Volume Three: The Academy Goes Completely Berserk [Illustration] That Man (Part One)
"It can't be wrong."
Elina —now Dorothy —stared intently at me as if I were her god.
"Two hundred years ago, the first Grand Master predicted that the missing Blood Emperor must still be alive in some form, and that she would one day return and lead us to victory."
"Can..."
"There's no mistake. Back then, the Blood Emperor only made a handful of moves, but each time his abilities and techniques were recorded by our ancestors, and they bear many similarities to yours."
"Just because of that—"
"Most importantly, according to records, the Blood Emperor once said that she was the only one in the world with the ability to 'Blood Manipulation,' and there was no one else. Moreover—"
She carefully took "something" out of her bosom.
It was a small, blood-red pendant with an amber-like texture.
"This is one of the few relics of the Blood Emperor, named Blood Amber. Please take a look."
I took the Blood Amber with some skepticism, and the moment I touched it, an indescribable sense of familiarity suddenly spread throughout my body, like an old house that had been abandoned for many years finally welcoming its owner back! The Blood Amber quickly turned into a liquid and flowed into my palm, and an extremely warm and pure Blood Energy flowed into my body. This feeling was incredibly pleasant!
"It was...it was absorbed..." a man in a dark red robe murmured in surprise.
"This, this—it's true! You are indeed the Blood Emperor's successor!!!"
"... Okay, I believe you."
Actually, she didn't need to waste so much breath. The moment she called me "Blood Emperor," a few fragments of memory in my mind were awakened.
I know that everything she said is true.
Moreover, I could roughly guess what she was going to say next.
"I know it's very rude to make such a request right after we meet—"
She bowed her head deeply, with utmost humility, as if she were kneeling before a king.
"But for two hundred years, the warriors of Bloodblade have eagerly awaited the return of the Blood Emperor. We have been secretly preparing for far too long, and now the time has finally come to strike back against the Holy See. Therefore, we hope that you—"
"That's it, it's time for me to leave..."
With her back to the setting sun, Xiao Wu, carrying her luggage, looked at the little girls with a somewhat troubled expression.
""""""...""""""
"Don't look at me like that..." Xiao Wu sighed. Being looked at like that with teary eyes made her resolve waver.
"But, Sister Sakura Dance, are you really leaving?"
"... Ah, yes, I can no longer stand still."
And we also need to find Evelynths.
""""Um...""""
"From now on, you'll have to live on your own."
""""Um...""""
"The current interim governing body has opened many children's shelters. You can stay there for now; at least you won't have to worry about food."
""""Um...""""
"Most of your schools and such are now ruins, and the idiots who used to bully you are nowhere to be found. So you can completely let go of the past and live without any worries."
""""Um...""""
"I know you're still not used to the outside world, but at least give it a try, have the courage."
""""Um...""""
"Don't skimp on meals, remember to wash your hands before eating, don't stay up too late or sleep in, wash your own clothes, avoid arguments and unnecessary trouble, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and shower at least every two days..."
""""Um...""""
"Listen to adults, but also distinguish right from wrong. Remember to tidy your room regularly and don't leave it messy. Take time to learn some life skills, but don't neglect your studies. Don't touch dirty things, don't handle knives carelessly, don't play with fire, don't spend money recklessly, and remember to visit Margaret's grave every year..."
""""Um...""""
"Exercise appropriately every day, be sure to see a doctor when you're sick, air out your blankets when the weather is sunny, don't throw away torn clothes, mend them and you can still wear them, don't be forgetful, take good care of your own things, let me think, and... um?"
Suddenly I felt something warm and wet running down my face, something that I would never normally experience.
"Hmm? Eh... that's strange, did I get sand in my eye?"
I wiped it off immediately, but more and more started flowing out. What's going on? When did I become the protagonist of a third-rate sentimental novel? How old am I, still so teary-eyed?
"Sister Sakura Dance, you... you're crying..."
"Nonsense! I didn't! It's you guys... you guys are the ones crying!"
Indeed, while Xiao Wu tears silently, many of the lolis were already wailing. The one crying the loudest was Monet, who was still wrapped in bandages and standing at the back, her collar soaked with sweat.
"Waaah... Sister Sakura Dance..."
"I don't want you to leave!"
"What will become of us in the future...?"
"We were so happy together... These were the happiest two years of my life!!!"
"Shut up... all of you! Stop crying!!"
Xiao Wu shouted, but her face was already covered in tears. She tried to wipe them away with her sleeve, but the tears just wouldn't stop flowing.
"What are you going to do from now on? Haven't I already told you? Whether you're weak or not, you all need to live your lives well! Stop calling me 'sister, sister,' your future is your own! I... I now announce... announce..."
Xiao Wu choked up. Despite having weathered countless storms, she felt hesitant at this moment, as if this were an insurmountable chasm.
"... Announcement... World's Little Corner, starting today—officially disbanded!"
The sound of the ship's horn was exactly the same as when we left the capital and the northern border.
It's always by boat...
"Your Blood Emperor, um, your friend..."
"Xiao Wu will be here soon, so you don't need to worry."
"Understood! We'll head to the ship and wait. Call us anytime if anything happens!"
Dorothy didn't hesitate; she ran onto the ship silently and disappeared without a trace—a truly brilliant method of stealth.
"Mmm~~~ I'm so happy to finally be able to ride a boat with Xiao Ye!"
No sooner had she left than Haoyue grabbed me and rubbed her huge, bouncy breasts against my arm.
"I'm happy too... but why isn't Xiao Wu here yet?"
"Tch... You're such a scumbag, Xiao Ye, with a delinquent girl right next to you!"
"I'm serious, won't she be able to let go?"
"Don't worry about that," Haoyue said, leaving me with slightly narrowed eyes. "Once that guy decides to leave, he won't go back on his word. Besides, she still wants Evelynths, doesn't she? Trust me, she'll definitely come."
"... You really trust her."
"Of course, if there's anyone in the world besides Xiao Ye and Little Butterfly whom I can completely trust, it's probably her."
"..."
It seems that Haoyue and Xiao Wu have unknowingly developed a subtle relationship of trust.
Could this be the beginning of a wonderful friendship?
Ah, here it comes.
In the distance, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, a figure gradually emerged, moving with incredible speed, appearing beside us in just a few breaths. It was none other than Xiao Wu, carrying her luggage.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"It's okay, it's okay, you're a delinquent after all~ But... you still have tear stains on your face."
"Varied--"
Xiao Wu hurriedly wiped away her tears, revealing a rare look of panic. Suddenly, she seemed quite cute, despite her usually strong personality.
"Are you sure you want to leave, Xiao Wu?"
"Nonsense."
Where are the children?
"They can take care of themselves... I believe them."
There was silence for a moment, and then--
"Well... anyway, from now on we're really comrades, so please take care of me, Ye, Haoyue."
She turned her face slightly to hide the blush on her cheeks.
Haoyue and I exchanged a smile.
"Yes, nice to meet you, Xiao Wu- chan~"
Remove the 'sauce'!
[img=700,875]http://rs./web/novel/images/UploadPic/2015/08/86f8548c-2170-4329-b0a9-91c197972d24. jpg[/img]
"Sister Sakura Dance has left..."
"They've left..."
"Woolen cloth..."
The girls watched silently as the cruise ship disappeared where the sea met the sky, their gazes lingering for a long time.
"Really... so good, I'm reluctant to part with it..."
"There's nothing we can do about it, isn't there? Didn't Sister Sakura Dance say she also wants to... move forward?"
Have we been relying on her a little too much all this time?
"That's just how it is."
"Little Butterfly and Evelynths are gone too..."
In short!!
Monet clapped her hands, and the dejected little girls all looked at her.
"Just like what Sister Sakura Dance said, it's about time we started to rely on ourselves to live! Not as weaklings, but... but..."
"--As a healthy and beautiful young woman!"
"As a middle school student!"
"As a primary school student!"
"Support each other!"
"That's right!!!"
Monet, hands on his hips, surveyed the room with an air of arrogance and nodded.
"Let's start by rebuilding our departments! What do you all think?"
"""""Good!!!!!!!"""""
Everyone then looked at the ruins that had once been the activity room for World's Little Corner.
"... But where should we begin?"
It's time to leave again.
For some reason, I didn't feel any particular emotion this time; perhaps I was already mentally prepared.
We had our reasons for agreeing to let Dorothy go with them to the Blood Blade Knights.
The West Saint Continent —the location of the final material, the Truth Incantation, the lair of the organization's high command, and the site of conflict between the corrupt Church and the Revolutionary Army. We must find a way to access the Truth Incantation, and ideally, eliminate that high-ranking figure known as "Madam"—the best option to do this is to join the Blood Blade Knights and storm the Divine Law Cult's central headquarters with them. Of course, it would be even better if we could use their power to wipe out Madam in one fell swoop.
Everything seemed to be guided by fate.
I recalled a famous line I had seen in a comic book before.
"We are all soldiers chosen by God, and at any moment we are together, we will rush to the battlefield of destiny."
"Before fate, everyone is a sleeping slave."
For no apparent reason, I recalled those three dreams, which are now just remnants of memories.
The streets were deserted at dusk, the park was dark at night, and the highway was desolate and dark.
I suddenly felt fear.
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There's a new illustration today! Thank you so much, artist!