Chapter 34: Storm Clouds Gathering
Looking at the still disappointing student in front of him, Bai Li didn’t know what to say. Why had he come here?
Sloy sensed that the person opposite seemed to have no killing intent for now – could there still be room for negotiation? And why could this person recognize him?
Actually, this kind of dangerous work shouldn’t fall to him. If the Imperial royal family wasn’t so chaotic, he wouldn’t have come here to take refuge.
“Actually, we had no intention of offense, but orders from above are hard to disobey…”
“Since you’re a prince, why does this kind of life-threatening work fall to you?” Vivian said with a smile, flames still dancing at her fingertips.
Bai Li was silent for a while. If Sloy said there was a political coup within the Empire, he was interested in hearing what happened.
After asking for details, it turned out that Sloy had publicly taken his side in the royal family, causing this situation. It seemed the homeland really didn’t welcome him.
This was clearly a hot potato. If you let Sloy go back, the Rose Sanctuary’s reputation would plummet. Detaining or killing him would directly offend the Empire.
Who knew if Clement and the Empire had any private dealings? Being able to force a prince to this extent meant what was happening domestically was no ordinary situation.
Fortunately, Sloy didn’t recognize him, otherwise it would be very difficult to handle. He was also helpless – the student he had trained had also become a sacrifice to power.
Vivian listened to Bai Li’s analysis and judgment. The things he considered were indeed more than she did. Normally, she would have just killed them all directly, preferably with cremation included.
“So what do you suggest?”
“Forget it, detain them first and wait and see. Claude will definitely send people to stage something later.” Bai Li said while organizing his clothes – the scythe seemed to have torn his formal wear.
Indeed, the Empire causing trouble for the Blood Clan was also a matter of time. The public pressure was on Claude’s shoulders – whether practically or symbolically, he had to retaliate against the Rose Sanctuary’s raid on the fortress, otherwise where would he put his face?
Anyway, Sloy had been completely expelled from the power center, though this wasn’t his intention – he just wanted to express some support for Bai Li.
Now Bai Li was completely disheartened with the Empire. Just helping him speak a few fair words resulted in complete abandonment. Although this might also be the result of sibling rivalry, it was still too absolute.
“It’s impossible to let you go back. Put down your weapons, and I’ll guarantee your safety and personal dignity.”
Sloy could only helplessly put down his hook, having no other choice, raising his hands and letting the soldiers take him away. He always felt the vampire in front of him seemed somewhat familiar, though his magical strength was far inferior to his teacher’s.
Being able to force him to this extent, it seemed the Empire’s power struggle really was a matter of life and death. This move of borrowing a knife to kill was quite useful for the Crown Prince.
First, eliminate his brother to secure the throne. Second, have the royal family step forward to calm public opinion. Third, have an excuse to join hands with the Dark Night Temple to strike at the Rose Sanctuary.
Bai Li straightened his clothes and picked up the hook from the ground. The chain shot out, embedding deeply in the rock wall.
Sloy’s lightning hadn’t even been released once – defeating the teacher was still too much to ask of a student at this stage.
“Let’s go. The Rose Sanctuary probably won’t be peaceful from now on.” Bai Li turned and left first, leaving Vivian behind.
“…Hmph, wait for me!” She hurriedly stumbled to catch up, her soul weapon magic scythe having long since disappeared.
Speaking of weapons, Bai Li couldn’t find anything suitable now. Setting aside magic and weapons, his combat experience, technique, and physical strength were still the same.
By the time they returned to the council hall, Duke Wensa had been waiting for a long time. He paced back and forth, seeming very agitated.
“Are you saying the Empire has gone mad? Coming to cause us trouble?”
“Wensa, calm down first. There’ll probably be big developments during this period.” Vivian repeated Bai Li’s analysis once more.
He couldn’t be bothered with anger and directly spread his wings to rush out. This valley’s terrain was easy to defend and hard to attack – the entire defense was his responsibility, so there was no reason not to go.
“Look, why didn’t you just kill me back then? Now we’re in big trouble, aren’t we?” Bai Li said helplessly. “I still feel quite bad about taking action against former compatriots.”
“I don’t care. You owe me, so you must repay it.”
Bai Li sat down silently, picking up the quill from the table and twirling it. He looked at the scenery outside the window and felt like he had thought of something.
“By the way, the fortress siege cannons should have been moved by you guys, right?”
Vivian nodded. At the time, she had strongly opposed others’ suggestion to melt them down for iron. As long as Bai Li was there, they would definitely be useful.
“Give me a map of the valley. I’ll teach you how to use this thing, but after this, the whole world will know I’m still alive.”
Vivian understood in her heart. The Dark Night Temple’s Clement had long coveted her territory. As an emerging Blood Clan force, the raid on Liege Fortress could be said to have severely slapped the Empire’s face.
The storm would definitely come – it was just a matter of time. She wouldn’t be afraid, much less choose to retreat.
Actually, she had admired Bai Li for a long time, but his appearance was indeed forbidding, and they were on opposite sides.
Hearing Bai Li say this, she understood clearly that he was willing to stand with her. But while she was thinking about these things…
“Wait a moment. I feel a bit unwell – going to the restroom.”
She left with these words, and Bai Li sat there inexplicably, drinking tea while feeling quite puzzled.
“It can’t really be…”
In the restroom, she slowly wiped the filth from the corner of her mouth, not knowing why she’d been feeling nauseous lately. After rinsing her mouth, she slowly pushed open the door and walked out. Her reflection in the mirror looked somewhat weak for some reason.
Bai Li looked at her inexplicably, and this kind of gaze made her very uncomfortable.
Before she could speak first, Bai Li asked.
“Have you been feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit these past few days? This seems like that, um…”
Vivian didn’t know what he was trying to express. The Blood Clan didn’t get sick and had basically no research in physiology and medicine.
She tugged at Bai Li’s clothes, shaking him back and forth, wanting a perfect answer – she really couldn’t understand.
“Well, it’s… um… we’re going to be parents.”
Vivian: ?
Actually, this was also within her expectations. Bai Li had no attachments – the forced contract could only get his person, not necessarily his heart.
Maybe leaving him with a child, out of a sense of responsibility, he definitely wouldn’t just abandon her like this.
That confession under the dome that day – neither of them knew about this matter. It was indeed quite sudden.
The council hall fell into rare silence. Vivian’s smile was a bit stiff, and so was Bai Li’s – both wearing performed expressions.