Chapter 353 – Joni's Silence and Ben's Friendship

In the chaotic Royal Hall, two individuals wore expressions of deep concern. One was naturally Joni Zordas, who had already been subtly persuaded by Punk. The other… was Ben Lajie.

Punk knew without thinking that Ben Lajie’s internal conflict stemmed from another episode of his “savior complex.” Yet this portly old man also harbored personal motives, now torn over whether to stop Punk’s “ruthless scheme.”

To ensure safety, Punk decided to remind Ben Lajie… while simultaneously helping Joni solidify his resolve.

“Whether you agree or not, events have already unfolded. Even if unwilling to accept it, we cannot turn back time. Regardless of the outcome, we have no choice. You need to reclaim that tarnished honor, while I need to earn crucial exchange points. At least for now, we each get what we need…”

While delivering this speech, Punk directed the first half toward Joni. But when he reached “we need to earn crucial exchange points,” his gaze shifted to Ben Lajie.

Ben Lajie clearly understood Punk’s implicit reminder. He saw the grave warning in Punk’s eyes. Even now, the portly old man seemed somewhat unwilling to yield. However, after prolonged contemplation and noticing the gradually emerging murderous intent in Punk’s eyes, Ben Lajie ultimately chose to helplessly smack his lips without another word.

The meeting that began in silence ultimately concluded in silence. Joni, who had grown noticeably quieter, was the first to rise and leave without uttering a word. In the end, Joni never explicitly endorsed Punk’s plan, yet his silent acquiescence sufficiently demonstrated this Holy Warrior’s stance.

Punk followed closely behind, needing to monitor the spread of the Graybone Virus. Before the war arrived, Punk required these terrifying biological weapons to remain under his control.

As for Ben Lajie… his face had long lost its characteristic irreverent smirk.

“Cyan, do you truly understand what you’re doing?”

As Punk passed by Ben Lajie, he heard the portly old man’s unusually serious, low and raspy tone.

“I know exactly what I’m doing. But do you know what you’re doing?”

After casting an icy glance at Ben Lajie, Punk turned and left without hesitation.

Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. From the very beginning, Punk had seen through this sentimental and self-contradictory mage. Their cooperation on the mission was merely a matter of necessity. The day of their parting was inevitable. For now, Punk only hoped Ben Lajie would continue to yield until… this increasingly troublesome dragon-slaying mission reached its conclusion!

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The sunlight over the Hoth Mountains lacked brilliance. The golden hues cast upon the ground failed to deliver corresponding warmth. As the howling northern winds swept through, gravel from the Royal Palace ruins mingled with blood-red ice crystals swirling into the air. Had no one revealed the truth, who would have known these sparkling “ruby ice shards” dancing in the wind were actually frozen from recently spilled warm blood?Amidst the broken walls and ruins lay fragmented corpses, yet many serving maids, attendants, and even the king’s guards stood far from the debris, too afraid to approach. On the throne sat the demented Old King, still drooling with vacant, lifeless eyes—the nominal supreme ruler of the Maple Leaf Kingdom seemed unaware of what had transpired… Seeing this, Ben Lajie couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation:

“Ah, what a tragic kingdom…”

Silently turning away, Ben Lajie prepared to leave.

But… just as he took his first step, a clear, childish voice halted him.

“Grandpa, have you seen Uncle Zordas?”

A little girl in a white gauze dress, her hair tied into two clever pigtails, squeezed out from the crowd of distant onlookers. This exquisitely beautiful child stood upon the gray rubble like an angel fallen to earth, radiant and dazzling. Her amber eyes held no disgust for the filth on the ground—only the innocence and playfulness unique to a child.

Spotting the neglected Old King still on his throne, the girl noticed the biting wind carrying red ice crystals mercilessly clinging to his white beard. Anxious, she hurriedly called out to Ben Lajie without bothering to smooth her wrinkled, elegant dress.

“Where did Uncle Zordas go? Grandpa King hasn’t recovered from his cold yet. The doctor said he mustn’t be exposed to the wind. Quickly, send someone to take Grandpa King back to the inner palace!”

Well, it seemed the little girl had mistaken Ben Lajie for a servant.

Seeing such a delicate and beautiful child approach, Ben Lajie swiftly used Mage Hand to smooth the icy debris on the ground. In just a tenth of a second, his previously troubled expression transformed into one of kindly warmth:

“Come, be careful. Let me guess—you must be Princess Liwaqi.”

“Eh~~ You know me too, Grandpa? So I really am famous! Aunt Lailuo didn’t lie to me.”

Watching Ben Lajie merely wave his hand to turn the uneven ground into smooth flooring, the ten-year-old princess looked utterly amazed, though she didn’t forget the shivering Old King.

“Grandpa, are you a mage? Please take Grandpa King somewhere warm quickly.”

It had to be admitted—if acting cute was a form of power, Princess Liwaqi’s skill was truly Legendary. Faced with her tender, petite face and tightly pursed lips, Ben Lajie found himself nearly defenseless. Washed by the princess’s sweet, soft voice, he realized the gloom accumulated during his earlier conversation with Punk had already vanished without notice.

“Alright!”

In high spirits, Ben Lajie smiled and crouched down to pat the princess’s head.

“But Grandpa King seems to have fallen asleep. How about we take him to the warm inner palace together? That way, when he wakes up, he’ll see our lovely Princess Liwaqi.”

“Great! You promised!”

The little princess hopped in place happily, then extended her index finger toward Ben Lajie with delight.”Aunt Lailuo said that if two people press their fingertips together, it becomes proof of friendship. So let’s become friends now.”

In the silence of the royal palace ruins, a brilliant ray of sunlight pierced through the gloomy clouds. Flecks of light drifted down like rain upon the figures of an elder and a youth standing amidst the debris. Without complications or negotiations, without pointless schemes or intrigues, a pure little friendship—untainted by age or strength, free from filth and grime—was born in the simplest of ways.

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(End of Chapter)