Chapter 22: Bonding Over Getting Owned

"..."

"..."

"Quick! Someone help Uncle Arnold to the back! Get him a fresh pair of pants!!" Princess Vivian shrieked.

"No need." Arnold gasped for air, raising a trembling hand to stop the guards.

"This is a trivial matter. I used [Holy Power] to evaporate the evidence instantly. There are no traces left." He looked dignified despite the situation. "Holy Power comes with a built-in [Purification] effect. All filth has been cleansed."

Suddenly, a strange, floral fragrance filled the hall. It smelled delightful.

Vivian: (ΩДΩ) He... he vaporized his own poop with Holy Magic? And made it smell like flowers? Is that what High-Tier Knights use their mana for?!

Just then, a guard rushed in, kneeling on one knee.

"Report, Lady Vivian! The Gryphon Knights and the Raptor Knights have arrived! The Grand Commanders are waiting outside for your audience!"

Vivian’s face lit up. "Quick! Invite them in!"

She was ecstatic. Her eyes shone with hope. As the last descendant of the Violet Monarch, Moon Orchid City was her final stronghold. She had used every favor and resource she had to invite these renowned Knight Orders to help defend against the Abyss.

Intelligence suggested a demonic invasion was imminent. She wouldn't let her city fall!

Click. The heavy doors opened.

Vivian stood up, ready to welcome the heroes. But the smile froze on her face.

Instead of majestic warriors, she saw a parade of... cripples.

The famous Grand Commanders were all slumped over, faces covered in dust, eyes hollow. They were being carried in on chairs or piggybacked by their subordinates.

Silence filled the room.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Four chairs were set down. Four Commanders sat there, looking like they had been drained dry after a 48-hour non-stop raid marathon.

Vivian stared blankly. "W-What happened to them?"

The subordinate knights looked bitter. "Apologies, My Lady. Our Commanders... encountered some 'technical difficulties' on the way here."

Howard, the Sky Knight of the Gryphon Order, raised a trembling, pale hand. "Lady Vivian... it wasn't necessary... really..."

His voice was weak. "We received favors from the Violet Family in the past. Helping you is our duty... You didn't need to give us a Show of Force (Xiamawei)..."

The Raptor Commander nodded, looking traumatized. "Yeah... even if you wanted to humble us old men... hiring a Mage God to suppress us was overkill..." "We could have just talked..."

Silence. Vivian’s mind went blank.

Misunderstanding. Again.

The Violet Family has been in decline for centuries! Where would I find the budget to hire a Mage God?!

Arnold, sitting in his "floral-scented" trousers, frowned. "Gentlemen... did you also feel The Gaze?"

The four Commanders froze. They looked at Arnold in shock. "You too, Senior Arnold?"

Arnold asked gravely, "Was it at the busy intersection, 500 meters down Chenghua Avenue?"

The Commanders nodded frantically. "Yes! Exactly there!"

Arnold frowned deeper. "Did you feel a sudden chill, followed by cardiac arrest and a sense of imminent death?"

"YES!" They shouted in unison.

Arnold took a deep breath. "It is confirmed. We all encountered the same anomaly."

Howard looked at Arnold with awe. "Senior Arnold... did you also fall off your horse there?"

Arnold smiled faintly, looking like a wise sage. "I was merely one step ahead of you."

"As expected of Senior Arnold! What a coincidence! What fate!" The four Commanders were overjoyed. They clasped their hands, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie with their idol.

Arnold waved his hand dismissively. "It's just luck. To share the same experience as four legendary Commanders... it is my honor."

"Indeed! Indeed!" "Brothers in hardship!"

The atmosphere became warm and brotherly.

Then, silence returned.

"..."

"..."

They suddenly realized something. Getting owned in the exact same spot... wasn't exactly something to be proud of.

"OF COURSE IT'S NOT!!" Vivian wanted to pull her hair out. Why is this turning into a 'Losers' Club' meeting?!

"If Lady Vivian didn't arrange this..." Arnold mused, rubbing his chin. "Then it is highly likely that a World-Class Mage God is hiding in this city. With power like that... I cannot fathom his motives."

Howard looked grim. "Yes. And clearly, he didn't welcome our arrival. If such an entity is plotting something, the consequences will be unimaginable."

The other Commanders nodded, their faces pale. Just recalling that terrified feeling made them shudder. Even if they all teamed up, they probably couldn't scratch that entity.

Vivian gulped. "Uncles... if such a Mage God exists... what do you think he is doing right now?"

The room fell silent. In their minds, they all pictured the same scene:

A supreme, ethereal being standing in the clouds or a pocket dimension. Looking down at Moon Orchid City with indifferent, god-like eyes. Viewing all mortals as ants. Plotting the fate of the world.

[ Meanwhile: At a Sweet Shop ]

"Ahhh~~"

Nanako sat at a small table, staring at Lynn. She opened her mouth wide. Nom. She ate the spoonful of ice cream Lynn fed her.

To any passerby, this looked like a harmonious scene. A handsome noble youth feeding his cute little girlfriend. Pure sugar.

"So, what's going on?" Nanako mumbled, chewing on the ice cream. She rested her chin on her hand, looking thoughtful.

"It's the Flower Festival today. Why are there so many Sky Knights in the city? Is a war starting?"

She glanced at Lynn, who was focused on scooping the next bite.

[ Inner Voice ] [ It's different. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ The taste of this ice cream has changed since I brought the recipe here a thousand years ago. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ Chemical Sweeteners. They are using artificial sweeteners! ] [ It tastes like strawberry, but there are no strawberries. It’s just Red Dye #40 and unhealthy additives. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ Dammit. I knew it. No matter which era, profiteers exist. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ Eating too much of this stuff causes brain rot and Alzheimer's. ]

[ Inner Voice ] [ There is no way I am putting this poison in my body! ]

Lynn scooped up a massive spoonful of the "poisonous, brain-rotting, chemical" ice cream. He smiled gently and held it up to Nanako’s lips.

"Here, Master. Say Ahhh——"

Nanako: "..."

Abandoned

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