Chapter 168

Eblana: "???"

I'm taking another day off today. It'll be recorded in my account, and I'll make up for it double over the May Day holiday.

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I was writing almost 2000 words when I was bombarded with content from the live stream, and my brain completely shut down for a few seconds the moment Theresa's satellite landed.

(Ahhh--screams) (Mental breakdown) (Spinning in place) (Mental derangement) (Intracranial hypertension) (Opens wallet) (Buses double Originium) (Sits on chair, writhing from side to side) (Dark, twisting motion) (Vomits maniacal words) "Theresa! Your Highness!!"

I'm so excited I can't type anything! Hypergryph, it's all your fault!!

Now the old rules will have to be followed: any extra day off will be compensated double.

We'll add two more chapters during the May Day holiday to make up for it.

Oh my god, Your Highness! I'm so excited I won't be able to sleep tonight!!

(After all, I've been a fan of Theresa ever since I first got into Arknights, and the first book I wrote was even about her, but I couldn't handle it and didn't continue, so it became a black mark on my history.)

Hypergryph! I declare

For now, I'm your dutiful son!

[Here's a summary of key information for those who missed the live stream.]

[Li Gousheng a character from a popular Chinese mobile game), limited-time unique character W, free Theresa, Amiya a new unique character), new integrated strategy, new online mode, monthly card given upon login.]

[A collaboration with Delicious in Dungeon, Ines's Champion skin, and two top-tier skins for Skadi and Mumu. The ending hinted at Aegir and Ulpian. Season 3 anime is in production.]

Chapter Two, He and Them

"I'm not asking you about that kind of thing, but it seems you guys aren't really adapting well to this environment."

Zuo Jian sighed, then patted Loughshinny's head.

"More or less, but it's hard to say I like it..."

Abuna turned her head slightly, making no attempt to hide the look of disgust on her face as she surveyed the many guests present.

"Sorry to have left you here."

He looked into the eyes of the person before him with a hint of guilt, then stepped forward, bowed slightly to the people present, and spoke.

"Everyone, I'm sorry, my daughter has to go back with me to handle some important matters, so I'll have to leave early. I hope you won't mind."

After saying that, he gave a standard, old-fashioned aristocratic bow to those who still wanted to say something.

The three of them left the Duke's mansion side by side. The instant she stepped outside, Abnera even subconsciously took a deep breath, savoring the vastness of the outdoors.

"You look like you've been locked up for days and finally seen the light of day again. Is it really that exaggerated?" Zuo Jian asked Aibunara with some curiosity.

However, before she could even open her mouth to answer, Loughshinny spoke up first.

"It's not that my sister dislikes these kinds of gatherings; she just dislikes the fact that the people who should be present at these gatherings, representing the powerful figures behind them, are a group of young masters and ladies who haven't yet inherited their titles and will likely have little say in the future, yet still like to talk to her eloquently."

"Hey! Loughshinny!"

Abuna was taken aback, probably not expecting her sister to know her so well, even able to directly express what she was thinking.

However, after she voiced her thoughts, Abu Nara instinctively looked towards Zuo Jian. Why?

Why was she suddenly so worried about Zuo Jian's opinion of her?

What kind of person would he see himself as?

However, the next moment, she felt a familiar and gentle touch on her head. Abuna looked up and saw the large hands on her head.

Subconsciously, she actually began to anticipate the words that would come out of the other person's mouth...

"Well, it's not that I can't understand it. After all, precocious children don't really like being with their peers, especially peers from the same background who rely on their families. That's not a bad thing. In fact, I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

Zuo Jian patted Aibuna's head, his words as gentle as ever.

His usually serious middle-aged face softened into a gentle smile, as if he were an ordinary father praising his children.

However, just as he was about to pull his hand back, the other person raised their hand to stop him.

He lowered his head slightly, watching Abuna reach out and grab his wrist, preventing Zuo Jian from pulling his hand back.

The girl's voice seemed to tremble slightly, but as if she were suppressing some discomfort, Abunara spoke softly.

Even if all I did was try to take your place, even if my intention was to seize more power for myself, to the point that...

When exactly did it start?

She began to feel dissatisfied with everything around her and started fantasizing about whether she could find a way to change something through some means.

Even if it meant paying a small price, she had always done it this way. But now, the price she could "pay" was vastly different from before, the biggest difference being that the person bearing that price had changed from her to him.

What's wrong with that?

Perhaps it's just my nature.

She said this to herself more than once.

Then, suddenly, Earl Warwick reappeared before Abnera's eyes, his mouth filled with blood, as he murmured with difficulty—

"The Drak I seek... the greedy Drak... the ambitious Drak..."

That's right, that's exactly how Drak is.

That man called himself Greedy Drak, Ambitious Drak.

Aibuna felt his assessment was correct, so... she looked up and glanced to the Zuo Jian...

"Well, I've never thought it's a bad thing for young children to have ambitions. Besides, at least until you come of age, I'm your legal guardian, and I won't object to my children having some lofty ambitions that most people might consider a bit outrageous."

Abu Nara was stunned.

They remained where they were.

Someone she met before told her that.

She is the greedy Drak.

But now, Zuo Jian tells her that she is an ambitious child.

Warwick had told her that before.

She is the ambitious Drak.

But now, Zuo Jian says that this is a grand ambition.

"However—" Zuo Jian hadn't finished speaking when he squatted down again, and at the same time, the hand that was on Abuna's head slid down to her cheek.

He gently pinched Abuna's cheek, pulling her back to reality and drawing her gaze to him.

Having lofty ambitions isn't a bad thing, but the premise is... is it really what you want?

"What's the meaning?"

"What do you want to become? Abu Nala? And what is it for to become it? You know, without a clear goal or belief, it's hard for a person to keep going, especially on such a difficult path."

Zuo Jian spoke, looking at the child who was nominally his stepdaughter.

"Abnara, what made you decide to do this?"

"It's not about a particular process, but rather, what kind of scenery do you hope to see at the end of this road that made you decide to embark on this journey?"

The girl wanted to answer, but the moment her lips parted, her thoughts, along with the words, became stuck in her throat.

Yes, what exactly made her decide to do all this?

Greedy Drak, ambitious Drak...

Is that so? Perhaps that man was right; she really is...

"No need to rush, Abnera."

She blinked, watched as Zuo Jian stood Zuo Jian, and withdrew her hand.

Why do you have to find your answer right now? At least for now, you have plenty of time to find the answer you need in your heart.

"How much time do you mean?"

Abnera looked up at Zuo Jian's face.

The latter smiled, revealing a pure, kind smile somewhere between that of an old father and an old grandfather.

"You've been a child to me for so long."

"..."

Aibunara seemed to be pondering the meaning of Zuo Jian's words, or perhaps something else entirely. She lowered her eyes, concealing her expression with her bangs, and silently followed behind Zuo Jian and Loughshinny.

In the past, she would have been the one walking in front.

Perhaps it was the effect of Zuo Jian's words.

Loughshinny glanced at her sister behind her out of the corner of her eye, then looked at Zuo Jian beside her.

Is this... what a real adult should be like?

It subconsciously makes you want to rely on it...

"By the way, I had a brief talk with the Duke Wellington about the succession to the territories. If all goes well, I can take you back to the Earl of Warwick in a few days. After all, you're more familiar with it there, right? Or rather, it's where you feel at home—"

And what about you?

Loughshinny looked up and glanced at the Zuo Jian.

"Will Zuo Jian come with us... to go home...?"

Looking into the girl's eyes, Zuo Jian answered almost instinctively.

"Isn't this just common sense?"

"Um!"

As the girl's voice faded, she grabbed Zuo Jian's wrist with Zuo Jian and placed his palm on her head, while holding Abnara's hand behind them with the other. Loughshinny walked between them, and the three of them looked like a real father and daughters going for a walk.

However, Zuo Jian paused for a moment after speaking, as if he had forgotten something.

If we were to take them back to Earl Warwick's territory, what would happen to Laurentina?

Will she have any objections...? Or should we take her with us to the Earl's territory...? Would that cause any conflict...?

... Surely nothing bad will happen, right? After all, he'd always thought Laurentina was a kind and understanding girl! She definitely wouldn't have any conflict with him over something like this... probably.

Inside the Iron Duke's room, the duke drew the curtains, watching the three figures outside walk away. They appeared no different from any other ordinary family. But only he knew...

The seemingly ordinary girl possesses a bloodline that is arguably the most troublesome in the current situation. However, the good news is that the troubles brought about by the girl's bloodline are nothing compared to the man beside her.

Is this really good news?

Wellington watched the figures gradually disappear into the distance and unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, the relationship between the three of them was even better than expected.

Was it a disguise? He subconsciously recalled Zuo Jian's cold demeanor when they were discussing things earlier.

Whether it's a disguise or not doesn't matter; he doesn't have the confidence to risk verifying such a thing.

After all... regarding the abilities that monster displayed

In terms of ability, no one is irreplaceable to him.

He was able to stand here only because he "wanted to stand here."

"... Issue this notice: regarding... Dragonblood Duke... strictly speaking, he is now Earl, and his two adopted daughters, change all their information to Vouivre. Even for future medical examinations or other verifications, I require all test results to be under the Vouivre."

... At least for now, it seems he doesn't want them involved in the conflict.

That was all the duke could do, and... prayed that conflict wouldn't come knocking on their door.

Chapter Three, Gray Hat: It's me again?!

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