Chapter 52-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation

The phone screen lit up again, the interface frozen on the image of the golden-haired girl leaning close to the Saintess's ear. Through the screen, one could almost imagine her excited yet teeth-gritting voice.

[Do you remember me?]

[I haven't forgotten you, not for a moment in ten years...]

Sierra knew her ten years ago? Back then, Ye Zheng was just a 7-year-old chubby girl. How could she have incurred such deep-seated hatred?

In the manga, Sierra pinched the black-haired Saintess's chin, her red eyes carefully studying the girl's face.

[Hmm, you were cuter when you were chubby, just like when we were little. It'll be so much more satisfying to chop you up!]

The sharpened, plain kitchen knife appeared in the golden-haired girl's hand again. She raised it high and swung it fiercely at the girl's neck!

[Who in the world are you...]

A pained expression crossed the delicately drawn girl's face, and Sierra's obsessive smile widened.

[Hahaha, as I thought, no one remembers me—]

[Let her go!]

A sharp blade suddenly flew in and knocked the kitchen knife from Sierra's hand. Sierra, who was restraining the black-haired Saintess, showed a gloomy and dissatisfied expression, while Ye Zheng, outside the screen, also raised her eyebrows slightly.

She gently rubbed her temples. Percy's good intentions were always so abrupt. Subjectively, he always meant well, but objectively, once he came out to save the day, Ye Zheng knew she wouldn't have any valuable screen time left; she was no longer the focus of the plot.

Scrolling further down, Percy and Sierra began to fight. "Ye Zheng" became a small figure in the background, her expression not even clear.

Even so, Ye Zheng tried her best to find useful clues. She noticed the background seemed to be an abandoned factory, with the sky tinged blood-red. Ye Zheng had an idea of where this part of the plot took place.

[Die, die, die!]

Sierra slashed wildly, and even Percy, who was skilled with a blade, seemed to have trouble fending her off. A question arose in Percy's mind: why had he never heard of such a formidable girl from the lower district?

The manga spoiler ended there. As for Sierra's past, the creator planned to keep the readers in suspense for a while longer.

From the looks of it, Sierra was also an important character in the manga. The creator had even carefully designed a secret past for her.

[Sierra is a mid-game boss and is closely related to the upcoming plot. Compared to Percy, the protagonist, she is much more interested in you. You need to be careful.]

The System, which had been unresponsive, finally spoke.

Ye Zheng still had many questions, but now was not the time to study the plot's direction. She put away her phone and turned to signal Wen De.

"Let's go, we're heading back."

Wen De's gaze shifted from Ye Zheng's unreadable face to the black bag in her hand, an expression of hesitation on her face.

"Lady Saintess, are you really going to take this thing back? To the Royal Palace?"

Ye Zheng nodded as if it were a matter of course.

"I have already promised her." Even though the other party was a lunatic who wanted to kill her, as a Saintess, she should keep her word.

But of course, she wouldn't bring it into the Royal Palace directly under her own name. Since Sierra wanted a more explosive effect, she would satisfy her. It was a good opportunity to let those people see the bitter fruit of their own sins. She wondered what kind of horrified expressions those high and mighty people would show.

"That girl is a real lunatic."

Wen De sighed, knowing full well—her own Saintess was just as crazy.

*

Ten days had passed since the appearance of the Blood-colored Demonic Domain, and the tournament had been suspended for a week.

During this week, all the contestants had returned home, waiting for further notice from the tournament officials.

As far as Bai Muqing knew, several students had already decided to withdraw from the competition, and the number was still growing.

Everyone was worried that if they continued to participate, they might encounter a high-risk Demonic Domain, just like the two unfortunate teams this time, who were still missing without a trace.

The young people had entered the competition with fiery dreams of achieving fame at a young age, not expecting reality to be so cruel. Especially for the students from the upper district, who had little contact with Demonic Domains, it shattered their perception of their own strength.

"Muqing, withdraw from the competition. You didn't have to participate in the first place."

Her brother, dressed in the uniform of the Royal Knight Order, said with a worried expression, "Two of my friends went into that Demonic Domain and haven't come out yet. I've already applied to my superiors to join the rescue."

"I'm afraid that if I go in, and something happens to you in the competition, I might not be able to help you in time."

The young man in the red uniform, despite his grave expression, had a majestic aura that inspired trust.

But Bai Muqing looked away. She knew her brother meant well, but sometimes this kindness felt suffocating.

In the Holy Sei Empire, if the most admired and sought-after figure among girls was the perfect and kind Saintess Ye Zheng, then the most envied was probably Bai Muqing.

As the daughter of an imperial general, she was born with a powerful ability. At the same time, her father held a high and powerful position, her mother came from a noble background, and her brother was exceptionally talented. The family was famous for doting on and protecting their youngest daughter.

The daughter was a believer in the God of Hope, so her father, a member of the Royal Family's faction, disregarded others' suspicions and made connections with the Sei Curia for her sake.

Her brother, who according to imperial law could inherit all the family's territory and property, gave half of his assets to his sister, and her mother also left most of her dowry to her daughter.

Bai Muqing grew up in this environment. As a child, she took it all for granted, but as she came to understand the world, especially after getting to know Ye Zheng and specifically looking into her background, Bai Muqing gradually realized how fortunate she seemed to be.

Her father had no mistresses and wouldn't pressure her mother. Her brother wouldn't use his status as the eldest son to suppress her. It seemed she could do anything.

But occasionally, Bai Muqing felt a lack of motivation, just like right now.

"Brother, you don't need to worry about me. I'm an S-rank ability user too."

And according to the talent assessment, an even more powerful one than her brother.

"It's not that I look down on you, brother. I'm already a Royal Knight of the Empire, and you're still a student. You don't need to shoulder those heavy burdens."

Bai Muqing pressed her lips together tightly and only spoke after a while.

"But among the contestants, there are people who bear responsibilities just as heavy as yours, brother."

The young man was taken aback. "His Highness Sykes? He's not just the heir to the Empire; he might even be the prophesied savior. Of course his responsibilities are great."

"It's Ye Zheng."

Bai Muqing uttered the name she had been holding back in her heart.

At the same age, still a student, Ye Zheng could already handle everything maturely. Even though her ability wasn't particularly strong, Bai Muqing felt that as a mature individual, Ye Zheng was far stronger than a so-called genius like her, who was one in name only.

She unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes, her vacant white eyes growing colder. Everyone told her that her [Divine Domain] was powerful, and her family praised her for it too.

But only Bai Muqing herself knew that to this day, she couldn't even use one-tenth of the power of her [Divine Domain], or rather, she was unable to bring it out.

As someone who was not the Saintess, Bai Muqing had no reason to go on missions in the lower district, and her protective family wouldn't allow it. At most, she could only have playful matches with her peers, and even then, she had to carefully restrain her power so as not to harm others.

Hearing his sister mention the familiar name, the young man's expression was not one of surprise. It wasn't the first time he had heard his sister bring her up.

"Ah, I heard. She's your good friend, right? A remarkable girl. As a healer, she turned the tide with her limited strength and prevented a disaster in the Shelter—"

"That's why brother has to work even harder. It's our failure of duty that let cute and kind girls like you face these things."

Looking at the young man's self-reproachful and sighing expression, Bai Muqing didn't continue.

Sometimes, she really envied Ye Zheng.

A simple and heavy birdcage. Once the fledgling inside becomes aware of the vast world outside, it can struggle to fly out with all its might, without any burden.

But with a golden birdcage, beautiful and spacious enough, even showing a hint of unhappiness would seem ungrateful in others' eyes.

Bai Muqing didn't care about others, but she couldn't ignore her doting family.

She gradually understood why she had lost to Ye Zheng.

From a long time ago, Ye Zheng had already flown out of her birdcage, while she was still circling inside her ornate one.

"Bai Mulin, I don't like you saying that."

Hearing his sister suddenly call him by his full name, Bai Mulin was extremely surprised. His sister, who seemed cold and aloof, was actually a cute, kind, and family-loving good child on the inside. She rarely spoke in such a blunt tone.

"Go do your mission. If you're not out within three days, I'll go into that Demonic Domain to save you."

Bai Muqing threw down these words and returned to her room.

Meanwhile, in a tavern in the lower district.

"Percy, you guys should be quite familiar with the Crown Prince, right? Have you heard how the higher-ups plan to deal with that Demonic Domain?"

Percy's expression was a bit awkward. He shook his head. "Sorry, we're just contestants. We don't even know when the competition will resume."

The middle-aged man who spoke looked at the boy disapprovingly. "Don't say sorry, you're everyone's little heroes! I heard you're ranked second in competition points. First place is just around the corner! When that time comes, even the Crown Prince will have to bow down..."

"Hey, hey, hey! You can't just casually mention the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince is such a noble person. He has eliminated so many Demonic Domains for us. We should be grateful."

"No matter how good or strong the Crown Prince is, the Cloud-Soaring Squad is the one that deserves to win the championship! If we had the Dragon Bone, we wouldn't have to be threatened by Demonic Domains anymore!"

"Everyone says the Crown Prince is the savior in the prophecy. Maybe he'll help us too..."

As the captain of the Cloud-Soaring Squad, Percy maintained a smile, but the warmth in his eyes grew fainter. A feeling of determination mixed with a hint of confusion emerged in his heart.

He knew Sykes's true nature well. The naturally heartless Crown Prince would never help them.

So, he had to lead the Cloud-Soaring Squad to victory. To do that, he needed to take a gamble.

"Roy, Caleb, Lucy."

Percy turned his head and solemnly called his companions' names. The three youths looked at him curiously.

"Let's go eliminate that Blood-colored Demonic Domain."

The points from eliminating an A+-rank Demonic Domain would be enough for them to surpass the Royal Team!

"When will the competition resume?"

Inside the Royal Palace, Sykes's expression was grim as he looked down at the bowing Yu Tianming with an arrogant posture.

"That matter hasn't been resolved yet, and everyone is worried. Please wait a little longer."

Yu Tianming was also troubled. His family was mainly in charge of the tournament this time, and he wanted this to be over more than any other contestant, for those good-for-nothings to return safely.

But right now, all he could do was stop Sykes—if something happened to the others, they could still be appeased, but if something happened to Sykes in a Demonic Domain, the Yu family might not be finished, but he, Yu Tianming, would definitely be done for.

"Wait?"

Sykes uttered the word coldly and said no more. Yu Tianming felt the pressure on him intensify.

"Should I have the Inner Court transport a few more powerful Exotic Beasts over? I heard there are new breeds..."

Yu Tianming asked tentatively, trying to soothe the Crown Prince's irritable mood with new stimuli. But after enjoying real slaughter in the Demonic Domain, Sykes's threshold had been greatly raised. The carefully raised hunting grounds could no longer satisfy him.

Just as Sykes's brow twitched and he seemed about to lose control of his emotions again, a gentle voice interrupted him.

"Forgive my uninvited intrusion, Your Highness."

"What are you doing here?"

Sykes glanced at the slowly approaching girl and asked irritably.

"I was originally going to ask when the competition would resume..."

Yu Tianming pushed up his glasses and asked sharply, "Originally?"

"Now, I'd like to ask you—how do you plan to deal with the ruffian in that Demonic Domain who provoked you?"

Sykes stared at Ye Zheng, not understanding. His golden eyes shifted, and only then did he notice a trembling male attendant following behind her.

When the man met the Crown Prince's sharp gaze, his legs went weak, and he fell to his knees, his voice trembling, "Just now, while cleaning your... your room..."

"I found... I found a head... and some other things..."

Seeing the attendant who was scared out of his wits, Ye Zheng helpfully added, "That head belongs to Olin, one of the students who went missing in this incident."

Yu Tianming's pupils contracted sharply. Realizing something, he jumped back a step before turning to look at Sykes.

"The body of a student who went missing in that Demonic Domain? In my room?"

The magnificent and somber male voice spoke slowly, word by word, sending shivers down one's spine.

Beside Sykes, the ornate long table had turned into a pile of ash. A cold smile played on his lips, his golden eyes surging with furious rage. He kicked a chair, shattering it.

"Very well. It seems I must make a trip there."

"His body will soon become my toy."

Yu Tianming wanted to dissuade him, but he knew it would be useless. It was impossible for Sykes to endure such a provocation.

This was too much of a coincidence, and it didn't benefit the mastermind behind it. Was provoking Sykes a way to ask for a quicker death? Unless the mastermind of that Demonic Domain was a peerless lunatic, both powerful and insane, to pull something like this.

If one had to say there was any benefit... it would be very beneficial for the people trapped in the Demonic Domain.

Yu Tianming's gaze suddenly shifted to Ye Zheng.

The girl seemed to feel his gaze and met it with a questioning look.

No matter how kind Ye Zheng was, an angel of mercy in the lower district, it was impossible for her to be this crazy...

Besides, she didn't have the ability. Apart from healing, the most she could do was handle small gadgets like a gun.

Yu Tianming retracted his gaze. He shouldn't be considering such absurd things right now. Ensuring Sykes's safety and securing his own position in the family was the most important thing.

He pushed up his glasses, his gaze sharp.

"Your Highness, shouldn't we first investigate how those things got into your room?"

Someone who could sneak things into the Crown Prince's room without a trace was a huge threat to the entire upper district!

Author's Note:

A baby secretly being naughty.

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