Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 361 - 362: Xiao’s Worries [2/2]

Time returns to present, in the central garden of Black Rose’s camp.

Despite his unwillingness, no matter how much he didn’t want to meet that ’terrifying’ woman, Odom with swords pointed at his neck, eventually agreed to Xiao’s request and came here with a few attendants who were fairly mentally resilient.

Inside the garden, Yumo had been waiting for a long time.

Yumo has always held a certain fondness for the elves. After all, this race’s nature of ’love to help others’ is quite likable, and they have been providing a lot of help to Xiao and her children recently. Yumo really wanted to find a chance to thank such a friendly race~

However,

When Yumo previously invited the elves, they chose to decline. This made Yumo wonder if they disliked her…

Fortunately,

Xiao assured her that the elves needed time to recover from the previous SkyDome battle, and that’s why they declined her invitation. This made Yumo feel a bit better. Yumo was also worried, wondering if her previous meeting with Prince Odom didn’t go well, resulting in a bad impression of Black Rose family to the elves…

Yumo didn’t want her actions to have any negative impact on her children.

So,

Upon learning of the elven visit, Yumo makes an extra effort to look her best, enlisting the help of Sebastian. She’s adamant not to let the Black Rose Household be disgraced because of her actions.

Thus prepared, Yumo was ready to welcome the elf prince.

However,

When Yumo saw Odom, she couldn’t help but frown.

’??’

’Hmm?’

’Whats wrong with him ?!’

At this moment, the elven prince seems to have lost the vibrant energy he had at their first meeting. While his facial features and clothing remain impeccable, his eyes—the windows to the soul—have lost their spark, becoming eerily quiet...

It could even be said they’re empty, as if he’s completely zoned out, which leaves Yumo perplexed.

"Prince Odom... Are you... are you alright?"

"I... I’m fine,"

Odom responds with a vacant smile. From time to time, he sneaks a glance at the dark-haired man nonchalantly leaning against his shoulder. When he meets the deep gaze of this man, Odom can’t help but swallow,

The other’s gaze is incredibly friendly, yet it terrifies the elven prince.

Subtly, a voice seems to echo in his mind,

-’You’re aware of what you should and shouldn’t say, right?’-

Taking a deep breath, Odom awkwardly waves at the black-haired girl in front of him,

"I’m perfectly fine, couldn’t be any better..."

---

---

Inside the garden,

Odom, the prince of the elves, sits quietly in a pavilion. His current company is the so-called Young Lady of the notorious Black Rose Duchy.

To tell the truth, Odom feels like surrendering; he doesn’t want to resist any longer.

After all, what’s the point of his resistance when confronting these nightmarish creatures of Black Rose?

People often say that when facing powerful enemies, one must bravely resist to die with dignity. But Odom knows that in the face of these monsters of Black Rose, resistance will only bring more humiliation.

Thinking of his brother, who constantly resists and as a result gets strung up and beaten each time, stripping him of his dignity...

In any case,

The only purpose for Odom’s visit to the Black Rose’s camp was to save his own life...

Thinking about how a noble elf like him is living so stiflingly, Odom finds himself on the brink of tears...

However,

After being brought over by Xiao, and meeting Miss Yumo, Odom instinctively freezes for a moment.

"Her... This beautiful girl... is she really an abyssal demon?"

Odom had met Yumo once before,

Back then, to him, Yumo was the hidden mastermind pretending to be innocent! Definitely the crafty and venomous type!

But,

After undergoing Xiao’s ’training’ these past two days, Odom can’t help but believe that the girl before him is truly harmless and even quite naive and adorable,

Otherwise, Xiao wouldn’t have wasted so much time guiding him...

’But, that Xiao... went out of his way to train me that much, plus his genuine respectful demeanor...’

Thinking about this, Odom involuntarily squints his eyes.

In his view, this black-haired girl may be naive, but she is definitely the real leader of these Black Rose people.

’Xiao must be afraid of her! Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made up so many lies!’

What if, I reveal the truth to her, then maybe...?

...

Suddenly, a bold idea springs into Odom’s mind,

’Could it be possible for our elven tribe to finally break free from Black Rose’s tyranny?!’

Thinking of this, a hint of wild joy flashes in Odom’s eyes.

However,

Just as Odom begins to entertain this thought, a chilling whisper suddenly invades his mind,

"Your Highness, don’t think about unrealistic things, hmm~"

"?!?!"

As soon as these words were out, Odom shivered, couldn’t help but tremblingly cast a sidelong glance at the dark-haired man beside him,

At this moment,

The dark-haired man was looking at him with a meaningful gaze, as if he has seen through Odom’s thoughts, and affectionately pats Odom’s shoulder. Although he still has a friendly smile as always, Odom can sense a strong threat within that smile.

As though he was warning him,

To consider the outcomes before saying a word...

…

All of a sudden, Xiao’s cautionary words from the day before played again in Odom’s ears, sending chills down his spine and causing him, the Elven Prince, to doubt his own decisions.

If…

If he were to truly voice a ’complaint,’ could it halt the actions of the Black Rose family?

Looking at the warm exchange between the black-haired girl and Xiao, it was clear that their relationship was not ordinary—it was like they were ’family’. Even if the girl were to get mad due to the actions of the Black Rose family, she likely wouldn’t harm her own family for outsiders...

At best, she might scold or rebuke them.

Then what?

The Black Rose people would only experience a slight, harmless blow. But what about his own people, the elves? They might be on the receiving end of a fearsome backlash from these monsters of family...

Recalling Xiao’s icy cold words, Odom completely dispels the thoughts in his mind.

Forget it...

"I can’t take this risk..."

He simply doesn’t have the courage.

And so,

Odom, close to tears, swallows the words he was about to say, represses the sadness in his heart, and forces a smile at the black-haired girl. His dull eyes, due to the melancholy in his heart, become lifeless and vacant...

Then, the handsome prince, while being affectionately patted by Xiao, tried to put on a smile—a smile uglier than crying—and waved to the black-haired girl,

"Hello... Lady Yumo..."

"We’re glad you’re here, Prince Odom."

Yumo warmly displayed an elegant and noble smile.