95. Is this really worth it?
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Zerola’s perspective.
For Zerola, once considered a “famous” eighth-tier powerhouse, if he wanted to live a peaceful life with his wife while maintaining a certain “standard of living,” he could only rely on two things he possessed—either his noble status or his formidable strength.
The noble status belonging to the “royal kin” of the Great Yng Empire had already vanished after Zerola had grown weary of the internal troubles and noble conflicts within the empire and fled. His wife was indeed the sister of “Louis III,” but. .. the current queen, Louis IV, was a ruthless character who would not value “family ties” at all.
Thus, only “strength” remained.
So, when the elves of the Prussia Kingdom proposed to use their strength to help the Prussia Kingdom win the war against the Austro-Hungarian tribe in exchange for permanent residency in the Prussia Kingdom, Zerola thought it over and decided to agree. This broke Zerola’s own resolution to no longer casually display his strength and instead live a peaceful life, but… the current situation was unavoidable, right?
However, this decision clearly led to misunderstandings and complaints from his wife. The immense determination Zerola had invested seemed to have gone to waste—not because the elves had gone back on their word, but because… he had lost! He was defeated by that young man, Li De, who had previously seemed like nothing more than a “follower” looking for powerful figures to align with, using his extremely bizarre strength!
What kind of trick did that young man use? Zerola didn’t even have the heart to ask his wife, because his mind was filled with a single thought: he had lost, which meant he had not only disappointed his wife but also.. . failed completely!?
Just as Zerola was thinking this, someone from the Prussia Kingdom came to disturb him. The elf Mel, who could strictly be considered his “old flame,” brought news that once again surprised Zerola!
So much so that he didn’t even have the heart to look for his wife, who had likely left this morning, mostly to “keep her distance.”
Zerola intended to ask about the “permanent residency,” but Mel was one step ahead, tossing over a pile of documents.
“Zerola, starting today, you are an honorary citizen of the Prussia Kingdom, with permanent residency. I am here to deliver the documents to you and your wife.”
“What…”
The whole situation took a turn; Zerola had thought he was about to be expelled from the Prussia Kingdom!
But precisely because the change was so great, Zerola became even more suspicious!
“Why? Clearly, I haven’t…”
“There’s no why. That human requested this of us, and His Majesty agreed. It’s that simple.”
Mel dropped an answer that left Zerola even more astonished, then ignored Zerola’s reaction, shook his head, and turned to leave.
“I have nothing more to say… goodbye, Zerola.”
The residence provided by the elf had, in just a moment, turned into a true home for him moving forward. But at this moment, this home was left with only Zerola.
Should he be happy or shocked about this outcome? Or should he harbor doubts about that Li De? For the first time, Zerola felt his mind was not enough. And just then…
A voice sounded around him!
“Is it really okay to be this happy, Zerola?”
“!”
“It seems that not only has your wife temporarily left you, but even that fairy just now is utterly disappointed in you too~”
“Who!?”
A strange voice rang out, but Zerola was not the kind of person to simply be afraid! Releasing his magic to investigate, soon, Zerola saw a white-haired girl floating in the room…
She felt so familiar! But… this strange impression was definitely an illusion; Zerola remembered that he had never seen such a woman before!
“Who are you!?”
Zerola focused his gaze, confirming a bit, “Fairy? You are a fairy from the Kingdom of Pluress!?”
“Me? I am everything~ But you don’t need to know~”
After spouting a series of bewildering words, the girl continued with her earlier question, “And you, Zerola, are you really happy? Have you truly accepted the fairy’s kindness, is that really okay?”
She knows about my situation!?
Just as he was about to retort, the girl’s words pierced through him like knives, each one striking at Zerola’s current concerns, as if from the very beginning, everything he had done was thoroughly scrutinized by her!
“Your only value now is your power, yet you rely on others’ charity to gain an opportunity with the fairies. Can you really settle down with peace of mind? Can you ensure that the fairies will not strike at you again in the future, taking away this hard-won chance for a peaceful life?”
“Who… exactly are you!?” It was not surprise; the current Zerola even felt a long-lost emotion called “fear” creeping in.
He could only watch as the white-haired girl opened her arms and slowly descended…
Like… a god. Such an unrealistic thought suddenly burrowed into Zerola’s mind, leaving him staring blankly at the girl before him, as if she were planning for him.
“I am here to ‘guide’ you. Your future is a void; if you want to achieve peace and tranquility, you must seize this last opportunity.”
“Think about it, Zerola, an eighth-tier powerhouse~ What is it that you take pride in now? What exactly allows you to unleash your strength and receive the treatment and life you deserve? Where—where is the occasion and opportunity that allows you want to perform so well?”
Zerola had known the answer from the very beginning.
However, it seemed the girl before him had also sensed this, revealing a smile that was almost mocking his incompetence, then she flew up again, her figure gradually fading.
“If you understand, then strive hard~ Here’s a friendly reminder: he is about to go to the Austro-Hungarian tribe~”
“!”
The figure of the girl vanished in the blink of an eye, while Zerola, standing at a distance, clenched her fists. That’s right, everything she had received now was merely the charity of that Li De. How could she accept such charity with peace of mind!?
If she wanted to settle down in the Kingdom of Prussia, she had to use her own strength to obtain it from the elves. And if there was any “evidence” that could prove she was worthy of staying in the Kingdom of Prussia, it must be…
The “major event” currently happening between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian tribe.
Did Li De, that man, think the same way?
She couldn’t let him succeed any longer!
After a moment of silence, Zerola immediately walked out!
——
The first volume ends with Chapter 1.5, and then the second volume will begin.
The content is all connected, so there’s no need to worry.