“No.
“I am here to find my lost treasure.”
Cen Yao’s voice was not loud, but it sounded like an icy bead falling onto a silver platter, echoing clearly and coldly in the middle of the main street.
The young man opposite her was clearly taken aback.
The easy, confident smile on his face faded slightly, and his previously somewhat disdainful gaze finally turned solemn.
Finding a lost treasure.
This phrase sounded very ordinary.
But in this dungeon, coming from the mouth of a Witch, it was a completely different matter.
The young man straightened up, reassessing Cen Yao.
Only, Cen Yao no longer cared much about his reaction.
What she cared more about right now was where she would stay tonight.
This was only the second day.
There were still five days left until the Little Princess’s Full Moon Feast.
The royal capital was so large, and the palace clearly harbored issues. Diving straight in without any preparation would be no different from delivering herself as a free meal to the dungeon.
Cen Yao did not fight unprepared battles.
She needed to find a place to settle down first, then use these few days to thoroughly explore every searchable area in the royal capital.
Along the way, she also needed to craft some self-defense potions and minor items.
Magic power was not infinite.
The dark element could not be used recklessly either.
The lingering side effects from last night had not fully dissipated even now, and Cen Yao did not want to experience the feeling of almost being dragged away by negative emotions again.
Therefore, for anything that could be resolved with potions, she should avoid risking her life as much as possible.
She lifted her foot to bypass the young man, preparing to leave.
Before she could take more than a few steps, that gentle voice sounded from behind her once more.
“Lady Witch, are you looking for a place to rest?”
Cen Yao did not turn around.
Nor did she respond.
The young man was not embarrassed. On the contrary, as if he had long expected her not to pay attention to him easily, he continued, “I know a place that is rarely disturbed by outsiders, and it is also very safe.”
Safe?
Cen Yao’s steps paused slightly.
Where could there be a safe place in a dungeon?
If there was any place that was absolutely safe, it was probably inside the boss’s stomach.
Once inside, indeed, no one would disturb you.
And you wouldn't have to worry about coming out alive, either.
She slowly turned her face slightly, the shadow of her hood concealing most of her face, revealing only a hint of her fair chin.
Seeing that she had finally reacted, a flash of smugness quickly swept across the depths of the young man’s eyes, only to be swiftly suppressed by his gentle smile.
He took half a step forward, maintaining a distance that would not seem too offensive.
“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Senel, and I am a prince from a neighboring kingdom invited to attend the Little Princess’s Full Moon Feast.”
As he spoke, he stood very straight, his tone carrying a touch of well-measured nobility.
It was as if he had completely integrated into his identity.
“If we are truly talking about where in the royal capital is safe and won't be casually disturbed by others, it is none other than the palace.”
Just as expected.
Hearing the latter half of his sentence, Cen Yao’s heart remained entirely undisturbed.
How was this any different from a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth?
Or did this neighboring prince possess some sort of trump card that could keep him alive inside the tiger’s mouth?
The fact that he had actively approached her at the gates of the royal capital showed that he was not completely brainless.
But had he not seen the rules at the city gates?
Especially the eighth rule.
Please do not believe the words of the wizard; their words are all false and untrustworthy.
Those glaring words, “wizard,” could not possibly be missed by anyone unless they were blind.
He clearly knew the royal capital did not welcome her, yet he still wanted to lead her into the palace.
There was almost no need to guess what this man was planning.
The orb whispered in Cen Yao’s mind, “Host, he purely wants to trick you into the palace.”
Cen Yao: “Mhm.”
The orb was a little nervous. “Then are we still going?”
Cen Yao lowered her eyelashes slightly.
Yes.
Why wouldn't she go?
She was going to enter the palace anyway.
The rainbow flower had been stolen by the King, and the Queen had drunk the soup brewed from the rainbow flower. It was highly likely that the Little Princess had something to do with this matter as well.
The palace was an unavoidable place.
If someone was willing to save her the trouble of registering, finding the way, and dealing with the guards, she had no reason to refuse.
As for whatever conspiracy Senel had.
Cen Yao really did not think he could hurt her.
It was not that she underestimated her enemy, but rather that from the moment Senel appeared until now, his aura, movements, gaze, and way of speaking had already exposed too many things.
He had trump cards.
But those trump cards might not necessarily be suitable for dealing with her.
Seeing that Cen Yao remained silent for a long time, Senel thought she was still weighing her options, so he threw out another line: “If you are willing, I can bring you into the palace.”
Cen Yao finally turned around.
“Sure.”
The smile on Senel’s face deepened.
“This way, Lady Witch.”
The two individuals, each harboring their own ulterior motives, were extremely satisfied with this outcome.
One felt he had finally lured this dangerous and special Witch into the palace.
The other felt that since someone had actively delivered themselves to be used as a pass, she might as well make use of him.
And so, with a facade of harmony, they walked toward the palace in what could even be called a cheerful manner.
The main street of the royal capital led all the way to the palace.
The closer they got to the palace, the more magnificent the decorations on both sides of the street became.
Golden silk ribbons hung from the eaves, white roses twined around the streetlamps, and blessing plaques for the Little Princess’s Full Moon Feast were hung on the lamp posts.
A fair-skinned, pink baby was drawn on the plaque.
The baby’s eyes were closed, her cheeks round and lovely, but on her head was painted an unnaturally long golden hair.
The long hair spread out like sunlight, filling the entire blessing plaque.
Cen Yao took an extra look.
She couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but she felt as if the eyelids of the baby in the drawing had twitched slightly.
“Lady Witch?”
Senel’s voice came from ahead.
Cen Yao withdrew her gaze and said indifferently, “Lead the way.”
Senel smiled and asked no further questions.
The outer walls of the palace were even higher than they appeared from a distance.
The white-gold stone bricks reflected a gentle light under the sun, and a row of guards clad in silver armor stood atop the walls, their spears upright and their expressions solemn.
Quite a few people were lined up in front of the palace gates.
There were nobles dressed in formal attire, merchants draped in cloaks, knights leading white horses, and some fairytale races that clearly did not look human.
As a prince of a neighboring kingdom, Senel obviously enjoyed a special passage.
He led Cen Yao in through the side entrance, only showing the gatekeeper servant a ring bearing the coat of arms of his neighboring kingdom.
After bowing to inspect it, the servant immediately stepped aside respectfully.
But trouble arrived anyway.
Cen Yao’s purple Witch’s Robe was simply too conspicuous.
The pointed witch's hat, black wand, and dark cloak practically wrote the words “I am a Witch” all over her.
Just as the two of them stepped into the palace's side corridor, a patrolling squad of guards not far away halted their steps.
The leading guard furrowed his brows, his gaze landing directly on Cen Yao.
Senel naturally noticed this as well.
His eyes flickered, and his fingers had already brushed against his cuff.
Hidden there was a one-time-use interference item.
Although it was a bit wasteful to use it here, as long as he could successfully bring Cen Yao into the palace, it was worth consuming a bit of his item.
The guards walked toward them.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
Senel’s fingertips had already gripped the item.
Yet, just a split second before the guard was about to speak, his gaze suddenly grew vacant.
It was as if he had remembered something far more important.
Or perhaps, it was as if there was no Witch standing in front of him at all.
He stopped in his tracks, turned to look at the flower corridor on the other side, and furrowed his brows. “Why is there no one patrolling over there? Go check it out.”
With that, he turned and left with the guards behind him.
Senel: “...”
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