Chapter 22: The Princess’s Treachery and a Witty Plan

“What is it?” Ellis asked nonchalantly. “Could it be that someone recognized my brother’s card in her possession, utterly ruining her reputation?” She reasoned that since this was Daisy’s own country, the First Princess would surely not suffer any true humiliation.

Larry offered a wry smile. “The situation is far more dire than you imagine,” he stated.

Larry placed a newspaper onto the table. “This is last week’s edition from the Kingdom of Danga,” he announced. “Have a look.”

Ellis leaned closer, reading softly, “The First Princess Daisy has committed regicide and matricide, attempting to usurp the throne. Fortunately, Prince Gap discovered her intentions in time and launched a punitive expedition against Daisy, who committed these heinous crimes. Daisy and her remnants have now fled. A nationwide warrant has been issued: One million Kamo reward for information on her whereabouts; ten million Kamo for each captured accomplice; and a staggering one hundred million Kamo for the capture of the wicked woman, Daisy!”

“Daisy’s bounty is that high?!” Ellis exclaimed, her voice rising. “No, that’s not what I should be focusing on. Is any of this true?”

By the time Ellis finished reading, her jaw had nearly dropped. Though Daisy could be a bit arrogant, spoiled, demanding, obsessive, and slow in the bath, the Daisy Ellis knew would never commit such atrocities.

That woman was incredibly filial; she had even considered abandoning her pride and offering herself to Larry just to help her parents stabilize their reign.

Meixia, equally incredulous, declared, “Impossible! Daisy would never do such a thing!”

“Shh!”

Larry quickly motioned for them to be silent, whispering a warning. “Don’t speak so loudly. Daisy is a nationally wanted criminal now. If we’re mistaken for her accomplices, we’ll end up in jail.”

Ellis immediately lowered her voice. “Are you sure this isn’t some malicious prank news?”

“Which newspaper dares to play pranks with something like this?” Larry shook his head. “No, this is information I obtained from the Adventurers’ Guild. I also have the latest issue. Look.”

Larry produced another newspaper, placing it on the table. Ellis looked again, finding the headline: “Prince Gap, who valiantly suppressed the rebellion, has earned immense merit and serves as a role model. With the full support of the people, he will be crowned king this Sunday?!”

Reality proved stranger than fiction. Ellis almost wondered if she was dreaming. They had only been separated for less than a week!

Ellis slammed her hand on the table. “There’s definitely something suspicious about this! I strongly suspect this prince orchestrated everything, killed Daisy’s parents, pinned all the blame on Daisy, and then brazenly ascended the throne himself.”

Meixia looked at Ellis curiously, seeing her speak with such certainty. “Did Ellis know Daisy before?” she inquired.

Ellis paused, then quickly shook her head. “No, I didn’t. But since she’s my brother’s, Larry’s, and Meixia’s companion, her character couldn’t possibly be that bad. Based on my many years of reading novels, this is exactly how plots unfold!

Regardless of the true situation, we must find Daisy before the royal army does. Otherwise, my black card will be claimed by that perverted king!”

‘Who would covet your card?’ Larry thought, then addressed Ellis. “Besides, I’m already looking.”

“Oh? How are you doing that?” Ellis asked, intrigued.

“I registered a quest at the Adventurers’ Guild. The objective of the quest is to find your black card.”

“The black card is with Daisy, so you’re looking for it… I understand. This is indeed the best method right now.” Ellis sighed with admiration. “As expected of someone I trained. Your quick wit truly mirrors mine.”

Larry:

“No, no, you’re too kind. I’m still a bit far from being ‘big-chested and brainless,’ ” Larry said, patting his chest.

Ellis: “……”

‘Are young people so lacking in martial virtue these days?! Very well, the moment I return to my male body, it will be your turn to experience the feeling of being ‘big-chested and brainless’!’

Meixia looked at them, puzzled. “What’s going on? Why has finding Daisy turned into finding Ellis’s black card?”

Observing the truly ‘big-chested and brainless’ Meixia, Ellis patiently explained, “Only Daisy knows where my brother’s black card is, and only we would post a quest to find it. So, as soon as Daisy visits the Adventurers’ Guild, she’ll know we’re looking for her. Afterwards, she can simply send us her location through the Guild’s quest management system, and we’ll be able to find her.”

Meixia’s eyes lit up, deeming it an excellent plan. But then she pondered, “What if Daisy doesn’t go to the Adventurers’ Guild?”

“Then we’ll have to approach it from another angle.” Ellis pointed her finger at the smug Prince Gap in the newspaper. “We’ll have Daisy’s enemies help us find her!”

“So, what do we do now?”

“Simple. Sleep and wait for news.” Ellis rose, preparing to head inside.

Meixia gasped, asking Larry beside her, “Shouldn’t we be doing something to help Daisy right now?”

“There’s nothing we can do from here that would help her.” Larry stretched languidly. “Today’s journey has already drained much of our energy. Rather than toiling fruitlessly with worry, it’s better to rest well and then plan for Daisy with full vigor tomorrow.”

“Mhm,” Meixia hummed. She stood up and hurried back to her room, only to find Ellis already lying in bed, ready to rest.

Seeing Ellis’s serious demeanor, devoid of her usual playfulness, it was clear she intended to sleep very earnestly.

Meixia understood. She went to the other bed, extinguished the lamp, and lay down. Before drifting off, she said to Ellis, “Thank you, Ellis, for caring so much about our companion.”

“It’s nothing,” Ellis replied faintly, her eyes closed. Silently, she added in her thoughts, ‘She was once my companion too. While I used to tease her relentlessly, my companion is *mine* to tease! When did it become anyone else’s turn to dig a pit and bury her?’

The next morning, Ellis woke early. Checking the time, she realized it was only five o’clock. For someone who loved to sleep in, waking at this hour was agonizing.

Yet, she couldn’t fall back asleep. If she hadn’t heard the bad news about Daisy yesterday, it might have been fine. But now that she knew, her mind was filled with images of Daisy being captured and various R-rated scenarios.

‘Well, I never felt particularly friendly with them when we were together, but it took trouble to realize how much these companions, with whom I’d spent over two months, meant to me.’

Ellis glanced at Meixia beside her, still peacefully asleep.

‘Sigh, sometimes I feel being a simpleton is quite good.’

This was Ellis’s first time sleeping in the same room as a female companion. Hmm, perhaps without the ‘what if’ factor, her entire spirit had elevated. She felt nothing particularly special, save for a few initial ripples in her heart, no improper thoughts arose.

She wasn’t sure if this was good or bad, but at least she wasn’t grieving the farewell to her ‘little brother’ anymore. She could tentatively consider it a good thing.

Quickly and quietly, Ellis dressed, preparing to go out for some breakfast. To her surprise, Larry opened his door simultaneously from the room next door.

Larry looked astonished, then teased, “Well, well, the lazy pig is up early for once. What, is your stomach grumbling with hunger?”

Ellis retorted unceremoniously, “Early bird, did you take the human path? Hurry and fly back to your tree to eat worms.”

“Can’t eat them. If I did, who would wake the sleepy lazy pig?”

“Just a tool, yet so proud.” Ellis scoffed, then walked alongside Larry towards the downstairs restaurant.

On the way, Ellis kept yawning. Larry inquired, “Worrying unnecessarily again?”

Ellis snapped, “What do you mean, ‘worrying unnecessarily’? This is called caring for a companion. There aren’t many people left who value loyalty like I do these days.”

“Yes, yes, of course. So, have you come up with any good solutions?”

“You know what, I actually have a bit of inspiration.”

The inn’s breakfast was simple. Ellis ordered a few items and sat next to Larry, whispering, “How does the difficulty of catching us compare to catching Daisy?”

“Of course, catching us is harder,” Larry said, swallowing a mouthful of steamed bun. “Even if the entire national army were sent, whether they could catch the two of us is another matter entirely.”

Ellis smiled triumphantly. “Do you remember that Disguise Crystal we found during our adventure? It can transform us into any character based on the image in our minds.”

Larry suddenly grasped Ellis’s idea. “Wait,” he asked, “are you saying…”