Chapter 583
As long as you flip 36 degrees, it doesn't count as a rollover.
Chapter 583 As long as you flip 360 degrees, it doesn't count as a car crash.
"It's all your fault, you wretched guy! You made me say so many embarrassing things. You'd better be prepared!"
"Heh heh heh... You've got some skills, but don't get too excited. Succubi have a special attack on humans! Do you know what bloodline suppression is? Surrendering now means you've lost half the battle!"
"Huh?! How can you use magic? Even if you're a magician, you can't do that. Wait a minute... that's cheating!"
"You actually resorted to this move... Damn it, I'll repay this humiliation tenfold! Even if you beg for mercy, I'll—"
"I was wrong, sob sob sob..."
……
The manor's lawns were covered with a thick layer of snow, and the once lush green shrubs had turned into white hills.
For humans, it was a bone-chilling cold. But for some energetic monsters, it was the perfect stage to unleash their destructive urges.
"Kukuku! Feel the pain! Behold my—Winter Ice Smash!"
"What the heck is 'Winter Ice Hockey'?!"
"Nanfu, shut up! Being cool is all that matters! Kukuku, as expected of my elder brother, from now on all my special moves will be five syllables!"
As many servants in the manor could see, Vivian, having finished reading the novel and with nothing else to do, was playing wildly with Prince Colin's brother and Edward's two sons.
To avoid accidental injury, bystanders have automatically moved away.
Snowballs whizzed across the snowfield, their momentum no less than that of stray bullets from the towering mountains.
What was supposed to be a four-person free-for-all turned into a game where, unsurprisingly, Vivian's strength was too overpowered, and Nanfu ended up teaming up with two human cubs, only to be unilaterally beaten down by someone.
Richard shuddered as he looked at the snowball that had dented the wall, swallowing hard as he spoke.
"Miss Vivian, if I may be so bold as to ask, did you put stones in the snowball?"
Vivian tossed snowballs with a wicked grin, her long eyelashes curving into crescents, and a laugh that was more devilish than any demon king's.
"What do you mean, Richard? Do you think I'm that kind of person?!"
Alfred said with a mournful face.
"Ice cubes! Brother, she turned the snowball into ice cubes!"
"Kukuku, Alfred, you're quite clever, but unfortunately you're still too young!"
"Wait, please spare my little brother, he's only three years old—"
"Three years old! The perfect time to work hard! Take this!"
"???"
A major battle is about to break out.
Vivian, growing stronger with each battle, climbed a snow slope, standing firm like a rock-solid fortress, her scarlet pupils gleaming with excitement.
She didn't use the power of the vampires; her physical abilities, enough to pull five train cars into battle, were enough to dominate the entire battlefield.
Unsurprisingly, the snow beneath her feet presented a devastating scene.
Nanfu covered his head and scurried away in the snow.
Not far from him, Archduke Edward's two sons were in an even more miserable state.
Three-year-old Alfred's face was red from the cold as he ran wildly through the snow, wiping away tears.
A string of snowballs thrown by Vivian followed behind him, each one exploding precisely at his heels, scaring the little guy into wailing and pushing him to the brink of breaking through.
As it turns out—
Vivian was still careful in her actions.
Nanfu can attest to this: when that little tyrant was invincible in Shanghai, he wasn't so gentle with his attacks.
In a sense, this is also thanks to the Demon King's skillful training.
On the other side, eight-year-old Richard tried to uphold his brother's dignity and bravely raised the loose snowball in his hand to fight back, but before he could throw it, Vivian would stuff a neck full of cold snow at a speed that was hard to see with the naked eye.
He trembled and knelt on the ground, seemingly unable to fight, but it was all just a disguise by the little guy to lure the enemy in.
Sensing the approaching presence, Richard immediately swung his hand back, scattering a handful of snow behind him as an area-of-effect attack... Unfortunately, Prince Campbell's scheme was still too weak in front of the little tyrant of Shanghai.
"Tch...didn't hit?" Richard's young face was filled with humiliation, his nails digging deep into his flesh.
At the same time, Kukuku's mocking laughter came from not far behind him.
"Too weak! Is this the limit for the descendants of heroes?"
The heinous Vivian can not only unleash a full-force flying kick on a three-year-old child, but she also spares no effort in mocking humans who are far weaker than herself.
She held a solidly pressed ice ball in her hand, ready to deliver a "Nanfu Ice Smash" to Nanfu, who was trying to flank her.
However, the moment she raised her arm, Colin's super-sensitive intuition, unique to vampires, suddenly sounded an alarm without warning!
The feeling was strange, like someone had taken a bite out of your treasured strawberry cake, causing a slight pang in your heart.
Vivian subconsciously stopped what she was doing and turned her head in confusion toward the study on the second floor of the main building of the manor.
The heavy curtains were tightly closed, obscuring the view inside; only the warm glow of the fireplace could be faintly reflected on them.
"What on earth is that stupid brother doing in there? It's so mysterious..." Vivian narrowed her eyes, her unease growing wildly like a shadowy vine.
She remembered that he usually didn't close the curtains.
"Great opportunity!" Nanfu exclaimed in surprise, his snowball flying like lightning, covering a distance of several meters in the blink of an eye.
However, a silver-level strength is still not enough in front of a platinum-level expert.
Before he could even see Vivian's afterimage clearly, a snowball the size of a washbasin hit him in the face, followed by a scream as he rolled under the hedge.
In that last strike, Vivian subconsciously forgot to hold back.
I reckon she's at about 10% of her usual strength.
In that instant when Vivian was distracted, a hopeful cry broke her train of thought.
"Auntie Eileen! Help! Waaaaaah..."
Alfred stumbled and bumped into the arms of a woman who had just come out from around the corner of the corridor.
Eileen, who had just returned from a royal event, was still wearing her elegant dress, with a heavy white woolen coat draped over her shoulders.
She looked at her little nephew, who was crying his eyes out, and then at the messy battlefield, and sighed helplessly.
"Miss Vivian."
Eileen gently patted the snow off Alfred's back, looking at the arrogant "culprit" with a mixture of reproach and helplessness in her emerald green eyes.
"While snowball fights are fun, bullying the weak isn't the style of a knight."
Seeing their savior appear, Richard scrambled to hide behind his aunt, and even Nanfu breathed a sigh of relief, casting a grateful glance at the human princess.
really--
We still need the Holy Light Nobles to deal with these lawless demons.
Vivian looked down at Eileen, the momentary palpitation she had felt earlier now replaced by a burning fighting spirit.
"Kukuku, since the hero wants to uphold justice, then give it a try!"
Vivian crossed her arms, her chin raised in a wicked arc, "But don't blame me for not warning you, this is my territory!"
Eileen looked at the spirited Vivian, smiled helplessly, and then elegantly unbuttoned her coat, handing it to Theresa, who was waiting behind her.
"Could you hold this for me, Theresa? As His Highness Colin's close friend... I'll keep this energetic Miss Colin company for a while."
"It's Your Highness."
Theresa took the coat and watched her princess gracefully roll up her sleeves, then silently mourned for Princess Vivian for two seconds.
Although Eileen had never played such a childish game before, throwing was one of the compulsory courses for Campbell's Knights.
In particular, to adapt to the changes in Utawarerumono, there is no weapon in this world that Erin Campbell cannot use.
"Take this—! Demon King: Burst: Supersonic Throw!"
Nanfu was startled upon hearing that voice.
Wait a minute, wasn't it supposed to be a five-syllable ultimate move?!
And wouldn't it be a bit too unfair to attack someone while they're standing in a corridor without snow?
Vivian was clearly not a person of martial virtue; the white snowball in her hand had already turned into a blur, flying towards Eileen's face with the force of tearing through the air.
The snowball blew away Eileen's bangs and was about to hit her between the eyebrows.
However, at that critical moment, the silver hair turned into a blur, and the speeding snowball was as slow as an ant in front of Eileen.
"How can this be—"
Before Vivian could finish her surprised words, a white light appeared in her field of vision, and a snowball the size of a washbasin hit her right between the eyebrows.
That was Eileen's counterattack.
As a warrior who fought her way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, Eileen's body had long since developed terrifying muscle memory.
Even without using the Holy Light or even a tenth of her strength, the snowball she threw, relying solely on the explosive power of her arm muscles, was still faster than Vivian had anticipated.
that moment--
It felt like the air itself had been torn apart!
"boom--!"
"Ugh!?"
Vivian only had time to let out a short, mournful cry before the immense impact carried her ten meters away into the bushes.
A dull thud echoed throughout the garden, with the faint sound of a hedge snapping in the background.
Then, the whole world fell silent.
Nanfu's mouth dropped open, Richard and Alfred forgot to cry, and even Theresa looked at Eileen in surprise.
"Your Highness..."
In an instant, Eileen snapped out of her fighting instincts and looked at the two twitching legs stuck upside down in the snowdrift in the distance. Her face turned deathly pale.
"Miss Vivian?!"
Eileen rushed over in a panic, slid to the front of the snow, and frantically dug Vivian out of the snowdrift.
Looking into those unfocused eyes, she hugged Vivian tightly, feeling so guilty she was about to cry.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Did I...did I use too much force? I really didn't mean to, it was just a subconscious reaction...I was wrong!"
As Eileen humbly apologized, she grabbed Vivian's shoulders and shook her, trying to bring her back to her senses.
Saint Sis above—
She had just scolded Vivian for being too rough, but then she made the same mistake herself.
Eileen endured immense inner turmoil and silently repented. She was willing to accept any form of punishment, only praying that Miss Colin would be alright…
Vivian, shaken like a rag doll, stared blankly at the gray sky, her face filled with despair.
Not to the point of death—
A future vampire prince wouldn't be taken down by a single snowball from a human hero. To kill her, you'd need at least a team.
What truly made her lose focus was her shattered self-esteem.
In her most prized area, she was utterly defeated by someone who had just gotten the snowball, and even after she launched the sneak attack first...
"Chirp... Stop shaking, bury Vivian, she's already dead."
"No! Cheer up! I...I'll go find the priest!"
"Wait, wait a minute... I suddenly feel much better, let's continue! I can still fight."
"Continue?"
"That's right! Kukuku, I was careless just now. From now on, I'm going to change the rules... The old rules were too favorable to you!"
Vivian changed the rules of the game. It was still a snowball fight, but it changed from 1v3 to 1v4, and Eileen was only allowed to passively dodge and not fight back.
Out of guilt and a sense of chivalry that she would never bully the weak, Eileen obeyed Vivian's unreasonable demands.
So, the snowball fight turned into a dodgeball game.
The commotion on the lawn continued, while the commotion inside the study never ceased.
The heart-shaped tail entangled the butterfly's wings, eventually pulling its elusive antennae into the vast net woven from tenderness and heat.
The dry wood in the fireplace crackled and popped until dusk sank into the undulating waves, and only then did the roaring fire burn out the birch wood.
Luo Yan realized that he had been too hasty.
There are actually ways to level up without even lying down in this world; at least Miss Padridge has one, and the method is surprisingly simple and unpretentious.
On the oak desk, Mia's cheeks were flushed, her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and a few strands of pink hair clung to her face.
She breathed softly for a moment, trying to calm her racing heart.
However, at that moment, those lazy, slightly closed eyes suddenly opened wide, and an incredulous surprise appeared in their heart-shaped pupils.
The magic flowing through her body at that moment was like magma rushing into the sea. The once indestructible bottleneck shattered silently in that strange fusion.
"I... I think I've broken through?"
Feeling the overflowing power within her body, her voice trembled slightly with disbelief.
Platinum level!
She actually made it to Platinum level?!
I never expected that Luo could be so good-looking and so useful...
Luo Yan, who was adjusting his collar, was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he was mostly gratified.
"Really? That's a wonderful surprise... Congratulations, Mia, you've finally got what you wanted."
"Don't say things like that so seriously, it's like... you've won the lottery," Mia said softly, blushing.
Luo Yan: "...?"
Mia suddenly clutched her head, exclaiming in despair, "Ugh... what was I saying! That didn't count, I command you to forget it right now!"
It's okay if you can't forget it.
"..." It seemed the effects of the potion hadn't worn off yet. Luo Yan's expression was somewhat subtle, and he swallowed the words that were about to slip out.
Her hands, which had been clasped above her head, gradually slid down to her blushing cheeks. Mia quickly remembered something, blushed, slid off the table, and hurriedly put on her disheveled clothes.
After tidying herself up, she turned around and, as if she were a different person, excitedly grabbed Luo Yan's arm.
"And you, Luo Yan, have you felt it?"
"What do you feel?"
"It's... a warm current! That warm, comforting power flowing from me into your body!" Mia, trying to suppress her embarrassment, gestured vigorously while blushing. "The interaction of magic should be two-way, right? I've already broken through! You should... have it too?"
Although Luo Yan understood Miss Mia's desire to help him, he felt that now was not the time to discuss this matter. "Don't say such strange things... and there's no need to describe those details in such detail." His usually calm cheeks were now slightly flushed, and Luo Yan awkwardly shifted his gaze to the tightly closed curtains, looking through the gaps at the gradually thinning snowflakes outside the window.
Speaking of which, it seems the snow is about to stop.
"Hehe, you're not... shy, are you?"
Seeing Luo Yan's unusual reaction, Mia covered her mouth in apparent surprise, but her mischievous smile was full of delight.
Like a mediocre student who gets a perfect score by rolling dice.
"No way? Luo Yan, this isn't your first time, is it? Oh my, I never expected that the Demon King, who has done so many bad things, is actually a nobody in that area! Hehehe, this is truly... astonishing!"
“You’re talking about me…aren’t you the same?” That smug look was so annoying that Luo Yan couldn’t help but retort.
"Yes, so what! It's not true anymore starting today!"
Mia's face instantly turned bright red. She abruptly interrupted her own change of topic and grabbed his arm, shaking it vigorously.
"Don't change the subject, did it or not? Tell me! Um... I did manage to help you a little, right?"
"..."
Feeling the overwhelming sense of oppression, Luo Yan had no choice but to tell the truth.
"A little bit... I did feel a surge of power entering my sea of consciousness, and my magic power increased slightly. But that increase is far from enough to allow me to break through the bottleneck."
He roughly understood what the blessing in the Padrich family bloodline was; just now, not only had his spiritual quality increased, but his soul quality and faith power had also both improved.
No wonder Lady Serena was unwilling to tell Mia the truth, instead telling Mia, "You'll find out in time."
Only when the secret remains a secret can she truly meet the person who is willing to keep it for her forever.
How could that be?
Mia's pitiful face fell, and she muttered in confusion, "This shouldn't be happening. I've already broken through the bottleneck, how come you've only increased by a little bit?"
Am I just too weak?
Seeing Mia lost in self-doubt, Luo Yan reached out and smoothed her messy long hair, calmly explaining.
"That's normal. After all... I'm already a Grandmaster."
"what?!"
Mia suddenly looked up, her pink eyes widening as if she were looking at a monster. "You...you're a Grandmaster?!"
She originally thought that Luo Yan was at most at the Purple Crystal level, or at the peak of the Purple Crystal level, but she didn't expect that he was only one step away from becoming a demigod!
Wouldn't that mean she's on the same level as her father and mother?!
"Surprised?" Luo Yan smiled faintly, savoring the astonishment that was so captivating.
"When did this happen?" Mia murmured to herself, feeling her worldview being shaken.
"It's been a while... back when I dueled Marius." Luo Yan recalled for a moment, then casually said, "Didn't I tell you?"
He doesn't like to show off, and maybe he really hasn't told anyone.
Mia shook her head blankly.
"No."
"Feel sorry--"
"No apologies allowed."
Mia touched Luo Yan's lips with her slender white index finger, and looked at her with a dazed expression, calling her "darling, darling," her hazy eyes filled with joy and adoration.
"He truly is the man I admire..."
Now, not only the body, but also the soul has been thoroughly conquered.
but--
This feeling is surprisingly not bad?
At that moment, Mia Padridge finally understood what her respected Lady Serena meant by "crashing and turning."
She finally understood why her mother always had a meaningful smile on her face whenever her father talked about this, while her father's eyes seemed unsure of where to look.
It wasn't a rollover—
Or, to put it another way, as long as you turn 360 degrees, it doesn't count as a rollover, but rather as arriving at the station on time!
A skilled hunter always approaches as prey, and without a doubt, Luo Yan, who considered himself the hunter, was ultimately devoured by her... Hehehe! Congratulations!
Speaking of which...
He seems to be a little short of becoming a demigod?
It is said that only the rightful heir of the Colin family can receive the inheritance of a demigod. If the rumors are not too far from reality, then the Grandmaster level is probably the upper limit for Luo Yan.
Thinking of this, Mia suddenly smiled shyly.
She knew how to help him...
Luo Yan was unaware of Mia's complex inner thoughts. He merely glanced at the sky outside the window, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
Their relationship had already taken a significant step forward, but the damned drug's effects hadn't worn off yet. He could control his mouth and resist the potion's influence, but Mia might have a harder time.
What troubled him most was how to face the other people in the manor.
For example, Eileen.
For a moment, Luo Yan even thought that it would be great if Karen were here, as this was exactly the kind of situation she was best at handling.
'Demon King... I think you're a bit of a jerk.' The newly appeared Youyou sneakily leaned close to his ear and whispered the truth.
'Then shut up.'
"Waaah..."
The voice that had just appeared vanished again as a wisp of smoke.
Seemingly noticing the worry in Luo Yan's eyes, Mia, who was standing next to him, tilted her head slightly.
What are you thinking about?
"I'm wondering what to do next?"
"Six children will be fine!"
"...?"
"Huh? That's what I meant... Huh? Huh?"
Mia was stunned for a moment, then realized what inappropriate words she had said. Her cheeks, which had just regained their composure, instantly turned as red as ripe tomatoes.
"So...that's what you mean? Do it again? But...it's almost dinner time, can we wait until after dark?"
She nervously twisted her fingers, her voice barely audible.
"If Vivian finds out we're both missing, she'll definitely start looking for us everywhere and make a huge scene... You don't want everyone to know, do you?"
Although she really wanted to show off in front of Vivian, she didn't want to build her happiness on the Demon King's troubles.
She knew it.
Leaving Vivian aside, Eileen is an important piece on the Demon King's chessboard, and the Demon King went to great lengths to gain the hero's trust.
The corruption of the Principality of Campbell has now reached its most critical stage, and soon the people here will be able to lift the crown of the entire continent of Os.
At this critical juncture, internal unity within the Commonwealth is more important than ever.
If Princess Eileen knew that she had won by cheating, she probably wouldn't accept the defeat willingly.
Actually, not wanting to cause trouble for the Demon King was secondary; what truly dominated Mia at this moment was the ease and confidence of a victor.
Without a doubt—
Miss Padridge has killed the game!
Standing at the finish line, she could leisurely enjoy the panting faces of the losers who couldn't catch up no matter how hard they tried...
That taste was truly delightful.
"That's not what I meant... Let's not talk about this anymore." Seeing Mia suddenly start giggling again, Luo Yan abruptly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, why are you suddenly concerned about Vivian? Didn't she offend you just a few days ago?"
"Ah, that matter... I forgave her a long time ago."
Mia blushed and looked away, playing with the end of her hair with her index finger. She was too embarrassed to say that she later realized Vivian hadn't actually called her a good-for-nothing.
That was purely some academically challenged student taking it personally and over-analyzing the text.
However, these trivial matters are no longer important now; the upturned corners of his mouth reveal the magnanimity of a victor.
"...And what do you mean by suddenly showing concern? I used to care about her a lot, okay? After all, she's your sister, and to me, of course... she's my sister too."
"Really? I'm glad you think that way."
"Hmph, you're welcome. Oh, by the way... but sometimes you shouldn't spoil her too much, she's so cute she's taking advantage of you!"
Pampering... Vivian?
Luo Yan's expression was somewhat subtle.
He truly didn't recall ever spoiling her, but perhaps that wasn't how it appeared to outsiders.
Actually, even without Youyou's reminder, Luo Yan was somewhat aware that he sometimes said one thing but meant another.
However, this is not arrogance, but simply the Demon King's professional habit. His ecological niche naturally dictates that he can only say one thing and do another.
As for the word "tsundere," it might be suitable to describe Mia, but it's definitely not suitable to describe himself.
"I will be careful."
"Mmm!" Mia smiled brightly and continued in rapid succession, "Actually, Vivian isn't a bad person, she's just sometimes too annoying, like a little dog that bites people everywhere. I'll keep an eye on her for you from now on."
"Then... thank you?" Luo Yan was very skeptical about whether Mia really had the ability to keep Vivian in check, since even he felt his wand was too hot to handle.
However, Miss Padridge, who has successfully reached platinum status, does not seem to regard the little vampire as a real threat.
She patted her chest and said.
"You're welcome! Hehe, after all, I'm her older sister!"
Luo Yan kindly offered a reminder.
"That's true, but you'd better not provoke Vivian."
"I know, I'm not stupid."
That's the sentence that's most worrying...
Just as Luo Yan was about to say that, Mia suddenly tiptoed and lightly pecked his lips.
"Chirp—"
Then, the pink ends of her hair swayed as she walked to the doorway of the study.
As evening approached, the setting sun peeked through the curtains and fell perfectly on her waistline, casting a golden glow of life upon her beautiful and graceful curves.
She just happened to turn around.
The sweet smile no longer held the shyness and panic of the morning; instead, it was filled with a satisfied laziness and the smugness of someone who had succeeded in their "trick".
"Anyway, thank you for the treat, Luo Yan. I'm full now—"
"Goo-"
If it weren't for that untimely rumbling in his intestines, Luo Yan probably would have taken much longer to come to his senses.
As for now—
He smiled again.
"No, don't laugh!"
"It seems that spiritual satisfaction cannot fill an empty stomach."
Seeing the blush creeping up his neck at a visible speed, Luo Yan teased him with a slightly mischievous tone before continuing.
"It's time for dinner. Go change your clothes first, so as not to keep everyone waiting too long."
He also needs to take a shower.
Then have someone tidy up the place.
Before he could finish speaking, Mia, her face flushed, had already opened the study door and fled the scene of the crime like a startled squirrel…
Downstairs, the battle on the lawn had also come to a conclusion, with Vivian, who had been tricked into the ditch by Eileen, yelling angrily.
"Wow! Just you wait! I'll definitely win! I'm going to make you all 'red bean paste'!"
Seeing Vivian's defenses crumbling because she couldn't handle the game, and Richard and Alfred cheering and hugging because of their defeat, Eileen blushed and looked at Theresa, who was standing behind her holding a coat.
"...Theresa, I...did I go too far?"
She did consider giving Vivian a little leeway, but she was an exceptionally serious person in everything she did, and sometimes she would take it too seriously.
However, Eileen still had to explain herself. She had always had the idea of going easy on Vivian, but every time she started to go easy on Vivian, Vivian would nag her to show her true abilities.
Seeing the bewildered Eileen, Theresa smiled gently and comforted the princess who had overdone her efforts.
"No, Your Highness, you really should teach Prince Colin a lesson for his increasingly presumptuous sister. I believe that when he finds out, he will not only not blame you, but will also silently thank you for your efforts."
As for why she was so sure, it was because that's how it's written in novels.
"Oh, I see..." Eileen smiled shyly and gently scratched her cheek with her index finger. "Theresa, I'd like to take a shower before we eat."
Theresa nodded slightly.
That's what I suggested too.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two until they disappeared at the end of the corridor. As for Vivian, the maids had already pulled her out of the snow and coaxed her to the manor's bathroom... even though she was covered in mud, she still needed to change her clothes before the meal.
On the other side, the curtains in the second-floor study had been drawn open at some point, and a pair of black cat ears were swaying gently in the shadows beside the bookshelf.
Sarah walked to the messy desk and looked at the overturned alchemy equipment and notes. A blush rose on her usually cool face.
"It was a fierce battle."
Looking out the window at the chaotic scene of the snow battle, she closed her eyes and took a light sniff.
Then he took another sniff.
About five minutes later, she regained her indifferent expression and turned to look at the fox-eared maid standing at the door, blushing and holding a broom, looking lost and helpless.
"Clean it up."
Sarah, who was good at learning, didn't care at all about being seen in an embarrassing situation. Her composure, even when faced with a towering mountain range collapsing in front of her, was exactly like that of her beloved master.
"Yes……"
As Lady Sarah passed by, the fox-eared maid breathed a sigh of relief, as if granted a pardon, and gently wiped her sweaty forehead with her sleeve.
That was close!
She thought she was going to be silenced.
(End of this chapter)