Chapter 21 - 21:

Chapter 21: Chapter 21:

[Snow Night Empire]

The city known as Wind City lies at the northernmost border of the Empire, adjacent to the Winter Forest. It is essentially one of the front lines in humanity's resistance against the abyssal demons.

In this city, inside the Marquis's mansion, sits Marquis Xiumu. A battle-hardened hero who has waged many wars against abyssal demons, he's now 110 years old and wears a sorrowful expression. His mansion, built on the mountainside, allows him to view the distant Winter Forest.

Naturally, he witnessed the large-scale natural phenomenon just now.

Already physically and mentally exhausted due to family problems, he couldn't help but feel extremely desolate after seeing the towering red pillar of light.

The internal troubles, coupled with the external troubles that may come, made this veteran warrior feel helpless.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Xiumu said lightly.

Following his words, the door creaked open, and a weary swordsman, bearded and clad in gray armor, stepped into the room. But before he could relay his report to the Marquis, Xiumu preempted him, asking not about the forest anomaly, but rather about his granddaughter.

"Asu, any news about Yuan'er?" The old man's voice was laced with anticipation.

To this, the middle-aged swordsman Asu could only bow his head in shame and shake it from side to side. Seeing this, Xiumu's spark of hope was swiftly extinguished. His old body slumped weakly onto his seat.

"Never mind, since there is no news of Yuan'er, what brings you here?"

"My lord ." This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Asu looked a little conflicted and looked in the direction of Winter Forest outside the window.

"My lord, about that..., did you not see the red light in the forest? That evil power, even I can feel it chilling!"

"Oh, that red light..."

Temporarily putting aside his personal sorrow, Xiumu's expression gradually became serious.

"The natural phenomenon, this is a unique sight when a demon king is born. Perhaps there are even more terrible abyssal demons born in the forest."

"So, what should we do?"

"Activate the red alert and place the entire city on Defense formation. Also, order the troops searching along the forest border to return immediately."

"Come back?! what about Young lady?"

"Let them come back!!."

With a serious tone, Xiumu ordered,

"Although I am worried about my granddaughter's safety, I can't gamble with the lives of everyone in the city. Once the demon king is born, the monster within the range will be affected by its remaining energy. It is very likely that they will target Wind City after transforming into Demons, so we need to prepare immediately. Plus, that red light... its power... I have a gut feeling that this is not just a regular Abyssal Demon king."

With this in mind, the old Marquis's expression became even more serious.

The one who was supposed to pick up his harem turned into the one being picked up...

'Ahhhh! Did I make a mistake while using the magic?!!'

She couldn't help but cry out inwardly,

'Wasn't the transformation spell supposed to shape the appearance based on the soul's form? When I talked to that silver-haired woman, I distinctly remember my soul's form being a handsome young man from my past life! How could it have morphed into such a cute little girl?!'

Where did things go wrong?

'Hmm?'

'Wait a second?'

In a flash, Yumo's bright red eyes narrowed.

The conversation she'd had with the silver-haired girl just before merging with the Demon seed sprung to her mind!

-"I have to do some modification first!"-

Remembering the mysterious woman's words, Yumo felt a spark of realization,

"So, it was you who reshaped my soul into this form!"

At this moment, when she thought of her "little brother" who had already passed away, Yumo had the urge to ask the silver-haired woman for some comfort!

Nonetheless, as she grumbled, Yumo was filled with confusion,

'Why on earth would she modify my soul to become a girl? For safety's sake? But what kind of safety?'

'Could it be because she feared I'd get too absorbed in wooing women and not concentrate on my trials? Is that why she decided to take away my little brother...Wahhh ~'

If that's really the case, Yumo would be at a loss for words.

However, this was just Yumo's wild conjecture.

As for the real reason why the silver-haired girl did this, Yumo was still in the dark. The only thing she could do was to mourn for her deceased "little brother" and shed tears of parting...

Moreover,

Feeling the breeze blowing around her, the coolness on her skin made Yumo frown slightly.

Blushing and covering her naked body, Yumo bit her lip and glanced around frustratedly,

Even though no one was in sight, she felt embarrassed sitting in the forest completely bare.

It felt like she was playing some sort of exhibitionist game...

Uh, but if I follow this logic, does that mean I was streaking naked for hundreds of years before transforming?

"0-0"

Glancing down at her bare body, Yumo shuddered,

"Nevermind, I don't want to dwell on this anymore. I need to find some clothes to put on soon..."