Chapter 14: Would You Still Love Me, Even If I Used to Be a Man?

Chapter 14: Would You Still Love Me, Even If I Used to Be a Man?

“Um, City Lord, I have a question. Is there… any chance for us to return to Earth?”

Aierjisi hesitated several times but finally asked the question. She had thought this was just a simple game world; once she completed the main mission, she could go home. But after learning this was a bona fide otherworld, she suddenly lost confidence about returning home. The hesitation stemmed from her fear that the City Lord might give a negative answer. In that case, she would have to live on as Aierjisi forever.

“To be honest, the hope is quite slim. I’ve spent 13 years here searching for a way back to Earth, but to no avail. Even in this world of swords and magic, getting to another world is rather challenging.”

“Well… that’s disappointing…”

After hearing the City Lord’s response, Aierjisi couldn’t help but feel downcast. Even in such a fantastical otherworld, there was no way to get back to Earth…

“Don’t be so gloomy! I said it’s just quite difficult to reach other worlds. It’s not entirely impossible. While there’s currently no way back to Earth, don’t forget, you’re now the Blood Clan Little Princess Aierjisi! With a lifespan far exceeding that of humans, who knows? You might still achieve your dream of returning to Earth in your lifetime.”

Seeing her downcast expression, the City Lord, also a fellow Earthling, couldn’t bear it any longer and offered her some comforting words.

“Thank you for your consolation, City Lord. But I think it’s best not to have high hopes. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. By the way, City Lord, you didn’t summon us just to discuss this, did you?”

“Well, yes, that’s why I called you. As a fellow Earthling, I wanted to take care of you. Is that a problem?”

“Really? You’re not trying to peek at me, are you?”

The Little Princess narrowed her eyes. Now, she was Aierjisi! If this old geezer claimed he had no ulterior motives, she found it hard to believe.

“Oh please! I’m the City Lord; why would I be interested in your body? You think I don’t know your strength? As the City Lord, I’m not lacking in beautiful women. Iris! Iris! Iris! Come here!”

He shouted three times towards the door. The doors then opened, and three white-haired girls in maid outfits walked into the room together.

“Triplets? They look way too similar.”

Aierjisi squinted her eyes, trying to find some differences among the three nearly identical, expressionless beauties.

“NO NO NO. They aren’t triplets; they’re artificial life forms created through alchemy. My toys.”

The City Lord lewdly placed his hand on one of them and squeezed.

“Ah…”

The girl only let out a vague sound, resembling that of a robot. It seemed the City Lord’s alchemy skills were lacking. The humanoids he created were of such low quality.

“Well then… City Lord, unless there’s anything else, we’ll take our leave. We have other matters to attend to today.”

“Oh, very well. But wait, take this.”

The City Lord pulled out a blue rectangular token from his desk drawer and handed it to Aierjisi.

“What is this?”

“This is a blue token. As long as you have this blue token on you, no matter what trouble you encounter in Bield City, just show it and they’ll know you’re under my protection. They will surely avoid any conflict with you. Plus, when it comes to buying anything, they won’t charge you a dime if they see this blue token.”

With the blue token, Aierjisi and her companions would be free to shop without hindrances in the city.

“I see. Thank you, City Lord! I’ll take this blue token without hesitation.”

Understanding the token’s importance, the Little Princess thanked the City Lord and then left the City Lord’s Mansion with Yake.

“Aier, what were you and the City Lord talking about? I didn’t understand a thing. What higher life forms? Other worlds? What are you on about?”

As soon as they exited the City Lord’s Mansion, Yake immediately inquired about what had just happened. He had been puzzled since their discussion began but held back from interrupting while the Little Princess and the City Lord chatted happily.

*Sigh.* “It’s a long story. But before I reveal the truth, I want to ask you something, Yake… do you… love me?”

Aierjisi stopped and turned to look at Yake.

“Love? Of course, I do! With you being Aier, so powerful, and your figure in my strike zone, plus your personality… so easy to get along with—uh, I mean, so charming—yeah, I love you! What’s with the sudden question?”

“Are you sure you love me? I mean in that romantic way. I want you to think carefully before answering. This question is very important to me.”

Aierjisi looked at Yake seriously. She was not satisfied with Yake’s earlier flippant replies. What she wanted to hear was his earnest consideration.

“Love. That’s my answer. No matter how many times you ask, that’s what it will be.”

Yake grabbed Aierjisi’s shoulders and looked into her eyes, delivering his answer after serious contemplation.

“Is that so? Even if… I used to be a man, would you still say that?”

“Of course! Huh? What did you just say?”

Yake reflexively gave an affirmative answer, only to realize that the Little Princess had just said something outrageous.

“Even if I was once a man, would you still love me now?”

Aierjisi reiterated the shocking fact she had just blurted out. She wasn’t truly Aierjisi; it was Guanyu’s soul that had taken refuge in this body.

“Are you joking? That’s weird. April Fools’ was ages ago.”

Yake replied with a serious expression, clearly thinking Aierjisi’s words were a joke.

“I’m not joking! Do you remember that time you saw the memory in my consciousness space?”

“Of course, I remember. What’s up? That boy was related to you? Was he your first love or something?”

Yake continued to smile at Aierjisi, which only made her more furious. She lifted her leg and kicked Yake in the knee, causing him to clutch it and wail.

“I’m going to repeat this! I’m not joking! That boy was me! I was once a man, do you understand?! Due to some incident, I ended up trapped in this body and inherited Aierjisi’s original memories and personality. So, I’m asking you again. Knowing that I used to be a man, would you still say you love me?”

Aierjisi glared at Yake. She had finally mustered the courage to reveal this reality.