Chapter 20: Conversations on Life
As Lu Cheng was collecting the skeletal samples of the Blood Crystal Beasts, Princess Elena quietly emerged from the ruins of the church.
“Do your people have a tradition of spying on others?”
Lu Cheng noticed her presence even before she approached. However, he didn’t lift his head and continued placing the skeletal remains of the Blood Crystal Beasts into evidence bags.
“Of course not! I actually came to say hello,” Elena responded.
“Oh.”
Lu Cheng gave a simple reply and didn’t pay much attention to her. The atmosphere fell into an awkward silence.
“The story you told earlier… was it true?”
Elena slowly walked over to Lu Cheng’s side and couldn’t help but ask the question.
“You were listening as well? Well, unfortunately, it’s just a story.”
Sealing the evidence bag in his hand, Lu Cheng stood up and looked at the princess, who seemed to have something on her mind.
“In our distant legends, there were also heroes who could soar through the skies and traverse the seas,” Elena said.
“Distant legends? You don’t need legends for that. In our country, if you want to fly, you just need to buy a plane ticket for a thousand bucks.”
“Plane… ticket? What’s that?”
There were so many things about Lu Cheng’s faraway nation that fascinated Elena. The sheer power of the weapon he had demonstrated had already exceeded her expectations.
“If our cooperation continues, you’ll see one day, Miss Elena.”
Lu Cheng glanced at the ruins of the church again. At the entrance, the old general was nowhere to be seen. It was evident that the princess had sneaked out.
This was the perfect opportunity for Lu Cheng to gather more information about her.
“Miss Elena, if I remember correctly, you’re the seventeenth princess of Skarre?”
Lu Cheng began shifting the focus of the conversation to the information he wanted to obtain.
“The seventeenth in line, yes. I have fourteen brothers and two sisters above me, and three younger sisters below.”
Elena had already regarded Lu Cheng as a significant figure. So, no matter what he asked, she answered directly.
Twenty children in total? Wow, your father was really prolific!
Lu Cheng couldn’t help but silently comment to himself.
“It’s a vast family. But it seems like you don’t get along well with your siblings?”
Lu Cheng noticed that whenever Elena mentioned her family, her expression was far from pleasant.
“My brothers all died fighting the Blood Crystal Beasts. There’s no such thing as like or dislike,” Elena immediately denied Lu Cheng’s assumption. “It’s just that my relationship with my father isn’t good.”
“Royal family drama? Sounds familiar. Miss Elena, I’m sorry to pry, but I need to understand this dynamic,” Lu Cheng spoke with a diplomatic tone. “Your relationship with your father will determine the specific plan for our actions.”
“Hmm… it’s not a secret in our country.”
“Please, tell me your story.”
Lu Cheng almost wished he had a small stool and some snacks to listen to the tale, but he was genuinely serious about understanding her relationship with her father to form a plan.
After organizing her thoughts, Elena began recounting her not-so-lengthy story.
The royal family’s drama started with her mother.
Contrary to what Lu Cheng had imagined, her mother wasn’t a commoner but a noblewoman of pure lineage. After marrying Elena’s father, the king, her mother began assisting in the administration of the country. She exhibited exceptional abilities, and according to Elena, the period when her mother was involved in governance was one of the most prosperous times in Skarre’s history.
Elena’s mother was deeply loved by the people. However, because of this growing affection, her power also expanded to a level that even the king began to fear. Finally, a severe illness completely disrupted the delicate balance. From that day on, Elena’s mother was so weakened that she was bedridden.
During her illness, she did not receive the care she deserved. Instead, she faced ostracism from many in the court.
Elena’s life as a child wasn’t great either. While she didn’t end up on the streets, she was marginalized within the palace. Yet, because of her extraordinary combat abilities—she could even knock down her eldest brother—the court members could only choose to ostracize her.
“No wonder you were sent to such a dangerous frontier.”
After hearing her story, Lu Cheng understood why he had encountered Elena in this remote place.
If Lu Cheng had made his first visit to another country in this world, she would have ended up as a meal for those Blood Crystal Beasts today.
After telling her story, Elena fell silent again. When she spoke of her mother, Lu Cheng could sense the pride in her voice, but it was ultimately a story with a tragic ending.
“I have a rather clichéd question: do you hate your father?” Lu Cheng broke the silence once more.
“No matter how much I say I hate him, it’s useless. My country is still on the brink of destruction due to the Blood Crystal Beasts.”
Elena’s crimson eyes met Lu Cheng’s, and she softly shared her thoughts.
“Right now, all I can think about is how to save my people from the threat of the Blood Crystal Beasts, no matter the cost.”
“Is that what your father thinks as well?” Lu Cheng asked.
“I… don’t know. During the time when the Blood Crystal Beasts invaded the capital, I begged him to open the gates and provide shelter to the people, but he refused,” Elena whispered. “There’s nothing I could do. In our world, no one can disobey the ruler’s command. If he ordered me to kneel, my knees would feel as heavy as iron, and I would fall to the ground, unable to stand.”
Elena’s tone made it sound like she had experienced all this firsthand.
“Then… have you considered replacing him as the ruler?” Lu Cheng asked cautiously.
“I’ve never considered that. Right now, all I’m thinking about is how to survive and save as many people as possible. Status and wealth don’t matter,” Elena said as she looked at the crystal on her hand. “But only the ruler has the right to touch the core of the Earth Vein Crystal. If necessary…”
“I think I understand.” Lu Cheng didn’t push the topic further.
The atmosphere fell into silence once again.
“Um, Lu Cheng,” this time, it was Elena who broke the silence, “about that Sun… Sun…”
“Sun Wukong,” Lu Cheng said, finishing her sentence.
“Yes, Sun… Sun…”
“You don’t have to say it so hurriedly. I get what you mean. Do you want to hear the rest of the story?”
Her small head nodded rapidly, expressing her thoughts clearly.
“Hmm, I’m feeling a bit sleepy. Let’s continue tomorrow.”
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