The night was specially cold as the wind blew strongly against their skin. The trees swayed and their leaves created a melody. Chang Xiuying was sitting at the very top of the building as she gazed at the ruins and beyond that, the bustling city that covered the landscape with lights.
She sighed as she hugged her knees. The matter of women being used as slaves was new to her. It didn't sit right and she wanted to change this world's view. There were a lot of women suffering and were treated as trash. After all, she is a woman herself.
"What are you doing here, Xiuying?" A male voice came behind her.
She responded as she didn't tear her gaze from the city, "I… was just contemplating. How about you? What are you doing here, Alaric?"
"I can't sleep."
"Lies."
"Ahaha… I was just wondering where you are since you were gone, and then saw you here. What are you contemplating about?"
"This world," she replied shortly.
"Do you mean their treatment to women?"
"Yeah."
"I don't accept it either. Women should be treasured just like how the jewel they are. What are you going to do about it then? Change their viewpoint? That would be hard. Since their values ran deep in their bones."
"I know. That's why I am contemplating."
Alaric remained quiet as he heard Nathaniel's cry from below. They didn't move and let themselves be immersed with the cold feeling of the wind. Suddenly, they saw the portal flickered and there was a man that came out. Alaric didn't know who he was but Chang Xiuying could recognize him.
Jude of the Blanche.
There were a lot of people coming these days. Though it had been two days since the day when Alaric and Flora came here.
"Hmm… what is that man doing here?"
"Maybe he is curious?" Chang Xiuying shrugged.
"Hmm..."
"We should go and sleep now. They'll realize that we were gone sooner or later," she stood up then patted Alaric's shoulder.
"Alright," then they disappeared from the rooftop.
Meanwhile, Jude looked around and tried to sense the surroundings if there were unusual uses of power. He also sniffed around and at the end, he found nothing. It had been almost a week since Chang Xiuying entered the Gate of Lasirion. She might be out there, far away from where he was.
He still remembered how his superior caught on about his future plan about concealing Chang Xiuying's identity from the Blanche. It was a nightmarish experience for him. His hands were trembling and he could feel his back covered in cold sweats. After all… he hid the identity of a woman who could ruin the universe with only her strength. The Blanche was terrified of this threat and was afraid if there would be another serial killings just like how the Primordial Emperor did hundreds of years ago. However, the matter this time was huge.
Chang Xiuying held greater power than the Emperor himself. Even if the Emperor doubled himself, he still wouldn't be able to contend against his own daughter. If she was allowed to grow more, there would be another terror in the universe.
Jude sighed and continued his walk towards a place where human activity was more active.
Just before he entered the city, males looked at him with awe and sometimes, lust. Because of his great looks and good build, he garnered the attention of all males. However, he tilted his head as he looked around.
Females were scarce and they were treated as slaves by the males.
If he ever knew how Chang Xiuying's mind worked, she would definitely not be here. Even women in the previous world would never be here. So, he went in another direction. He had to find her quickly and kill her. However… considering that she killed numerous Calamity monsters, he would never be able to kill her. Instead, he would be the one who would be killed.
For that reason, he had to wait for the reinforcement that the Blanche sent.
They were given the mission of extermination. At all cost.
Before that, he had to find Chang Xiuying before them.
He released his mana to search for that familiar power and searched the whole area. But he didn't find it. So, his search in the ruins and the city was done.
Morning came and Chang Xiuying heard a small giggle from Nathaniel. The baby was standing as he steadied himself using the railing of his crib and was babbling. When he saw Chang Xiuying got up, he squealed.
Chang Xiuying smiled and stood then approached Nathaniel.
"Good morning, Nathaniel~. How are you?"
"Wa! Bu bu..."
She lifted the baby out of his crib and then settled him on her chest. Nathaniel was quiet as he stopped all movement.
"Good morning..." Noella greeted as she rubbed her eye.
Nathaniel saw her and immediately squealed, reaching out his hands towards his mother. Noella smiled and took him into her embrace.
"I'll prepare breakfast," Chang Xiuying said as she went to the kitchen.
Then, Flora woke up and joined Chang Xiuying in the kitchen. Just when they finished setting up the table, Alaric woke up as he scratched his toned stomach.
"Haaaa. Good morning," he said, sitting down on one of the empty chairs.
"Are you going to hunt again, Noella?" Chang Xiuying asked as they began eating.
"Yeah. I have a lot to buy for Nathaniel."
"I wish I could come..." Flora sighed.
"Rather… wouldn't buying baby things be done by women? I'll buy the necessities," Chang Xiuying suggested.
"But---"
"They'll find it strange if a man did what a woman should do."
"... you're right. I'll list them all in the paper after I get the money."
"Can I come too, Master?"
"They'll find it strange too, Flora."
"Haa… fine."
"Alright, I should prepare now," Noella said as she stood up from her seat.
"Do you need any help?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Alright."
***
At the outskirts of the ruined city, came the troops of the demon army. The atmosphere was filled with death aura as they marched towards their destination; the portal of the ruined city.
From the surviving demons from their attack a few years ago, they said that it was abundant with natural resources that they could even feed the whole army with delicious food for a month. However, there was a great threat. A woman who wields weapons as if it was part of her body. She was too strong that even their Calamity-ranked monsters didn't stand a chance against her.
Now, with stronger official forces, they will return to claim the land that would be theirs.
In a day, they would be able to arrive in front of the portal. The commander in front of the force squinted his slitted red eyes. "We can arrive much faster if we hasten our march."
However, his vice-commander thought the opposite. "Commander, we need to maintain this pace and let our people gain more energy to fight the woman."
The commander scoffed, "I could take down twenty Calamity monsters on my own. That woman only took down how many?"
"Fifteen, sire."
"And do you think that woman can take on twenty on her own after years of inactivity?"
"No, sire."
"That's right. I can take her on my own, so focus on attacking."
"Yes, sire."
The commander kicked the thigh of his horse as it accelerated towards the portal. The army raised their voices and followed suit.
Meanwhile, Chang Xiuying's senses were greatly disturbed as soon as she heard collective shouts from afar. She could feel death coming near her.
She settled Nathaniel down with Alaric and said, "Emergency. Protect Nathaniel."
"Xiuying?"
However, she didn't wait and bolted out of the door. She hastily dodged all the wires. As soon as she got out of the forest, she could see dark clouds approaching fast towards the portal. She tightened her leg muscles and immediately ran.
When she arrived in front of the portal, the demonic army stopped. "A woman dares to stop us?" The commander said.
"Certainly," Chang Xiuying smirked then summoned a sword from her item box. She took a stance, pointing the tip towards the powerful foe she had to face to protect Lasirion.
"Co-commander," suddenly, someone approached the commander with trembling legs.
"That's the woman."
"Hooh… she's too weak. Did she really fight and kill those monsters?"
"Yes… yes. I saw it with my own eyes."
"Impressive..."
"Planning to attack the other side?" Chang Xiuying boldly asked.
"What? Going to protect the other side?"
"I will let you go, of course. Once you kill me, that is."
The commander laughed, he unmounted his horse then unsheathed his sword. "I alone is enough for you."
Instead of words, Chang Xiuying released her limiter and decreased the distance between them in a second. The demon commander widened his eyes as he blocked her sudden attack.
"Ugh," he groaned as he felt the great power of the woman before him.
"You… are a worthy opponent," he suddenly blurted out.
"I guess so?"
"Heh. Since you are a worthy opponent, I shall give you my name."
"Is that the standard practice?"
"I am Zalagarth. First commander of His Majesty's demonic army."
"Hell if I care," Chang Xiuying muttered and then launched a horizontal slash against Zalagarth's torso. It was a clean attack, but it was parried. Chang Xiuying continuously slashed and blocked the enemy's attacks as their power was evenly matched. Their movement was too fast and the power behind their every strike created sparks every time it connected.
"This is the first time I had this much fun!" Zalagarth muttered with a heave.
"Fun? You're too old to enjoy ferocious fights, old man."
"I am only 214 years old! Besides, I have a youthful face!"
"You are heaving, old man."
Suddenly, Chang Xiuying felt the demon army advanced towards the portal.