Vol 3. Chapter 33: Yu Black Rose
"Representative of the Sadik Empire, Yu Black Rose, has arrived."
As the attendant's announcement echoed through the hall,
the atmosphere inside the banquet immediately shifted.
Almost everyone stopped their conversations and turned their attention toward the entrance.
The Black Rose Family was now the most dominant force within the Sadik Empire and had established a fearsome reputation across the continent. Naturally, everyone looked on with unconcealed curiosity.
After all, although the Black Rose Family was famous, they almost never attended public events or accepted invitations. They were an exceptionally mysterious noble house.
The fact that the Sadik Empire's representative this time actually came from the Black Rose Family was completely beyond most people's expectations.
Over the past several decades, even when the family occasionally participated in official functions, they had only ever sent household servants. Even the coronation of the new Emperor of the Sadik Empire had been no exception.
It could be said that no direct member of the Black Rose Family had ever appeared before the public.
Yet this time...
Not only had they sent a direct descendant—
This "Yu Black Rose" even appeared to be the elder sister of the Duke of the Black Rose Family?
It seemed the Black Rose Family also attached great importance to Xue Tianao's coronation ceremony...
Thus,
under countless curious gazes,
the doors of the banquet hall slowly opened.
Escorted by several attendants,
a black-haired young woman gracefully stepped into the hall.
?!!
"T-That... She's Yu Black Rose?!"
The instant they saw her face,
almost everyone's heart skipped a beat.
Their eyes were filled with disbelief.
Quite a few people simply stood there in a daze, staring at the young lady of the Black Rose Family without blinking.
The black-haired girl was nothing short of breathtaking.
Her glossy black hair cascaded over her shoulders. A pair of crystal-clear sapphire-blue eyes shone with both clarity and natural authority. Her soft crimson lips and exquisitely delicate nose rested upon an incomparably beautiful face that was elegant, refined, and serene. Combined with her flawlessly smooth cheeks and fair skin that seemed delicate enough to break beneath a touch, she possessed beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
In terms of appearance,
among everyone present,
only the Child of Destiny could possibly rival her.
At this moment,
the eldest daughter of the Black Rose Family wore a black strapless evening gown.
Elegant purple lace accentuated her fair, slender legs, while every graceful curve of her figure was perfectly outlined.
She casually lifted a hand to brush aside a strand of hair resting against her lips.
The lightness of her fingertips carried an almost fairy-like liveliness.
A faint fragrance lingered where her silky black hair passed.
Her gaze resembled rippling autumn waters, gentle yet deeply affectionate.
Every smile and every subtle expression radiated incomparable elegance.
She possessed not only a young girl's captivating beauty, but also the commanding aura of someone born to stand above others.
A butterfly-shaped hairpin adorned her head.
Her graceful black hair naturally draped past her ears.
A pair of exquisite sapphire earrings hung from her pale, rosy earlobes.
Throughout it all,
a faint smile remained upon the black-haired girl's face.
Her bright eyes and radiant smile perfectly displayed her noble temperament.
Already blessed with unparalleled natural beauty,
paired with such an exquisite evening gown,
she seemed like a fairy who had stepped straight out of a fairy tale, effortlessly capturing everyone's hearts.
Although her beauty was equal to Mengxi's,
everyone had already been mentally prepared for the Child of Destiny.
The sudden appearance of the eldest daughter of the Black Rose Family, however, had been completely unexpected.
Many who were caught unprepared couldn't help revealing expressions of undisguised astonishment.
Nor was it only the young lady herself.
The two female attendants standing behind her also drew everyone's attention.
One was a black-haired young woman with a pair of dragon horns, dressed in a seductive black evening gown and carrying herself with imposing dignity.
The other was a petite pink-haired little girl in an adorable formal dress.
Despite appearing completely harmless,
both radiated overwhelming killing intent and a natural aura of authority that prevented anyone from underestimating them.
Behind the two women stood six burly male attendants,
each exuding an equally intimidating presence.
Although it was merely an ordinary entrance,
it gave everyone an indescribable sense of pressure.
Fortunately,
everyone present possessed considerable composure.
It didn't take long before they recovered from their shock.
—
"Is... is she really the eldest daughter of the Black Rose Family? She's gorgeous. Her beauty isn't inferior to the Child of Destiny's, is it?"
"I'd say they're evenly matched. Though personally, I prefer her more enchanting appearance."
"But if Miss Yu is the Duke of the Black Rose Family's elder sister... shouldn't she be rather old by now? Why does she look so young?"
"Judging by that barely concealed aura... she's a Seventh-Tier powerhouse. Rejuvenating one's appearance is perfectly normal."
"Seriously... How has someone this beautiful remained completely unknown?"
"Exactly. The Black Rose Family really knows how to keep secrets..."
"And those attendants... they've probably killed quite a few people."
"Heh. If they hadn't, how could they have become the greatest noble family in the Sadik Empire, second only to the imperial family? No... I'd even say the imperial family probably doesn't dare provoke the Black Rose Family anymore."
...
...
As expected,
the appearance of the Black Rose Family instantly became the center of everyone's attention.
Every conversation shifted toward this mysterious noble house and the black-haired young woman leading it.
The members of the Asumos Church were no exception.
After observing the black-haired girl for a moment,
White Yama couldn't help looking surprised.
"Wow, that girl's really beautiful. Don't you think so, Mengxi?... Hmm? Mengxi?"
Seeing that the silver-haired girl beside her gave no response,
confusion appeared in White Yama's azure eyes as she turned to look.
At that moment,
Mengxi's pale violet eyes trembled continuously,
her gaze completely locked onto the black-haired girl's face.
'Sister Yumo...'
—
The previous day.
Inside a cave outside Albiluo Gorge.
"You're saying... Karina... might... might be in danger?!"
After hearing Qiu Mingtong's report,
Yumo froze.
Karina was one of her most dependable—
and strongest—
children.
How... how had she been captured?
Was this really the power of the protagonist's plot armor?
Xue Tianao had actually defeated Karina?
Five hundred years ago,
when Yumo had first arrived on the Anqieka Continent,
she would undoubtedly have been overjoyed to hear that the Child of Destiny had defeated a Demon King-class existence.
She probably would have urged the protagonist to hurry up and kill the Demon King, completing the legendary quest.
But now...
Now that she truly cared about her children,
all she felt upon hearing the news was panic...
and overwhelming regret.
Regret for allowing Karina to continue wandering the continent alone.
The moment she imagined the child she had painstakingly raised being imprisoned...
tortured...
or even having her life endangered...
Yumo's heart was filled with anxiety.
After a brief moment of panic,
the thought of personally rescuing Karina gradually surfaced in her mind.
Yumo's eyes slowly became vacant.
A terrifying crimson glow filled them.
Deep within her pupils,
an eerie darkness emerged—
deeper than the Abyss itself,
more oppressive than death.
An indescribable impulse slowly consumed her thoughts.
The Power of Shadow of Silence inside her body began surging uncontrollably.
As that impulse arose,
an invisible and terrifying pressure burst from Yumo's body like a collapsing dam,
sweeping through the entire cave.
Whether they were ordinary members of the Nightingale Organization,
or powerful Saint-Class experts like Zhong Xizhi and Qiu Mingtong,
everyone felt an overwhelming pressure that nearly suffocated them.
Under that crushing force,
even the two Saint-Class experts couldn't help dropping to one knee.
Cold sweat trickled down Qiu Mingtong's forehead.
Just as expected.
The moment Lady Yumo learned Lady Karina was in danger...
she became like this.
Seriously...
I should've let Saiboke-Baniya explain it instead!
Qiu Mingtong couldn't help complaining inwardly.
Looking at Yumo's icy gaze, completely unlike her usual self,
and feeling the suffocating oppression hidden within those eyes,
Qiu Mingtong held her breath and hurriedly poured magic into the rare communication crystal beside her.
As the communication spell activated,
a deep, reliable male voice echoed through the cave.
The owner of that voice was none other than the head of the Black Rose Family—
Xiao Black Rose.
"Lady Yumo, please calm yourself. Lady Karina is not in immediate danger. The Child of Destiny has no intention of killing her. Furthermore... if you act impulsively now, you'll only end up causing Lady Karina's death."
The moment Xiao's words reached her,
Yumo—
who had nearly transformed into countless Blood Butterflies to rush straight to the capital—
abruptly stopped.
The strange darkness within her pupils slowly faded,
allowing a trace of reason to return.
Pressing a hand firmly against her head to suppress the bizarre impulse,
Yumo looked toward the glowing communication crystal in confusion.
"Xiao? W-What do you mean? What do you mean... I'd be the one to kill Karina?"
"The Child of Destiny intends to study the power within Lady Karina and trade the secrets of that power with the Holy Tower. Therefore, they won't kill her."
"However..."
"Lady Karina's true body has been pierced by the Child of Destiny's sword."
"If you rescue her by force, the Child of Destiny may release the terrifying divine power sealed within that sword."
"When that happens..."
"Lady Karina's life truly will be in danger..."
Listening to Xiao's voice, filled with apparent concern and unease,
Yumo slowly raised a hand to her forehead.
"H-How... how could this happen..."
"But Lady Yumo, you don't need to worry."
"Leave everything to us."
"We'll figure out how to rescue Lady Karina."
—
Back to the present.
Inside the banquet hall,
after recalling everything that had happened inside the cave while looking at the beautiful black-haired girl ahead,
Qiu Mingtong quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
As expected...
The Duke was still the reliable one.
He had successfully talked Lady Yumo down at the last possible moment.
If Lady Yumo had truly acted,
there was no doubt she would have rescued Lady Karina.
But...
Only Lady Karina.
At most,
Skyvault City would have suffered...
"a little"
destruction.
Clearly,
that wasn't their ultimate objective.
Thinking of this,
Qiu Mingtong thoughtfully gazed through the window toward the distant imperial palace.
If they wanted Lady Yumo to agree to make her move...
they still needed...
to push things just a little further.
'Hopefully... this so-called "Savior"... will cooperate~'
No.
He definitely would.