Chapter 183 - I Totally Understand
On the way, Leon and Lilith passed through the Upper District and new Lower District.
Due to being cooped up in her room ever since Leon brought her to the palace, she had not seen the changes taking place in the Capital.
When the Capital was attacked, she had seen the destruction to the Lower District. There was not a spot left unscathed in the big battle and everything was further reduced to ashes.
Lilith was amazed at how much humans had achieved in rebuilding the Capital in these few weeks since the attack.
Her eyes wondered about with curiosity, before landing on a building that stood out from the rest.
"Wow, humans have all sorts of interesting designs, especially that one." Lilith pointed, before continuing, "It feels quite majestic and beautifully designed like a piece of art."
Leon followed the direction Lilith pointed. He was immediately startled when he laid eyes on the building.
Leon was sure they weren't in the location of the old Lower West District. Why was this building here? Did someone take interest in his building design and build another one here?
Leon quickly grabbed Lilith's hand and quickened their pace without making a comment.
Along the way, all sorts of gazes from the surrounding were directed at Lilith, or more precisely; her black wing. There were surprises, curiosity, some unexpected appreciative gazes and unsurprisingly; hostile gazes.
"Can you do something about your wing?" Leon casually asked, before adding, "It's too conspicuous and attracts attention wherever we go. I'm afraid someone might not be able to hold back and jump out to attack you."
"Oh? Are worried about me?" Lilith raised an eyebrow and said with interest.
"No, I'm worried for the person who might attack you." Leon said bluntly. Lilith was stronger than the average palace guards. There was no way the nobles were her match, let alone; the commoners.
Beasts were known for their powerful bodies and physical strength. Although Lilith was a beastkin, he did not doubt that she inherited their powerful fleshly strength.
While he was aware of that fact, others might be deceived by her delicate appearance and forget such a simple fact. Whether it is land, resource or knowledge, the humans of this world lacked many things, but the one thing they did not lack was stupid people.
"Oh…" Lilith's mood quickly plummeted at his response and her brows creased into a frown.
"What do you want me to do? Cut it off? I only have one wing left you know. Isn't the reason why I'm following you because I'm afraid of being attacked by others? Aren't you supposed to be the prince? If someone dares to attack me, while I'm right next to you, wouldn't your status as the prince of this kingdom be a little… too pathetic?" Lilith said strongly with a hint of contempt.
Leon was dumbfounded by the bombardment of questions. He did not expect to trigger such a violent response.
"As you know, 500-year history of hatred between our two races is not something easy to resolve. There are bound to be people who will be hostile against you. If you accidentally hurt someone in your attempt to defend yourself, no one will care about the reason. The fact that a beastkin hurt a human will quickly trigger a chain reaction through the Capital and spiral out of control." Leon explained, before helplessly adding, "I just want to avoid such headaches if possible, alright?"
He had stayed under the radar to reap as much benefits as he could from the nobles and aristocrat families, but now that he had done exactly that, he was no longer looking for trouble.
However, before his status is announced to the world, there was indeed not many people that knew of his royal status.
After listening, Lilith's mood did not improve. She was aware of such of the hatred between their two races and didn't need him to tell her. While it was just a matter of a headache for him, it was a matter of life and death for her. She was alone while the humans were many.
Folding her arms, Lilith grumpily said, "Yeah? So, what do you suggest I do? I was born this way. What are you going to do about it?"
As a newer generation of beastkins, she did not share the same inborn hatred for humans like the beasts does and considered herself as part of a different race to the beasts. In fact, many shared the same thought. The Wildlands were quite divided between the beasts and beastkins as a result.
However, she did not need to mention this as they were still considered on the same side as denizens of the Wildlands.
"Well… cutting it off might not be a bad idea. It is pretty much useless without the other. You won't be able to fly with one wing anyway, but maybe I can use it to decorate my room. It's quite a beautiful wing after all." Leon said with a teasing tone. He gazed at the lone black wing with an indescribable expression and rubbed his chin.
Hyuk!
Lilith reacted like a cat getting its tail stepped on. She quickly retreated warily and eyed him with an expression that seemed to imply that if he came closer, she would not hold back in her attack even if he was her saviour.
"You, you stay away from me!" Lilith shrieked.
"Hahaha… I'm joking, but it appears that you really don't have any methods to hide your wing." Leon chuckled, before shaking his head. He had casually asked because of a simple thought.
The divine beasts from the Divine Realm had a magical technique called the [Hundred Beast Transformation Art], which allows them to transform their appearances into any form they please. Most divine beasts use it to transform into humans, while demi-humans use it to hide their beastly features.
Although he wasn't expecting such a high-level technique to exist in this world, he was expecting that a weaker version may exist among the beasts and beastkin. The body practitioners also had the ability to control their body and shape to some extent. It wouldn't be a problem to retract her wings into her body with such a method, but it seems that he had been expecting too much.
"Of course, I don't have a method to hide my wings! Don't you think I would have used it already to enter your human territory instead of flapping my wings around and stick out like a sore thumb!?" Lilith rolled her eyes.
"Haha, that's true." Leon smiled wryly, before saying, "Try not to cause for me, alright?"
"Hmph!" Lilith harrumphed, before continuing to follow Leon closely.
Fortunately, the trip past the new Lower District was smooth sailing. They did not encounter any trouble.
The two entered the underground mines and made their way to the seal entrance leading to the second underground floor.
Along the way, Lilith looked left and right with curiosity, but underneath the façade of her naïve appearance, she was studying the underground seriously.
The first underground floor was supposedly a spider's nest and the source of the Skysilver King's displeasure. She wondered what secret lies deeper in this dark world.
"Behind that earthen wall is the spiral pathway leading down to the second underground floor, huh." Leon commented upon arrival.
The concentration of earth energy in this area was quite good, but naturally, it'll be even better the deeper he went.
"Boy… Your Highness." Kasif greeted with a forced smile, before asking, "What is the purpose of your visit?"
After the shadowguards and palace guards followed suit in their greeting, they began throwing furtive glances at Lilith.
"I wish to go train in the second floor and explore it. I wonder if that will be possible?" Leon asked.
"Her majesty intends to send down an elite force to hunt for resources and treasures on a regular basis, but for that purpose, we are making haste to construct a sturdy gate. I wonder if your highness has the patience to wait for its completion?" Kasif inquired.
"I can wait." Leon thought for a moment, before he nodded.
He didn't know how long the gate will take to complete, but he had four heavenly crystals to keep him busy with cultivation.
Kasif sighed with relief after hearing Leon's response. It was too dangerous for the prince to explore the second floor on his own. If the brat dies on the other side, the queen will probably chop off all their heads.
"Thank you for your understanding, your Highness." Kasif said, before requesting, "May I speak with your Highness privately in my tent?"
Huh? What does the Old man need to speak with him privately?
Although, Leon was taken aback by the sudden request, but he still agreed to it.
Just a few yards away on his left, there were many tents erected and the biggest one belonged to the leader of the shadowguards.
Lilith intended to follow closely behind Leon, however she was stopped by two shadowguards.
"The leader wishes to speak to the prince privately." They stated sternly.
Lilith frowned at their unfriendly attitude and looked at Leon.
"Wait for me." Leon said.
Lilith stamped the ground unhappily as she watched Leon enter the tent after Kasif.
…
"What's the matter, Old man? You still want to make me your disciple?" Leon asked as soon as he entered the tent.
Kasif was immediately caught by surprise and staggered. He looked at Leon with a strained smile and said, "Surely you jest, your Highness. I wouldn't dare… wouldn't dare…"
Kasif repeated twice, implying that he had already learnt his lesson. He threw a few furtive glances outside, before he whispered, "This place is off limit to unrelated personnel, let alone someone from the beast race. Is it fine to bring that beast here, your Highness? She might try to escape after learning the secrets here and report back to her people."
"Oh, you're worried about this?"
Leon took a quick peek outside; however, it was immediately noticed by Lilith. She gave him the stink eye, before he popped his head back inside with a wry smile.
"She's not a beast. She's a beastkin. You don't have to worry. She'll be under my supervision and won't be able to escape. Just consider her as an attendant of mine." Leon said.
Kasif frowned. He wasn't assured. However, he suddenly recalled some rumours.
"Oh… okay… I understand, your Highness. I totally understand." Kasif said with a meaningful look.
Leon wasn't sure what the Old man understood, but he nodded.
"En, so long as you understand."