Chapter 30: Delia’s Guardian
Master Rorls could clearly see that his disciple was worried about Linley.
“Delia, it’s fine. Don’t worry!” Linley said with a smile. Delia’s concern stirred a sense of warmth in Linley’s heart.
“Mm.” Delia nodded.
Even so, Delia couldn’t put her mind at ease. After all, the one Linley was fighting was Hudderson, the Rock Sword Saint, hailed as the number one expert in the Saint Domain.
Rorls looked at Linley, then at Delia, and laughed: “You two old classmates haven’t seen each other in a long time, right? I won’t disturb you here. I’ll take a walk and leave you two to chat. I imagine after ten years apart, you both have a lot to say to each other.”
Delia shot a grateful glance at her teacher.
Master Rorls was clearly creating an opportunity for her to be alone with Linley.
With that, Master Rorls led the Earth Bear out of the courtyard, leaving only Linley, Delia, and the two magical beasts, Bebe and Blackrush.
Delia lowered her head, slowly stroking Bebe in her arms, waiting for Linley to speak first.
Watching a beautiful woman holding a pet, the scene was so touching, but Linley’s heart felt bitter. If it were a Saint Domain expert, Linley wouldn’t be afraid at all, but with Delia, his feelings were actually quite complicated.
If there was one girl his age he knew best, it was Delia.
After all, they had spent their youth together.
But Linley wasn’t made of stone. He could sense Delia’s feelings. And that was precisely why Linley felt a bit awkward.
“These years… have you been well?” After a long silence, Linley squeezed out this incredibly cliché line.
Delia looked up at Linley and couldn’t help but laugh: “Linley, you’re already a Saint Domain expert, why are you so shy? I’ve been fine these years. I have my family behind me, and my teacher too. Who would dare bully me?”
Delia’s string of words helped Linley relax a little.
“These years… how have you been getting by?” Delia asked softly.
“Nothing much.” Linley seemed to recall the past ten years. Ten years ago, after learning of his father’s death, he had been determined to take revenge, even at the cost of his own life.
On the path of revenge, he had gone further and further, eventually killing Clayde. But because of the siege by the six special executors of the Radiant Church, his beloved Grandpa Doehring had perished for his sake…
Three years of bitter training in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts. Nearly six years of secluded cultivation in the O’Brien Empire.
The battles with Stello, the six angels, the spar with McKenzie… scenes flashed rapidly through his mind, and Linley, without any guard, recounted them to Delia.
Delia stopped stroking Bebe and listened intently to every word Linley said.
Linley spoke lightly, as if it were all easy. But Delia could fully imagine the life Linley had lived over the past decade. After he finished, Linley sighed deeply.
“Linley.” Delia suddenly reached out and took Linley’s hand, holding it tightly!
Linley looked up at Delia in surprise, but Delia gazed at him: “Linley, don’t make yourself live so tiredly. You’ve already done more than enough.”
Delia’s hand was a bit cold.
But Linley could feel the pulse from her palm, the rhythm of her heartbeat. Sensing the beat of her heart, Linley felt a warmth in his chest, and the ice in his heart melted a little.
“Thank you.” Linley said softly.
“Don’t say thank you to me.” Delia shook her head, her eyes burning as she looked at Linley.
The atmosphere between them suddenly became charged. Somehow, Linley felt his mind go chaotic. Images of his past with Alice flashed before him, then the memory of that night when Delia kissed him. His heartbeat grew erratic—Linley actually felt a sense of panic.
“Bebe.” Linley looked at Bebe, then turned to Delia and said, “Delia, do you know how amazing Bebe is?” In that tense atmosphere, a flustered Linley immediately changed the subject.
Linley didn’t know what would have happened if that atmosphere had continued.
Instinctively, Linley decided to change the subject.
Delia sighed inwardly. She was skilled in diplomatic negotiations and had studied human psychology. Back at the Ernst Institute of Magic, she had started researching psychology. The original reason for studying psychology was to understand Linley.
Delia understood Linley well.
She knew that after what happened with Alice, although Linley seemed to have forgotten her, Delia knew… the impact of emotions was not something one could just forget.
First love was actually very fragile.
Especially for someone with Linley’s strong personality. Once he truly fell in love, he would value it far more than most people. The failure of his first love had subconsciously left a shadow over the concept of ‘love’ for Linley.
Even if other girls approached him, Linley would instinctively be on guard.
Delia understood that a layer of ice had formed in Linley’s heart. To melt that ice, she couldn’t rush it. She had to take it step by step.
Delia loved Linley deeply and cherished him from the bottom of her heart.
Linley had suffered so much, losing his loved ones one by one. At just twenty-seven, he had reached the peak of the Saint Domain. His achievements were great, but how much hardship lay behind those achievements?
Delia truly didn’t want Linley to be so tired anymore. For Linley, she was prepared. Time didn’t matter. As long as she could make Linley a little more relaxed, a little happier, she would be satisfied.
“Delia, what are you thinking about?” Linley noticed that Delia had spaced out.
Delia snapped back to reality and laughed: “Thinking? About you.” Linley was stunned. Seeing his expression, Delia laughed: “Just kidding!”
Linley laughed too.
“You were saying something about Bebe?” Delia asked with a smile.
“Bebe, say a couple of words to Delia?” Linley looked at Bebe with a smile.
“Talk?” Delia looked at Bebe in surprise. The unremarkable Shadowmouse from the Ernst Institute of Magic? A magical beast that could talk—that meant it was a Saint Domain magical beast!
Bebe jumped directly onto the stone table, stood up on his hind legs, raised his little head, and declared loudly: “Miss Delia, let me tell you a secret. When my boss was in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, he often talked about you. He even said you forcefully kissed him back then.”
“Slap!” Linley’s hand shot out, but it passed right through Bebe’s body. It was just an afterimage.
Bebe hovered in midair, grinning smugly at Linley.
“Bebe, you little rascal.” Linley didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He had never said anything like that! Bebe was just making it up.
“Bebe, come here, be good.” Delia reached out her hand. Bebe leaped into her arms, snuggled into her warm embrace, looking very comfortable, and deliberately winked at Linley.
…
Being with Delia, along with Bebe constantly ‘teasing’ Linley and Delia, kept the laughter flowing. Time flew by, and before they knew it, the sky had darkened.
Delia glanced at the sky. She remembered that tonight, King Joan had prepared a grand reception banquet for her.
“Linley, it’s getting late. I need to go. King Joan has prepared a banquet tonight, and I have to attend.” Delia said apologetically.
Linley nodded slightly: “Then I won’t keep you.”
“Are you coming tonight?” Delia suddenly asked.
“Me?” Linley laughed. “King Joan didn’t invite me, and I’m not really fond of banquets. I’ll pass.”
Delia nodded slightly.
In truth, how could King Joan not have invited Linley? It was just that Wharton had declined on his brother’s behalf, knowing Linley didn’t like gatherings or dealing with nobles.
“Goodbye.” Delia said softly.
“Goodbye.” Linley looked at Delia.
Delia hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked out of the courtyard. At the entrance, she looked back at Linley. In the twilight, the sky was dim, and a gentle evening breeze blew. As Delia turned her head, her hair and the hem of her dress fluttered in the wind.
That backward glance, that smile—it was truly enchanting.
Watching the beautiful woman leave, disappearing around the corner of the path, Linley stood still, lost in thought.
“Big brother, what are you looking at?” Wharton walked over and laughed. “Time for dinner.”
“Your big brother is lovesick!” Bebe’s little head popped out from behind Linley.
*******
Night had fallen. Lights flickered throughout the imperial capital. In the royal palace, a grand banquet was in full swing. Court musicians played beautiful music, and men and women danced gracefully in the center of the hall.
Delia was sitting in a seat against the wall, with the Thunderbolt Wind Eagle beside her. She was the star of the evening, as the banquet was held in her honor.
But Delia, after exchanging a few pleasantries with King Joan at the start and singing a beautiful song, had claimed she wasn’t feeling well and retreated to the side to rest.
A handsome young nobleman walked up to Delia, put on what he thought was his most charming smile, and bowed politely: “May I have the honor of asking the beautiful Miss Delia for a dance?”
“Sorry, I’m not feeling well.” Delia shook her head.
The nobleman could only retreat in disappointment. Not feeling well? What a lie. Many girls used that excuse to turn down dance invitations. And Delia was a seventh-rank mage—how could she be so easily unwell?
In the distance, a few noble youths were watching Delia.
“How many is that?” Scott asked the young noble beside him with a smile.
“The eighth one.” The young noble laughed.
“What’s the eighth?” Marquis Kifer, who had just stepped off the dance floor, walked over with a beaming smile. Marquis Kifer was riding high these days.
Indeed, Marquis Kifer was the son of Prince Yulin. The first heir to the prince. In the future, he would be the ruler of the entire Southeast Province. That status was extraordinary—even more distinguished than a prince who couldn’t become king. Naturally, many noble ladies wanted to become Marquis Kifer’s wife.
Unfortunately, many noble ladies had ended up in Marquis Kifer’s bed without getting anything in return.
“I was telling His Highness about Miss Delia. Eight people have already invited her to dance today, but all failed. It seems no one else has the confidence to try anymore.” The young noble laughed.
Scott looked at Marquis Kifer with a smile: “What, Cousin Kifer, want to give it a try?”
Marquis Kifer nodded confidently: “It’s just a dance. Watch me.” He walked toward Delia with a brilliant smile.
“Miss Delia.” Marquis Kifer stopped in front of her. “May I have the honor of asking you for a dance?”
“Sorry, I’m not feeling well.” Delia gave the same reply.
Marquis Kifer sat down without hesitation, maintaining a small, experienced distance from Delia—close enough but not threatening.
“If you’re not feeling well, you should rest properly.” Marquis Kifer was seasoned in romance and knew how to make his move. Physical contact with a girl made it easier to get close.
As for how to initiate contact…
“Ah, Miss Delia, there’s something on your shoulder…” As he spoke, Marquis Kifer reached out to touch Delia’s shoulder.
But before he could say the word ‘dust’—
“Ah!” Marquis Kifer let out a piercing scream that echoed through the entire hall. Everyone turned to look. Even King Joan, who had been chatting with the Imperial Prime Minister in the distance, was drawn over.
“What’s going on?” King Joan immediately walked over.
“My hand, my hand!” Marquis Kifer was on the verge of tears. There was a large hole in the back of his hand, a chunk of flesh missing. Blood flowed endlessly, staining the floor.
Delia quickly stood up and said, “King Joan, I’m sorry. My teacher had the Thunderbolt Wind Eagle protect me. Anyone who tries to touch me with hostile intent will be attacked by it. Before I could react, the Thunderbolt Wind Eagle had already pecked him.”
Everyone looked at the Thunderbolt Wind Eagle beside her.
The eagle’s sharp beak held a large piece of flesh, still dripping blood. It swallowed the meat in one gulp, its golden eagle eyes fixed firmly on Marquis Kifer.