How Did I Trip on Flat Ground

Nanako's gaze suddenly shifted, catching sight of Arnold sitting atop his tall steed.

Swoosh—

Her petite body executed a graceful balance, landing steadily on the ground.

"What business do you have with me?" Nanako glared, completely ignoring Lynn behind her, who was nursing his arm and painfully examining the teeth marks on it.

Arnold swallowed hard and said, "Um... may I ask, that young man who's slightly more handsome than me, is he your... boyfriend?"

Nanako replied haughtily, "He's my senior disciple!"

Arnold was stunned for a moment, muttering, "Holy crap... I always thought Winter Spring Valley was a conservative old organization, didn't expect them to be so open-minded... even teacher-student relationships... they're really pushing boundaries..."

Nanako: "???"

Hmph!

Nanako crossed her arms and turned away.

She was too angry.

Absolutely refusing to explain!

Arnold coughed, also feeling it wasn't appropriate to discuss such topics on the street, after all, they were all proper people.

He quickly returned to the main topic, dismounted, and walked towards Nanako with a smile. He slightly bowed his head, placing one hand on his chest, saying:

"Executive Nanako, it's like this - after we returned, we told Lady Vivian everything that happened outside the city. Lady Vivian greatly admires you, so she specifically sent me to invite you to attend tonight's gathering at the castle."

Nanako asked puzzledly, "Have you figured out the demon situation?"

Arnold shook his head and said seriously, "Lady Vivian says it's a divine miracle, but I don't think it's that simple. After all, we still don't know the background of that mysterious being who could overwhelm all four servants of the Demon Lord."

Nanako glanced back, looking at Lynn.

Wanting to observe his expression.

Lynn looked up and said, "I know!"

At these words, everyone around was stunned.

Nanako's eyes widened - wasn't that you? Was this stupid disciple going to reveal everything?

No way! No way!

Isn't it too early to reveal everything now?!

Lynn raised his head, his expression instantly becoming full of reverence and fervor, saying seriously and earnestly, "It was the great Sacred Sovereign who saved us!"

Nanako: "(ΩДΩ)!!"

Arnold's breathing also quickened as he said, "Indeed, I've heard many such claims in the city!"

Lynn nodded seriously, saying, "Yes, but I can be more certain than anyone else because I have been blessed by the great Sacred Sovereign. I am the Sacred Sovereign's chosen one!"

At these words, Arnold and the others were instantly shocked.

The Sacred Sovereign's chosen one?!

This...

This must be a joke!

After all, the Sacred Sovereign was the powerful mount tamed by the Great Lord of Violet, a mighty being who had fought alongside the Great Lord of Violet!

Lynn closed his eyes and smirked, saying, "You need not be surprised or doubtful about this, as my master can testify to it. And it's precisely because I am the Sacred Sovereign's chosen one that I know..."

He raised his head, took a deep breath, and lightly wiped his eyes with his fingers.

A teardrop fell to the ground under Nanako's astonished gaze with a soft pat.

Nanako: "(꒪Д꒪)"

This... this tear...

Lynn's eyes were moist, his face wearing a smile as he said, "It was the great Sacred Sovereign who sensed that his beloved master's former homeland was in crisis... that's why... that's why he came from so far away..."

"His loyalty to the Great Lord of Violet has never wavered. He even told me that if he ever betrayed his master, may he die a horrible death, be struck by lightning every day, and trip even on flat ground!"

...

At the continent's frontier.

Thud—

A loud sound.

The Sacred Sovereign, who had been leisurely walking along with his fluffy paws held high and chest puffed out, suddenly fell flat on the ground.

A proper face-plant.

Achoo—

The Sacred Sovereign raised his head in confusion, scratching his nose with his paw.

"Did I space out? How could I trip with my steady gait? This shouldn't happen!"

The Sacred Sovereign got up bewilderedly, then reached out with his paw to scratch his bottom.

"And I've been sneezing quite frequently today..."

The giant white cat-lion stood in the snow-covered ground, completely baffled.

...

In Moonlily City.

Seeing Lynn's tear-filled smile, Arnold was instantly moved.

He reached out and patted the young man's shoulder, his eyes moistening as he said:

"I believe you. The great Sacred Sovereign was the Great Lord of Violet's closest battle companion in life. If he's truly still alive, he absolutely wouldn't sit by and watch this city fall. And to make such a serious vow, it seems the Sacred Sovereign has indeed been protecting us from the shadows!"

Lynn also had tears in his eyes, saying, "Indeed!"

Arnold took a deep breath and said gently, "It seems that great being who made me have diarrhea must undoubtedly be the Sacred Sovereign. I mean, who else besides someone of the Sacred Sovereign's caliber could overwhelm a Demon Lord?!"

Lynn nodded, saying, "I completely agree with that."

[Indeed, I very fucking much agree. Stupid cat, you might as well take this blame for your master →_→]

[If it weren't for your cowardice, hiding away during the great battle, your master would have lasted at least a few more seconds!]

[Don't think I can't catch you just because you can run fast. I'll give you a three-year head start, then I'll catch you!]

Meanwhile, Nanako stood there dumbfounded.

So...

While speaking such devout and tearful words, he secretly shifted the blame!

But I really want to say...

Disciple, what exactly did you do before?!

How can you squeeze out a tear or two while saying such insincere words?!

Aren't you afraid of developing a split personality?!

Arnold shook his head and smiled, saying, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Lady Nanako, will you come to today's banquet?"

Nanako turned her head, puffing her cheeks, saying, "Of course I will, free food must be eaten heartily!"

Arnold laughed awkwardly, "Yes, yes..."

[Hmm... seems like the loli master is quite excited, so I need to think about what to do when I meet my great-great-great-granddaughter later...]

[Having just put on an act in front of my descendant, appearing so soon... might be a bit lacking in prestige...]

[Never mind, never mind, hehe, seeing her great ancestor again, I wonder if that blonde girl's admiration will overflow!]

[Hehehe—hic—]

Nanako: "???"

...

Meanwhile.

In the castle palace.

Vivian, now dressed in noble attire, stood blankly in front of a large oil painting canvas.

Holding an oil brush in her hand, she was sketching the image of a young man on the canvas, her face flushed.

"He just left so coolly... Oh Vivian, why did you just stand there in a daze..."

"Even though he's from the same era as our ancestor, such an amazing god-like man should really have been kept here to serve..."

Vivian held the brush with both hands, her eyes sparkling with infatuation as she gazed at the young man in the oil painting.

In the painting, the young man had one hand behind his back, the other holding several strawberries, with a slight smile on his lips, looking elegant and graceful.

"Ah!!"

Vivian quickly covered her burning cheeks, shaking her head vigorously, trying hard to rid her mind of those naughty thoughts.