Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 224: Doubt

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Inside the grand banquet hall, amidst the astonished gazes of countless onlookers, the chosen Girl of the Asumos church, with an air of familiarity, embraced the arm of the young miss from the Black Rose Duchy and strolled leisurely into the heart of the hall.

In an instant, those in their proximity were enveloped in an eerie silence, their eyes brimming with disbelief.

After all, these two had never crossed paths before, and mere moments ago, they were engaged in a jealous rivalry over Xue Tianao’s attention.

How, did their relationship suddenly become so intimate? And why did they appear together in the midst of this gathering?

They seemed like bosom friends, or perhaps something even more profound, surpassing the bounds of ordinary companionship...

However, Miss Mengxi paid no heed to the scrutinizing gazes. She deliberately disregarded them and led Yumo toward the dining area.

Then, under the watchful eyes of the assembled guests, Mengxi delicately picked up a petite confectionary and offered it to Yumo’s waiting lips.

"Ah~"

Confronted with Mengxi’s gesture of feeding her, accompanied by the anticipatory and endearingly cute expression in her eyes, Yumo hesitated for a moment before finally yielding and accepting the morsel offered by Mengxi.

This spectacle kindled a maelstrom of envy, jealousy, and resentment among the male attendees.

However, they found themselves momentarily confused, unable to determine whom precisely they ought to envy...

Having finished her bite of cake, Yumo surreptitiously glanced toward the silver-haired girl, who held her hand affectionately.

In her mind, the words Mengxi had spoken earlier resurfaced, and as if projected on the screen of her thoughts, the visage of the black-haired girl bloomed with a faint blush, akin to a ripe cherry, invoking tenderness and adoration.

"I... I truly cherish our sisterhood~"

Upon hearing Mengxi’s utterance, Yumo felt a burgeoning sense of happiness within her.

She even discovered a fondness for the sound of Mengxi addressing her as "sister"~

However, amidst her contentment, Yumo couldn’t help but entertain doubts.

Did Mengxi genuinely harbor affection for her? After all, they had only just met.

According to Mengxi’s words, Yumo’s graceful gestures, gentle intonations, and benevolent smile had elicited a profound familiarity, evoking an abundance of favorable sentiment, akin to love at first sight.

While Mengxi’s sincere gaze didn’t betray any deception, and such occurrences were not unheard of...

Yet, a lingering peculiarity persisted within Yumo.

That girl, too, had regarded her with an inexplicable gaze when they first encountered each other in the hall...

Nevertheless,

Although Yumo harbored some doubts in her heart, she made the decision to maintain a friendly relationship with Mengxi.

On one hand, she couldn’t resist the adorable and endearing expressions that Mengxi made.

On the other hand, it was for the sake of the Black Rose family.

As the current young miss of the Black Rose family, if Yumo established a strong bond with Mengxi, perhaps the Black Rose family would also gain Mengxi’s protection once she completed her trial and removed herself from the picture.

With Mengxi’s safeguarding, they would have a sense of security. Moreover, if the Black Rose family could endure, the children with the power of Shadow who relied on the shelter provided by the Black Rose family would also be able to lead peaceful lives...

Guided by these thoughts, Yumo accompanied Mengxi and indulged in the delicacies offered there.

However, even as she savored the experience, Yumo couldn’t help but retain a sliver of suspicion.

From time to time, she discreetly observed Mengxi’s expressions, hoping to uncover any hints from her demeanor.

Yet, each observation turned out fruitless as Mengxi’s behavior appeared entirely ordinary...

’Am I overthinking?’ Yumo wondered.

’Does this girl truly have no recollection of the past? Does she not recognize me either?’

However, just as Yumo pondered these questions, her stolen glances at Mengxi were detected by the silver-haired girl.

Mengxi wore a slightly perplexed expression and inquired,

"What’s the matter, Sister yu?"

"Ah? Oh, it’s nothing. Please pay it no mind,"

Yumo replied with a smile.

As she responded, Yumo’s peripheral vision abruptly caught sight of the frosty magic circle behind Mengxi, filled with bottles and jars containing alluring liquids.

’Could those be... alcoholic beverages?’

As she gazed upon those exquisite bottles, brimming with sparkling and translucent liquids, Yumo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth...

’Oh, I have an idea~’

At that moment, a brilliant idea sprouted within Yumo’s mind.

On the other side, as Mengxi observed the cheerful expression on Yumo’s face, she glanced through the mirror behind Yumo, casting her eyes upon the royal collection of fine wines brought from the Red Lotus Leaf Empire...

"How intriguing~"

--

In another corner of the banquet hall, Qiu Mingtong couldn’t resist crushing the wine glass in her hand as she watched the silver-haired girl cozying up to Yumo.

The purple liquid trickled from Qiu Mingtong’s small hand, slowly falling to the ground...

"Darn it!"

The pink-haired loli couldn’t help but curse inwardly. She had assumed that Lord Yumo would swiftly enrage and eliminate the Son of Destiny, Xue Tianao. However, to her surprise, this accursed Daughter of Destiny had abruptly intervened and whisked Lord Yumo away!

If it weren’t for the multitude of onlookers nearby, Qiu Mingtong would have loved to unleash a few furious roars.

Nevertheless, she swiftly suppressed the raging fire within her.

"Calm down... I need to Stay calm..."

Initially, obliterating Xue Tianao using Lord Yumo’s power wouldn’t have been their optimal solution... Sigh, let this fellow flail around for a few more days.

The Son of Destiny, or rather, the Black Rose family, had already dealt with him twice—thirty years ago and thirteen years ago. However, after each elimination, this infernal Son of Destiny would inexplicably reappear, an unending nuisance...

"But this time, We wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes."

After taking a deep breath, Qiu Mingtong coldly eyed the silver-haired girl who was intimately engaging with Yumo.

She couldn’t fathom why, even though this Girl of Destiny’s current strength paled in comparison to Xue Tianao’s, Qiu Mingtong sensed an inexplicable, looming threat from this woman.

The exact nature of the threat eluded her.

If it weren’t for the fact that this woman retained the residual protective power bestowed by Yumo, Qiu Mingtong would have advised the Duke to prioritize dealing with her.

’Oh well, there’s no need to rush. Once Xue Tianao is taken care of, it will be her turn...’

--

Meanwhile, as the reception hall’s banquet unfolded in a vibrant spectacle, the "Divine Martial Hall" within the palace buzzed with bustling activity.

The "Divine Martial Hall" served as the dedicated institution responsible for crafting weapons for Xue Tianao.

In order to secure the support of the Asumos Church, the present "Divine Martial Hall" toiled relentlessly.

Agents 008 and 997 tirelessly intertwined, toiling day and night, striving diligently to swiftly fulfill the weapon orders issued by His Majesty Xue Tianao.

Deliver these cutting-edge weapons into the hands of the Asumos Church before the grand coronation ceremony commences.

However, with Xue Tianao’s entourage of influential palace confidants attending the banquet and the majority of the personnel at the "Divine Martial Hall" absorbed in crafting these very weapons, the security in this secluded palace section has somewhat diminished.

Seizing the opportunity presented by the distracted external patrol guards, two agile figures swiftly elude the nearby sentinels, slipping seamlessly into the heart of the "Divine Martial Hall."

...

A moment later, in the eastern wing of the "Divine Martial Hall," where the repository is situated, a fatigued squad leader from the Royal Knights stretches with a tired yawn, gazing up at the resplendent starlit sky, overcome by a mix of emotions.

"Damn it! Overtime again!"

Herrlot grumbles discontentedly within.

The mere thought of his colleagues, who had the privilege of accompanying the emperor... no, I mean, accompanying His Majesty to the banquet, stirs an envy he can’t conceal.

However, realizing that his scheduled day off was abruptly turned into an unpaid overtime duty by the team leader, Herrlot feels an overwhelming sense of frustration.

Nevertheless, despite his dismay, as a dedicated member of the Royal Knights, sworn to serve His Majesty exclusively, Herrlot displays unwavering commitment, standing guard over the armory behind him.

As Herrlot paces back and forth, ever alert, the furrow on his brow deepens. Swift as a shadow, he draws the sword at his waist, pointing it at the figure that emerges abruptly from the nearby thicket.

"Who’s there?"

In response to Herrlot’s resounding challenge, the numerous Royal Knights behind him unsheathe their blades in unison, their gaze fixed with utmost caution on the enigmatic silhouette emerging from the underbrush. In an instant, a surge of formidable combat energy emanates from them, cascading forward.

However, as they clearly discern the true form of the figure, confusion paints their faces.

Because, at that moment, what meets their eyes is not the intruder they anticipated, covertly scheming to steal the weapons. Instead, it is a small, adorable white wolf, even playfully sticking out its tongue.

Gazing upon the innocent countenance of the white wolf, Herrlot and the group of Royal Knights wear expressions tinged with confusion.

Herrlot & Royal Knights: "Huh? A snow wolf??"

snow wolf: "Meow~"