Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 410 - 411: Little Angel [7/14]

Youlan,

The very first existence to become a Demon King.

When Yumo became the consciousness of the Demon Temple, Youlan was the first intelligent life form Yumo encountered, Yumo’s feelings for Youlan, who had been there for her from the start, were mixed with great appreciation and a fearful respect for this ancient abyssal demon.

While valuing Youlan greatly, Yumo also felt fear and apprehension towards this ancient Demon King.

But no matter what,

Despite her respect for Youlan, Yumo couldn’t ignore her past actions that nearly led to the death of her other children. This made Yumo determined to keep her children, especially Yuan’er, away from this dangerous figure. She feared the recurrence of a past tragedy where Youlan had betrayed her trust.

Therefore,

Upon learning that Yuan’er had spent a considerable amount of time with Youlan and even seemed fond of her as a big sister, Yumo couldn’t help but lose control of her emotions. After all, in Yumo’s eyes, Youlan must have approached Yuan’er with malicious intent, deceiving her little daughter’s feelings...

So,

When she saw Yuan’er wanting to defend Youlan, Yumo raised her voice somewhat agitatedly.

The unexpected intensity of Yumo’s reaction startled Yuan’er. A sudden yell from her mother caused her to tremble, and her mismatched eyes welled with tears. She lowered her head, feeling both scared and hurt.

*Sob*

Seeing this, Yumo suddenly realized her own outburst, feeling incredibly guilty for losing her composure twice. Although she was so agitated for Yuan’er’s safety, she didn’t want to scare her beloved cute daughter...

Taking deep breaths to regain her composure, Yumo forced a smile filled with remorse:

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you... I’m sorry..."

Yumo carefully lifted her hand, gently embracing her little daughter and patting her back softly.

And under Yumo’s gentle comfort, Yuan’er’s unease gradually faded, and her eyes returned to their usual calm.

"Don’t cry, okay?"

"Mm-hm..."

Yuan’er obediently nodded.

Feeling her daughter’s body fully calm down, Yumo sighed with relief.

"Yuan’er, promise Mama, okay? Don’t believe Youlan. She will harm you... If you see her again, stay far away, or come straight to Mama, okay?"

"Emm..."

"Honey, can you do that for me!?"

"..."

Faced with her mother’s earnest request, Yuan’er hesitated briefly. But she finally chose to agree, nodding and saying dazedly,

"I... I understand, Mama."

"Mm, such a good girl."

After receiving Yuan’er’s affirmative reply, Yumo let out a relieved smile and hugged the pink-haired girl even tighter. Yuan’er responded by burying her little face in Yumo’s chest.

For a moment, the carriage was silent, save for the noise of its wheels on the road. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

In this still atmosphere, Yumo continued to comfort her child in her arms, all the while casting thoughtful glances out the window, lost in thought.

News of Youlan’s contact with her little daughter had undoubtedly stirred unease within her.

Yet, at the same time, this news filled her with a multitude of emotions. Along with her anxiety, a wave of relief welled up within her, as if a heavy stone that had weighed on her heart for so long had finally settled.

This was the first news she had heard of Youlan in centuries.

After learning of Higanbana’s killing of the Saintess of Asumos Church, Yumo had heard nothing more of Youlan. She had seemingly vanished, disappearing like a stone sunk into the ocean. This absence led Yumo to wonder:

’Where had she gone? What was she doing now? Surely that madwoman wasn’t living a quiet life? Had she perhaps been seriously injured in battle with the Saintess and the church, or even killed? Or had someone else defeated her? She was her strongest child, but was she overreaching by herself?’

After receiving the news from Yuan’er about Youlan, Yumo felt profoundly conflicted, torn between unease and relief.

"She... is still alive," Yumo whispered to herself.

But now that she knew this, how should she deal with the situation?

"Sigh..."

The dark-haired girl slowly closed her eyes, sinking deeper into her thoughts.

However, she wasn’t the only one lost in her world. Little Yuan’er in her arms was also thinking, pouting her little mouth. After burying her head into her mother’s bosom and taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, she began to recall her mother’s words.

Though Yuan’er had agreed to Yumo’s request, deep down, she didn’t accept her mother’s characterization of Youlan.

"That person is a madwoman!" her mother had said.

’Sister Youlan, a madwoman?’

The girl blinked in confusion.

Memories of her time living with Youlan played in her mind like a film. She remembered the kind big sister who had always taken care of her, taught her patiently, and protected her from monsters. Yuan’er couldn’t connect this image with the word "madwoman."

Youlan might have been reticent, giving off a cold impression, but apart from that, everything seemed fine to Yuan’er.

’How could she be a madwoman?’

’Mommy... don’t you like Sister Youlan? Is that why you said that?’ Yuan’er wondered to herself, her little heart filled with concern.

Distress and confusion filled Yuan’er’s unique eyes as the thought settled in her mind. She loved both her mother and Sister, and wanted them to be friends.

’From what Sister Youlan had said about Mommy, I could tell that Sister Youlan liked her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown so much emotion when talking about her.’

Yuan’er still vividly remembered the sparkle in Youlan’s eyes when she mentioned her mother. But, alas, Mommy didn’t seem to like Sister Youlan and even seemed fearful of her.

Why didn’t Mommy like Youlan, who was so kind? Why would she call her crazy?

Hmm...

’Could there be a misunderstanding between Mommy and Sister Youlan??’

This thought suddenly popped into Yuan’er’s mind. She then lifted her little head, blinked, and looked thoughtfully at Yumo, who was lost in her thoughts.

’Yes! There must be some misunderstanding! It has to be! Just like the stories Grandpa and Grandma told me! Sister Youlan is so kind; Mommy couldn’t possibly dislike her! There must be a misunderstanding! Yes, it has to be that way.’

’If there was a misunderstanding,’

’It needed to be cleared up!’

’I would help clear up the misunderstanding! I want to see Mommy and Sister Youlan get along!’

With a resolute decision, the little girl suddenly clenched her small fists, her mismatched eyes filled with a burning determination. However, this fiery determination was abruptly extinguished by a sudden realization...

Because,

As she began to plan in her mind how to clear up the misunderstanding, little Yuan’er belatedly realized a serious problem.

That was,

She didn’t understand what the misunderstanding between her Mommy and Sister was...

How could she help clear it up if she didn’t understand what it was?

"…"

Feeling down, Yuan’er’s head dropped.

"No, I can’t give up!"

Thinking of something, Yuan’er quickly shook her head, encouraging herself internally.

Since she didn’t know what the misunderstanding was, she would find a way to ask about it!

’Hadn’t Sister Liyu and Sister Kalina said so? Mommy might be tough with her words, but she has a soft heart. Perhaps if I acted extra cute, I might be able to find out’

With a hopeful look at her mother’s face, Yuan’er began to form her ’Act Cute Plan.’

At that moment, the little girl’s mind was busy with her new strategy...