Chapter 48: Damn, They’re Actually Sisters

The situation with Valkyrie Tianyan was delicate. Any misstep could perpetuate and even exacerbate conflicts between the kingdoms, leading to unending battles.

Such a scenario wasn’t conducive to Draxel’s future plans. Strapped for cash and lacking an army, focusing on internal affairs was his best bet. Hence, minimizing further injuries was paramount, though he found explaining this to the voracious dragon more trouble than it was worth.

With a wave of resignation, Draxel offhandedly proposed, “Fine, Lein, let’s not stir the pot. When we return to Uxkhal, steak’s on me.”

“Roar. It’s a promise, Count. By the way, I forgot to mention but as the dragon race’s chosen one, you’re privy to the language of all animals.”

‘That explains it.’

Back to Profit Empress Ronnie and Valkyrie Tianyan, their evenly matched fight was at a stalemate. It made sense, they had probably been suggesting they might have been trained by the same master in their youth.

Their relentless duel from dawn till dusk, with neither side yielding, showcased their indefatigable spirit.

Draxel, nearly dozing off as darkness approached, scoured the vicinity for firewood. Lein’s fiery breath soon ignited a welcoming bonfire.

Even the system intervened. 

[Maybe you should convince them to stop.]

“Ladies, it’s late. Why not join me by the fire for dinner? I’ve got potatoes roasting…”

“Shut up!” they snapped in unison, their engagement unbroken, weapons still colliding with force.

And so, the battle dragged on for another lengthy hour, while the Count, dragon, and wolves finished their meal, the two women showing no signs of winding down.

The Count even engaged in a bit of banter with the new Wolf King, saying, “You realize, if I hadn’t killed the old Wolf King, you might still be waiting for your chance to rise to power. You owe me one.”

The Wolf King seemed to nod in agreement, responding, “Awoo. You’ve got a point, kid. Let’s call it friendship, then. I’ll address you as Count, out of respect.”

As they were exchanging pleasantries, a troop approached hastily from a distance.

Draxel squinted and recognized it was Safiya and Xiao Nan, leading what was left of the tavern-employed cavalry, hurrying towards them.

He noticed that the group, including Xiao Nan, had dwindled to just ten, all of whom had taken the initiative to level up, becoming 4th-level tavern-employed knights.

“What’s going on? Why are there fewer of you, and the ones remaining seem tougher? Safiya, what happened?”

Overjoyed to see the Count alive, Safiya rushed to embrace him, her voice tinged with tears, “On our way here, we clashed with enemy forces. Some fell in battle, but the survivors looted the enemy’s superior gear and enhanced their own abilities.”

[System Alert: This is a hallmark of tavern-employed mercenaries. Not only can they level up through battle experience, but they also have the means to independently bolster their strength during peacetime.]

‘Damn, why am I just hearing about this now? I need to sneak some more recruits from Ronnie.’

Relieved to see Safiya unharmed, Draxel returned her embrace warmly. He then called out to the two women still locked in combat, “Enough already! Valkyrie, you’re bound to lose. With all of us together, even if you had three heads and six arms, you can’t win today.”

The system had been on the receiving end of Valkyrie Tianyan’s ire as well, chiming in with its own rant,

[Exactly, TMD, three cobblers make one Zhuge Liang, and here we’ve got at least 4-5!]

Draxel mentally retorted, ‘If you want to play the cobbler, fine, but don’t drag me down with you. I’m a Count, remember? Let’s not forget my esteemed status.’ 

Now that his reinforcements had arrived, he was feeling upbeat, engaging in light-hearted banter with the system.

“Damn it… I really should have killed you earlier,” Valkyrie Tianyan’s voice was laden with frustration and fury, palpable to anyone listening.

“Hmm, but you didn’t. You see, you are a reasonable person, and now, let’s talk reason and stop this fight,” Draxel responded.

Realizing she was at a disadvantage, and that further conflict would only lead to her defeat, Valkyrie Tianyan was well aware that her younger sister, Profit Empress Ronnie, had always been slightly stronger than herself and likely would prevail.

Consumed by resentment yet powerless, she fiercely glared at the nearby wolves, which, intimidated, obediently approached her.

Profit Empress Ronnie said, “Don’t hit them when we get back.”

“And what right do you have to tell me what to do with my wolves?”

“Stop being stubborn. Sister, you’re a few years older than me, surely you’ve grown wiser. I know you won’t listen, but I still have to tell you, we’re not related by blood. Don’t let that old man manipulate you anymore.”

“Shut up. It’s because father chose to bestow the kingdom and its rule upon me, his eldest daughter, that you’re filled with jealousy and slander him. I’ve heard enough!”

Hearing this, Draxel’s heart skipped a beat. Their narrative… How remarkably similar it was to his own situation with his brother and father.

He mulled over the situation internally, recognizing, ‘It seems this matter is no small affair, quite complex, not something that can be eased or resolved in a short while.’

Profit Empress Ronnie sighed, “Ah, my naive sister, how could the kingdom ever be inherited by a daughter? It’s time to face reality. We’re not kin by blood, from our youth, we were raised to be assassins.”

“Goodbye.” Valkyrie Tianyan sheathed her dagger and, without waiting for her sister to finish, turned and walked away without a backward glance.

As she departed, the system silently updated, 

[Your friendliness level with Valkyrie Tianyan has decreased by 10, currently standing at 40.]

‘Holy shit, I have a friendliness level with this woman!? Seems like there’s much more to come,’ Draxel pondered, feeling a mix of surprise and anticipation.

Recalling the night with the dagger pressed to his throat sent shivers down his spine, as vivid as if he were back in that moment.

Now, however, he couldn’t help but feel a bit smug, remarking, “Well, let’s move on. You’re a reasonable person, that phrase really made an impression on me. Make sure to keep it up, huh? Ronnie, thanks for coming to my rescue.”

Watching Valkyrie Tianyan disappear into the distance, Draxel finally relaxed, overflowing with gratitude towards Profit Empress Ronnie.

At this moment, Ronnie couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret, yet understood their strained relationship wasn’t something that could be easily mended after such a long separation. The issues with Valkyrie Tianyan would have to be addressed in due time.

Shortly afterward, she turned to the Count, playfully demanding, “You owe me a song, plus a favor for today. How do you plan to settle your debt?～” 

With Safiya watching, Profit Empress Ronnie began teasing Draxel.