The Empire's Hidden Strength
After resting for a while in the hotel, the group felt a heavy sense of pressure as they thought about the many dangers lurking at the Aureole.
So I went out for a stroll, bought some delicious snacks, and used the lively atmosphere of the city to soothe my emotions.
"This, this, and this! Pack them all up."
In front of the fried chicken shop, Dugu Qing pointed to the chicken wings, chicken carcass, chicken legs, and chicken liver, a smile on his face, enjoying himself as a customer and buying his favorite food.
The store manager packed the food that Dugu Qing had selected into a bag, thoughtfully presented her with a gift, and handed it to Dugu Qing.
Dugu Qing put the fried chicken away, took a bite, and tossed the unfinished chicken to Stark.
Stark happily took it and took a big bite. "Great, I won't waste it."
The four of them strolled through the streets and alleys, chatting and laughing, before entering a bustling commercial street.
The shops on both sides of the street are filled with goods, and the shouts of vendors rise and fall, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere that makes one forget all worries.
The four walked past a food stall and then passed a jewelry stall.
Dugu Qing's eyes lit up, and he reached out to take off a pair of snow-white fluffy rabbit ears, casually putting them on his head.
The fluffy, soft rabbit ears accentuated his delicate and elegant face, making him even more beautiful.
"So cute!"
"This face is breathtakingly beautiful, several times more beautiful than the empire's most beautiful woman!"
Passersby turned their heads in amazement, exclaiming in unison.
"They actually said I was stunningly beautiful, but I'm clearly breathtakingly gorgeous!"
"A beauty that could topple kingdoms" is a term used to praise beautiful women. Dugu Qing's fingers trembled, and she reluctantly returned the rabbit ears to the shopkeeper. She then found a mask and put it on.
"Let Fern give it a try."
Frieren picked up the rabbit ear headdress, chuckled, and placed it on Fern's head.
Fern lowered her eyes helplessly, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the fur beside her ear, her whole body radiating unease.
"It's beautiful, it's really, really beautiful!"
Dugu Qing's eyes lit up, and he didn't hold back his praise.
Upon hearing this, a gentle light instantly appeared in Fern's eyes. She immediately turned to the stall owner, paid decisively, and bought the rabbit ears.
"Since we've already bought rabbit ears, wouldn't it be nice to buy a pair of fox ears too?"
Dugu Qing chuckled and picked up a pair of fluffy fox ears, then deftly placed them on Fern's head.
Fern looked at the fluffy jewelry, smiled sweetly, and paid for it again.
The group slowly moved forward, selecting their favorite items.
Frieren told everyone that although the Shadow Warriors had been banned by the Empire, as an organization once supported by the Empire, they were still very powerful and deeply entrenched. She suggested that everyone take advantage of the shopping trip to investigate their intelligence.
Maybe we can find some clues!
Upon hearing this, Dugu Qing walked along, stopping frequently to gather information from passersby.
"Speaking of which, ever since I entered the Imperial Capital, I've felt like I'm being watched. Dugu Qing, have you felt it too?"
Walking along the narrow, bustling streets, Frieren suddenly looked at Dugu Qing.
"Indeed, it seems there's an invisible giant net shrouding everything within the Empire, creating an atmosphere of mystery. Perhaps this is the work of the Shadow Warriors! All for the purpose of dealing with Serie."
Dugu Qing's playful demeanor vanished, his gaze turning cold as he swept across the shadows of the streets and alleys.
"It was just like being in the enemy's headquarters; it was eerie and terrifying."
Fern tucked his head into his collar, complaining of discomfort.
As the group walked, they came to a square and saw the male version of the statue of Flamme again.
"I suddenly can't bear to look at this statue anymore."
Frieren looked at the statue and a chill suddenly ran down her spine.
The rulers of the empire, fully aware of the most basic fact that Flamme was a woman, still insisted on openly distorting her image and flaunting their power with arrogance, which was truly intolerable.
"In that case, after protecting Serie, let the Emperor restore Flamme to her original form, what do you say?"
Dugu Qing smiled and made the suggestion.
Frieren thought about it for a moment and felt it was very difficult.
"Won't this be too difficult? Will the public be able to adapt? Will they be unable to accept it?"
Dugu Qing patted Frieren on the shoulder, his tone calm.
"Don't worry! The public has the strongest judgment. They know better than anyone who is telling the truth and who is lying. It's just that sometimes it's useless to speak up, so everyone remains silent!"
Frieren nodded slightly, suppressing the frustration in her heart, and turned to walk slowly towards the inn.
Dugu Qing, Fern, Stark quickly followed.
The group returned to their lodgings, lay down in their warm and clean beds, and had a good night's rest.
The next day, Dugu Qing got up early, took a bath at the hot spring mansion, strolled around the zoo, rode horses at the horse farm, and searched for Grimoire in the library, keeping herself completely occupied and not thinking about random things.
At noon, at the old campus of the Empire Magic Academy.
Dugu Qing wandered around the Imperial Capital for half a day, carrying her unfinished milk tea, and picked out delicious snacks from the food stalls.
Suddenly, more than a dozen magical auras of varying strengths rose from the magic academy, dating back to around thirty or forty years ago.
Dugu Qing smiled noncommittally and prepared to leave.
A dozen or so different magical powers suddenly intertwined and merged, unleashing a wave of power far exceeding that of five hundred years of magic.
Magic surged and vibrated, washing over the azure sky again and again.
"What kind of magic is this? It can actually gather the magic power of more than a dozen people together. The Empire is truly remarkable!"
Dugu Qing used a magic spell to conceal his presence, entered the school, and leaped onto the high platform of the clock tower.
Looking down from his vantage point, he roughly understood why the Empire dared to challenge Serie.
On the playground of the magic academy, a dozen men and women dressed in professors' robes were surrounding a giant Magic Circle that glowed with an eerie red light, pouring their magic power into it with all their might.
In the center of the formation, a beautiful female agent from the Imperial Mage Corps, dressed in military uniform, stood tall and straight, her black hair fluttering in the wind.
Countless magical energies flowed into her body through the magic circle, making her feel refreshed and invigorated. She felt her internal organs and blood cells become stronger than ever before, and she closed her eyes in bliss, exuding an aura of power.
"I need to inform Jian Ze of this information as soon as possible."
With a flash, Dugu Qing transformed into a blur, disappearing without a trace.
Throughout the entire process, not a single ounce of magic was used.
Inside the inn, Fa'erxiu, wearing an apron, served the prepared home-style dishes to the table.
Frieren, Fern, Stark sat at the dining table, enjoying their meal.
Dugu Qing pushed open the door and walked in.
Jian Ze glanced at Dugu Qing, filled with curiosity.
Where did you go?
Dugu Qing sat down in the chair and took a sip of water.
"I saw a magic Magic Circle at the magic academy that could utilize the magic power of others to enhance one's cultivation, granting a person over five hundred years' worth of magic power. It's truly amazing."