But looking at Russell's calm expression, Talulah had no idea how to correct him for a moment.
After struggling with it for a while, she simply stopped worrying about it.
"Patriot is actually not far from here. Well, because the cotton coats and food you provided are quite heavy, Yelena already notified Mr. Patriot with a signal earlier—his Shield Guards can help transport them faster."
As though responding to Talulah's words, a patch of black dots appeared in the distance.
"Thank you... for... your help, sir."
As the black dots drew nearer, they grew increasingly imposing. They were the Reunion Movement's elite—the Shield Guards.
And the man at their head was Patriot.
Russell's eyes immediately lit up.
Nice. He did not even need to go to the Reunion Movement's camp.
He could bring Grand Duke Black Snake to justice right here!!
"Lord Russell, this is Bozkash. Well, of course, more people call him Patriot."
Talulah enthusiastically introduced the strongest combatant in her ranks to Russell.
"Thank you... for... your help, sir."
Patriot clearly knew about Russell as well. This man had provided the Reunion Movement with a great deal of food and winter clothing.
Of course, just like Talulah at the beginning, his eyes carried deep wariness.
Thanks to Russell's initial declaration of kingship, most of the Reunion Movement believed he was an out-and-out ambitious schemer, an extremely dangerous existence.
"No need to thank me. If you really insist, I only hope you won't hit me first next time."
"Of course, it would be even better if you could help me beat up an old slutty snake."
Russell stood on tiptoe to shake Patriot's hand, saying something that left both Patriot and the nearby inner guards rather baffled.
Ah...
"Ata, and remember to keep your emotions normal later."
"Mm, even if you discover that your adoptive father is seductively wearing a little skirt, don't look too surprised."
After reminding Patriot, Russell turned around and said this to a certain silly dragon girl.
Huh?
What did that mean?
Talulah looked somewhat confused. Why was Russell acting so mysteriously today?
"Lord Russell, what are you say—"
Before Talulah could finish, Russell viciously slammed the Tiger Talisman against her chest!
Tiger Edict.
Magic power representing division surged forth.
White light burst forth.
Amid everyone's bewildered expressions, two figures appeared.
The same solemn silver hair, the same horns, the same beautiful faces. Yet one had firm eyes with a somewhat goofy air about her, while the other was unsmiling but possessed an innate seductive charm.
Patriot and Frostnova were both left bewildered.
Before them stood...
Two Talulahs?!!
Talulah Felt Like Her Soul Had Taken Ten Thousand Points of Damage
One of the dragon girls stared blankly around her, her expression full of confusion.
The woman beside her was equally bewildered, but compared with the silly goosehead next to her, her brows carried a bewitching charm.
"Russell... what's going on?"
The Red Dragon, whose gaze was bright and sharp, looked toward Russell. Though it seemed she herself had been ambushed in the current situation,
she did not think Russell was an enemy.
This Ya Zi had always carried the air of a Puppet Master, and chess players usually treasured their own lives...
Yet he was now standing beside Patriot. That was a terrible move, because if Patriot regarded him as a mortal enemy, he might die.
Russell was clearly not someone who did not value his own life.
If he dared stand there, it had to be because he and Patriot stood on the same side.
That was likely why Patriot had not immediately thrown a spear at Russell—because Russell had indeed voluntarily approached him. It was no different from placing his own life on the scales as a weight.
"Yin-Yang Split."
Russell explained simply.
"Talulah was parasitized by Grand Duke Black Snake Koschei. She carries both the personalities of 'Talulah' and 'Koschei.' If Talulah is considered yang and Koschei yin, then once that divine power is activated, they will naturally split apart."
Those words caused a stir among the Shield Guards nearby.
Grand Duke Black Snake, Koschei.
To Ursus soldiers, that name was more than famous enough to be called thunderous.
That grand duke was always associated with conspiracies; every appearance of his came with poisoned wine and murder.
And now, Russell was saying that their leader's body contained that man's soul?!!
"Which... one of you... is the Snake Lord?"
The Wendigo raised his halberd, his voice broken and hoarse.
He had once been an Ursus battlefield commander. More than anyone, he knew what kind of being the man called Koschei was.
Since that bastard had attached his soul to Talulah, Talulah's followers—the Reunion Movement—would inevitably become piles of White Bones in some conspiracy.
Killing a grand duke was a grave crime.
But under such circumstances, even if it meant committing a grave crime, he had to be dealt with!!
Patriot made his decision almost instantly.
"I am Talulah."
The dragon girl with Heroic Spirit in her brows removed the longsword at her waist and raised her hands, signaling for those nearby to bind her.
Without hesitation, she disarmed herself.
It was an extremely dangerous act.
Because if the people before her decided she deserved to die, she would have no chance to resist at all.
That action instinctively gave Frostnova a sense of recognition.
To trust one's companions completely, without the slightest hesitation even when entrusting them with one's life.
That truly was Talulah's style.
But the next moment, the other Talulah beside her also put down the sword at her waist.
The emotion in her eyes was exactly the same as the first one's.
No, that was not right. Her emotions were even more intense than the first Talulah's.
"Do it. Black Snake knows almost everything about me. If she wants to imitate me, no one will be able to tell us apart."
She spoke slowly, her tone sorrowful.
"You may not understand Black Snake, but as that man's adoptive daughter, I can tell you clearly that he craves war and bloodshed. He is a genuine Source of Calamity. I thought I had already defeated him, but it seems I was too arrogant."
"If you cannot tell me apart, then kill both me and Black Snake. We absolutely cannot allow that evil god's will to continue on this land."
Frostnova froze completely.
Those were also words Talulah could have said.
She stood between the two Talulahs in bewilderment. At this moment, even Originium Arts capable of rivaling the Red Dragon were utterly useless.
She could only turn and look toward Russell.
It was this man who had split Talulah in two.
At the same time, the Prompt Device sent out a message.
This is pretty easy to tell. Talulah only has ideals in her head and not a bit of femininity. If her face were not pretty, she'd just be a tomboy. That old slutty snake really gets it. Her skins are all gorgeous big sisters.
Um...
A polite yet awkward expression appeared on Russell's face.
No, hadn't you been desperately trying to sell Talulah to me before?
Damn it.
For a few resources, you wanted the host to go on a blind date with a tomboy?
What kind of garbage was that?
I'll remember this grudge!!
"Lord Russell, you can tell which one is Black Snake, right?"
Frostnova slowly asked Russell.
If Talulah was the person in the Reunion Movement who trusted Russell the most, then Frostnova trusted him second most.
She did not believe Russell had gone through all this effort just to split the Reunion Movement apart.
After all—
This Ya Zi's hypothetical enemy had always been the Son of Heaven.
If the Reunion Movement had not become involved with Talulah, it probably would not even have been on his itinerary of plans.
At the same time, Patriot and the two Red Dragons also looked toward Russell.
"Lord Russell, I trust your judgment."
Talulah said this, her eyes full of trust in her companion.
Russell had always possessed the bearing of a chess player. If he made any rash move, it would definitely have been arranged long beforehand.
For example, this sudden attack had likely been because he considered that Black Snake and she were one. If he had informed her, Black Snake might have learned of it as well, so he chose to conceal it.
Now, she and Black Snake had already been separated.
Now it was Russell's tempo.
The second Red Dragon did not know what she was thinking. She watched Russell, her gentle gaze shifting as though contemplating something.
Not long after, she smiled and nodded as well.
"Lord Russell, please."
Russell carefully examined the two Red Dragons before him. Then he discovered that the first one's eyes were absurdly bright, while the second also gave off a sharp impression, but her brows carried a fox-like cunning. Even though their faces, figures, and clothes were identical, the latter seemed even more beautiful.
"Kill the second Talulah."
At some point, a Kunai had appeared in the young man's hand. He pointed it at the second woman with a cold smile.
"Talulah is a tomboy. She doesn't have this kind of feminine charm at all!!"
Huh?!!
Talulah's eyes went wide!!
She had to admit that in that instant, panic filled her heart. The method Russell, whom she had always considered reliable, used to distinguish her from Black Snake was something as mysterious as feminine charm?
Was that reasonable?
Though she really was the real Talulah.
Before you continue