Having escaped the guild, Silverbloom once more employed her magical disguise, transforming herself into Lena.
Chiling was still within the city, and as Silverbloom shifted her form, her heart pounded wildly, fearing she might run into her at any turn.
Fortunately, she never encountered Chiling.
However, she recalled Roland’s parting words whispered in her ear as she left the guild.
‘How was she supposed to meet Chiling?’
Really, as sisters, did they truly not even have a way to contact each other? It seemed she would have to intervene.
Adjusting her dress, she stepped out from the shadowy corner, then hailed a carriage that took her to the city gates.
Many heroes guarded the city gates, most of them from Urgar, their strength a tier above Vidona’s warriors.
Skyfire was likely among them, as Chiling had previously instructed her to oversee the city gates.
Stepping down from the carriage, the moment she approached the gate, a grizzled, middle-aged hero stepped forward, blocking her path.
He scrutinized her from head to toe, and upon seeing her face, a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes. Then, he spoke in a deep voice, “The city is under lockdown these days. Do not proceed any further.”
Beside Lena stood many people eager to leave the city, but they had all been turned away by the heroes, their pleas to depart falling on deaf ears.
Lena, however, was different. She offered a gentle smile and explained her purpose to the middle-aged hero before her: “I am looking for Hero Skyfire.”
Only Skyfire could contact Chiling, so her reason for coming to the city gates was specifically to find her.
“Looking for Lady Skyfire?”
These words caused the middle-aged hero to widen his eyes and reassess Lena thoroughly. After confirming she possessed no magical power, he couldn’t help but ask, “What business do you have with her?”
“I wish for her to help me find someone.”
Yet, as soon as she spoke, the middle-aged hero paused, then a look of impatience crossed his face. He waved his hand dismissively at Lena, shooing her away, “Go on, go on! Lady Skyfire is busy; she has no time for you.”
‘Ask Lady Skyfire to find someone? What kind of joke was this? She was a Seventh-tier Hero!’
Normally, even they had to grovel to seek Lady Skyfire’s help. This woman, aside from being pretty, possessed no magical power whatsoever. What ability could she possibly have to approach such a figure?
It wasn’t that he looked down on ordinary people without magic, but reality was simply thus: commoners and heroes existed in two different worlds, their social circles rarely intersecting.
Having lived as an ordinary person for over a decade, Lena understood what the middle-aged hero was thinking. Thus, she added, “My reason for seeking her concerns her teacher.”
To her surprise, upon hearing this, the hero exchanged a glance with his companions before they all burst into laughter.
“What nonsense! Lady Skyfire has no teacher!”
“If she had a teacher, wouldn’t they have to be an Eighth-tier councilor?”
“If you want her help, I suggest you save your breath. Such a lie is easily exposed.”
Lena touched her nose, not expecting that Chiling had kept her identity so well-hidden, to the extent that even Urgar’s heroes were unaware Skyfire had a teacher.
‘What was she to do?’
She couldn’t possibly say that Silverbloom was looking for her, could she? Given the attitude of these heroes, unless she appeared as Silverbloom directly, they wouldn’t believe anything she said.
She had intended to help Roland and Chiling meet, yet she found herself unable to even accomplish that.
Then, a clear voice echoed from the castle entrance, where Chiling usually stood guard.
“What is all this commotion about?”
Raising her head, Lena’s eyes lit up upon seeing the newcomer, a renewed sense of hope blossoming within her heart.
The maiden with ink-green hair stood gracefully, her hands clasped before her abdomen. Her expression was serene, and her form-fitting dress perfectly accentuated her figure.
Moreover, the slit in her dress skirt revealed glimpses of her fair thighs as she walked, exuding a pure, subtle allure.
“Lady Skyfire, this person claims to have business with you, and even says it concerns your teacher. This has truly amused everyone.”
The middle-aged hero chuckled heartily. Though he addressed Skyfire as ‘Lady,’ his demeanor showed little respect.
Faced with a genius whose qualifications were not as profound as his own, yet who had risen to her current position through talent and was amiable, he found it difficult to harbor any reverence.
This time, however, Skyfire did not humor him as he expected. Instead, her face was etched with a frosty expression.
“Is that so? What’s so funny about it?”
The winter wind swept past the middle-aged hero, causing him to shiver. He immediately sensed that the atmosphere had shifted, and even the heroes who had stood beside him quietly distanced themselves.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. With a dawning realization, he stammered nervously, “Lady Skyfire, surely you don’t mean…”
“Yes, I have a teacher. What of it?” Skyfire shot him a cold glance, saying, “And just as you suspect, she is a councilor of the Conclave.”
A councilor?
The middle-aged hero glanced at Lena, his legs instantly turning to jelly, almost causing him to collapse to his knees.
His back was drenched in sweat, yet despite this, he still found it impossible to believe what he had just heard.
This woman before him, utterly devoid of magic, actually knew a councilor from the Conclave?
Years of ingrained understanding were shattered by the reality of the situation. He hastily bowed to Lena, apologizing and begging for her forgiveness. Though she knew he had misunderstood, she couldn’t be bothered to explain.
Lena and Chiling could only be said to have met once; their relationship essentially remained that of strangers.
However, if Chiling’s identity could provide her with many conveniences, then she wouldn’t refuse to utilize it.
After Lena forgave the middle-aged hero, Skyfire gave her a look, then turned and walked towards the hero camp near the city gates.
“Come with me.”
Upon entering the camp, Lena clearly stated her purpose, and Skyfire promptly contacted Chiling. Before long, Chiling arrived to meet her there.
Sitting elegantly opposite her, Chiling rested her head on her hand, speaking with a hint of inexplicable melancholy, “Lena, you sought me out. I thought you wanted to tell me news of Silverbloom.”
“What? Do you not wish to reconcile with your sister?”
“Of course not. I just assumed you would only contact me regarding Silverbloom.”
Chiling clarified, then gave Lena a deep, curious look, asking, “Reconcile with Roland? What is this about?”
“Follow me.”
Lena rose and left the camp, hailing a carriage. Though curious, Chiling followed her into the vehicle.
The wind chimes hanging on the carriage swayed gently as evening drew near.
Chiling lifted the window curtain to observe the city. Before long, the carriage stopped before a villa in Vidona’s residential district, lights glowing within.
Gathering her skirt, Chiling stepped down from the carriage, looking at the illuminated villa ahead. She couldn’t help but ask, “This is…”
“Roland’s residence.”