novelraw Chapter 91: A Leopard Cannot Change Its Spots
Chapter 91: A Leopard Cannot Change Its Spots
The Radiant Holy Tree Empire was open and cosmopolitan. Its Imperial Capital alone hosted a great number of students from the various Mortal Countries. People of all races could be found there, and exotic attire was a common sight.
But even so, someone as striking as Mivana was a rarity.
Her slightly oversized sleeves were embroidered with the insignia of the Yonglan Riding God. A black, double-breasted knight’s tunic clung tightly to her skin, accentuating her figure. The front was stretched taut over her ample bust, leaving not a single wrinkle.
Despite her Ranger Knight attire, she had fluffy beast ears that twitched occasionally in the breeze, and a large, swaying tail that marked her as a Beastman—a race completely out of place in the Country of Yonglan.
Her slender waist gave way to long, shapely, and fair-skinned thighs clad in hot pants. She stood perfectly straight in a pair of tall boots.
Beyond the dashing flair of her cloak, the Knightess’s lovely face possessed a stark, handsome beauty utterly different from that of a delicate noble heiress. Her firmly pressed lips hinted at an ascetic nature, while her purple-black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, lending Mivana an air of cool-toned mystery.
Although there was nothing aggressive about her temperament, and Mivana’s expression and conduct were very proper, her very presence was still enough to send a chill down one’s spine.
It was a threat perceived by life’s basic instincts, an urge to stay away from this "Monster."
The Wolf-eared Maiden looked left and right before the gates of the Qinghui Family’s manor, hesitating, until Yolanda appeared at the entrance.
Mivana: "Excuse me, is this the residence of Duke Qinghui, Westheid?"
Yolanda replied reflexively:
"How did you know that the Patriarch of our Qinghui Clan is a master of both pen and sword, wise and courageous, who dominated the battlefield in the Secret Realm Trial, strategized masterfully, and ultimately seized the championship crown—the first in one hundred and twenty-six years—thereby earning the Divine Ancestor’s personal favor and receiving a divine blessing?"
Westheid, who was just approaching, heard Yolanda’s spiel and found it hard to keep a straight face.
He cleared his throat and immediately rebuked her.
"Yolanda! It’s one thing to show off to others, but Mivana was a great help to me in the Trial. Without her assistance, I never would have won the final victory. Is that any way to behave? Is it?!"
’Something like that happened? I don’t think she appeared in the documentary about the Trial...’
Yolanda was surprised for a moment, but then she realized the nature of an officially edited documentary—it was all about who the officials wanted to promote.
Compared to the so-called official documentary, the account of an actual participant was far more persuasive.
And so, the platinum-blonde girl solemnly apologized to Mivana.
"Thank you for your help during the Trial. I shouldn’t have used your share of the glory as a reason to boast. It was truly shameful of me."
Mivana shook her head gently. "There’s no need to apologize. I don’t care about the glory from the Secret Realm Trial. It doesn’t matter whether people know about it or not."
The Wolf-eared Maiden turned to Westheid and said:
"Mr. Westheid, I mentioned during the Secret Realm Trial that I would come visit you. Since your gates have been thronged with guests these past few days, I waited several days before paying my visit."
Westheid immediately exclaimed, "You are too modest. You are more distinguished than any of my other guests. Had I known you were coming, these gates would have been opened for you alone!"
"Ah, that’s not necessary."
"But you’re not too late now! Please, come in, come in!"
Mivana was taken aback for a moment by Duke Qinghui’s enthusiasm, then nodded.
"Mm, pardon the intrusion."
Westheid led the Wolf-eared Maiden to the manor’s drawing room. The moment she sat down, she brought her legs together and straightened her back, her posture exceptionally prim and proper as she began to speak:
"Mr. Westheid, the purpose of my visit is to ask for your guidance on how to... um, tame my instincts."
’Straight to the point, huh? This won’t do.’
Westheid didn’t address the topic directly, but instead changed the subject.
"Are you getting used to the Imperial Capital, Mivana? The Empire and the Country of Yonglan are quite different, after all."
’He’s already calling me by my first name?’
One of Mivana’s wolf ears drooped limply, her golden eyes betraying an adorable bewilderment.
She clearly couldn’t handle the handsome young man’s enthusiasm. She reached up to fiddle with the hair on her shoulder and said:
"Um, although I’m in a foreign land, I feel that the Imperial Citizens are quite friendly. They haven’t discriminated against me because of my race. On the contrary, they’ve been somewhat..."
"Giving you preferential treatment, right?"
Westheid smiled. "That’s because Imperial Citizens are very hospitable. Outsiders can always make their way in the Empire. That’s a huge difference compared to the Country of Yonglan."
Mivana’s wolf ears perked up. "Mr. Westheid, are you also very familiar with the Country of Yonglan?"
"Of course. The Country of Yonglan is practically my second home..."
The best way to get closer to any of the Yonglan People was to talk about their homeland. It was true for Rafati, and Mivana was no exception. She quickly forgot the purpose of her visit and started chatting with Westheid about the homeland she hadn’t seen in so long.
Just as Westheid and Mivana were chatting happily, Yolanda brought tea from the kitchen.
The platinum-blonde girl reported to her elder brother as she filled Westheid’s teacup:
"Oh, right, Brother. I’ve already sent invitation letters to the two Branches of Prosperity. Yuanxi Palace said they will come over tomorrow to discuss the details in person, and the Shadow Flame Duke also gave a positive reply."
Yolanda raised her shapely eyebrows happily and said, "They are all willing to help us retake the Qinghui Territory."
’In the platinum-blonde girl’s eyes, this was proof that a just cause attracts much support! The aid from the Branches of Prosperity had come so smoothly and generously; her brother would surely be pleased to hear the news.’
However, upon hearing this, Westheid didn’t even turn his head, frowning impatiently as he said:
"Whatever, that can wait. Go somewhere else; don’t ruin this for me!"
Yolanda: "???"
’Weren’t you the one who told me to handle this? You were so earnest about it, acting like it was the most important thing in the world. How did it suddenly become "whatever" in the blink of an eye?’
Yolanda’s eyelids drooped slightly. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Westheid and Mivana. She performed a tactical lean-back and let out a long, drawn-out "Ohhh."
’His old habits are flaring up again. A leopard can’t change its spots!’
If this had been before, Yolanda would have definitely tried her best to advise Westheid to think less with his lower body.
’But after the Secret Realm Trial, she felt she could afford to trust her brother a little more.’
’This was a trivial matter, so she’d let it slide. For the patriarch of a declining family, a voracious appetite was, in fact, a virtue.’
"Alright, I won’t disturb you two then. But, Brother... do try to exercise some restraint."
Yolanda clicked her tongue and retreated.
Westheid could pretty much guess what Yolanda was thinking, but he didn’t care what his sister thought.
’Thinking with my little head, was she? Of course I’m handling proper business!’
Under the pressure of the Chaos Erosion, Westheid had to admit his power-level anxiety was acting up again. Both his Withered Glory Sun and Dragon Soul Furnace were developmental Talents.
In terms of future potential, they were certainly promising. The extent of the surprise his two Tier T0 Talents could deliver was directly proportional to his own daring.
But the problem was, Westheid would have to retake his homeland soon. He didn’t have time for them to grow. What he needed right now was combat power he could use immediately!