Chapter 77

{Ah... what's wrong? Have you had enough fun? }

{Perfect, I'm a bit tired too. Let's sit at the bar for a while. }

Liuying noticed Xing's pale expression,

thinking she was just worn out from playing,

and led her to sit on a barstool to rest.

{Did you have fun, Xing? }

{This land of dreams—Pinoconny—"The Golden Moment"—is still wonderful, isn't it? }

Going behind the bar,

Liuying began chatting with Xing.

But somehow,

her tone carried a faint sadness.

{You sound a little sad... why? }

Xing keenly sensed this.

{It's not quite sadness. It's just... this dream is too loving, too forgiving. }

{It's vast and deep, like an ocean where even the most obscure commoner can sleep in peace. }

{... I'm truly grateful you chose to help me. That's why I can introduce you to this paradise—it accepts me, even though I don't belong here. I love it. }

{That's why I wanted to... share it with others. }

Liuying looked at Xing sincerely,

her words brimming with gratitude.

{So... are you really a stowaway? }

As Xing listened to Liuying's words,

she felt something was deeply off.

{I... I have legal status... }

Liuying's expression changed, and she stammered a reply.

{Now... Xing, could you please come closer? }

{Closer—I want to ask you a question... }

Liuying's gaze suddenly sharpened again,

and she asked Xing to come nearer.

Though Liuying seemed strangely odd now,

almost like she was about to slit her kidneys,

Xing trusted her own skills as the Galaxy Baseball Hero,

so she moved closer to Liuying.

To see what Liuying was really up to.

{... May I ask, did you come to Pinoconny alone? }

Liuying asked a question that struck Xing as utterly bizarre.

{I did. At least, I am now. }

Xing crossed her arms,

her expression growing slightly cold.

She had a feeling Liuying was about to strike her.

Her mind began calculating,

how to punish this adorable yet infuriating little girl.

{I see... I understand... }

{You may have realized it, or you may not—but I've been leading you on detours, to all sorts of places, because... }

Liuying spoke slowly,

as if about to reveal her purpose.

But her next sentence left Xing stunned.

{Because someone is following you! }

Liuying's tone turned suddenly serious.

Xing instinctively wanted to turn around.

But Liuying stopped her.

{—Don't turn around. I'm certain his target is you; he hasn't lost sight of us since we said goodbye to Mr. Gallagher. }

{I considered whether he might be your friend, but my instinct says no. }

{He's about 1.8 meters tall, within two centimeters, with a muscular build, clearly trained. His strides are long, yet he makes no sound when he walks—extremely light. This gait leaves no footprints... }

{... He's clearly skilled in combat—the stealthy kind. His palms are broad, but his fingers are long and agile. I suspect he favors a blade—a short knife, a dagger... }

{Do you know someone like this? Wine-red coat, green eyes, dark blue hair... }

Liuying spoke rapidly, her analysis swift and sharp.

Leaving Xing speechless.

Funinga: "Do the Iris family's performers really cover such a wide range?!"

Funinga: "They even have surveillance skills?! And so precise?!"

Servant: "Hehe, this ability can't be explained by mere surveillance skills."

Servant: "In my understanding, only an extremely professional assassin could possess such composure."

March 7th: "A... assassin?!"

March 7th: "Young Lady Lingying is so adorable—how could she possibly be an assassin?"

Scattered Soldier: "Hahaha, why not?"

Scattered Soldier: "Perhaps this frail appearance is precisely what she deliberately disguised?"

Scattered Soldier: "And the real her might be a demon drenched in blood!"

Stelle: "You're full of shit! Don't slander Lingying here!"

Stelle: "No matter what identity she hides, I believe she would never harm me!"

Lingying: "... Why... are you so certain?"

Lingying: "I've been so suspicious already..."

Stelle: "Because... you're truly beautiful!"

Silver Wolf: "So your morals follow your looks, huh?"

Silver Wolf: "Aren't you afraid someone might sell you off?"

Stelle: "Hmph, first, to sell me, she'd at least need beauty equal to Lingying's!"

Stelle: "Second, she'd need a body that can take a beating!"

"Hmph, do you really think I'm that naive?"

"I'm plenty clever."

"How could I possibly be sold off?"

Inside the carriage,

Stelle watched the others' remarks,

couldn't help letting out a cold snort.

In the video,

【Ah, here he comes!】

After analyzing,

Lingying saw the person tailing them,

walking openly toward them.

【Well, if it isn't my loyal big customer—Stelle!】

【It's been such a long time, darling!】