novelraw Chapter 104: I Want to Leave My Scent on West
Chapter 104: I Want to Leave My Scent on West
’I felt a little bad for Reiya, but how could a Talent I’d already acquired possibly take priority over a Tier T0 Combat Talent that I hadn’t gotten my hands on yet?’
Westheid was completely captivated by the sight of a Tier T0 Talent, to say nothing of a Combat Talent that would give his power an immediate and visible boost.
Yes, he was just that pragmatic.
However, Westheid did have a shred of a conscience and was unwilling to do this in front of Reiya... Or rather, it would be too awkward to do in her presence.
And so, Westheid mulled it over for a moment before slowly shaking his head under the Silver-haired Dragon Lady’s expectant gaze.
"I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t agree to your request to accompany me."
Duke Qinghui gently took the White-haired Dragon Lady’s hand and explained,
"This journey will be perilous, and there is no turning back. But even so, my odds of victory are quite high... You know me. I don’t fight battles I’m not prepared for. Since I’m going, I’m confident in my chances. You don’t need to worry so much."
"It’s theoretically possible for you to come with me, but that wouldn’t be the decision that maximizes our gains. You’ve only just reclaimed the status and authority that are rightfully yours; why not make good use of them? On the path to mastering one’s own fate, one needs followers..."
Westheid lectured her endlessly. The underlying meaning of his words was for the White-haired Dragon Lady to first stabilize her own position and make use of the power now at her disposal.
Although he dreamed of possessing the peerless might to single-handedly take down the whole damn world, Duke Qinghui had never underestimated the power of institutions and collectives. Especially in *Poem of Destiny*, the common people weren’t just NPCs in some grim world who respawned on a timer; when united, they were a true force to be reckoned with.
To completely ignore the will of the masses and act as the sole authority—not even a Legend could do that. One would have to be a[Transcender], a being above Legends, to have such power.
"So West thinks I’m useless? That I’d just be in the way?"
After listening to Westheid ramble on, Reiya cut right to the heart of the matter.p>This left Westheid speechless. He stared wide-eyed, stunned for a long moment before managing a rebuttal.
"No, of course not. I was just suggesting that you should first capitalize on the power in your hands."
The Imperial Family possesses immense power. Even if not the Emperor, a member is still an absolute Great Lord of the Imperial. Take Prince Yaligong, for example. Before the Trial, he could offer an entire major city as a bounty, because it was his private property! He was naturally free to give it away as he pleased.
However, these assets weren’t just bestowed upon members of the Royal Family out of thin air. The royals themselves had to acquire them by redeeming merits, accumulating political achievements in the provinces, or racking up military honors on the frontier. Only then, after going through the Imperial central bureaucracy, would vast territories and fortunes be transferred into a royal’s name.
A typical member of the Imperial Royal Family would begin to assemble their own retinue at the age of six or seven, and from there, it was a meteoric rise through the ranks.
Reiya was starting a decade late. She currently had no resources to her name and was virtually destitute.
"...Is it because I can’t make you feel secure?"
The White-haired Dragon Lady seemed to have come to her own conclusion. Her voice dropped as she began to lament,
"It’s true... Even though I managed to achieve decent results in the Trial with West’s help, it was all a fleeting illusion. I’m still weak. I fought desperately just for a moment’s respite. What right do I have to talk so big, to even think about saving West? I truly overestimated my own strength."
’No, seriously, can you stop projecting all this gravity?’
’I really can’t take it!’
Westheid felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. He quickly cleared his throat a few times.
"Ahem, well... I’m not exactly refusing. This war of reconquest will likely take a long time. We still need to prepare, muster the army, and train. You can use this time to your advantage. Then, once the battle to reclaim Qinghui Territory becomes truly intense, you can arrive with reinforcements. Wouldn’t that be perfect?"
This reason was far more convincing. Reiya’s gloomy expression immediately brightened.
The Silver-haired Dragon Lady gripped Westheid’s shoulders, tilted her head up, and stared at her lover with her magnificent Cang Tong eyes, which now seemed to be set ablaze.
"How can I give West the security he needs?"
"How much? What would be enough?"
’How am I supposed to answer that?!’
Westheid said awkwardly, "Just doing your best is enough... But if you insist on an answer, I hope you can reach the[Hero]Tier as soon as possible. If I could receive support from a unit on the level of the[Army of Light]during my arduous battle to reclaim my home, it would be a huge help. I wouldn’t need many—one or two hundred would be perfect."
Reiya’s eyelids drooped slightly at his words. She nodded.
"The[Hero]Tier... an[Army of Light]... I see. I understand."
The Silver-haired Princess immediately looked up, her gaze firm and resolute.
"I will do it. I’ll give it everything I have! The day after tomorrow... No, tomorrow. I will assemble my own Royal Attendant Corps, petition my Imperial Sister, and go earn merits. Whether it’s suppression, clean-up, or quelling unrest, it doesn’t matter. I will absolutely get it done in the shortest time possible."
Westheid said, "It’s not that urgent, really. Besides, I need to stay in the Imperial Capital for a few more days to prepare. You can’t leave before I do, can you?"
After thoroughly manipulating Reiya, and also being affected by her "gravity," Westheid actually did want to spend some energy comforting her.
But Reiya just shook her head.
"Indulging in the fleeting pleasure of your company will only erode my willpower. West, I can’t withstand the temptation. Every extra day I spend with you weakens my resolve... Besides, even if we are thousands of miles apart, our hearts are still connected. I can savor the memory of this day, and that will be my motivation."
"If that’s how you feel, then alright."
Seeing that Reiya had made her decision, Westheid didn’t try to hold her back.
’All in all, today’s objective has been met—in fact, it’s been exceeded. I’ve convinced Reiya, the future[Withered and Flourishing Dragon Emperor], to become my Apostle without any resentment. That future is now clearly in sight!’
And so, Westheid activated his[Withered Glory Sun]Talent again. The black blood he’d been coughing up vanished, color returned to his face, and his knees stopped trembling.
But then, Westheid suddenly found he didn’t know what to say.
"So... shall we get some rest for tonight?"
"Mhm."
Of course, Westheid didn’t send Reiya to the guest room—what kind of clueless move would that be?
After all, it wasn’t the first or second time they had shared a bed. They had always slept fully clothed, treating each other with the utmost respect, and he expected this time would be no exception.
It was only after Westheid led Reiya to his own room that he suddenly shivered, realizing the atmosphere felt a little... off.
Westheid spun around.
In the dim light, a pair of eyes—a mixture of deep violet and azure—seemed exceptionally bright. But those beautiful eyes no longer held their usual awe-inspiring and majestic air.
In its place was a fiery intensity that was not unfamiliar to Westheid. The shape of her beautiful eyes... they looked a bit like hearts. ’What is going on?!’
The White-haired Dragon Lady lightly bit the knuckle of her index finger. After a moment’s consideration, she spoke.
"Hey, West... I did say I can’t resist temptation, didn’t I?"
’Something’s not right. This look in your eyes is all wrong.’
Westheid unconsciously took a step back, but Reiya advanced several steps, wrapping her arms around his neck. A hot, sweet, humid breath washed over his face.
"I understand that you must do everything in your power to produce an heir for your family and your mission. But I also despise those people from Yuanxi Palace. I don’t want my mood to be ruined by some other scent when I kiss you."
’Wait! When you said you were going to "savor the memory of this day," you couldn’t have meant...’
The silver-haired girl’s lips pressed gently against her lover’s cheek, her voice a dreamlike whisper.
"So, I’m going to... completely cover you in my scent."