X
The reality of the world she had transmigrated into, naturally, bore no resemblance to a game’s structured professions. Yet, Xiluo distinctly recalled that in the game, her character’s role—that of a traitor—was an assassin.
‘This is it. I’m finished!’
She had completely forgotten about this crucial detail!
She shouldn’t have allowed Eve to search her so carelessly.
‘But I never imagined I’d actually have something like this on me!’
From the corner of her eye, Xiluo saw Eve still scrutinizing the dagger in her hand, her expression one of utter confusion. Beads of sweat began to trickle down Xiluo’s forehead.
‘How could she possibly explain this now?’
Such a meticulously crafted dagger clearly had no business being found on a mere refugee. Having entirely failed to foresee this predicament, Xiluo’s mind raced, yet yielded no plausible explanation.
She felt an impending sense of exposure, convinced that Eve would soon dismember her, slice her into pieces, and then, as if following some gruesome recipe from the game’s darkest lore, stir-fry her with ginger and garlic until golden brown.
“Um… that…”
Xiluo lowered her head, her arms wrapped tightly around her small frame, her gaze fixed intently on her knees.
“This is… for self-defense?”
The words had barely left Xiluo’s lips when regret instantly washed over her. This was clearly not an answer that would fool anyone. Yet, she dared not keep Eve waiting too long, for an extended silence would only heighten suspicion.
As anticipated, her response was met with a profound silence from Eve.
Xiluo didn’t dare to lift her gaze, only feeling Eve’s intense stare settle upon her.
‘Is this it? Am I about to be exposed?’
Eve observed the girl’s palpable tension for a long moment, before finally letting out a prolonged sigh.
‘This poor girl.’
Most of the refugees who sought sanctuary in the border city had been ravaged by the fires of war; not every nation enjoyed such tranquility.
Though Eve was acutely aware of the world’s harsh realities, it had never occurred to her that even a girl so young would need to carry such a weapon for self-preservation.
In a world fraught with chaos and conflict, to clutch a dagger that wasn’t even her own, relying on it as her sole safeguard…
‘She must have endured immense suffering to escape all the way here.’
A wave of profound sympathy washed over Eve.
The girl before her trembled subtly, a clear sign of her fear. This sight stirred an inescapable wave of compassion within Eve.
She made a silent decision.
Xiluo, however, hearing the sigh, stiffened instantly, as if she had just heard her death sentence pronounced.
She genuinely feared Eve, especially given her current identity as a hostile traitor and antagonist. Eve’s character in the game was known for her cold, emotionless demeanor, executing tasks and combat with ruthless efficiency. Xiluo was terrified she would be dispatched just as cleanly.
Then, she heard Eve’s voice, direct and clear, asking, “What is your name?”
‘What’s this? Ask for my name before she cuts me down? Is this some “State your name, I don’t kill the nameless” trope?’
Xiluo felt a surge of despair, on the verge of tears, but she knew she couldn’t possibly refuse to answer.
“Xi… Xiluo’er.”
She quickly fabricated a name. ‘Xiluo’ as a girl’s name always felt somewhat peculiar, no matter how she thought about it.
“Eve.”
After simply stating her name, Eve settled down beside Xiluo’er.
“Xiluo’er, where are your family?”
“I…”
Xiluo’er found herself utterly speechless once more. She hadn’t even considered how to answer such a personal question.
Fortunately, observing her reaction, Eve seemed to grasp the unspoken truth and didn’t press Xiluo’er for a complete answer.
“I… I understand. I apologize, Xiluo’er; I shouldn’t have asked you such a question.”
Xiluo’er obediently sealed her lips. While she had no idea what Eve had understood, remaining silent was undoubtedly the wisest course of action at this moment.
Eve gently stroked Xiluo’er’s head, then rose to her feet.
“Well then, let’s go.”
“Eh?”
This utterly unforeseen turn of events prompted Xiluo’er to instinctively look up and ask, “Go… go where?”
“To leave here, of course,” Eve replied, gently shaking the medicine bottle in her hand. “The doctor has finished prescribing your medication. He said you’re cleared for discharge.”
‘Huh? What’s happening? Did Eve not suspect my identity after all?’
While she still had no idea what Eve had truly grasped, it no longer mattered. The sheer relief of escaping certain death allowed Xiluo’er to finally breathe easy.
“Thank you for your concern, Lady Eve. I’ll be leaving now…”
Unwilling to linger a moment longer, Xiluo’er immediately sprang from the bed, intent on making a swift escape.
“Wait.”
Before Xiluo’er could take more than a few steps, Eve’s hand gently but firmly grasped her arm.
“Do you have somewhere to stay?”
‘There was no need to ask; of course, she didn’t.’
Eve gestured towards Xiluo’er’s injured arm.
“Your injuries haven’t healed yet. It would be far too dangerous for you to continue wandering the city alone in this condition.”
“Come back with me. I can provide you with a place to stay.”
Xiluo’er now understood, with crushing clarity, the sensation of plummeting from the highest clouds straight into the deepest abyss.
Xiluo’er froze entirely, as if turned to stone.
‘Why is the plot developing like this?!’
In the original storyline, Eve had absolutely no intention of taking Xiluo in. After leaving the hospital, the two characters were meant to have no further interaction for quite some time.
‘Why is it that the harder I try to distance myself from Eve, the more the opposite effect happens?!’
‘Xiluo had to expend so much effort just to latch onto Eve in the first place!’
‘This is bad. Why does it feel like the plot has already veered off course, even though I haven’t done anything yet?’
“This… this isn’t a good idea, is it? I’ll only cause you trouble.”
Xiluo’er’s voice was barely a whisper as she gently declined Eve’s offer.
“No. You’re a frail, injured girl; it’s far too dangerous for you to wander the city alone.”
“Lately, the border city hasn’t been particularly peaceful either.”
“Furthermore, your injury was my fault. If anything were to happen to you, I would be utterly consumed by guilt.”
“At least until your wound has fully healed, allow me to look after you.”
Eve offered Xiluo’er no opportunity to refuse, simply making the decision for her with unwavering resolve.
Meanwhile, Xiluo’er’s mind had completely crashed.
‘What a hellish way to start!’
‘This is truly a case of ‘what you fear most comes to pass,’ isn’t it?’
Before Xiluo’er could even voice her agreement, Eve had already taken her hand.
“Then, I look forward to our time together, Xiluo’er.”
“Please… I look forward to it, Lady Eve.”
Xiluo’er understood that she had no choice but to accept.
Xiluo’er’s hand was so small that Eve felt she could easily encompass the entirety of it within her own grasp.
She gazed at Xiluo’er, whose timid expression, to any onlooker, would have appeared utterly endearing.
In truth, however, Xiluo’er was merely wearing a mournful expression, caught between despair and the inability to shed tears.
“There’s no need to call me ‘Lady,’ or anything so formal. Just call me… ‘Sister’ will do.”
“Alright, Sister Eve…”
Xiluo’er’s reply was faint, lacking any real energy.
“Alright, let’s go, Xiluo’er.”
Eve took a deep breath and stepped forward.
“We’re… going home.”
You think this chapter was thrilling? Wait until you read The Saintess Master Refuses to Be Killed by Her Demon King Disciple! Click here to discover the next big twist!
Read : The Saintess Master Refuses to Be Killed by Her Demon King Disciple
