Evans’s body was shattered. Most of his internal organs had been destroyed. His appearance was utterly tragic. Even the priceless Holy Healing Scroll would be powerless to save him, yet Ye Chui declared he could make him lively and jumping once more.
Sheral stared anxiously at his son, sustained only by the enveloping light magic, his expression dark and shifting. Finally he spoke heavily to Ye Chui. “Very well. I will trust you. But if you cannot heal Evans, Flower Village Magic Guild will be your sworn enemy!”
“Give me three days,” Ye Chui replied with a smile. He already knew exactly what he would do.
While Ye Chui spoke with Sheral, the dark swordsmen of Flower Village continued battling the remnants of Dragon Battle. Members of Dragon Battle fell one after another. This six-star guild was collapsing like paper before Flower Village’s overwhelming strength.
Countless onlookers had gathered outside the guild. Realising Ye Chui’s shadow loomed over the entire affair, they could only marvel. In every major event in the Star Empire recently, Ye Chui seemed to have thrust in a decisive foot. One had to admire the chaos-causing ability of this young man.
A large contingent of golden-robed imperial guards hurried over. Jacob, Guni, Reisha, Danie, Prince Geller, the Third Prince, and the Fifth Prince were all present, escorting a royal carriage that stopped outside the guild.
The carriage door opened. The old emperor, Seventh Princess Mia, and Debbie stepped down. Seeing the devastation inside Dragon Battle Guild, the old emperor’s face turned terrifyingly cold. It had only been a few days. Could Ye Chui not stay quiet for a single moment? They had just been preparing a banquet in the palace, and in the blink of an eye he was out here slaughtering people. Where was the dignity of the empire!
The old emperor’s plump, usually kindly face now radiated pure fury.
Tears welled in Seventh Princess Mia’s eyes. A clear red palm print swelled on her pretty face. Seeing the state of Dragon Battle, she realised Ye Chui had caused enormous trouble, actually wiping out the empire’s third-ranked magic guild. Battles were common in this world, and guild wars happened frequently, but such duels required the blessing of the gods. They had to be registered in advance with the Mercenary Guild. Otherwise it was private fighting and subject to punishment.
Earlier in the palace, Mia had been humiliated by Ye Chui and Debbie and burned with resentment. She had been about to complain to the old emperor and demand punishment for the members of the Whatever Goes Magic Guild when news arrived of the incident at Dragon Battle. The emperor rushed over, and she had no choice but to accompany him. Now, seeing his rage, she hurried forward with a wronged expression and sobbed, “Grandfather Emperor, the Whatever Goes Magic Guild is simply too much! They completely disregard the Star royal family! They even dared to hit Mia’s face. How can Mia ever show herself in public again?”
As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Throughout the carriage ride, the old emperor had been seething and had not noticed the swelling on Mia’s face. Only now did he see it. His sparse grey eyebrows knitted. “Who dared to strike you!?”
Mia sniffled, about to name Debbie, when Debbie stepped forward herself. “It was me.”
The old emperor was slightly taken aback and looked at Debbie.
Debbie planted her hands on her hips and pointed accusingly at the old emperor. “Little Chubs… oh, Charlie, you really have no idea how to discipline your granddaughter, so I did it for you. She’s utterly lawless. How will she ever marry acting like this? A slap this time was letting her off lightly. Next time I won’t be so polite. Tell her to stay out of our sight. She annoys me just by existing!”
Everyone who heard these words, whether directed at the princess or the emperor himself, wore stunned expressions. The tone implied Debbie was the old emperor’s senior, scolding a junior…
Mia recovered and began trembling with rage. “You… you…”
“Debbie, enough!” the old emperor roared furiously, then his voice suddenly dropped, tinged with helplessness. “I am still the emperor. Can you at least give me some face?”
“Grandfather Emperor, they are truly abominable! How can people like this deserve the title of the empire’s number-one magic guild? They should be stripped of it!” Mia cried angrily.
Debbie looked at her with contempt. “Are you an idiot? The title of number one isn’t granted by anyone. It’s earned through strength. Stripped? Go ahead and build a guild stronger than ours first!”
Mia was instantly speechless. Spoiled all her life, this was the first time she had encountered someone who, in her view, was completely unreasonable. All the noble status and authority she had always relied upon suddenly seemed useless. In her panic, she instinctively threw herself at the old emperor, clutching his arm and bursting into tears.
Debbie gave an “oh please” scoff. So you think you’re the only one who can act cute? She sidled up to the old emperor too, eyes fixing on his plump double chin. Remembering something she loved doing when they were children, she reached out and started jiggling it. The old emperor’s face deformed comically with each bounce. “The texture is even better than when you were little…”
The surrounding golden-robed guards’ eyes widened in unison. Then, as one, they spun around to face outwards, drew their swords, and adopted a posture that said, Anyone who dares look will die.
Mia forgot to keep crying and stared at Debbie in shock. Prince Geller, the Third Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the others fell silent, startled by Debbie’s actions. Even more astonishing was the old emperor’s expression: though furious, there was no true coldness in his eyes. Only then did they understand that Debbie’s place in the old emperor’s heart was not merely that of a childhood friend. There was genuine sibling-like affection.
At that moment Ye Chui walked out of the guild with the three little ones. Seeing Debbie’s antics, he froze briefly, then could not help laughing. Young lady, should we rename you Debbie Sakuragi from now on?
“Debbie sis… stop that!” the old emperor barked. Perhaps the gesture reminded him of trailing after Debbie in their youth; he almost called her “big sis Debbie.” He pushed her hand away and turned his gaze to Ye Chui approaching the royal carriage and to Sheral of Flower Village.
Imperial majesty quietly radiated from him.
Dragon Battle had been destroyed. He required an explanation.
“Your Majesty,” Sheral said respectfully, “President Fare of Dragon Battle repeatedly tried to sow discord between Flower Village and Whatever Goes. This time he caused my son grievous injury. My attack on Dragon Battle was vengeance for my son. Flower Village is willing to bear responsibility for the damage and consequences.” His eyes flicked briefly to Ye Chui.
Though Flower Village had dealt the final blows, without Ye Chui’s earlier strike shattering Dragon Battle’s defences, they could never have done it so easily. Dragon Battle had effectively been destroyed by both guilds together. With the guild already gone, the old emperor could hardly punish the empire’s two most powerful guilds now. As long as both presidents showed proper remorse, the matter would be closed.
Sheral looked at Ye Chui, hoping he would accept some blame and go through the motions.
Hearing Sheral, Ye Chui nodded calmly and stepped forward. “I think President Sheral is right.”
Sheral: “…Huh?”
“I was just passing by to pick up the kids,” Ye Chui said seriously. Seeing Sheral’s face darken, he continued, “But we do bear some responsibility for Dragon Battle’s destruction. Whatever Goes is willing to share the blame with Flower Village.”
The old emperor glanced at the collapsed castle of Dragon Battle and shook his head helplessly. Dragon Battle’s strength had never truly matched its six-star rating. The only reason it had lasted this long was its ruthless methods. Though the emperor had never planned to eliminate them, seeing them gone now did not truly anger him.
Such a guild had always been a tumour on the empire.
After a moment’s thought, he declared, “Both your guilds will accept punishment. You must compensate any nearby residents affected. All of Dragon Battle President Fare’s assets will be confiscated by the royal family!”
“Flower Village accepts the punishment,” Sheral replied quickly.
Ye Chui had no objection to the ruling.
“The matter is settled. Return to the palace,” the old emperor said, rising. “The banquet continues.”
“Your Majesty, I regret that I have urgent matters and cannot attend the banquet for now,” Ye Chui refused, glancing at Evans cocooned in white light behind him.
The old emperor followed his gaze, paused, then nodded. “Very well.”
Debbie hopped down from the carriage and walked to Ye Chui. “Then I won’t attend either.”
A flicker of regret crossed the old emperor’s face. He shook his head and signalled the carriage to return.
Prince Geller seemed about to speak but thought better of it and hurried after the carriage.
Neither Ye Chui nor Debbie knew that this banquet had actually been the old emperor’s farewell to Debbie and the others.
The plan he and Prince Geller had plotted for so long, to expel the Church, was about to begin… and it would start with the old emperor’s own death!
But some things could not be forced. With this incident, the banquet had to be abandoned.
“Three days,” Sheral said darkly once the emperor departed. “I give you three days. I hope you keep your promise.”
Ye Chui smiled. “I guarantee I’ll return Genji to you safe and sound.”
“Genji?”
“Oh, I mean Evans.”
