X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the ServerJust at this critical juncture, uniform and hurried footsteps echoed from the alley entrance, accompanied by the crisp clang of metal against scales.
“Hey, hey, hey, what’s all this commotion about! Private duels are strictly forbidden within the Royal Capital!”
A squad of Serpentman patrol guards, armed with long spears, swiftly parted the onlookers and rushed in.
The Serpentman squad leader at their head had sharp eyes; seeing two nobly dressed young individuals in the arena, he refrained from taking any aggressive measures.
“What do you two think you’re doing? If you want to fight, don’t do it inside the Royal Capital. This is a special time; if you cause a major disturbance, we’ll all be doomed.”
Eliza let out a scornful sneer, her hollow gaze fixed upon the person before her.
“Are you going to stop me too?”
A pitch-black scaled longsword quietly materialized in her hand. Eliza stepped forward, her body radiating extremely unstable energy fluctuations.
The oppressive aura of a Fifth-rank Knight caused the Serpentman squad leader’s expression to turn grave, yet he gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and sternly commanded.
“Miss, I don’t care what transpired between you and him, but this is within the capital city’s borders. Please immediately restrain your aura!”
Evelyn’s movements faltered, and a flicker of struggle crossed her distorted face.
Within her hollow eyes, a hint of rationality seemed to return.
Clashing with the patrol guards in the Serpentman Royal Capital, even as a descendant of a noble family, might not prove effective at such a time, and could even invite greater trouble for her family.
“Alright, I understand.”
Eliza’s hollow eyes swept over Gern, a gaze of utter despair, as if she had just pronounced a death sentence upon him.
“Quade, it’s alright if you don’t like me. I like you, I love you, yes, forever and ever.”
The black-haired woman revealed a beautiful and captivating smile, yet within it lay an endless chill.
In that moment, Evelyn finally became her true self. She walked, her gaze fixed dazedly on Gern, her hollow eyes brimming with madness.
Seeing this, Gern immediately shuddered. She suddenly no longer wanted to continue playing the role of Quade.
‘If this woman ever discovered her deception, even four lives wouldn’t be enough to escape her wrath.’
Fortunately, this was a public place, and Evelyn’s remaining shred of sanity prevented her from truly losing control here. This was, perhaps, one of the few pieces of good news.
The Serpentman squad leader gave Gern a strange look, the meaning in his eyes unfathomable.
He walked over, patted Gern’s shoulder, and said earnestly.
“Brother, be more careful in your next life.”
“Retreat!”
*Swish!*
At his command, the Serpentman guards instantly formed a neat line and patrolled away in another direction.
Gern watched their retreating figures, letting out a helpless, bitter laugh.
“Big Brother…”
Xiao Ying timidly tugged at her sleeve, her little face pale as a sheet, evidently frightened by Evelyn’s appearance.
“It’s alright, Xiao Ying, don’t be scared.”
Gern gently ruffled her hair, offering reassurance.
Then, noticing a volcanic crystal pendant lying nearby, she bent down, picked up the one the stall owner had left behind on the ground, and tucked it into Xiao Ying’s hand.
“This is for you. We should head back now.”
After all this commotion, her enthusiasm for shopping had completely vanished. Gern, holding Xiao Ying’s hand, prepared to leave this troubled place.
Just then, her gaze suddenly swept over the crowd, landing on two familiar figures. Clearly, these two had been watching for quite some time.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over Gern. A profound chill swept over her from all directions.
‘How could those two be here?!’
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Gern instinctively wanted to flee. However, recalling her current disguise, she immediately quashed the thought of escape.
‘She was Quade now. Lilia and Aivia wouldn’t ‘recognize’ her at all.’
After reassuring herself, Gern feigned nonchalance as she walked out of the crowd.
Hidden among the onlookers, Lilia and Aivia exchanged a glance.
“Is that Gern?”
Lilia asked with a frown, glancing at the pendant in her hand. She wasn’t entirely sure if that person was Gern.
“Mm, my nose wouldn’t lie. No one’s blood is sweeter than hers.”
The corner of Lilia’s mouth twitched. She suddenly felt an urge to punch Aivia; that was her little dragon girl, how could she let others covet her?
“Hmm… speaking of which, it seems more and more people are becoming interested in Gern.”
That woman just now, the vampire beside her, and that little one trailing Gern.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Lilia rubbed her head in distress, her silky golden hair becoming somewhat disheveled.
‘Perhaps after Gern’s current mission is over, I should just lock her up. It’ll save her from attracting trouble everywhere she goes.’
“Aivia, let’s…”
Lilia had just intended to call Aivia to pursue Gern, but when she turned, she found that graceful figure had already vanished. If not to chase Gern, what else could she be doing?
Lilia immediately stomped her foot in exasperation, her pristine white teeth gnashing audibly.
“Aivia! You wretch!”
Lilia muttered a curse, then once again melted into the crowd, giving chase in the direction Gern had gone.
****
Upon returning to the residence, Gern did not rest. Instead, she immediately immersed herself in the research and development of amplification potions.
Evelyn’s sudden appearance had disrupted her original plans. The woman’s talent possessed an unforeseen strength, and her formidable power made her a significant destabilizing factor.
Moreover, with Lilia and Aivia now in the picture, she knew this could only spell trouble.
She had to accelerate her progress.
Gern looked with a slight headache at the pot of successfully refined amplification potion on the table, her gaze gradually hardening.
Both the improved amplification potion and the Mana-draining Potion needed to be produced quickly. For the Mana-draining Potion, she planned to create a spray-type version.
This way, she could seize opportunities for sneak attacks during combat. If facing a mage, a single dose of this potion would be guaranteed to silence them for over ten seconds.
This effect was not to be underestimated; every second on the battlefield was incredibly precious.
Against a Fourth-rank enemy, Gern was confident her male disguise could stealthily eliminate her opponent using this tactic.
In her dragon girl form, she even had the confidence to counter-kill Fifth-rank enemies. As for her serpentwoman form… that form was best suited for research; it truly wasn’t adept at fighting.
She carefully portioned the potions, then began inventorying her other life-saving and combat items. There were still some materials left from the Witch Guild, enough perhaps to craft a few more one-time powerful magical items.
Just as Gern was calculating how to best optimize the cards in her hand, a sudden knock echoed at her door.
“Young Master, someone is asking for you at the door.”
Gern’s heart sank. She had a feeling things were about to take a turn for the worse.
“Who is it?”
she asked, testing the waters.
*CRACK!*
The window shattered under an immense force, and in the blink of an eye, a blood-red figure burst into the room.
“What the hell?!”
Before Gern could even react, the figure scooped her up and shot into the sky.
You’ve got to see this next! Crow's Golden Fragment will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
Read : Crow's Golden Fragment
