I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 572

Chapter 120: I’m Not a Good Student Either

An oppressive silence hung over the heads of the border warriors.

High-ranked Extraordinary Beings, true mythological creatures.

Even with an army of a hundred thousand, mere mortals could never shake those who had stepped into high ranks and gained a hint of divinity.

For most people, those were just distant figures from fairy tales, let alone the high-ranked Extraordinary Beings of the Demon Race, the legendary Four Kings.

But now, all of this had turned into the most real nightmare.

Yet fear did not erupt within the army.

Because Xue Nuo’s loud call rekindled their spirit as border warriors, members of the human army.

“I’ll speak plainly.”

“If we engage the high-ranked beings in battle, we will undoubtedly die.”

“But if we run, we won’t even reach Quiet Wind City before we’re caught… and we’ll also be dead.”

Xue Nuo took a deep breath, her gaze sharp and resolute, declaring: “So, I’ve decided to stay at Snow Wind Fortress to hold back the Demon Race and send someone to withdraw to the academy at Quiet Wind to notify other forces to bring reinforcements.”

This made far more sense than fighting or retreating.

Otherwise, if we delayed it to the end and allowed the Demon Race to occupy Snow Wind Fortress, using it as a base to call in their reinforcements, it would be as devastating as any wave of demons.

But this couldn’t change the unavoidable fate.

“As a member of the Andevees family, guarding the border is my duty and mission. But I won’t force any of you. You can decide for yourselves whether to retreat for reinforcements or to stay and hold the line.”

“I can’t save you all. But at the very least, I can save humanity.”

“No matter what, I will respect your choice.” In this moment, Xue Nuo’s tone softened, losing some of its seriousness.

Her light words fell like snowflakes, only to be met with thunderous cheers.

“Miss Andevees, we swear to follow you to the death!”

“Guarding Snow Wind Fortress isn’t just your responsibility! If those Demon Race creatures want to step into Snow Wind Fortress, they’ll have to walk over our corpses first!”

The warriors of Snow Wind Fortress already bore the mission of guarding the human border; all they lacked was a thread of courage.

And the duke’s daughter’s determination was exactly what ignited the flame of bravery in the border warriors.

Bathed in the ferocious battle cries of the soldiers, Xue Nuo was momentarily taken aback, feeling honored to be beside such warriors.

They were true imperial soldiers.

Having decided how to respond, the entire Snow Wind Fortress operated at full speed, making final preparations for the inevitable deadly battle.

New recruits and veterans, the defenders of Snow Wind Fortress and the troops from Quiet Wind City, those able to fight and the wounded who couldn’t move, all hastily said their farewells, adding a tragic touch to the whole fortress.

“Bari, if you dare say ‘let me go first’ one more time…”

From a distance came Britanny’s angry yell filled with tears, while more soldiers bid teary farewells to their comrades.

And atop the city wall, after a long silence, looking at the pale mist tide drawing closer, Xue Nuo finally had to bid farewell to the boy by her side.

“Roy, you need to go.”

“What if I say I don’t want to leave?”

Xue Nuo adopted a serious expression, reproving him sternly: “This isn’t the time to argue about that.”

“Besides, what can you do even if you stay?”

Right now, describing the boy as battered would be an understatement.

Even after medical attention, his breath was still weak; without the support of the Golden-Winged Griffin, he wouldn’t even be able to stand.

He had already given enough.

Xue Nuo averted her gaze from the boy with reluctance, her tone cold, but her nose tinged with a sour feeling, trembling uncontrollably: “This battle isn’t yours to fight; there’s no need for you to stay here and die.”

“Really?” Roy’s tone was as flat as water, as if discussing something inconsequential: “Extraordinary Beings have the responsibility to defend humanity, apprentices have the duty to help their mentors, and I’ve always had a bone to pick with the Demon Race. If I don’t kill a few I can’t sleep, I think I have enough reasons.”

“Roy!”

Roy looked over calmly, smiling: “Or are you saying the teacher intends to abandon me?”

“I…”

Xue Nuo suddenly couldn’t bring herself to look into his eyes.

After all, she had promised.

To always stay by his side.

Lowering her gaze, gritting her silver teeth, Xue Nuo didn’t know how to respond to his pleading and could only raspingly say: “Consider this a teacher’s order.”

“Withdraw first, okay? Be obedient.”

Xue Nuo stepped forward and ruffled the boy’s hair.

Whenever she placed her palm on his head, he would always shyly look away, bashful and timid.

In her presence, Roy was always so well-behaved, gentle, and understanding.

But this time, Roy didn’t evade her gaze, maintaining his resolve: “I don’t plan to abandon my teacher.”

“Even if it’s a request from your mentor?”

“Even if it’s a request from my mentor.”

“… You do have your disobedient moments.”

“Really can’t do anything with you.” The silver-haired girl let out a wry smile and suddenly pulled him into a hug.

Roy intended to return the embrace, to comfort her fragility, but unexpectedly, the soft, cool sensation landed on his forehead.

With the gentle question falling like snowflakes, the black-haired boy remained in shocked silence, frozen in icy blue chill.

The Golden-Winged Griffin, witnessing this scene, instinctively wanted to act but didn’t know how to make it better for its master.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re a good student, but I’m not a good teacher.”

Finally brushing her fingertips over the boy’s face, Xue Nuo suppressed all her lingering feelings and commanded the retreating troops to take Roy away.

Britanny, who had been knocked out by Bari, received the same treatment.

Watching the troops retreat beyond the city gates, the old count sighed bitterly: “When she wakes up, I’m afraid she’ll cry and scold me a hundred times.”

Xue Nuo shot him a glance: “Actually, you could go too.”

“You’ve already contributed enough for the Andevees family.”

The old count laughed heartily, hiding the sadness in his eyes, and boldly declared: “That won’t do.”

“With the lady of the Andevees family still guarding the front lines, how could I shamelessly retreat to the rear?”

Xue Nuo smiled slightly, nodding to the respected elder.

Then, she lifted her head, facing the pale army that was closing in below the city.

On the other side, led by the troops from Quiet Wind City, a force of thousands hastily headed south, seeking to bring back high-ranked Extraordinary Beings as reinforcements as quickly as possible.

Only high-ranked Extraordinary Beings could handle high-ranked foes; although few had witnessed it firsthand, it was a law known to every Extraordinary Being.

But at that moment, the frozen boy tied to the griffin suddenly opened his eyes, fiery flames erupting from his body, melting away the frost covering him.

“[Cheese], fly back!”

Without a moment to spare, seeing the soldiers rush in, the Golden-Winged Griffin leaped into the sky.

Roy gripped the hand he had regained sensation in, exhaling.

He had long suspected that Xue Nuo wouldn’t let him take risks, even willing to resort to force, so he was prepared to use [Blood Resonance] and [Flame Surge] to counteract the freezing ability.

But in reality, these preparations were somewhat excessive.

Clearly, he knew he had [Cold Avoidance], yet he had only used this little bit of power.

Even at this moment, Xue Nuo still couldn’t bear to use real force, fearing even the slightest injury to him.

No matter how Xue Nuo treated others, what she reserved for herself would always be gentleness.

“Perhaps you think you aren’t a good teacher, but honestly, I’m not a good student either.”

“Brother?”

Releasing a gentle breath, Roy revealed his determination: “Return to Snow Wind Fortress; I’m going to save her.”