At that moment, Nahida also turned to look at Nilou, her gaze finally settling on the figure collapsed on the ground.
"Sister Nabu!"
She somersaulted forward and rushed over.
The perspective shifted back to the balcony of the Pure Good Palace.
"The outcome was as expected," Venus said calmly, her tone devoid of concern. "Arlecchino suffered a crushing defeat. She practically beat up all the Harbingers, just to make them submit."
Columbina stood atop the defeated Harbingers, her contemptuous gaze sweeping over them. "Now do you know who's boss?"
Her disdainful gaze seemed to convey, *I'm just here for fun. You're not worthy of working with me.*
"So she... was this powerful after all."
Buer recalled Columbina nestled in Li Youyue's arms. It was hard to imagine this woman, who seemed to rival the gods themselves.
"But you needn't worry," Venus continued smoothly. "Columbina adores her husband. She'd do anything to be with him, even die without hesitation."
"On the contrary..."
Venus spoke each word with deliberate emphasis.
"She'd kill anyone for her husband, even us, if they dared to harm him. No one would be spared."
"..."
Buer couldn't help but shiver.
Columbina's devotion to her husband was beyond absurd.
But after a moment's reflection, she found it understandable.
"I actually believe you," Buer agreed. "I know better than anyone what kind of man my husband is."
"He'd risk his life just to chase after women. Which woman wouldn't fall head over heels for him?"
"And let's not forget how ridiculously handsome he is," Venus added with a sarcastic tone. "Which girl wouldn't be smitten at first sight?"
"So you don't need to worry..."
Buer turned to Venus.
"If even Columbina is like that, what about us?"
"My husband treats us all equally, with the same love and without any favoritism."
Venus retorted arrogantly, "But I still think he likes me more than you."
Buer rolled her eyes. "I don't have time to argue about that. After all, there's still no sign of a baby in your belly. You've already lost on that front."
*The dagger's out of the sheath, isn't it?*
"You just got lucky, that's all," Venus said bitterly. "What are you acting like?"
*One day, I'll also conceive a superior child,* she thought. *Then I'll be the most successful woman by my husband's side. All the others can get lost.*
"Objectively speaking, you've already lost before the race even began," Buer retorted sarcastically.
Having finally regained the upper hand, she wasn't about to let go of this opportunity.
*Impossible. Absolutely impossible!*
"You—!"
Venus gnashed her teeth in fury.
*So, the charade is over? Fine, let's tear each other apart!*
"I'll admit you're beautiful, but you're still not as pretty as me," Venus said with a tight smile.
"If we're just talking about looks, I can concede that I'm no match for you. I'm in awe of the Ice Goddess's celestial beauty," Buer replied calmly, without a hint of embarrassment. "But... your breasts aren't as large as mine."
*Oh-ho, getting bold, are we?*
Venus sneered, "Your waist isn't as slender as mine."
"Your butt isn't as perky as mine," Buer continued.
"Your skin isn't as fair as mine."
"I'm taller than you."
"You're not as cute as me."
"I'm sexier than you."
"Your pussy isn't as tight as mine."
"How do you know my pussy isn't as tight as yours?" Buer retorted, her anger turning into laughter.
The two continued to bicker for quite some time.
Don't ask why—this was a woman's battlefield.
"Alright, alright, let's stop bickering. What did you call me over here for anyway?" Buer finally shifted the topic, remembering there was serious business at hand.
Venus immediately calmed down as well.
She handed Buer a photograph.
Buer took it and glanced at it.
"!!!"
Suddenly, Buer's pupils dilated, her jade-like cheeks flushed with shock, and her heart churned like a stormy sea.
This... how could this be?
Wasn't she dead?
Why?
"Where did you get this photo?" Buer asked stiffly, her expression grim.
"Kong gave it to me," Venus replied, her expression complicated.
"Kong..."
Buer's gaze gradually fell.
She remained silent for a long time.
"What do you plan to do?" Buer asked.
"For now, we won't tell our husbands about this," Venus said solemnly.
"We can't hide it forever. He'll find out sooner or later..." Buer murmured, her gaze fixed on the photograph of the girl with the gradient gold-purple hair.
She seemed to have undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming even more beautiful—surpassing even Venus herself.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Venus had barely finished speaking when Nilou burst in, her face streaked with tears and panic.
"Something terrible has happened, Sister Buer, Your Majesty the Empress! Sister Nab—she's... she's been injured!" Nilou's voice trembled.
Buer tucked away the photo and exchanged a glance with Venus.
"!!!"
Buer surged forward first, Venus close behind, both racing downstairs.
*Several hours earlier...*
Flower God Nabu was making her customary rounds through the Sumeru wilderness, sensing, guiding, and practicing her duties. So many of her kin had lost their way; the Fairies needed her guidance to find their way home—to Vanarana.
The captivating Nabu had just escorted a Fairy spirit back to its rightful place, its true home.
*Buzz...*
The pink Fairy spirit fluttered around Nabu, nuzzling her cheek to express its reluctance to part and its deep affection.
Though Nabu had lost her Fairy powers and physical form, she remained, in essence, a Fairy—a member of the Fairy Royal Family, a Fairy Princess.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Let's go home now..."
Nabu reached out her delicate hand to gently caress the Fairy's translucent body, her long golden hair swaying in the soft breeze. Her jade-like face, lit with a gentle smile, bloomed like a hundred flowers in unison, a divine beauty that could topple kingdoms.
Even stripped of her power and wisdom, she remained the Mistress of Flowers, the Queen of Fairies, blessed with an ethereal beauty that stirred even the envy of the gods.
*Buzz...*
Having received its mistress's answer, the pink Fairy reluctantly intertwined its essence with Nabu's cheek before returning to its stone statue.
*Squeak, squeak...*
During this time, many Rannar had gathered, eager to play with Nabu, but she gently turned them all away.
Nabu reached out a jade-like hand to stroke one of the Rannar. "Go back now," she said. "I have to leave. Buer and the others are waiting for me."
Just moments ago, Nabu had received a dream-transmitted message from Buer. Her husband was deeply worried and urging her to return, making it unwise for her to linger here any longer.
Nabu rose from the grass.
The surrounding Rannar gradually dispersed.
Nabu watched them with a gentle smile, her exquisite features carrying a tranquil and distant reminiscence.
She turned to leave.
A masked man blocked her path.
Dressed in desert robes, the man emanated a dense, black demonic aura so potent it solidified into a visible, tangible form.
"Who are you?" Nabu asked, startled.
She could clearly sense an aura of malevolence radiating from him, a sensation that repulsed her deeply.
He seemed to be an enemy, likely intent on harming her.
She drew the protective sword Li Youyue had gifted her: the Ancient Oath of Freedom.
"Beautiful Flower Goddess, we meet again..."
The masked man brandished the Red Sand Staff and lunged at Nabu.
"!!!" Nabu gasped, caught off guard by his sudden attack. She hurriedly raised her sword to parry.
But her frail frame stood no chance against such force.
With a resounding clang, the masked man's spear struck the Ancient Oath of Freedom, sending it clattering to the ground.
Overcome by momentum, the vulnerable Nabu collapsed onto the earth.
After planting his black Red Sand Staff firmly in the ground, the masked man strode toward Nabu.
Nabu tilted her head back to gaze up at him, her tense gaze filled with wary anticipation.
*How does he know me? And why does he dare attack me?*
His strength was undoubtedly at least Archon-level; to strike in the Dendro Archon's domain, he must be utterly fearless.
"Who are you...? Why are you attacking me?" she demanded.
Under Nabu's fearful gaze, the masked man picked up the Ancient Oath of Freedom from the ground.
"Ancient Oath of Freedom..." he murmured, examining the longsword in his hand. "A fine blade... but the wielder lacks skill."
*!*
Nabu glared coldly at the masked man, saying nothing.
This sword had been a gift from Li Youyue, forged from four previous blades and fully refined to Rank 5. An ancient relic imbued with immense power, it lay unused only because Nabu herself rarely fought. She simply liked its beauty and occasionally used it to dance for Li Youyue, keeping it mostly sheathed.
Besides, who in Sumeru would dare lay a hand on her?
Yet today, against all odds, she had been ambushed, leading her to conclude that the masked man before her was not from Sumeru.
"Who are you?" Nabu demanded again.
At her insistence, the masked man paused, his raspy voice echoing once more:
"My beautiful Flower Goddess, how forgetful you are..."
"Do you not recognize the man you rejected countless times? Oh, no... I mean, your comrade?"
The masked man removed his mask and shed his trench coat.
Long white hair cascaded down his shoulders, revealing dark, bronzed skin and a face of unparalleled beauty. Most striking was the black, demonic-like mark etched into his forehead.
"!!!"
Nabu's beautiful eyes widened rapidly as she took in his features, her pink lips parting slightly as a tidal wave of shock washed over her.
"Crim... Crimson King?!?"
"How is this possible...? You're supposed to be dead?!"
"Buer and I personally buried you... Why...?"
...........
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(End of Chapter)