After work, start to speedrun the other world-Chapter 55 - 33 The Challenge at the Village Entrance

Chapter 55: Chapter 33 The Challenge at the Village Entrance

"I never thought my sister would try to seize the throne and even want to kill me," Letixia said, her hands clasped behind her back as she strolled down a woodland path.

She spoke softly to Xi Mu who followed behind her.

"She was always so well-behaved and very cute."

"Perhaps someone has bewitched your sister?" Xi Mu speculated, and at his words, Letixia’s pace slowed slightly.

She turned around, lifting a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

"If that were true, it would be a relief. After all, I really don’t want to cross swords with my own sister."

"Leave the sword-wielding to me," Xi Mu offered, patting Letixia’s shoulder gently as his gaze shifted toward a mountain village not far off.

Next came a transitional scene to provide some exposition on the current state of the Iris Flower Kingdom.

Some time later.

The two arrived outside the village and did not rashly enter to investigate the situation. Instead, they observed from a distance to confirm there was no danger.

"All elderly, children, women, no young adults to be seen," Xi Mu retracted his gaze and analyzed for Letixia.

"If the young adults have all gone to work, there’s only one reason: they probably didn’t leave the village voluntarily."

"What exactly does my sister want to do?" Letixia frowned deeply, standing in the position of the Iris Flower heir, she could not agree with taking all the young adults from a village. After all, farming and hunting required their strength.

Moreover, for the Iris Flower Kingdom, apart from facing pirates, there were not many threats, so there was no need to maintain a large military force.

There was simply no need for so many young adults to become soldiers.

But if they were not becoming soldiers and were not allowed to labor, then why would her sister need to draft so many young adults?

And it was at that moment.

"Your Highness the Princess, you have finally returned!" A surprised voice came. An old man holding a cane, his long white beard flowing, his face full of excitement.

"Please hurry and save the Iris Flower Kingdom!"

Perfect NPC attire.

Xi Mu silently thought to himself, taking two steps back. He watched Letixia interact with the elderly village chief, his mind wandering.

After all, he was all too familiar with the storyline.

"I’m sorry I returned late," Letixia said guiltily, then began to inquire, "Village chief, can you explain the situation of the Iris Flower Kingdom to us?"

She turned to look behind at Xi Mu.

"We have only returned to the Iris Flower Kingdom not long ago."

"Yes." The village chief, ever so dedicated, began to recount the current situation, his gaze distant, looking in the direction of the palace:

"After you went to visit the gods, Princess Ashliya suddenly launched a coup. She not only imprisoned His Majesty the King but also conscripted all the young adults of the Iris Flower to build a temple on the volcano, to worship some holy fire."

"A temple and a holy fire, what exactly are they?" Letixia inquired. Her sister Ashliya’s faith in the gods was more opportunistic, only turning to prayer when life was not going well or when faced with difficulties.

She never had firm faith in any deity, her attitude was notably pragmatic.

It was unlikely that she would build a temple dedicated to a deity.

"Not sure, only that Princess Ashliya seems to be in a great hurry to construct the temple," the village chief shook his head as he stroked his beard.

"However, it’s said that Princess Ashliya managed to seize power smoothly because she gained the support of the dwarves, and building the temple is also a demand of the dwarves."

Upon hearing this, Letixia pondered for a moment, then cast her gaze toward Xi Mu, who stood aside with his arms folded, and asked:

"Lord Ahtal, what do you think?"

"The temple, how to get there?" Xi Mu asked, looking at the surprised old village chief, and explained, "Since the temple is so crucial, then naturally we need to investigate."

Indeed, he could have continued to extract much information, like whether Ashliya had manifested any extraordinary powers or said anything meaningful.

If one were a patient player, they could piece together crucial information from these fragmented reports.

But he was not interested in such intelligence, knowing it or not, he was geared up for a slaughter anyway.

And he was already very familiar with the plot.

"Isn’t going straight to the temple too hasty?" Letixia hesitated a bit, not keen on acting rashly.

To this, Xi Mu just smiled and said, "Have you forgotten that I am very good at stealth?"

"...All right," Letixia agreed somewhat reluctantly but with resolve, recalling Ahtal’s assassins-like stealth skills.

Moreover, she wanted to stabilize the Iris Flower Kingdom as soon as possible.

"Your Highness the Princess, please don’t be rash!" The old village chief quickly spoke up, then turned his disapproving gaze toward Xi Mu.

But then, sensing Xi Mu’s cold look, he felt a shiver of fear.

"This... perhaps isn’t really being rash, I trust Lord Ahtal’s abilities," Letixia smiled faintly, her green eyes soft with tenderness.

She truly trusted Ahtal very much.

"Well, you must be tired from the journey," the old village chief said kindly, pointing toward the village, "Take a rest first."

"All right," Xi Mu unexpectedly agreed first, then walked into the village with the old village chief.

Before long.

The village chief’s home.

"Have some tea," the old village chief brought over two cups of tea and placed them on the table, his smile kind as he turned around with the support of his cane.

"I’ll go prepare you some food."