Chapter 59: The Awakening of Ancient Blood

The demonkind paused, taken aback by Cecilia’s appearance, before a collective sneer spread across their faces.

Not only did their senses fail to detect any magic power emanating from Cecilia, but they also witnessed the palpable fear etched upon her features.

How could such a mere child possibly stand against them? She was, quite simply, rushing headlong into death.

“Ignore her; kill them both,” the leading demon general commanded.

In her mind, the two women now stood without any hope of escape.

Bai Yu gazed at their dire situation, acknowledging that no chance of survival remained.

Moreover, this particular group of demonkind did not appear to be the type to be swayed by mere words or to allow for any delay.

She feared that speaking would only hasten their demise.

At this realization, Bai Yu felt a strange sense of calm descend upon her, her gaze falling upon the girl who still held her sword aloft.

‘If she somehow manages to survive this, I must choose Cecilia to be my personal Knight,’ Bai Yu mused.

Beyond mere talent, this unwavering determination to protect, even at the cost of everything, was the most crucial quality.

Bai Yu admitted to herself that she could not bring herself to risk everything for someone she had only recently met.

Especially when the odds of victory were so minuscule—or rather, nonexistent.

Bai Yu placed a hand on Cecilia’s shoulder, a silent gesture encouraging her to cease fighting.

Bai Yu no longer wished to see the fear that gripped her.

“Princess… I’m so sorry,” Cecilia stammered, trembling, “If only I hadn’t run out.”

A wave of profound regret washed over Cecilia; she wondered if their encounter with these lurking demonkind could have been avoided had she not ventured out.

However, the demonkind before them offered no quarter for such emotional exchanges, charging forward instantly to deliver a fatal blow.

Bai Yu closed her eyes, tensing, as she awaited the inevitable final moment.

Yet, the anticipated attack never materialized; instead, piercing shrieks erupted from the demonkind.

“Hm?”

Bai Yu’s eyes flew open, revealing a scene utterly beyond her comprehension.

A golden radiance suddenly enveloped them, forming a shimmering shield adorned with interwoven ethereal images of shields and swords.

Bai Yu watched in astonishment as this entire spectacle emanated directly from Cecilia.

“What is this?”

Bai Yu struggled to grasp the situation; how could Cecilia possess such power?

Her gaze fell upon her hand resting on Cecilia’s shoulder, where an unusually profound connection seemed to manifest between them.

At that very moment, Bai Yu’s bloodline surged, boiling within her, and her magic power uncontrollably erupted, as if drawn forth by an unseen force.

“What in the world is this? Why is it so incredibly powerful!” a demon cried out.

The demon shrieked, staring at her arm, which had already begun to melt under the golden light, its bones and flesh dissolving into a painful, shapeless mass.

Witnessing this gruesome sight, the other demonkind recoiled, retreating in fear of being scorched by the radiant glow.

Cecilia stared blankly at the light, which was unmistakably radiating from within her own body.

A warmth spread through her, her bloodline seemingly ablaze, and the resonance between her and Bai Yu reached its zenith.

Magic power from the surroundings surged towards her, rushing into her body; it was the first time she had ever felt the imminent sensation of magic.

“Damn it, attack! Kill them, no matter the cost!” the demon leader snarled.

The demon leader sensed an ominous shift; at this rate, reinforcements would arrive soon, leaving them with no chance whatsoever.

After this, the Empire’s protection of the Princess would only intensify, rendering any future assassination attempts virtually impossible.

As if galvanized by a desperate resolve, all the demonkind charged recklessly towards the two enveloped figures.

They were willing to sacrifice even their own melting flesh.

A barrage of magic and a flurry of weapons converged upon them; Cecilia had barely registered the impending danger before the attacks were upon her.

Yet, as if guided by pure instinct, she swiftly raised her sword to parry the onslaught.

A tremendous explosion reverberated, and a pillar of golden light shot skyward, threatening to engulf the entire ducal estate.

The shockwaves from the blast rippled throughout the ducal territory, jolting everyone awake from their slumber.

Within the banquet hall, the aftershocks shattered every pane of glass in the windows.

Accompanying this was a golden radiance that spread across the entire city, an ascending pillar of light visible to almost everyone.

In an instant, pandemonium erupted throughout the banquet hall, with guests scrambling in every direction.

Shouts filled the air, a ceaseless clamor that persisted without pause.

Only the most powerful nobles remained seated, composed and unperturbed, for such a situation could not shake their resolve.

As the organizers of the banquet, the Morning Glory Family immediately dispatched personnel to manage the escalating commotion.

“Morning Glory,” the Queen remarked with a faint smile, her eyes holding a complex expression devoid of any panic, “It seems your territory isn’t quite as secure as one might hope.”

The moment that golden light appeared, she had understood precisely what was transpiring.

Similarly, she now comprehended Bai Yu’s earlier sequence of actions.

While the situation was undoubtedly shocking, the undeniable truth lay before them, compelling their belief.

Given Morning Glory Duke’s usual temperament, such a jab at her domain’s security from the Queen would ordinarily displease her, yet the current circumstances allowed her to disregard the playful remark.

“This… what was that just now!”

Morning Glory Duke stared out the window, disbelief etched on her face, at the spot where the golden light had erupted moments ago.

“I, too, find it hard to believe,” the Queen continued, taking another sip of red wine. “To think that the bloodline resonance, which hasn’t manifested in millennia, would appear in this generation.

Is it a blessing or a curse?”

She harbored no worries for Bai Yu’s safety; after all, at the moment of a bloodline resonance’s initial awakening, no one could inflict harm upon them.

Morning Glory Duke swayed, almost losing her footing and tumbling to the ground, utterly unable to process the reality unfolding before her eyes.

Her daughter, whom she had always regarded as utterly useless, had actually triggered a bloodline resonance unseen for thousands of years.

It was said that millennia ago, during the Empire’s founding, the Empress and the Morning Glory Family’s first patriarch had reigned supreme, invincible through this very bloodline resonance.

Ever since, any of their descendants possessing this ability were destined to dominate their era.

“How can this be possible? Someone without even a trace of magic power, possessing such an ability?”

The Queen shook her head, a hint of helplessness in her expression, observing Morning Glory Duke’s stunned face.

“Morning Glory,” the Queen said, her gaze fixed on the Duke’s eyes, a teasing note in her voice, “It seems even you can be mistaken sometimes.”

Morning Glory Duke remained silent, fully accepting the Queen’s words.

Perhaps she truly did not understand her daughter; in this situation, she found herself utterly unable to refute.

“I will immediately dispatch people to the source of that golden light!”

Morning Glory Duke declared, her voice laced with fury. “Those accursed demonkind—it must have been them!”

The Queen shook her head, her gaze drifting to the distant view beyond the window, lost in thought.