Chapter 27: The Weight of Despair

“But she was just an orphan born in the slums…”

Pera’s words settled over Su Mu’s heart like a thick, suffocating shroud.

Yet, the blonde woman named Jessica had spoken quite differently when she was trying to kill him…

Su Mu didn’t believe Jessica would lie to a dying man. However, having spent time with the fox-girl Pera, he could sense the profound sincerity in her voice as she recounted the tale.

So, what was the truth?

Su Mu found himself increasingly bewildered.

He felt as though all the events unfolding since his arrival in this world were merely the surface of an unfathomable abyss. The more he learned, the deeper his fear and helplessness grew.

The deranged sword attendant Bai Ji, the twisted Saintess Laura, and the eccentric fox-girl Pera…

Coupled with the unknown entity behind the assassination, everything plunged Su Mu into profound despair.

“I can’t see clearly. I truly can’t see. Just let me go…” Su Mu murmured.

****

“Your Highness, won’t you go out today?”

Bai Ji gazed at Su Mu, who lay in bed, with a worried expression.

Su Mu shook his head silently, shrinking further into the covers.

The sun was already high, yet he had no desire to rise. Before opening his eyes to this despairing world, he simply wished to lie quietly in bed.

Of course, he had no intention of giving up; he was merely… a little weary, and wished to rest for a while.

Seeing that her persuasion was futile, Bai Ji cast a cold glance at the little fox, who wore an utterly innocent expression nearby.

“You, come with me!” Bai Ji hissed, her voice low and brooking no argument.

Pera hesitated, glancing at Su Mu, who lay with his back to them on the bed. After a brief internal struggle, she obediently followed Bai Ji into the garden outside the bedchamber.

“What exactly happened yesterday while I was gone?!” Bai Ji’s voice was thick with suppressed rage.

Pera stared at the grass, remaining silent.

“Speak! He was perfectly fine before; how could His Highness end up like this!” Bai Ji roared, her patience snapping.

“I don’t know,” Pera replied, shaking her head.

“What do you mean, you don’t know! Or perhaps, you’re behind all of this?” Bai Ji gritted her teeth, faint traces of killing intent flickering in her icy gaze.

The little fox felt a prickling sensation on her scalp. She honestly recounted everything that had happened yesterday, omitting no detail.

Naturally, she discreetly left out the embarrassing ‘shame play.’ After all, she still retained some sense of dignity. Moreover, if Bai Ji, that fanatical devotee of Susumu Miston, were to discover the extent of their clandestine games, she would undoubtedly draw her sword and attack her instantly.

Listening to Pera’s account, Bai Ji calmed down, her brows furrowed in thought.

‘Could His Highness’s current despondent state be due to losing face after being contradicted by a mere servant in front of Princess Linna?’

‘But His Highness isn’t the type to wallow in despair over such trivial matters. There must be another reason…’

Bai Ji lifted her head, her gaze fixed intently on the little fox, and asked, “What happened after you encountered Princess Linna? Did you return directly?”

Pera stammered, “Um, well, I don’t think anything else happened afterward. I had to separate from His Highness for a while because I urgently needed to use the restroom, so…”

Under Bai Ji’s murderous glare, Pera trembled, daring not to make a sound.

“Are you utterly useless? Is it so difficult to protect His Highness, to keep an eye on him? It was His Highness’s trust that made me abandon the idea of eradicating you completely. Otherwise, do you truly believe that, despite your attempted night assault on His Highness, you would still be alive today, even with Queen Furei vouching for you?”

Bai Ji’s words were exceptionally harsh and unusually numerous. When it came to matters concerning Susumu Miston, she became incredibly cutting.

Upon hearing Bai Ji’s torrent of accusations and threats, Pera’s usually playful and mischievous demeanor turned cold.

“You are forbidden to utter Lady Furei’s name!” Pera snarled, baring her fangs in a ferocious display.

No matter how she was treated, she could usually laugh it off, but when it came to Furei, she would never tolerate it! The intimidating aura of a fox clan monarch emanated from her, clashing directly with Bai Ji.

Bai Ji refused to be outdone, her murderous intent unwavering. In this tense atmosphere, a fierce battle seemed imminent.

“Creak—”

“What’s all this noise? Can’t a person get some sleep!” Su Mu pushed open the door, his face etched with irritation, and shouted outside.

“Your Highness.” Bai Ji instantly changed her expression, bowing deferentially.

Pera, sensing the shift, tucked in her tail and lay motionless on the grass.

Seeing their sudden compliance, Su Mu said no more. He stretched, arching his back, and declared, “Ah Bai, I’ll be going out in a bit.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Bai Ji went to make preparations, while the little fox leaped onto Su Mu’s shoulder, re-entering the bedchamber with him.

****

Having arranged to meet his two friends, Su Mu, Roland, and Katusha strolled through the streets of the royal capital, hoping to lift his spirits and relax.

Su Mu wore casual attire for their outing: a black trench coat, chosen by Bai Ji at his request for a more low-key appearance.

It felt a little strange.

Compared to him, Roland and Katusha were dressed far more normally.

However…

Su Mu stared at Katusha’s bulging chest, his face twitching slightly as he asked, “Sasha, what did you stuff in your clothes again?”

Katusha chuckled, replying, “Huge wads of cash, of course!”

Su Mu was somewhat confused. “Money? Why bring so much money?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to have a good time out? How can you enjoy yourself without money?”

Su Mu was momentarily speechless, his gaze still fixed dazedly on the girl’s chest.

‘This girl always likes to hide things in her chest area. I don’t know what she’s thinking. I remember the first time she visited me, she hid a pile of snacks in her clothes.’

Although they were bought for him, Su Mu couldn’t help but find it a little absurd.

Katusha suddenly realized something, her small face flushing crimson. She exclaimed indignantly, “I feel like both your words and your gaze are incredibly offensive! What do you mean ‘stuffed something again’? Couldn’t it just be my own big chest?”

Su Mu awkwardly averted his gaze, saying, “I thought you’d be aware of your own size…”

“Pfft—”

Roland, standing nearby, couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Argh!!! You fiend!!!” Katusha indignantly grabbed Roland by the neck.

The three continued to laugh and tease each other.

Since their reunion, Su Mu had found their personalities incredibly comfortable and compatible. They had begun to spend time together frequently and were now very close friends.

“Cough—”

Suddenly, a light cough came from behind them.

Katusha’s hands froze. Only then did she realize Bai Ji was still following them. She turned around, offering Bai Ji an awkward smile.

Bai Ji remained expressionless and silent, as if the cough had been an accidental slip.

Seeing Katusha instantly settle down, Su Mu and Roland couldn’t help but chuckle.

As they strolled along, Su Mu asked casually, “By the way, have you ever heard the name ‘Rosie Boyi’?”

Roland paused, then replied with a strange expression, “She’s a distant cousin of mine.”

Su Mu was stunned.

‘What? It can’t be such a coincidence, can it?’

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