“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Qi Qi spoke with a hint of arrogance.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m not targeting you. I’m not one of those ancient relics petrified by age. I’m only eighty-seven years old, still quite young.” Nan Bang smiled.
“I don’t know what you’re saying.” Qi Qi repeated stubbornly.
“Our Elf population is about the same size as a human village, and our abilities can’t even compare to an entire village of humans. I’ve wandered the jianghu for fifty years; it’s not easy to encounter a closed clan.” Nan Bang activated her hood’s speech mode and continued talking to herself.
“I don’t know what you’re saying.” Qi Qi turned into a broken record.
“Have you seen Bang Bo Zi? If she wasn’t born in the village, she’s actually a ‘half-elf,’ a pure-blooded offspring of the Human Race and the Elf. ” Nan Bang pointed to the hood screen displaying the young half-elf girl.
“…”
Qi Qi did not repeat this time.
“See? She doesn’t fake a smile like I do. She’s emotional, quick to anger, and sincere—definitely different from me. She’s like a Japanese person on the outside but carries our ancestor’s blood. For over ten years, you’re the first village person I’ve met outside.” Nan Bang said.
“I don’t know what you’re saying.” Qi Qi’s mouth opened, then repeated again.
“Recently, I received a task from the village elders, to kill someone.” Nan Bang’s tone suddenly turned cold and sharp.
“Could it be me?” Qi Qi asked cautiously.
“It’s her father.” Nan Bang explained.
“It’s not easy for the Human Race and the Elf to produce offspring. Our Elf’s reproductive ability is limited; we ourselves can’t even give birth to a next generation. Half-elves are rarer and more precious than pure elves. They inherit the elves’ lifespan and abilities while gaining human emotions and desires. Her archery skills have advanced tremendously. Given time, she will definitely surpass me, the current ‘Chief Archer.’ She is the hope of our tribe’s future.”
Qi Qi fell silent.
“The problem is that her father’s union with an elf is strictly forbidden in our tribe. In a strict sense, she’s also a sinner like her father. The elders demand that her father die, and I must carry out the order.” Nan Bang continued, still wearing that faint fake smile.
Qi Qi didn’t respond but lowered her head, tightening her grip.
“Honestly, telling you this has relieved a lot of my burden. Thank you for listening.” Nan Bang smiled sincerely and stood, ready to leave.
“Wait, are you serious?” Qi Qi stopped her, voice trembling. “Her father’s status is extraordinary. If you kill him, you’ll face a lot of trouble.”
“Do you know who her father is?” Nan Bang asked.
“No, but I’ve seen secret documents from the Church revealing the Hero Party’s plan. You can’t act rashly. If you kill her father, the entire Kingdom will seek revenge on you, and so will she. Our small Elf tribe could be wiped out instantly. You don’t think we Elves are one of the Kingdom’s three major tribes, do you?” Qi Qi said.
“Go discuss it with the elders.” Nan Bang smiled.
“I already did, that’s why I’m here trying to warn you.” Qi Qi said coldly. “If you don’t stop, our whole tribe will perish.”
“Disobeying orders is not an option.” Nan Bang said calmly before walking away, no longer bothering to argue with Qi Qi.
The once lively and lighthearted Kingdom Knight Qi Qi suddenly lost her usual cheer, sitting quietly like a statue for a long time.
The natural Elf wore full plate armor but was actually a flexible spirit. However, now, her spirit seemed dimmed.
“I’m already buried deep inside trouble; why am I still being blamed?” she muttered.
If she knew nothing, things would be easier.
But unfortunately, she had received most of the information from the Church.
The Church was truly a strange organization. It hid thousands of years’ worth of Human Race data and countless noble secrets but put so much effort into destroying the Blood Clan’s data from decades ago. How clever were these people really?
The Church’s internal power struggles were severe, with factions everywhere. Departments constantly undermined each other, never trusting one another.
Yet, this was the organization fighting for the survival of the Human Race for thousands of years, and it still stood strong today.
Qi Qi wanted to understand exactly what kind of organization the Church was, which was why she joined and became a Knights Magus.
She found that normally, everyone didn’t care much about minor conflicts. But when serious matters arose, the Church’s many departments would unite and coordinate with other Human Race forces to fight—just like now.
Of course, it was rare for such unity as the Hero Party, combining everyone into an “iron block.”
Qi Qi believed the Church was the reason the Human Race was so strong. But the Blood Clan had no such awareness.
The Hero Party was not just a secret plan by the Kingdom government; the Church was also involved.
Those five girls abducted were definitely not just ordinary Blood Clan girls or noble illegitimate daughters. They were the latest version of the “Human Race Survival Plan.”
Qi Qi was now witnessing their strength firsthand.
Two members of the Hero Party participated in this life-or-death mission.
Among them was one who seemed like a slacker. So as long as one acted, they would gain the upper hand.
Even if the opponent was the Queen of the Blood-Sucking Ghosts, they would still be invincible, as they had already defeated ninety-nine percent of the Queen’s lingering soul.
“The stubborn Elf tribe still clings to their outdated rules, but now it’s set in stone.”
So what?
What did that have to do with her, a member of the Elf tribe?
Who cared if they lived or died?
By the way, Qi Qi’s stubbornness and stubbornness were exactly alike.
But in the end, everything still depended on one person pulling all the strings.
She turned her head and saw Nan Bang running onto the roof, gently smiling and pointing at the half-elf girl.
Qi Qi could tell Nan Bang’s feelings for the half-elf were sincere. But it was precisely because the feelings were real that she struggled.
Without feelings, without sympathy, she wouldn’t have said so much to herself. She wouldn’t have this much psychological pressure. Nor would she have to rely on a fellow tribe knight to bear the burden with her.
“Do you mean I made a terrible mistake when I killed your father? Truly a grave misjudgment.” Qi Qi clenched her teeth in hatred.
“If you kill her father, you will be hunted down.”
“If I kill you, won’t that little half-elf’s target of revenge become me?”
No matter what, am I supposed to carry this guilt myself?
And then inevitably be forced to die?
That’s why I hate the Elves so much—I hate myself.
“A species without a shred of responsibility.” Qi Qi muttered to herself.