” The Miss Law Enforcement Officer shrugged. “For nearly a century now, they’ve maintained peace through political marriages.”
“Each generation’s king has two heirs: one to be the crown prince and the other for marriage alliances. This cycle repeats.”
Impressive.
You could even say that these political marriages have become the most important aspect of their diplomatic relations.
“In such a huge empire, they still rely on ancient political marriages?” Ah Lei was stunned.
“Yes, although it’s an old-fashioned method, as long as the royal family governs through a lineage system, it’s still effective.”
Tsk. Feudalism at its finest.
“Judging by this grandeur, the one we’re escorting must be…”
“Exactly, she’s the princess of the Limelight Theocracy, and we’re responsible for escorting her to fulfill the political marriage.” The Enforcer was somewhat excited. “This is the most sacred mission, symbolizing the peace between two nations—there can be no failure!”
Kill?
Good gracious.
If it failed, not only would points be deducted, but they’d be hunted by the whole world.
Thinking of this, Wu Xiaomi couldn’t help but get a bit nervous.
She looked curiously toward the end of the red carpet.
A carriage was rolling off the ship, but… something was strange.
Normally, such an important princess should be guarded by an entire army, right?
Yet, only a carriage came down from the ship.
No guards at all.
[Why are there no guards?] Wu Xiaomi secretly passed a note.
“Because it’s unnecessary,” the Enforcer lowered her voice, “once we leave Feisi City, we enter the territory of the Forest Rangers—the Shamanic Forest.”
“Forest Rangers?”
“That’s the buffer zone between the Limelight Theocracy and Nayi Kingdom, spanning the entire border. It’s an absolutely neutral area. Once inside, the Forest Rangers take responsibility for the princess’s safety.”
Sounds so grand.
Thinking of her own Badge of the Ranger, Wu Xiaomi became even more curious about the Shamanic Forest.
[Can you tell me more about the Shamanic Forest?]
Wu Xiaomi’s question sparked the Enforcer’s interest.
“I’ve long admired the Shamanic Forest myself,” the Enforcer whispered. “Speaking of the Shamanic Forest, you have to mention the Forest Rangers—wherever there’s a forest, there are Rangers.”
Wu Xiaomi’s eyes sparkled.
I have a Ranger’s Badge = I can become a Forest Ranger = I’m awesome!
“At first, the Forest Rangers only guarded against wildfires and protected the forest ecology. Then, with the rise of poachers, they had to strengthen their combat capabilities. Eventually, they became a powerful Spirit Tamer System, tasked with protecting all the forests of Nerrifa World.”
“The Forest Rangers live in seclusion, appearing and disappearing without a trace. They never get involved in the kingdoms’ conflicts and always maintain neutrality.”
“Throughout every era, rulers from every kingdom have tried to recruit the Rangers to their side to upset the balance between the two empires. But no one has ever succeeded.”
“If political marriages are the emotional bond of peace, then the Forest Rangers and the Shamanic Forest are the practical moat preventing war between the two nations.”
Sounds so cool.
“—If anyone wants to launch an invasion, they must cross the Shamanic Forest. To cross it means facing the Forest Rangers’ counterattack. With their vital forces severely weakened, the invasion will fail.”
“That’s why, for so many years, the two empires have maintained a stable balance.”
“But if the Forest Rangers ever side with one, the balance will be broken. When that happens… you’ll witness the most brutal war.”
Wow~~
Cool! The Forest Rangers are so cool!
[Since the Rangers are helping, can we just slack off?]
“Not at all, this mission is extremely dangerous.” The Enforcer’s gaze scanned the crowd. “Although the wars ended long ago, many are dissatisfied with peace—they crave war and want to break this balance.”
“These fanatics will stop at nothing to assassinate the princess, whether inside or outside the Shamanic Forest.”
“From now on, you must stay alert.”
Stay alert!
Alright, staying alert!
Wu Xiaomi looked around nervously.
Bai Xiaozhi smiled softly as she helped Wu Xiaomi put on a scarf.
This journey would gradually move toward higher latitudes; altitude would rise, and temperatures would drop significantly.
Wu Xiaomi was physically weak and couldn’t catch a cold.
……
Princess! Princess! This is the legendary kingdom’s princess!
Lulutina had always been restless by nature.
Especially after meeting Xiao Luobo, her mischief had only worsened.
“I’ll make a small hole, and you sneak a peek at what the princess looks like,” Lulutina whispered.
Xiao Luobo gave an OK sign.
She activated her ability to soften solids.
Soon, a tiny hole appeared on the carriage.
Xiao Luobo didn’t hesitate and climbed up to take a peek.
But it was better if she hadn’t looked at all.
“The carriage is empty!!!”
Shit, they are escorting Bai Xiaozhi, aren’t they