Guiding Lainas? What a Joke

What is the Platinum Dragon Lord planning to do?

Tang Zheng didn't know, and there was no point in spending more time speculating.

Whatever the purpose!

The Council State will take further action.

--now.

Tang Zheng and Zesshi Zetsumei had quietly left the Abelion Hills and arrived at a manor outside the capital of the Kingdom Li Royal Capital.

A biting wind was blowing.

The lawn in the courtyard was covered with a thick layer of snow that had melted and then refreezed, making the manor quite desolate.

Several months ago, the estate was purchased by an unknown wealthy man, who was said to be a businessman.

Click!

Black boots pounded on the hardened snow, crushing the surface layer of glistening ice crystals.

"Phew~"

Tempest beads of sweat appeared on Lainas's nose, instantly turning into white steam in the cold air, while a few strands of golden hair on her forehead drifted away.

She bought the estate.

Because it did not employ any dedicated guards or servants, rumors circulated that it had been purchased by a merchant.

As a native of the Baharuth Empire, Lainas did not own any property in the Kingdom and had previously resided in Guest House.

Although the old king had granted her a house in the Inner City of the Royal Capital, this was known to many, and she received invitations and banquets from noblemen and ladies every day.

She hated pointless banquets, so she bought an estate outside the Royal Capital and spent most of her time there.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Lainas's eyes narrowed, and the black Lancer in her hand suddenly pierced the air, emitting a "whooshing" sound in the cold wind.

A thin layer of black, cursed energy covered the Lancer. As the spear tip tore through the air, the sturdy, heavy iron Lancer began to gradually disintegrate from the tip.

The border war in the autumn.

This allowed her to break through to the "Hero Realm," resulting in a comprehensive enhancement in all aspects, including her physical abilities.

Lainas has been training recently to familiarize herself with the increased strength.

Click--snap--click!

A beautiful figure moved swiftly across the snow, brandishing Lancer, then suddenly paused, accompanied by a clear "click" sound.

Black iron Lancer!

In Lainas's hands, it was like a thin, rusty sheet of inferior iron, breaking and scattering into scrap metal in mid-air, falling to the ground.

"Even though my improvements in various aspects haven't been particularly significant, I unexpectedly feel that I can easily surpass my previous self."

A look of amazement appeared in Lainas's eyes. She tossed the broken gun barrel to the ground and exhaled hot breath from her pink lips.

"Is this the Hero Realm?"

During this period of time.

As she became more proficient with her own power, Lainas felt more and more that she was able to defeat the Corrosive Wolf thanks to her master.

Lainas raised her slender arm, her pale fingers touching the pendant around her neck, the National Treasure-class magical artifact known as [Mane of Fierce Thorns].

"By the way, where did the Half-Elf go?"

Lainas slightly raised her head, looking at the empty manor, and murmured to herself:

"Princess Renner has taken over the ' Eight Fingers,' and the master should have reached an agreement with her. But where will the Half-Elf go?"

I have no worries.

The Half-Elf's departure was clearly related to his master, so there was no danger involved. What Lainas was curious about was what his master had asked the Half-Elf to do.

The woman who had been secretly competing with her suddenly left.

Lainas felt inexplicably lonely.

The master's whereabouts have always been elusive.

Currently, the information available from the Adventurer's Guild and the market concerns the location of the second Adamantite Rank adventurer team in the Kingdom of [Free Will].

There have long been rumors of them being stationed in the Abelion Hills.

The various Demi-Human there held immense appeal for Tang, a "Genius Alchemy" who enjoyed using Demi-Human blood to research potions.

Lainas knew.

Given the owner's personality and habits, this kind of information is completely worthless.

The owner isn't the type to stay in one place for long!

"... Owner."

Lainas's deep blue eyes sparkled as she raised her hand and pulled the golden ponytail tied behind her back to the front, her gaze fixed on the hair ribbon on the ponytail, thinking to herself:

What are you thinking? What secret do you have?

The elegant black hairband was a gift Tang gave her on last year's "celebration day".

Whoosh--!

Suddenly.

Two figures appeared out of thin air in the courtyard. The air was compressed, forming an invisible wave that spread out and condensed into an invisible vortex, blowing up the surrounding snowflakes.

Tiny white ice crystals drifted and spread in all directions!

Lainas tensed up, adopting a defensive posture. When she clearly saw one of the two figures that had appeared, her deep blue eyes gleamed.

"Host..."

Just as Lainas was about to speak, she suddenly remembered that there were outsiders present, and without knowing the specifics of the situation, she swallowed back the word "master" that was on her lips.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the girl next to Tang Zheng, who looked to be only about fifteen or sixteen years old.

Her hair is black and white, and even her eyes are heterochromatic, the same color as her hair!

A strange girl!

This was the only assessment that Lainas could make in her mind.

"Congratulations, Lainas, you've finally entered the ' Hero Realm,' a place countless people dream of."

Tang Zheng smiled gently at Lainas, his gaze sweeping over the shattered black iron Lancer on the snow to the side, and praised it:

"Even my control over curses has become stronger."

Based on the current situation.

He speculated that Lainas's [Cursed Knight] should have been upgraded to level 2.

Hero Realm?

Zesshi Zetsumei curled her lip in disdain. She had noticed Lainas the moment she was Teleportation here.

His breathing was pitifully weak.

This meager strength is qualified to join the [Black Scripture], but that's where it ends.

"Hey, hey, we're not here to reminisce."

Zesshi Zetsumei raised his head, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and protested as he reminded him:

"Didn't you say you wanted to strengthen me? How did you end up here?"

Zesshi Zetsumei spoke, he glanced around and realized that this was clearly just an ordinary manor, without even basic guards or servants.

This resulted in a sense of desolation and loneliness throughout the manor.

"That's right."

Tang Zheng turned his head to look at Zesshi Zetsumei Ming, whose face was full of disdain and boredom, and said, "This person in front of you is the one who taught you first."

ha?

Zesshi Zetsumei's heterochromatic black and white eyes widened, and he raised his head to look at Tang Zheng, as if to say, "Are you kidding me?"

Hearing the message relayed by Tang Zheng and the other person.

Lainas seemed to realize something, concluding that the girl, Zesshi Zetsumei, was someone her master had discovered with considerable talent.

Therefore, it is planned that she will be the one to teach.

If that's the case, then they wouldn't be considered outsiders.

"Master, I have no experience teaching others."

Lainas remained serious and did not refuse. Instead, she replied firmly, "I am my master's knight, Lainas will do my utmost to fulfill all of my master's orders."

"Please rest assured, Master, I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to teaching her."

That brings us to this.

The usually aloof Lainas forced a smile at Zesshi Zetsumei, expressing a sense of closeness.

"Shut up!!"

Zesshi Zetsumei turned his head, his pair of striking heterochromatic eyes filled with murderous intent:

"You piece of trash, believe me or not I'll slap you to death!"

Boom!

A dense killing intent and a terrifying aura were released!

An invisible, terrifying pressure field instantly formed, and in Lainas's field of vision, the Zesshi Zetsumei girl's figure seemed to suddenly become enormous.

The surrounding air was so distorted that she couldn't even make out the other person's appearance!

A chilling coldness seeped into my heart!

Lainas broke out in a cold sweat in an instant, unable to control her breathing, as if a deathly shadow was about to engulf her.

At this moment.

Lainas felt that she was no longer facing an ordinary girl, but an indescribable and invincible monster.

What exactly happened...?

I am Hero who has stepped into the "Hero Realm"!

Why?

Why...

Lainas's mind went blank, her whole body stiffened, and she, Hero, didn't even have the slightest courage or ability to resist.

This is only due to the influence of the opponent's aura!

"You're the one who should shut up."

A familiar yet powerful and gentle voice came through.

The terrifying atmosphere and pressure vanished completely in an instant.

"Huff, huff."

Lainas regained consciousness from her stiff body, gasping for breath. Her shoulders swayed, and she staggered to her knees.

Tick-tock!

Tick-tock!

Sweat dripped down his cheeks and chin, wetting the remaining snow on the ground.

Lainas slowly raised her head and saw that her master had one hand pressed against the head of the terrifying girl.

Don't be so arrogant.

Tang Zheng pressed down on Zesshi Zetsumei's head with one hand, his black and white hair covering his fingers, and coldly reminded him:

"I wasn't joking. Having great strength doesn't necessarily equate to understanding, skills, knowledge, awareness, beliefs, and so on."

"You are just as strong as the weaklings you speak of. Your strength is simply due to your superior bloodline."

Feeling the warm palm pressing on the top of my head.

Zesshi Zetsumei's nape trembled almost imperceptibly, and an unnatural blush appeared on his displeased cheeks.

"Let go of my hand!"

Zesshi Zetsumei pressed against Tang Zheng's palm, his usual deliberately feigned sweet tone vanished, replaced by a slightly unnatural, loud protest:

Do you know how much effort it took to style this hair?

He clearly looked disgusting.

Zesshi Zetsumei only verbally protested; he neither shook off Tang Zheng's hand nor made any attempt to knock it away.

Not far away.

Lainas's deep blue eyes stared blankly at the person opposite her.

That terrifying, monstrous girl, though she screamed and yelled in front of her master, was just like a normal girl.

Such a monster...

Lainas's lips trembled slightly, and her fair swan-like neck twitched a few times.

In the world's normal understanding, the only thing capable of subduing a monster is another, even more terrifying one.

"She is my knight."

Tang Zheng spoke solemnly, simultaneously raising the hand that had been pressing down on Zesshi Zetsumei's head:

"Furthermore, as your mentor going forward, even if I cannot be your true teacher, you must still show me the appropriate respect, Miss Zesshi."

Tang Zheng somewhat agreed with Zesshi Zetsumei's "hair theory".

I remember my school days in my past life.

"Hair" is probably the most taboo subject, as it represents deep-seated resentment.

Zesshi Zetsumei is over 200 years old. According to the Elf bloodline, she is actually not that old. Women at this age probably like to dress up.

Tang Zheng felt that he needed to show some respect in this regard.

"Oh my, that Rei, Rei..."

Zesshi Zetsumei's voice became sweet and light again, it was hard to tell whether she had truly forgotten Lainas's name or was deliberately drawing it out.

"Lainas!"

"Oh, Lainas, I didn't mean to just now."

The little incident is over.

Lainas and Zesshi Zetsumei stood on the training field.

"Lainas, just unleash the full power of the Cursed Knight on this Lady of Zesshi."

Tang Zheng stood not far away and gestured, reminding him again:

"Zesshi, you are not allowed to dodge or counterattack any of Lainas's attacks from now on."

"I understand."

Zesshi Zetsumei her hand dismissively, the absolute difference in strength leading her to believe that Lainas couldn't possibly harm her. "Attack without restraint."

"I see."

Lainas exhaled, her gaze gradually hardening.

Value!

It has always been the thing she values most.

Having stepped into the "Hero Realm," Lainas believed she had finally reached the same level as her master.

Now I realize it was just ridiculous self-righteousness!

For a brief moment, she felt lost and powerless, this so-called "guardian knight."

Does it really have any value?

Then...

An unwilling spirit broke through the confusion.

--Then demonstrate even greater value, Lainas!

"I'm going to go!"

Lainas raised her black Lancer, roared, and her golden ponytail danced in the air like a golden streak of light as she charged towards Zesshi Zetsumei:

"Dark Wave!"

A dark, Curse Power, like a thick fog, erupted from Lainas's body, forming black energy that swept across Zesshi Zetsumei.

The black Lancer, enveloped in cursed energy, transformed into sharp black starlight!

"Huh?"

Zesshi Zetsumei's originally lazy gaze changed slightly as the black energy caused her body to stiffen.

Methods that obstruct movement?

Bang!

The black Lancer stabbed fiercely into Zesshi Zetsumei's chest.

In Zesshi Zetsumei's eyes, what was not a particularly powerful attack generated an explosive force the moment it touched her body.

Since there was nothing blocking it, it was entirely borne by the body.

Shaking~

Zesshi Zetsumei leaned back slightly, took two steps back, used his left foot to stop himself, and looked down at his chest.

The clothes at the chest were torn, revealing the fair skin underneath, and there was a clear red mark where the weapon had struck!

"It hurts a little."

Zetsuki Zesshi Zetsumei looked up, staring intently at Lainas, a smile curving his lips, "Interesting!"

Unharmed!

Lainas's pupils trembled. "Monster."

"Continue." A leisurely voice came from not far away.

Lainas gritted her teeth, discarded the ordinary metal Lancer that was already cracked, and picked up the weapon she had prepared beforehand.

Whoosh!

Lainas moved again, continuously using the Curse Power to attack Zesshi Zetsumei.

(End of this chapter)