Chapter 1 A Corner Untouched by the World

This expanse of night snow was tranquil and vast, perhaps a corner of the world untouched.

The Xueyuan Minglu (Snowfield Underworld Deer)’s tall, lustrous antlers were as crystal clear as ice sculptures, parting the snow screen like white velvet.

The deer carriage gradually slowed and stopped as Lan Qi and Sigrid switched places, settling into each other's former seats.

The moment Lan Qi gripped the reins, a sense of security returned.

In the northern snowfields of the Proto Empire on the Northern Continent, for over a month in winter, he was the only one who could steer them without going astray.

"By the way, want a couple of sips?"

Just settling into the back, Sigrid took out a leather wine pouch from the storage box, unscrewed it with one hand, and offered it forward.

Lan Qi's eyes widened.

"Didn't I tell you over a decade ago that you can't drink while driving, not even a little? Safe travel starts with the heart, and refusing to drink and drive is putting it into practice."

He immediately leaned back slightly and said to Sigrid in the back seat.

"I'm not drinking."

Sigrid replied very calmly.

"..."

"I mean, you can't let me drink either."

Lan Qi was momentarily speechless, feeling as if Sigrid's logic was grinding him into the ground.

"But this is a vast snowfield, which by definition is a 'no-man's-land.' It's very necessary to drink a little to warm up in an extremely harsh natural environment. Moreover, according to the laws of the Saint Polant Theocracy, this is a non-magic-powered vehicle, so it's not restricted. Besides, even if you drive normally, there's no need to swerve to avoid Xueyuan Mowu (Snowfield Magical Beasts) because there have been many cases of driving accidents caused by swerving to avoid magical beasts. Therefore, the Saint Polant Theocracy simply removed the protection of Theocracy-protected animals from the traffic laws."

Sigrid explained to him in a serious tone.

"No, I won't drink."

Last time they talked about this topic, he easily persuaded Sigrid as a child.

This time, he was rendered speechless by Sigrid.

Now that this child has grown up, she's a bit harder to deal with.

It's definitely not that he doesn't dare to drink, but that excessive drinking is harmful. He realized this problem from the moment he set off from the South Wantina Territory.

"Then I'll drink it myself."

Sigrid stood up, leaned on the back of the front seat, glanced at Lan Qi, and read his expression.

He seemed to be able to smell the aroma wafting from the wine pouch through the air. If this continued, he would get dizzy.

In the end, she sat back down in the back seat, took a couple of sips herself, closed the lid of the sheep milk wine pouch, and put it back in the storage box.

"Call me anytime if you want to drink. It's okay for you to concentrate on the road; I can feed you."

Sigrid leaned on the back of the front seat and said to Lan Qi with a smile.

"No need, no need."

Lan Qi could smell the sweet and sour milky aroma of alcohol on Sigrid's breath, even through the air.

The Laoge (Talon Pigeon) had already told him with its life that he should abstain from alcohol for the rest of his life.

"Hold on tight; we're setting off."

During the break before urging the Xueyuan Minglu (Snowfield Underworld Deer) to set off again, Lan Qi briefly glanced at the information in the Shadow World.

[Mission Objective 1: Read the letter from old friend Calierrah; Go to the Demon World's Purgatory City, Pasqual. (Incomplete)]

[Mission Objective 2: Understand the state of mind of Black Sun Lancros: 0.13%. (Incomplete)]

For a long time to come, he would have to concentrate on the road conditions and wouldn't have time to divert his attention to the Shadow World information.

After leaving the Papal Hall's Throne Room, the content of the mission objective changed once.

After that, whether he encountered Sigrid or along the way, there were no more fluctuations.

Lan Qi still couldn't fully see the connection between these Shadow World missions.

He could only make a rough guess.

The progress of Mission Objective 1 also started to change Mission Objective 2, so if he continued along this journey, the mission would naturally be completed.

He flicked the reins lightly, and the Xueyuan Minglu (Snowfield Underworld Deer) immediately moved.

The Xueyuan Minglu (Snowfield Underworld Deer)’s agile figures galloped across the snow, their hooves kicking up patches of snowflakes.

The sled glided across the soft snow, making a rustling sound.

Lan Qi skillfully controlled the direction of the sled. The sled gradually moved away, leaving two long tracks in the snowfield.

In the back of the sled.

The brief change in speed caused Talia to wake up with a frown, squinting and looking around.

She had accidentally slept for so long that it was already dark.

As expected, it was easy to get sleepy after eating carbohydrates. Moreover, Lan Qi had bought her one of each kind of burger from the Polant border, telling her that she might not have the chance to eat them again in the future and that this was the last chance to buy them in the Shadow World.

So, she ate all the Polant border-style burgers, feeling that he was a little damned but still so good to her.

After waking up, she took a look.

There was no danger.

It had only stopped for a while, and then Sigrid sat next to her.

"Haaah."

Talia yawned and pulled up the blanket, sharing half of it with Sigrid.

If she could lie back and rest like a doll, her energy consumption would be at its lowest, hardly consuming any of Lan Qi's mana.

Conversely, as long as she made any movement, she would start using Lan Qi's mana.

"Thank you."

Sigrid naturally wouldn't refuse Calierrah's kindness, sitting closer to Calierrah and wrapping herself in a blanket.

She observed Calierrah's limp appearance all the way and felt very curious.

In her eyes, Calierrah was like a beauty in a dream, difficult to remember her face, but she was clearly certain from the bottom of her heart that Calierrah must have the most captivating face.

Now, staring closely, Sigrid increasingly felt that Calierrah resembled the image of her mother that she had imagined when she was young.

Before she could admire Calierrah up close for long.

Unexpectedly, Calierrah's eyes were immediately filled with questions as she looked at Sigrid.

"Why are you looking at me?"

Talia tilted her head and asked Sigrid.

"Calierrah, do you feel tired?"

Sigrid leaned against the back of the seat and asked softly.

"Not at all."

Talia was actually very comfortable. After becoming a half-magic body, she was always full of energy and wouldn't be disturbed by any physical discomfort.

So, if she could, she wouldn't want to undo this state.

"Then why do you look so lazy, completely without your former glamorous appearance?"

Sigrid felt that Calierrah looked like she had retired, as if she had been spoiled.

But Calierrah, this proud demon, had always given people the feeling that even if she died in her high position, she wouldn't be willing to lower her stance even slightly, let alone submit to others.

"This... I used to..."

Talia's heart caught.

Looking back at herself...

Talia had previously been unconvinced by Lan Qi's differential assessment of her and Calierrah.

Now, she also had some self-doubt.

Before Talia could explain embarrassedly, Sigrid spoke first.

"I've always felt that you're too hard on yourself. You don't owe the Demon World anything at all. If anything, the Demon World owes you everything."

Sigrid said seriously.

Hyperion also thought that Calierrah was difficult to talk to when she first met her and that she was too strict with her.

Later, Hyperion gradually understood Calierrah and realized that Calierrah was even stricter with herself but very gentle to Hyperion, often turning a blind eye.

"I..."

Talia felt even more ashamed listening to Sigrid's comforting words.

She used to be a Demon World princess, but after meeting Lan Qi, she had gradually succumbed to desire.

Even...

Even unable to resist the pleasurable sensation of being fed by him.

If this were to spread, she might as well die!

Every time Talia thought of the memories of being "pampered" by Lan Qi, she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Lan Qi might be 70% responsible for her becoming like this.

But she herself was at least 30% responsible.

"But it doesn't matter; you're fine as you are now."

Sigrid continued.

"Don't you think it's embarrassing for me to be like this?"

Talia murmured.

Lies don't hurt people; the truth is a quick knife.

After seeing her sister, Ifatia, she finally understood that she couldn't compare to top geniuses, and that losing her identity as a princess was almost like losing everything.

"How could it be? I wish you could turn down the Demon World's official duties and chores and stay with me every day."

Sigrid spoke her true thoughts, wrapping herself in the blanket and sitting with the gray-haired demon.

If she could bring Calierrah back to the real world, she would definitely let Calierrah live carefree and happily in the Proto Empire.

Being able to exclusively receive Calierrah's care in such a real way was something she wouldn't have dared to imagine in her previous dreams.

Even if it was only for twenty-one days, it would be enough for her to cherish.

"But there's a guy who always complains that I can eat a lot, that I'm old, and that I'm useless."

Talia was first touched and then said with some resentment.

The more she compared herself to Sigrid, the more Talia felt that Lan Qi was inhuman.

"Having a good appetite is a good thing. As a martial artist, I need to consume a lot of energy when I cultivate, and sometimes I also eat heartily. What's so embarrassing about that?"

Sigrid said frankly.

"No wonder you're so strong."

Talia was relieved.

Although if she were to get serious, Sigrid's strength wouldn't be worth mentioning, but for Sigrid's age, it was already considered out of the ordinary.

"As for age, I think older women are definitely more attractive."

Sigrid thought about it seriously and nodded.

"Yeah, you think so too?"

Talia only felt a sense of mutual understanding, regretting that they hadn't met sooner.

How could a little girl like Sigrid understand so well!

"Of course."

Sigrid affirmed.

"As for saying you're useless, that's pure slander. You're the most useful! You're pleasing to the eye even when you're not moving, like the world's most beautiful masterpiece sculpture."

Sigrid added with a smile to the demon beauty next to her.

It might be impolite to think so, but if she could put Calierrah in her museum, the entire museum would be enhanced by this demon fairy.

"Waaah, Sigrid, I haven't heard such words in all these years."

Talia finally couldn't help but hug Sigrid, not wanting to let go of this warm and soft body.

Every sentence was sincere beyond sincerity.

Even without lie detection magic, Talia could see Sigrid's straightforwardness in her eyes.

Where did this little angel come from?

If she could bring Sigrid back to the real world, she would definitely take Sigrid, who grew up in an orphanage, home and raise her like a daughter.

It just so happened that Sigrid and Hyperion got along well, like sisters.

Raising one was the same as raising two, just one more set of tableware at home.

Lan Qi, in the driver's seat of the deer carriage, was wholeheartedly analyzing the road conditions, turning a deaf ear to the harmonious conversation between Talia and Sigrid in the back.

Until he successfully rounded a long, winding road below a cliff.

"I knew we should turn here. Going straight would have been a cliff."

Lan Qi cheered triumphantly.

"After I finish this trip, I'll definitely be able to draw a 'Newly Revised Edition of the Map of the Eternal Night Land That Even a 3-Year-Old Can Understand'."

Sure enough, his potential for finding his way had been forced out of him. Now he was a qualified guide.

Sigrid, who was still talking with Talia in the back seat, suddenly stared at Lan Qi.

"Saint..."

Sigrid bit her lip.

I am Sigrid, I am Sigrid.

She told herself.

Sigrid's and Sigrid's favorability were separate and should be actually performed.

"What's wrong?"

Lan Qi turned back in confusion.

He seemed to have heard Sigrid's short voice.

"Your Holiness, do you think this book will sell?"

Sigrid was already wearing a smiling expression as she asked.

"I don't think anyone would buy it either."

Talia said lazily from the side.

Sigrid's body temperature was very warm, like a heater, making her drowsy again in this bumpy, snowy, dark night.

"Maybe it really will. You don't know, but I know a super outrageous road idiot."

Lan Qi briefly turned his head back. Before he could completely turn his head back, Sigrid covered his head with both hands.

"Watch the road."

Sigrid instructed.

Since the Holy Son had taught her to watch the road when driving, he should lead by example.

"..."

Lan Qi felt Sigrid slowly let go of his hands.

He was very surprised.

He didn't expect Sigrid, who had grown up twelve years later, to be so casual with him, always touching him without paying attention.

When they arrived at the first Eternal Night Land city-state's hotel later, he would have to talk to her about this problem; she was no longer that little girl.

"By the way, that 'super outrageous road idiot' must have caused you a lot of trouble, right? Are you always deeply impressed by her messing things up?"

Sigrid suddenly asked from behind Lan Qi.

Lan Qi heard this, seemed to be reminiscing, and then revealed a knowing smile.

"That's not true. I've always been thinking of drawing a 'Newly Revised Edition of the World Map That Even a 3-Year-Old Can Understand' to give to her, so she'll never get lost again."

He muttered to himself, holding the reins.

"Ugh..."

Sigrid averted her gaze, lowered her head in the back seat, and curled up into a ball.

She covered her chest. Besides the noisy wind and snow, all she heard was the sound of her heartbeat.

As expected.

As expected, she liked even his dislike.

Hearing the sound of her heart making an overwhelming noise, how much she wanted to hear Lan Qi tell her that he felt the same way.

(End of Chapter)