"It wasn't me."
That was the Wind Singer's first sentence.
"If not you, then who?!"
The Wind Singer's expression was grim, her emerald eyes clouded with rare gloom, occasionally glancing into the distance. "He's already fled."
Chang cast [Human Immobilization], coldly stating, "You're under arrest."
Felix, equally dour, floated up, eyeing the faint sword mark on the silver wolf statue's ear.
Meng coughed, signaling her to stop staring. "Rest assured, we'll ensure the Wind Singer answers to the Duchess."
Yu Yu, below, couldn't see the statue's top and sneaked a few hops.
Couldn't it be fixed?
Was the Wind Singer getting fined again?
Chang looked at the Wind Singer, her expression odd. "You're done for."
Wind Singer: "?"
Chang said no more.
Meng mused, "If you have a mentor, have them negotiate with the magic circle."
Yu Yu poked Felix, who'd descended. "Is this a big deal?"
Felix gritted her teeth. "This is our ancestor's statue, Silver Moon's symbol, standing nearly two hundred years."
She fell silent.
Yu Yu glanced at the Wind Singer, then at the restrained, icy high-tier spellcasters, and shrank back.
Unsure of the situation, she'd better not stir.
The next moment, her taskbar flared—
[Rescue the Wind Singer (Elite)] (Rewards: Warrior Covenant · Wind Singer *1, Replica · Dawn Staff *1)
[Aid the Wind Singer's Escape (Epic)] (Note: This task is extremely difficult. Choose cautiously.) (Rewards: Tempest Path · Warrior, 'Heart of Nature' Invitation)
Yu Yu was floored.
Seriously, a task for this?
Was that epic task for real?
Didn't it forget to list: magic circle pursuit *1, Silver Moon Duchess favor -100, Senior favor -100?
She instinctively looked at the Wind Singer.
But the woman's green eyes burned with fury, not even glancing her way.
Did she not issue this task?
Right… except for the magic circle, others' tasks were random…
Yu Yu pondered.
The epic task was a pipe dream.
A rookie low-tier spellcaster like her, helping a high-tier warrior escape?
In the magic circle and Silver Moon Duke's stronghold, no less.
Too unrealistic.
But that "Tempest Path" made her heart itch.
…If Zi Shu were here, her eyes would glow green.
Yu Yu looked away, selecting the first task.
[Rescue the Wind Singer (Elite)] (Accepted)
An elite task—Yu Yu hadn't tackled one yet.
Did this mean it was tough?
Made sense, judging by Senior's expression. She was livid, and Meng and the others…
This was serious.
Convincing them was impossible, unless…
She found another way.
Definitely not escape!
Yu Yu sank into thought.
She'd check tonight.
Fixing the statue? The Federation might have the tech…
Maybe it could work.
No penalty for failing, anyway.
Just a pity for the Wind Singer.
That night, Yu Yu ditched her robe, pockets stuffed, and headed to the plaza.
Heh, empty.
Silver Moon had no nightlife!
Glancing around, Yu Yu whooshed into the air.
[Feather Fall]
[Gust]
She stealthily climbed onto the silver wolf's head.
Where?
Where?
Where did the Wind Singer cut?
Yu Yu searched forever, finally casting [Dark Vision].
Her senses sharpened instantly.
Whoa, she cut the ear?!
Yu Yu touched it, finding the mark shallow, barely a graze…
The material seemed ordinary. Maybe ask Senior or check the library?
As she mused, a burst of firelight exploded beside her.
Yu Yu jumped.
"Who?!"
"Who's up there?!"
Sudden noise, followed by guards' footsteps.
Yu Yu: "???"
I was sneaky!
Wasn't it empty? Where'd the guards come from?
No time to think—[Gust] whoosh!
In the dark, her figure was vague.
Good thing she skipped the robe, or she'd be tomorrow's headline.
Seeing relentless guards, Yu Yu's teeth ached.
No, she couldn't alert the magic circle. Gotta land somewhere.
She wasn't getting caught this time!
Huh? Isn't that the puppy's house?
Guards wouldn't dare storm an earl's mansion, right?
Perfect chance to bolt?
No time—watch my flawless landing!
Learning from last time, Yu Yu executed a textbook crash.
Nailed it!
Yu Yu aimed for the other wall to climb out, but the mansion lit up.
Yu Yu: "?"
No time to think—she triggered her necklace's skill, instant speed boost.
[Forest Sprint]
Light as a breeze, she darted through bushes, aiming to scale the wall.
Moments later, Yu Yu crouched in the grass, wilted, as someone yanked her out.
"Miss Yu, it's been a while." A silver-haired woman nodded politely.
Yu Yu, caught in her clear, deep blue eyes, went speechless.
No wonder the lights flared—she landed at the Duke's place.
She wouldn't be pegged as an assassin, right?
Tomorrow's paper: Shock! Magic Circle's Rookie Spellcaster Sneaks Into Earl's Mansion to Assassinate Duchess?!
Yu Yu: Don't spread rumors. I just crash-landed in a panic.
The Duchess eyed Yu Yu, squatting pitifully, and asked slowly, "Miss Yu, why are you here?"
A silver-white blur darted in.
It leaned by the Duchess's feet, ears perked. "Sister! It's her! She insulted me! Snitched…"
Puppy… doggo?
Yu Yu stared at the silver-white wolf pup, eyes sparkling.
It had soft, glossy fur, white as moonlight, faintly glowing. Its ears stood alert, inner fluff lightly pink, deep blue eyes clear and stunning, now tattling by the Duchess's leg…
Fluffy, so tiny…
Yu Yu's gaze made the pup freeze, scooting behind its sister. "Sister, does she want to eat me?"
The Duchess was speechless, kicking the pup away after a pause. "How many times have I said, no wolf form in public?"
Yu Yu even saw silver fluff float as the pup was nudged.
…Shedding season, indeed.
Yu Yu wanted to sell the Duchess a lint roller…
Would she buy?
The pup, ultra-aggrieved, met Yu Yu's stare. With a flash, it became a silver-haired, wolf-eared boy.
Strikingly delicate, especially those ears…
Wanna pinch the tips.
Yu Yu forced her eyes away, laughing awkwardly. "…I'm not well-read, never seen this. Sorry for the spectacle, Duchess."
The Duchess barely ignored it, repeating, "Why are you here?"
Yu Yu pondered.
How to explain climbing the silver wolf at midnight, getting spotted, whooshing through half the city, and crash-landing to avoid the magic circle?
"…It's complicated."
Duchess: "?"
"Then take your time."
Yu Yu was about to explain when a guard entered. "Your Highness, Silver Lion requests an audience."
The Duke, composed, nodded slightly. "Let her in."
Yu Yu's eyes widened.
Wasn't this the warrior NPC from Shu Tu's stage?
The one who forced a can of iced cola on her.
The woman entered, saluting. "Your Highness, a thief climbed the statue's head at night, sparking firelight, spotted by us…"
She paused, glancing at Yu Yu. "She also broke Silver Moon law, flying three streets, landing in the earl's mansion. Your orders, Highness."
Duchess: "…"
Classic outsider.
She wasn't even surprised.
Facing the Duchess's gorgeous blue eyes, Yu Yu gave an awkward, polite smile. "Actually, when the Wind Singer was arrested today, I was there."
The Duchess raised an eyebrow.
Yu Yu fidgeted. "I wanted to check how bad the mark was, see if it could be fixed…"
"Why not report to the Grand Archon?" the Duchess asked. "Why sneak around?"
Yu Yu: "Wasn't sure it'd work. No need for a fuss, just a quick peek…"
She glanced at Silver Lion, muttering, "That firelight wasn't me…"
Silver Lion nodded calmly. "It was the night-duty spellcaster."
Yu Yu: "?"
[Expletive]
Magic circle spellcasters didn't treat her like human, huh?
Silver Lion explained, "Due to today's incident, we suspected Wind Singer accomplices, so we stopped patrols and doused torches…"
Yu Yu: "…"
A dashing spellcaster walked into the trap.
She couldn't help but gripe, "Why chase me? Not worried about a diversion?!"
Silver Lion's look was downright rude. "…The spellcaster's still at her post."
Yu Yu: "…"
Damn, why didn't she [Gust] me there?!
Another troublemaker!
Yu Yu clutched her head, shutting down. "…Your Highness, that's the story, I guess."
"Insolent, address her as Highness."
"Oh, Your Highness."
The Duchess sighed, waving them off. "Alright, you're dismissed."
The pup's face lit up. "Sister, how about…"
The Duchess's glance shut it down.
The pup's ears folded back into airplane mode, sulking off.
Yu Yu couldn't stop staring—those ears folded!
As the pup turned, Yu Yu spotted its tail.
Glossy, radiant as moonlight, outshining the finest silk she'd seen.
It glowed!!!
Despite the magic lamps, Yu Yu wouldn't forget—the pup ran in, shining!
As the pup stormed off, airplane-eared, Yu Yu reluctantly looked away.
The Duchess said coolly, "Has anyone told you your stare is rude?"
Yu Yu, shyly: "I'm not well-read, no experience. Please forgive me, Duchess."
Wah, puppy, doggo, those pink inner ear fluffs, wah, she couldn't even touch a substitute!
Help!
The Duchess's voice hardened. "If I catch you staring at my head again, I'll lock you up to clear your mind."
Yu Yu bowed, apologizing earnestly. "Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Her sincerity barely passed. The Duchess accepted, grudgingly.
"Can you fix the statue?"
Yu Yu: "Not sure. I need to ask our experts outside."
The Duchess hummed. "If you can, I'll let it slide."
Yu Yu: "?"
No reward?
You're skimping on my reward?!
The Duchess, identical to Senior, had silky, moonlight silver hair and stunning blue eyes.
She looked at Yu Yu. "Any other objections?"
Yu Yu: "None, it's my honor to serve Your Highness."
The Duchess finally smiled, polite and elegant. "You may go."
Yu Yu knew it was time to bolt.
"Senior!!!"
This time, the door swung open.
Even at night.
Yu Yu's door-yelling skills had clearly earned Felix's approval.
Felix: "? Something up?"
Her mouth said "something up," but her eyes screamed "you better have something."
Yu Yu grinned shamelessly. "Senior, if I fix the statue, any point rewards?"
Felix, surprised, glanced at her, her woken-up irritation fading.
She smoothed her hair. "Hm, you can fix it?"
Yu Yu: "Not sure, can't promise."
Felix nodded calmly. "Fine, give it a shot."
[Repair the Statue] (Reward: Plantation *1)
Yu Yu's eyes welled with gratitude. "Senior, you're the best."
Felix scratched her head, sighing. "Nothing else? Out. See you tomorrow."
Yu Yu translation: Scram, wolf needs sleep!
"Goodnight, Senior, I'm off!"
Rolling out of the magic circle, Yu Yu was so thrilled she wanted to sing.
One task, double-dipped. That's my style.
Senior was way more generous than the Duchess Look at that, look at that, hmph, brave player, no free labor!