"Should we go?" the vice guildmaster, Laurren, asked.
"I want to explore the capital," Su Lingxi replied, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Okay then, since this is your first time here, don't wander too far and don't cause trouble, okay?" Laurren advised, her tone both stern and caring.
"Yes, Vice Guildmaster," Su Lingxi promised with a nod.
Laurren gave a small smile before turning and walking towards the Adventurers Guild branch in the capital. Su Lingxi watched her go for a moment, then turned her attention to the bustling streets around her.
With no particular destination in mind, Su Lingxi began to walk aimlessly through the city. The sights and sounds of the capital were a stark contrast to the quiet village and the forest she had known. Colorful market stalls lined the streets, merchants calling out their wares, and people from all walks of life hurried about their business.
She passed by a blacksmith's shop where the clang of metal rang out, a bakery with the enticing smell of fresh bread wafting through the air, and a street performer juggling flaming torches to the delight of a gathered crowd. Every corner she turned revealed something new and fascinating.
As she wandered, Su Lingxi couldn't help but reflect on her journey so far. From her quiet village to the trials she faced, and now to the heart of the kingdom, her life had changed dramatically. She was no longer the frightened girl running from her past; she was a powerful adventurer with a mission.
Lost in thought, Su Lingxi found herself in a quieter part of the city, near a small park with a fountain at its center. She took a seat on a bench, allowing herself a moment of rest and contemplation.
"Excuse me, miss," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see a young girl with wide eyes staring at her. "Are you an adventurer?"
Su Lingxi smiled gently. "Yes, I am."
"Wow! That's so cool! My brother says adventurers are heroes who protect everyone," the girl said, her face lighting up with excitement.
Su Lingxi chuckled softly. "Your brother is right. Adventurers do their best to protect and help others."
The girl's mother appeared, giving Su Lingxi a polite nod as she took her daughter's hand. "Thank you for your service," she said warmly before leading the girl away.
Watching them go, Su Lingxi felt a renewed sense of purpose. She stood up and continued her exploration, her mind more focused. She knew she had a role to play in the events unfolding in the kingdom, and she was determined to be ready for whatever came next.
As she walked, she felt a strange tingling sensation, as if she were being watched. She paused, glancing around the busy street. In the crowd, she spotted a figure in a dark cloak who seemed to be following her. Her heart raced as she realized she might not be as alone as she thought.
Deciding to confront the situation head-on, Su Lingxi slipped into a nearby alleyway, waiting for the cloaked figure to follow. When the figure entered the alley, she stepped out of the shadows, her hand resting on the hilt of her newly reacquired Orb of weaponry.
"Why are you following me?" Su Lingxi demanded, her voice steady and commanding.
The figure lowered their hood, revealing the face of Aurelius. "I have been sent by the princess. She wishes to speak with you, Su Lingxi," he said, his tone respectful but urgent.
"The princess?" Su Lingxi echoed, surprise flickering in her eyes.
"Yes. She believes you have a crucial role to play in the events to come. Please, will you come with me?" Aurelius asked.
Su Lingxi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Lead the way."
As she followed Aurelius through the winding streets of the capital, Su Lingxi couldn't shake the feeling that her journey was about to take a significant turn. She was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, with her newfound strength and resolve guiding her every step.
As Su Lingxi and Aurelius walked towards the castle, they passed by a slave merchant's stall. Rows of slaves were chained up, their expressions a mix of fear, despair, and resignation. Among them, one female slave caught Su Lingxi's eye. She had numerous wounds and bruises, the evidence of severe beatings marked by violet patches all over her body.
Su Lingxi's heart raced as she looked closer. Recognition dawned on her, and her breath caught in her throat. The slave was her sister, Xue Li.
Her emotions flared up, and without a second thought, Su Lingxi broke into a run towards her sister. "Xue Li!" she called out, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Aurelius shouted, his voice laced with urgency as he tried to keep up with her.
Su Lingxi reached her sister and knelt beside her, gently lifting her head. "Xue Li, it's me, Su Lingxi," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Xue Li's eyes fluttered open, filled with pain and confusion. "Su... Lingxi?" she murmured weakly, struggling to focus on her sister's face.
The slave merchant noticed the commotion and approached with a scowl. "Hey, what do you think you're doing? That slave is not for touching unless you're buying," he growled.
Su Lingxi stood up, her eyes blazing with fury. "How much for her?" she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
The merchant eyed her warily, recognizing the fire in her eyes. "She's not cheap. 100 gold coins," he replied, testing her resolve.
Without hesitation, Su Lingxi reached into her pouch and pulled out a handful of gold coins. She counted them quickly, then threw the full amount at the merchant's feet. "Here. Now unchain her," she ordered.
The merchant, taken aback by her fierce determination and the sudden influx of gold, hurriedly complied. He unlocked the chains binding Xue Li and stepped back, wary of further confrontation.
Su Lingxi gently helped Xue Li to her feet, supporting her as she struggled to stand. "It's okay now, Xue Li. You're safe," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing.
Aurelius caught up to them, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. "Who is she?" he asked, his voice gentler now.
"She's my sister," Su Lingxi replied, her voice firm despite the tears streaming down her face. "We need to get her to safety."
Aurelius nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Let's get her to the castle. The princess will understand," he said, offering his support.
Together, they carefully made their way towards the castle, Su Lingxi never letting go of her sister's hand. The journey that had brought her to this point had taken an unexpected turn, but Su Lingxi knew one thing for certain: she would protect Xue Li at any cost.
The three arrived at the castle, with Su Lingxi supporting her sister, Xue Li, who was still weak from her ordeal. The Princess met them in the grand hall, her expression a mixture of relief and concern.
"And that concludes my report, Princess," Aurelius said, bowing slightly.
"So this poor child is your sister, Su Lingxi?" the Princess asked, her eyes softening as she looked at the sleeping Xue Li.
Su Lingxi nodded, her gaze fixed on her sister. "Yes, Princess. She must have faced countless horrors in her time as a slave."
The Princess sighed, her heart heavy with the burden of the injustices within her kingdom. "What are your plans now?" she asked, turning her attention back to Su Lingxi.
"I came here with the Vice Guildmaster of the Adventurers Guild in Larkfield Village," Su Lingxi replied.
"The Prince's territory?" Aurelius interjected, his eyes widening. "How did you get there?"
"I woke up close to that village, Princess," Su Lingxi explained. "We came here to report the Princess's recent movements."
"WHAT!" Aurelius exclaimed, shocked by the revelation.
The Princess's eyes narrowed with concern. "The Princess's movements? What do you mean?"
Su Lingxi took a deep breath, steadying herself. "We have reason to believe that the Princess is involved in some suspicious activities. The Vice Guildmaster and I witnessed evidence that suggests she's colluding with the Assassin's Guild."
The Princess's expression darkened, her mind racing. "This is grave news indeed. We must act swiftly to uncover the truth and protect the kingdom."
Aurelius, still reeling from the information, looked to the Princess. "What should we do, Your Highness?"
The Princess considered for a moment before responding. "First, we must ensure Xue Li's safety and well-being. She needs medical attention and rest. Su Lingxi, you stay with her and make sure she's taken care of."
Su Lingxi nodded, grateful for the Princess's understanding and support.
"Aurelius," the Princess continued, "gather our trusted advisors and prepare for an urgent council meeting. We need to discuss our next steps and formulate a plan to investigate the Princess's actions."
"Yes, Your Highness," Aurelius said, bowing before hurrying off to carry out her orders.
The Princess turned back to Su Lingxi, her expression softening. "You have been through much, Su Lingxi. Your strength and determination are commendable. Rest now, and we will take it from here. Your sister is in safe hands."
"Thank you, Princess," Su Lingxi replied, her voice filled with gratitude.
With that, the Princess led Su Lingxi and Xue Li to a private chamber where healers were waiting. As the healers tended to Xue Li's wounds, Su Lingxi watched over her, a newfound sense of purpose and resolve filling her heart. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with the support of the Princess and the strength she had gained, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As Su Lingxi watched the healers tend to her sister, Xue Li, she couldn't help but wonder about the royal family. Turning to one of the healers, she asked, "Is there any other royalty besides the Princess and the Prince?"
The healer replied, "There's only the two of them."
This revelation solidified Su Lingxi's understanding that the Larkfield Village and the Adventurer's Guild were allied with the Prince. Her thoughts were interrupted by one of the healers, who gently commented, "Poor child. She's probably experienced hell while being a slave."
Another healer asked, "Should we erase her memory, or would you prefer we do something else?"
Su Lingxi pondered the question. She knew her sister was strong and might not want to forget entirely, as those experiences had likely shaped her. However, she didn't want Xue Li to be burdened by the pain of those memories.
"She's strong," Su Lingxi thought to herself. "She probably wouldn't want to remember everything, but she also shouldn't have to feel the pain."
After careful consideration, Su Lingxi addressed the healer, "Make her remember, but remove the emotional trauma. She should retain the memories without the pain."
The healer nodded, understanding the delicate nature of the request. "As you wish," they replied.
With gentle precision, the healer worked to remove the emotional weight from Xue Li's memories. Slowly, Xue Li's expression softened, the visible tension in her face easing as the painful experiences were alleviated.
Su Lingxi watched with a mix of relief and sadness, knowing that while her sister's memories would remain, the burden of the trauma would be lifted. She hoped that this would allow Xue Li to heal and find strength in her past without being haunted by it.
As the healing process continued, Su Lingxi remained by her sister's side, holding her hand and offering silent support. She knew the road to recovery would be long, but together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The next day, as Su Lingxi watched over her sleeping sister, Xue Li, the door to the room quietly opened. Aurelious and Princess Celestia entered, their presence bringing a sense of calm and authority.
"Su Lingxi, can we talk?" Aurelious asked gently.
"Yes," Su Lingxi replied, standing up to face them.
"First, I'll introduce myself," Princess Celestia announced with regal grace. "My name is Celestia Valtoria Arcanis, the 1st Princess of the Arcane Kingdom." She introduced herself with an air of elegance and sincerity. "I apologize for the late introduction. I should have introduced myself when you agreed to be my subordinate, and for that, I'm sorry." The Princess bowed slightly, a gesture of humility and respect.
"It's okay," Su Lingxi reassured her.
"Thank you for helping my sister. Our deal from the past is still active. I'm still the Princess's subordinate," Su Lingxi affirmed.
"Thank you," the Princess replied, gratitude evident in her voice.
"It looks like you've gained many opportunities, Ms. Su Lingxi," Aurelious observed, noting her evident growth and strength.
"Indeed, I've improved significantly in the last few days," Su Lingxi acknowledged.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Xue Li stirring. She blinked awake, her eyes slowly adjusting to the room. Su Lingxi immediately turned her attention to her sister, kneeling beside her bed.
"Xue Li, how are you feeling?" Su Lingxi asked softly.
Xue Li looked around, confusion and recognition flickering in her eyes. "Sister?" she whispered, her voice weak but filled with relief.
"I'm here," Su Lingxi said, squeezing her sister's hand gently. "You're safe now."
Princess Celestia stepped forward, her presence calm and reassuring. "Welcome back, Xue Li. You are among friends here. Take your time to heal."
Xue Li nodded, her eyes filling with tears as she felt the warmth and support around her. The road ahead was still uncertain, but with her sister and newfound allies by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope.
As the day progressed, Su Lingxi, Aurelious, and Princess Celestia discussed their next steps, mindful of Xue Li's recovery. They knew that the challenges were far from over, but together, they were determined to face whatever came their way.
The next day, Su Lingxi entered the room with a tray of food in hand. She saw Xue Li sitting by the window, staring blankly and emotionlessly at the outside world.
"Are you alright to be sitting?" Su Lingxi asked with concern.
Xue Li turned her hollow eyes towards her sister. "Sister, why don't I feel anything with my memories of being a slave?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion.
Su Lingxi put down the tray of food on the bedside table and took a deep breath. "I asked the healers to turn the emotions tied to those memories into mere experiences so that they wouldn't hurt you," she explained gently.
"I see... You did that to help me because you thought I might hurt myself?" Xue Li asked, still emotionless.
"Yes, because I was worried you might do something to yourself," Su Lingxi replied softly.
"So, Sister killed me first before I could kill myself. That's nice of you, Sister Xue Li," Xue Li said, her voice tinged with a sad tone despite her emotionless face. "I forgot you already changed your name to remove yourself from your past, Ms. Su Lingxi."
Su Lingxi felt a pang of sadness at her sister's words. "I did it to protect you, Xue Li. I didn't want you to suffer any more than you already have."
Xue Li turned back to the window, her eyes still hollow. "I understand, Sister. But now, I don't know who I am. Without those emotions, I feel... empty."
Su Lingxi sat down beside her sister, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You are still you, Xue Li. You are strong, and you will find your way. We will find your way together."
Xue Li nodded slowly, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. "Thank you, Sister. I will try to find myself again."
Su Lingxi smiled, albeit sadly. "Take your time. We have all the time in the world."
As the sisters sat together, the bond between them began to mend, each drawing strength from the other. Despite the pain and the emptiness, there was hope. And with hope, they could face the future together.
The weight of Xue Li's words lingered heavily in Su Lingxi's mind as she retreated to her room. The sadness in her sister's voice, despite her emotionless demeanor, struck a chord deep within her.
Su Lingxi sank onto her bed, her thoughts consumed by guilt and sorrow. She couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility for her sister's suffering, a burden that weighed heavily on her heart.
"I'm sorry, Xue Li," Su Lingxi whispered into the silence of her room, her voice barely audible. "I'm sorry for everything you've been through."
As she reflected on her sister's words, Su Lingxi made a silent vow to herself. She would do whatever it took to protect Xue Li and ensure her safety. No matter the challenges that lay ahead, she would stand by her sister's side, a beacon of strength and support in her darkest moments.