Chapter 78: Just Say You’re Taking Care of Me
It’s not even a holiday, and here comes the grand salute that leaves Xu Xiaofeng dazed.
She looked back and found… no one there!
She pointed at herself: “Me?”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Aslan answered solemnly.
“You know me?”
“You are the Princess of the Golden Kingdom. Perhaps you don’t recognize me, but I had the fortune of seeing you when you were younger… wait, that’s not right. Your Highness, what year is it now?”
“Um, seems like it’s the year 348 of the Qīnghuī era.”
“Qīnghuī? What kind of era is that?”
Now Xu Xiaofeng was at a loss for how to explain. Her history skills had never been great, and the only reason she knew it was from a game PV she’d seen before. Vague impressions floated around in her brain.
And Aslan, being a heroic spirit stuck in the Heroic Spirit Tower, had completely lost sense of time ages ago.
Noticing Xu Xiaofeng’s awkwardness, Aslan quickly added, “In any case, Your Highness, I had the honor of meeting you when you were six. After that, I was stationed at the frontier for over a decade until that fateful day.”
“So, why do you look so… young now?”
You can call me short or small, I don’t mind, really! I’m not sensitive at all!
Xu Xiaofeng grumbled inwardly but then shook her head, “I don’t know! When I first woke up, I looked like this, and I was even smaller back then! I’ve already passed ten years old!”
For some reason, there was an unexpected pride in her voice when she said the last part, and she unconsciously puffed out her chest.
“It seems something serious indeed has happened. Unfortunately, I’ve been stationed on the frontier for so long, I know little about what goes on in the kingdom.”
“No worries, I’m not in a hurry. So, does Aslan know my name?”
Xu Xiaofeng was referring to her real name; “Wind” was her gaming ID, and “Little Girl” was what NPCs always called her. Honestly, it was kind of annoying.
“Uh…”
“You know me; you can’t possibly not know my name, right?”
“I truly apologize, Your Highness. I really don’t know. It’s said that Her Majesty the Queen prophesied that the Princess’s name must not be spoken aloud as it could invoke calamity. So perhaps only the two Majesties know your name.”
“Ah… that explains it…”
No wonder the system wouldn’t give me a name. I didn’t realize it was such a big deal!
Looks like I’ll just have to stick with ‘Little Girl’ for now.
“Well then, what else do you know? Tell me, because I have zero memories of that time.”
According to Aslan, there used to be a great kingdom named the Golden Kingdom, a powerful nation with prosperous citizens and a robust king.
But on that day, without warning, destruction descended.
Aslan’s memory was forever fixed on that day when he was stationed at the frontier.
After hearing this story, Xu Xiaofeng didn’t feel too much. Maybe it was the distance of time or simply being unfamiliar with it.
She only learned that her father was named Gerald Golden Frankel and her mother was named Shelly Golden Adrain.
This part seems correct.
She took ten seconds for a moment of silence, mourning the tragedy.
“Speaking of which, Aslan, what’s your power level?”
Xu Xiaofeng didn’t forget that this place was the Heroic Spirit Trial Tower; she was here to climb.
“Mid-level Legendary.”
Whoa!
Xu Xiaofeng was so shocked she took a step back.
“But right now, I can only exert the power of a beginner Bronze level.”
So his strength was restricted to the same level.
Thank goodness, that scared the life out of me!
But… you’re a big shot playing low-key here! Your Bronze is definitely not the same as my Bronze!
What even is this? Just wave the white flag already!
At that moment, Aslan finally looked around: “Hmm? Is this the first layer?”
“Yep, I just got here.”
“This shouldn’t be…”
Aslan was a heroic spirit inside the Heroic Spirit Tower, completely bound by the rules of the tower.
“With my level of strength, even if restricted, I shouldn’t be appearing in the first layer. Not this low, at least, I should be in the last few layers.”
Aslan, being a Legendary-tier powerhouse, retained his Legendary perception and had rich battle experience even if his power was restricted.
Not to mention, he was an old war general!
So that means Xu Xiaofeng is facing the ultimate BOSS on the first layer.
Isn’t that just peachy!
“Perhaps it’s because Your Highness has exceptional talent.”
You may be complimenting me, but I’m not happy at all! Who wants the kind of talent that gets wrecked by the BOSS right after leaving the Beginner’s Village?
I can’t win! Absolutely can’t win!
But soon, Xu Xiaofeng had a lightbulb moment.
I may not win in a head-on confrontation, but I can go the sneaky route. I’m a princess of the great Golden Kingdom!
She decided to initiate a friendly trade: “Hehe, Aslan, look how familiar we are. Why don’t you cut me some slack and let me pass, huh?”
Well, it’s the second time we’ve met, we must be super familiar by now!
“Your Highness… that wouldn’t be proper…”
“What’s improper about it? I’m not saying we won’t fight. You can pretend to swing your sword at me, but miss on purpose. I’ll just counter with my sword at your neck, and you’ll concede. Don’t worry, I’m a great actress; I won’t leave a single flaw!”
Sister Tong: Please keep your voices down; don’t worry, I can hear just fine.
“Your Highness, that doesn’t comply with the rules. The Heroic Spirit Tower has its regulations.”
“Oh, come on! Why are you so rigid? You planning to chop me down right here?”
Aslan lowered his head: “I wouldn’t dare!”
Xu Xiaofeng simply plopped down on the ground in defeat: “You won’t dare to chop me, I can’t beat you… what now?”
“This…”
“Woe is me… my life is so hard! I just turned ten this year, and now I have to fight a general who’s been on the battlefield for decades. Doesn’t that mean I’m signing my own d*ath warrant? Woe is me…”
Aslan was at a complete loss: “Your Highness, please don’t cry.”
“Woe is me, I’m all alone, on the streets getting bullied every day.”
Xu Xiaofeng covered her face with her hands, weeping, but occasionally peeking at Aslan through the gaps.
Even though this wooden-headed guy’s expression was hidden beneath his helmet, his actions are easy to read.
So you’re a battlefield veteran, huh? Let’s see how you handle a kid!
Once I turn up the heat, you’re going to melt like butter!
“Father, Mother, where are you? I miss you so much… I’m being good; I can take care of myself now. Come back soon, please. Woe is me…”
Upon hearing this, Aslan suddenly stood up: “While you only mentioned it in passing, His Majesty truly requested we take care of the Princess if given the chance.”
Yes! That’s the right attitude!
Xu Xiaofeng eagerly looked up at Aslan.
Then, Aslan suddenly raised his sword and pointed it at Xu Xiaofeng: “Your Highness, draw your sword!”
“Huh?”
“I will do my utmost to ensure Your Highness has sufficient self-defense capabilities to fend off any rogues that dare to bully you!”
I… what the heck!
