ATAPOW Chapter 232
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Chapter 232: Every Departure Marks A New Beginning
A warm breeze rustled through a sea of willow trees under the fierce midday sun. The bitter conflict had ended by the time the beacon fires were extinguished.
Iron hooves had rampaged across ancestral lands, leaving a devastated landscape and survivors who stood vigil for the souls of the fallen.
The latter were resilient, like weed that not even a raging fire could destroy; A patch of exuberant green amidst the decaying ruins. Like germinating seeds, they tirelessly sank their roots deep into the harsh environment, drawing whatever sustenance they could. Piercing through the rocky surface towards dawn above — the beacon of tomorrow they longed for.
As long as a single breath remained in their bodies, they would have the power to fight on. Defeat was merely a step in the cycle of reincarnation.
Time and solitude seemed to stretch on for eternity.
Even so, they stood resolute through it all, aspiring to revel in the glow called hope one day.
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Although there was an unmistakable change in the air, Nolan City appeared the same on the outside.
The city and alleyways continued to be old and rundown, much like a refugee camp.
The residential houses, pieced together from a mix of lumber, tiles, and bricks, appeared destitute and crude.
The slanted and unevenly constructed buildings, seemingly stricken with famine, exuded a clear sense of disarray and chaos, whether one looked at them separately or as a whole.
Yet the emotions they evoked in people were completely different than before. Even the midday sun illuminating the broken tiles seemed to carry a new meaning in their eyes.
The whole city seemed to have transformed, brimming with life and strength overnight.
The once lifeless and ashen countenances of its residents had been replaced by vivacious energy and bright smiles.
Busy figures could be seen all over the streets, as they hurried from one task to the next.
Sturdy men laboriously transported carts loaded with usable building materials into the city, while technicians responsible for planning new construction gestured expressively, blueprints in tow.
The meager rations had been placed onto wagons, allowing people to access them more easily.
Despite the trying times, everyone worked diligently, like a colony of ants scurrying about in a frenzy. They were fully engaged in their tasks, striving to outdo each other in their efforts to support the city.
The entire city was filled with positivity.
The sweat from their hard labor trailed down their rosy cheeks, forming a vibrant scene of prosperity.
At this moment, the chilly sunlight had turned into a beacon of hope — The survivors of the war, who had regained their freedom from a life of exploitation, believed that their lives would be growing more and more prosperous with each passing day.
They were certain that things would take a turn for the better. The niece of Her Highness Felina, who had taken up the title of Princess, would definitely guide them towards prosperity and glory.
—After all, the goddess of Hope had already bestowed her captivating smile on them.
“Ol’ Gus, how’s your body holding up?”
“Haha, I’m still holding up alright. I can last until the Princess establishes her kingdom!”
“Oh? Hahaha! Well then, I better not fall behind. Best of luck, Ol’ Gus. Make sure I’m not the only one here when the big moment arrives…”
Two elderly men with white hair on their temples sat on small stools, each holding a cup of hot, steaming tea. They looked down at the youngsters toiling under the bright sun, their faces awash with emotions.
The task of rebuilding the city was ordinary and mundane, yet at this moment, the contrast had been so striking that words would pale in comparison to seeing it firsthand.
A silver-haired girl wearing a luxurious western-style shoulder-strap dress and a white feminine top-hat came to a stop.
Her shoulders exposed, her long silver hair was tied by a black ribbon into a side ponytail, which trailed over her collarbone. Her attire and appearance stood in stark contrast to the raggedly dressed populace, making her an outlier in this rustic environment.
The silver-haired girl silently stood in place. Despite the Hypericaceae flower on her white top-hat concealing part of her face, her lavish dress and unique hair color had drawn a considerable amount of attention.
“Your Highness.” Dressed in ceremonial robes, Xun followed closely behind while tilting the parasol she held in her direction.
She had specifically picked out this golden long dress, which was embellished in the style of a Hypericaceae flower, for Bai Ji — It was a clothing the second Missus Tina had retired from her wardrobe, having outgrown it.
Despite the passage of time, the high-quality materials of the dress ensured that it looked as good as new after a round of washing and cleaning.
“Why have you brought me here?” Staring at the city brimming with bright and endless possibilities, Bai Ji slowly asked.
“Destruction and creation are intertwined. The sunset which ushers in the night, signifies not just the day’s end but also the start of the next.” Mumbled Xun, seemingly to herself.
“Must you phrase it in such a philosophical manner?” Bai Ji muttered softly, a pout forming on her face.
“Oh, aren’t you the commander of the vampire race? Have you come for an inspection, Your Excellency? These past couple of days must have been tough on you.” The two elderly men, comfortably seated while engaging in a merry conversation with tea in hand, remarked as they laid eyes on Xun’s and Bai Ji’s dazzling figures.
Xun gave a slight shake of her head, signaling to the two old men that they needn’t concern themselves with her and Bai Ji and to carry on with their activity.
Many of the essential, able-bodied Asiatic Cat laborers toiling on the scene were aware of Xun’s nearby presence as well. They greeted her with kind smiles and subtly bowed to show their respect.
By now, virtually every person in this small town had come to know that the vampire race was helping them defend their border.
For the commoners, their livelihood took precedence over everything. Having done nothing in this regard, the restoration society had naturally failed to win over their hearts. Under such circumstances, the presence of a direct descendant of the royal family seemed more important than ever.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Restoration Society members who originated from all parts of the city had only taken less than 3 days to blend in with the local civilians. They had now become as tightly knitted as strands in a rope.
While Bai Ji had no idea how the path forward for their race would look like, she felt that the ‘girl’ might be more capable than she could ever imagine.
But it wasn’t her fault. She had never displayed any skills in this area when she was around. As time went on, the image of her being a sheltered and privileged young lady had become deeply ingrained in her mind.
Nevertheless, it was clear that she was deeply loved and respected by her citizens. Less than 3 days had passed and her name had already made a strong impression on the common folks. It was evident that her popularity did not solely rely on her aunt’s legacy.
How much would she grow in the coming years?
“Hahaha… Come and catch me!” Several children, completely engrossed in their playful antics, raced past Bai Ji, bringing with them a gust of wind that lifted the hem of her dress.
She instinctively pulled down the brim of her top-hat to conceal her identity.
“Hold it right there! I’m the Great White Knight, specializing in eradicating all the wicked trolls out there! Taste my blade and meet your end!”
Bai Ji momentarily froze, her eyes fixed on the children who were joyfully wrestling and playing with each other. A surge of complex emotions welled up inside her.
Young and ignorant children were often like a blank canvas.
What they witnessed and heard in their surroundings, coupled with prolonged exposure to a specific environment, could easily leave a mark on them.
Their innocent smiles, however, were akin to a field of white lilies in full bloom: pure, untarnished, and capable of soothing the hearts of all who saw them.
‘White Knight…’
At this moment, the sun in the sky had descended to a point where it stood merely half as high as a mountain.
Bai Ji unclenched her slender hand, capturing the fleeting sunlight within her palm as it hurriedly passed her by.
“Ahahaha…”
“Come catch me, I’m over here!”
“Careful not to hurt yourself while you’re playing.”
The genuine and radiant smiles on their faces were so contagious that even their parents, who were keeping a close eye on them, could not help but break into grins.
That was truly a smile she had not witnessed in a long time.
She had not come across such heartfelt and untainted smiles in what felt like an eternity.
This made Bai Ji remember the smile that had given ‘her’ the courage to grip ‘his’ longsword.
“Big Brother~” The memory of a black-haired girl’s somewhat coy poker-faced look and her innocent voice rang out crystal clear in Bai Ji’s mind. “Justice isn’t something set in stone. Don’t you think you should discover it for yourself instead of waiting for someone else to give you an answer?~”
As she looked up, a sea of joyful and genuine smiles, encapsulating all the wonderful things the world had to offer, filled her vision.
Every swing of her longsword was dedicated to safeguarding the garland adorning her sword hilt.
‘Of course, how could I have ever forgotten? How could I let slip the thing I’ve guarded so fiercely?…’
As the sun set in the west, the pedestrians on the street began to dwindle in number. Marked by the desolate wind, the day had come to a close.
With a parasol in hand, Xun stood by Bai Ji’s side throughout, like a shadow accompanying her.
“…I should leave.”
“Your Highness, where would you like to go next?”
“I don’t know, but I’m certain I won’t be able to find it here.” Even as the frigid wind blew her hair around, Bai Ji refrained from turning around.
The scene fell into silence in an instant.
“Your mistress must be in a real hurry to track me down, am I right? Whether it’s the Queen or the other cabinet ministers, my escape has always been a source of annoyance for them. So, what’s your call?” Bai Ji was the first to break the silence and speak.
“Speaking of which, didn’t Tina give you explicit directions to take the city token and repel the Setis County soldiers? Since you’ve ended up misplacing it, she’ll definitely blame and question everything you did, am I right?”
‘Yes. There’s no doubt about that, but…’
Seeing the slightly bewildered and helpless look in Bai Ji’s eyes, Xun felt the urge to say something but refrained from doing so. The words caught in her throat were swallowed back down instead.
In the end, she closed her eyes and forcibly swallowed her words, pushing them downwards back into her stomach.
“Does Your Highness desire to find her answer?”
“Mhm.”
“Is that something you really have to do?”
“Yes.”
“Then go,” Xun said, taking a deep breath. She was aware of what that decision entailed.
“…Thank you.” Snapping out of her momentary daze, Bai Ji did not stand on ceremony and promptly offered her thanks, saying, “However, I don’t have the habit of letting others shoulder the blame on my behalf… Just report the facts to Tina, she won’t fault you for it.”
“There’s no need for concern, Your Highness. Xun will handle the necessary arrangements,” Xun said, gesturing towards the wide-open city gate in front of them.
“I’m sorry for not being able to escort Your Highness any further. I also seek your forgiveness for any shortcomings.” Xun slowly closed her eyes.
“…Would you be willing to help me with another matter?”
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In the main castle situated inside the inner district of Nolan City.
At this moment, the place was welcoming back its owner who had returned after a long period of absence.
“Your Highness,” Nael said as she opened the door and entered. She respectfully addressed the petite figure in a long ceremonial gown, whose aura had become unrecognizable.
“What’s the matter?” The girl spoke without turning her head around, her luxurious light-golden hair cascading down her head like fine silk.
“I’ve already begun to implement the plan you outlined. Nolan City is now back in operation.”
“Mhm. If we’re lacking in materials, feel free to dismantle the castle’s tiles and bricks to bolster the supply. Our top priority is to make sure that the commoners have clothes, food, and warmth.” The girl said, her voice devoid of any emotional fluctuations.
Yes…” Nael seemed like she had more to say, but stopped herself. “As for the rumors of the human knight circulating among the citizens, should we put a stop to them?”
“…Just let it be. Is there anything else?”
“Yes, a person sent by Xun had delivered this bag to you. Someone had directed her to give this to you, saying that it was imperative for you to receive it.” Nael explained, holding up a bag left outside the door.
“Open it and show me what’s inside.” The girl said, her furry ears twitching as she slowly turned around.
“Yes.” Nael began to unwrap the bundle wrapped in plain cloth.
“Your Highness, this appears to be… a pile of clothes.” She slightly froze in bewilderment.
Nearby, Lil’ Sha’s eyes widened slightly.
“You can take your leave.”
“Got it.”
As the door closed with a creak, Lil’ Sha walked over to the pile of clothes in a slightly dazed state.
This was the very casual dress she had taken off when she first arrived, due to an odor that had clung to it…
It was a dress crafted for humans.
They had since been washed clean and were now giving off a faint floral aroma.
Slightly dazed, Lil’ Sha rummaged through her clothes and saw a paper slip slipping out from within.
[I’m leaving. Take good care of yourself.]
The message was clear and succinct. Its strong and confident penmanship, on the contrary, gave it a somewhat stiff and robotic feel.
The handwriting was something she knew all too well…
A glistening, clear droplet of water caused the paper slip to dampen.
“Why… Why can’t I just hate you? Obscene middle-aged man… you… moron…”
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TL Note: Thank you for your support throughout Volume 4! Thanks to our patrons, we have commissioned a special piece of artwork to celebrate the conclusion of this chapter. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Can you guess who it is? 😉 Click here for a bigger version! 🙂
