Mei followed the scent to the people who had released the bombs.
Their eyes raked over Mei’s body, openly appraising her and spouting vulgar comments.
A golden-haired youth, dressed in lavish clothes, looked at Mei. “What are you idiots standing around for? A high-class beauty like this is a once-in-a-century find! Go on, hurry up and grab her. There’ll be a hefty reward if you do!”
The remaining four men approached Mei with lecherous grins.
Mei mused that these nobles were incredibly fortunate to have survived this long without offending a truly powerful figure.
These individuals were merely Level 3, the kind of fodder who would be foot soldiers if they had any standing on the continent.
How could these nobles possibly believe they could act with such impunity?
While Mei pitied the nobles’ low intelligence, she certainly wouldn’t show mercy.
After all, being disturbed was one of Mei’s cardinal taboos.
‘Show mercy? You might as well wonder if Qiweiya will turn into a man.’
Drawing her Pulse Katana, Model 17, Mei executed a sheathed sword strike, hitting them with the blunt side.
The four men instantly collapsed, unconscious, lying motionless on the ground.
The golden-haired youth panicked. “Y-y-you, don’t come any closer! My father is the City Lord of this city! Be careful, my father will send soldiers to capture you later and make your life a living hell!”
Qiweiya and her two companions, who had just arrived, were utterly bewildered by nobles who constantly invoked their fathers’ names, much like the infamous “My dad is Li Gang” incident.
‘He might be your father, but you shouldn’t drag him down like this… He has, after all, raised you for so many years, hasn’t he?’
“Who dares harm my young master! Prepare to die!”
A massive greatsword slashed down onto Mei’s katana.
Mei stood unmoving, as steady as a mountain. Yet, with a single tremor from her katana, the newly arrived middle-aged man was sent flying.
Qiweiya covered her face. “How can you lose with a face-slap at light speed?”
Kiana chimed in, “How can you win when you’re short and weak?”
Mei’s mouth twitched.
She had clearly heard their remarks, and while she shared their sentiment, she magnanimously decided to double their punishment later for being such clowns.
The youth watched as the middle-aged man was casually sent flying, and despair washed over him.
He knew that the man possessed formidable Level 5 anti-military strength.
While not considered a top-tier expert on the continent, it was a power that made him a regional overlord, far surpassing the rare anti-city and anti-nation levels.
Yet, he had been effortlessly knocked down. Even a fool like him now understood he had caused a grave disaster.
The youth immediately dropped to his knees, begging for mercy. “My Lady, I know you must be a good person, please spare me this one time!”
“I promise I’ll never engage in such vulgar activities again. Please, just let me go, My Lady!”
As he spoke, he attempted to embrace Mei’s leg, as if making a heartfelt confession.
Mei promptly kicked him away, casting a look of utter disgust.
“I am profoundly disappointed with the current state of nobility. The kingdom completely disregards your antics? To think you can still live so freely and unrestrainedly—truly, the world is in decline!”
“My mood is currently quite foul. I’ve decided that the nobles of your city will be our first target for reform! Now, take me to your father!”
Qiweiya walked over, playfully nudging the youth’s foot with hers, a wide smile on her face. “Young man~ you’ve truly stirred up trouble that even the King can’t save you from! So, I hope it won’t be too terrible for you~”
The youth instantly plunged into despair.
‘What kind of joke is this? Even the King can’t save me! Doesn’t that mean they are beings feared even by nations themselves!’
****
Qiweiya crooked a finger and whistled at a maid. “Hey, pretty girl, come here, come here! Let me, your master, have some fun~ Serve me well, and there’ll be a reward!”
Mei, who was currently deep in conversation with the City Lord, felt a vein throb on her forehead.
If it weren’t for the fact that they were out in public and she needed to give her superior, Qiweiya, some face, she would have already unleashed an Amaterasu strike.
Kiana, meanwhile, watched Mei and the City Lord’s conversation with a serious expression.
However, the occasional glances she shot towards Qiweiya revealed her true intentions.
The maid, subjected to the teasing, was on the verge of tears.
Only because her master was still present, discussing important matters, did she remain standing there, awaiting orders. Otherwise, she would have fled faster than anyone.
Seeing the maid’s distressed face, Qiweiya grew displeased. “Hey! I’m graciously bothering with you, and you give me that look! What about me, pretty girl, is inferior to those outwardly respectable but inwardly beastly men? Those men are just a bit handsome~”
“You know, it’s better to find a same-s*x lover! The opposite s*x is only for procreation; same-s*x love is eternal true love! Turn back from the shore, pretty girl!”
This time, the maid truly burst into tears.
The City Lord, looking utterly helpless, turned to Mei. “My Lady, could you please ask your friend to spare my maid? I truly don’t want to find myself without any servants in the future…”
Mei nodded, her face dark, and instantly appeared beside Qiweiya.
She spoke in a chilling tone, “Qiweiya-sama~”
Qiweiya shivered, hastily responding, “H-hi!”
Mei pressed down on Qiweiya’s head, leaning closer. “If you still want to be able to stand on your own two feet when we return, then you’d better behave! Otherwise, a grand punishment awaits~”
“As for what kind of punishment… Hehehe~ just think big, and you won’t be wrong!”
Qiweiya, her face pale, nodded frantically.
As Mei passed Kiana, she noticed the girl’s slightly disappointed expression and issued a threat. “You too! Behave yourself, or you’ll be even worse off than Qiweiya later!”
“Ugh,” Kiana whimpered, letting out a mournful sound.
“City Lord, based on the plan we discussed, you should know what needs to be done, correct? I hope you won’t try any tricks, or you’ll understand the consequences of provoking four top-tier deities.”
The City Lord replied earnestly, “My Lady, what are you saying? As a City Lord, I understand what’s important and what’s not. You can rest assured and simply await the results; I will handle the process properly.”
Mei, seeing his serious demeanor and sincere expression, nodded. “I hope it will be as you say.”
With that, she led Qiweiya and the others out.
As Bronya passed by him, she remarked blandly, “The City Lord is a clever man. Bronya believes the City Lord wouldn’t dare offend ancient deities like us.”
The City Lord’s pupils constricted.
When he looked again, Bronya was gone.
The City Lord suddenly collapsed into his chair, a bitter smile on his face. ‘Deities, indeed…’
After a moment of thought, he issued an order. “Summon the Imperial Resident Envoy! Tell them I have urgent matters concerning the empire’s survival to discuss in detail.”
A nearby steward bowed and withdrew.