Skadi, My Wife

Together with them, Ch'en, who'd applied long ago to be dispatched to Chernobog as soon as cooperation between Chernobog and Lungmen was established because of Talulah, left Lungmen along with Hoshiguma.

Not long after that, Swire learned from Nightingale that Chen An had been a member of Dawn and that Dawn had been searching for him all along. Unwilling to let Chen An simply vanish from her life and wanting to know where he was, the wealthy young lady also applied for an external assignment, left Lungmen, and came to Chernobog.

If that were all, Swire naturally wouldn't have clashed with Nian.

But sharing the same thoughts as Swire, Nian and Dusk had returned to Chernobog with Talulah and the others before Swire arrived.

What was more, after arriving in Chernobog, neither Nian nor Dusk joined Dawn. Instead, relying on their status as Chen An's wives, the two occupied Chen An's residence in Chernobog.

Knowing that Chen An had suddenly left Lungmen entirely because he'd seen them, Swire not only refused to acknowledge their identities as Chen An's wives, but also particularly despised them—if they really were Chen An's wives, why would Chen An avoid them? Why would he even leave Lungmen just to avoid meeting them?

Of course, if that were all, Swire still wouldn't have clashed with Nian. Like Dusk, she occasionally ran into Swire, but Swire and Dusk had never fought—Dusk was too aloof, and even when Swire disliked her and wanted to argue, Dusk simply ignored her.

Swire would pick fights with people she disliked, but she wasn't so unreasonable that she'd keep escalating things when nobody paid attention to her. Thus, after several such encounters, she pretended not to see Dusk whenever they met.

But Nian was different from Dusk. She was carefree, the sort who loved watching drama and never thought trouble was big enough, and she hated taking a loss. Whenever someone like her met hot-tempered Swire, it was like Mars crashing into Earth. Arguing was the least of it; if they disagreed and started fighting, even tearing down a house wouldn't be a big deal.

That was exactly what had happened this time. Swire and Nian unexpectedly ran into each other, argued for a few sentences, then started fighting. They'd both been stopped and were now confined to their respective rooms.

Both Ch'en and Swire were from Lungmen, and Ch'en was still technically Swire's superior. So after Swire caused trouble, Ch'en brought the damage report to Talulah.

After briefly explaining the conflict between Swire and Nian, Ch'en said displeasedly, "If you ask me, that woman called Nian should be kicked out. Since coming to Chernobog, she hasn't helped with anything and keeps causing trouble everywhere under the name of Chen An's wife. That char siu cat clearly said Chen An left Lungmen because he saw her, yet she still has the nerve to call herself his wife. Shameless."

Talulah gave a bitter smile. "No matter what, it's true that she and Miss Dusk know Chen An. And since Chen An avoids them, it proves their relationship with him is indeed quite deep. Other than easily making a big deal out of conflicts with Beatrix, Miss Nian hasn't really caused much trouble. If we simply drive them out of Chernobog, Chen An might be unhappy if he finds out later."

Not only Swire, but Ch'en and Talulah also found Nian unpleasant. However, compared to the hot-tempered and wealthy Swire, they were much calmer—Dusk was too aloof, so after meeting her a few times, all their dislike had shifted onto the more unruly Nian.

After complaining to Talulah for a few moments, Ch'en, who disliked Nian and couldn't be bothered to say more about her, changed the subject.

"By the way, I ran into Miss Nightingale on my way here. She asked me to tell you that Skadi..."

Was that woman really Skadi?

Her voice paused. Still deeply doubtful about Red Skadi's existence, Ch'en continued, "Skadi and that Lupo named Lappland are leaving Chernobog to look for Chen An. She was worried about them, so she went with them."

"...Huh?" *2

Both Talulah and Alina froze.

Outside Chernobog.

Looking back at Chernobog behind them, Nightingale was somewhat uneasy. "Skadi, are we really leaving Chernobog to search for Chen An elsewhere? Talulah and the others are looking for Chen An too. If we stayed in Chernobog, we might learn where Chen An is before long."

"Or perhaps there'd never be any news. Miss Nightingale, isn't that precisely what you're worried about, which is why you chose to leave with us?"

Lappland answered Nightingale's uneasy question. She shrugged and teased in an incredibly relaxed tone, "Miss Nightingale, we haven't gone very far yet. If you want to change your mind, now's the perfect time. Once we get farther away, it'll be too late to regret it."

"I don't mean to regret it."

Nightingale tightened her grip on her staff and lowered her head. "My body is healthy now, and my mental state is good too. Even without Shining and Nearl by my side, I can go look for Chen An. It'll be fine."

Rather than answering Lappland, Nightingale seemed to be encouraging herself.

Seeing that, Lappland couldn't help raising her brow.

She didn't mock Nightingale's apparent lack of confidence. Instead, she gave a flippant whistle and casually changed the topic. "I'm honestly surprised you chose to leave with us, Miss Nightingale. I thought you'd stop us when you saw Skadi and me leaving."

"I can't stop Skadi. The only person who can stop her and change her mind is Chen An."

After saying that, Nightingale asked in return, "Skadi and I both have reasons to leave Chernobog and look for Chen An. What about you, Miss Lappland? I heard you joined Dawn to treat your Oripathy. Since your Oripathy hasn't been cured, why are you leaving Chernobog? It seems you haven't known Chen An for very long."

"Maybe it was love at first sight?"

"Huh!?"

Nightingale exclaimed in shock, while Red Skadi frowned and looked over.

"Or maybe I simply want to repay a favor. Who knows?"

Lappland chuckled. Half serious and half joking, she said casually, "He saved me. I, Lappland, always repay kindness and avenge grudges. I haven't repaid him for saving me yet, so how could I let him just disappear? Besides, that guy took Texas with him when he left."

"Texas is an old friend of mine. I chased her all the way to Lungmen back then, so I won't let her escape so easily."

"To repay a favor and find your friend?"

Nightingale looked thoughtful, though it was impossible to tell whether she believed Lappland.

Red Skadi withdrew her gaze, her expression entirely unchanged.

She wasn't interested in why Lappland wanted to find Chen An. Even if Lappland had really fallen in love with him at first sight, Red Skadi wouldn't care.

The only reason she'd left Chernobog with Lappland was that they shared the same goal. Lappland wanted to find Chen An, and so did she. Lappland had merely approached her.

So while she and Lappland appeared to be traveling companions, their actual relationship was only slightly better than that of strangers.

Like Red Skadi, Lappland wasn't particularly interested in her circumstances either.

The reason she'd chosen Red Skadi as a companion was simply because she'd once been instantly defeated by Skadi. Though Skadi had ambushed her that time, Lappland had always known her own limits and could accurately judge the strength of people she'd fought. She was certain that even without the ambush, Skadi would've beaten her senseless in a direct fight. At best, Lappland could rely on her agility to stall for time.

Lappland wasn't sure what was going on between Red Skadi and Skadi, for them to have identical appearances and names and seem like the same person aside from their personalities.

But after returning to Chernobog and testing Red Skadi a few times, she'd reached one conclusion—Red Skadi was absolutely no weaker than Skadi.

When looking for someone, more people were better than fewer, and strong teammates were better than weak ones... Well, those were all excuses.

The real reason Lappland had sought Red Skadi as a teammate was because she suspected Red Skadi had some unknown connection to Skadi. Traveling with her would make it easier to find Chen An, who was with Skadi.

Thus, after spending some time testing her strength and confirming that she was equally determined to find Chen An, Lappland decisively approached her and bluntly asked whether she wanted to leave Chernobog together to find him.

Then Red Skadi and she immediately hit it off. Once they were ready, they intended to leave Chernobog without even telling anyone. If they hadn't happened to run into Nightingale along the way, and if Red Skadi weren't such an honest person who couldn't be bothered to lie, she would've directly told Nightingale the truth. Otherwise, it might've taken several days before anyone realized they were gone.

After following Lappland and Red Skadi for half a day, Nightingale only realized when Chernobog was nearly out of sight that the two were heading somewhere with a clear purpose. Belatedly, she couldn't help asking, "Skadi, Miss Lappland, where are we going?"

"Siesta."

Red Skadi concisely stated their destination.

According to Lappland, Chen An had left Lungmen because of an accident, not because he'd planned it beforehand. And he was gentle by nature, the kind of person who'd indulge the antics of those around him.

Besides Skadi, two others named Exusiai and Texas had also left Lungmen with him.

Exusiai was playful by nature. If there was excitement to join, she'd definitely go if circumstances allowed.

And not far from Lungmen was a city called Siesta, where a festival called the Obsidian Festival would soon be held.

When the festival was held, Siesta would become extremely lively.

Though Chen An might not necessarily go there for the Obsidian Festival, having a target was better than having none.

So their first destination after leaving Chernobog was—Siesta.

Noon.

After playing outside all morning, Chen An and the other two suddenly remembered Texas, whom they'd left alone at home, lonely and pitiful. They couldn't help feeling guilty.

They'd slipped out on their own without even saying anything and left Texas alone at home. That was really too much, wasn't it?

Filled with guilt, they spent another afternoon playing outside. By evening, after enjoying an entire day outside and having a wonderful time... no, feeling even guiltier, the three hurried home.

Before long, they spotted their home from afar. Chen An's eyes flashed, and he abruptly turned, leading Exusiai and Skadi into a corner by the roadside.

Worried that the persistent Ceylon was still in the house, and that Schwarz, whom they'd tricked that morning, might be hiding somewhere nearby waiting for them to return and walk into her trap, Chen An hid at the street corner and began secretly observing his home.

At first, Exusiai found it interesting. But before long, she felt this sneaking around was really boring and grew dissatisfied.

"We're going home, not stealing something. Why are we being so sneaky?"

"We're not being sneaky. We're being steady and cautious."

Putting on a solemn expression, Chen An explained seriously, "Miss Ceylon is very persistent. The last two days, she stayed at our place until evening before leaving. And it's only evening now. What if we don't observe carefully and Miss Ceylon is still inside? Also, Miss Schwarz doesn't seem like the type to let things go easily. We tricked her this morning, so she might not have left yet and could be waiting somewhere for us to come home."

Exusiai looked at him disdainfully. "After saying all that, you're just scared that Schwarz, that Feline you tricked this morning, hasn't left and will come cause you trouble, right?"

Exusiai was right, but would Chen An admit it? Of course not!

Shamelessly pretending he hadn't heard her, he continued secretly observing his home.

After another while, Skadi began to grow impatient as well.

She nudged Chen An with her elbow, patted her chest, and confidently assured him, "That Feline named Schwarz can't beat me, Chen An. Let's go back. If she's at home and wants to cause trouble, I'll beat her up for you. If that person named Ceylon is there too, I'll beat both of them up."

Skadi wasn't bragging. A pampered young lady like Ceylon? Forget one—she could beat up ten of them at once without even breathing harder afterward.

Chen An: "..."

He glared at Skadi and lectured her irritably, "Beat them up, my ass. We're law-abiding citizens, not gangsters. Don't keep thinking about fighting and killing at every turn. How many times have I told you this? Didn't I just say it this morning?"

"Okay."

Skadi lowered her head and obediently accepted Chen An's reprimand. After he finished, she hugged him, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.

Then she showed him an obedient smile. "Sorry. That's my apology."

Obedient orca.jpg

Exusiai: "..."

Feeling a little sour, Miss Exusiai turned her face away, choosing out of sight, out of mind.

Chen An: "..."

Was it just his imagination? Why did it feel like this girl was deliberately making mistakes just so she could take advantage of him?

He suspiciously glanced at the obedient-looking Skadi. Deciding she probably wasn't that cunning, Chen An smacked his lips and let the matter go.

After secretly observing his home for another two minutes and finding no movement, Chen An thought for a moment, then suddenly kicked Exusiai out from behind the corner.

Exusiai flew into a rage. "Why did you push me!?"

"Go on, go on. Hurry up and check things out."

Chen An waved his hand and urged her, "Go back first and take a look. If Texas is the only one home, come out and call us. If Miss Ceylon and the others are there, don't come out. Skadi and I will go wander somewhere else for a while."

"...Damn it! You're actually trying to sell me out. Just you wait. If nobody's home, I'll teach you a lesson later—with Texas!"

Exusiai glared fiercely at Chen An. Though she spoke harshly, she still followed his arrangement and headed toward the house.

Exusiai saw Texas before she'd even entered the house.

Texas sat expressionlessly in the middle of the living room, Chen An's sword resting across her lap.

"You're back."

Texas glanced up at Exusiai and gripped the Originium Sword on her lap with her left hand. "Did you have fun outside today?"

Exusiai: "..."

Texas's tone was calm and casual, but for some reason, the instant she spoke, Exusiai felt her hair stand on end and her scalp tingle.

She rubbed her eyes and confirmed that the sight of black mist surging behind Texas, enveloping her and making her look as though she'd gone completely dark, was merely an illusion. Only then did Miss Exusiai raise a hand to wipe away cold sweat that wasn't actually there.

Fortunately, she'd long since given the halo above her head to Chen An as a token of affection for him to keep. Otherwise, the halo above Exusiai's head would probably be blinking wildly right now, flashing into a danger sign.

"Um..."

Exusiai cautiously spoke up. "It was alright, I guess. We just walked around the city today. Texas, is the mayor's daughter still here? If she isn't, I'll go outside and call Chen An and the others. They're waiting outside for my signal."

"Sounds like you had a lot of fun."

Texas let out a soft breath and stood up with her sword in hand.

"No need. I'll call them in later."

As she said that, she gripped the hilt with her right hand, then—

—Clang!

The piercing phantom sound of metal clashing rang beside Exusiai's ears as Texas drew her sword.

Exusiai instinctively took a step back, panic in her eyes as she asked stiffly, "T-Texas, why are you drawing your sword out of nowhere?"

"Nothing. I just suddenly remembered that the sword Chen An gave me has never tasted blood. I want to help it grow."

Texas said this expressionlessly, then smiled. "Exusiai, would you be willing to make a sacrifice and let me cut you once?"