Chapter Thirty-Seven: Reconciliation

“Damn you, Pierre! I’ll kill you!” Lancelot’s furious, deranged shout echoed through the castle, sending everyone scrambling for safety.

He had just returned from the jungle, battered and bloodied, and his first act was to storm into the castle and head straight for the alchemy tower, seeking trouble with Pierre. Even Pierre, faced with the wrath of a warrior who had just ascended to the rank of Star Knight—a formidable force—did not dare confront him directly. Instead, Heinz stepped in to mediate: “Lancelot, there’s no need to be so enraged.”

“Oh, if Grier hadn’t saved me, I’d have been dead in that dragon’s jaws!” Lancelot roared. “I warned you—the dragon was about to awaken. There was no way I could retrieve the spirit seeds from the Gates of Hell right now. Yet you insisted I go, nearly ensuring I never returned!”

Spirit seeds? So that was the reason.

Gong Hao remembered clearly—Neil had once said that spirit seeds were not native to Windwhisper Continent, but originated from the Abyss. At the heart of Purgatory Isle stood a portal to another world, surrounded by scattered spirit seeds. It seemed Lancelot had retrieved these seeds from near the portal, but a powerful dragon lurked nearby, so he could only search when the dragon slept.

Gong Hao recalled Pierre saying the spirit seeds were dwindling. Now it was evident—the seeds were indeed scarce, and Lancelot was being forced to risk himself again and again to find them. This time, he’d stirred up a hornet’s nest—the dragon had awakened. If Gong Hao hadn’t released his magic in time, using the thick mist of Purgatory Isle to shroud the battlefield in darkness, Lancelot would likely have remained there forever.

Darkness always aids escape more than pursuit—that is beyond doubt. It was far more effective than a couple of attack spells. Gong Hao was certain if, instead of using Elemental Condensation, he had tried to strike the dragon with Wind Blade, the outcome would not have been both of them escaping, but both perishing together.

Once again, he grasped a crucial truth: skillful use of magic is far more meaningful than simply learning more powerful spells. The methods recorded in spellbooks are not immutable. Who would have thought that Elemental Condensation—a technique for enhancing meditation—could be used by Gong Hao to save lives?

Heinz, meanwhile, looked at Gong Hao in surprise. “Grier, how did you manage to save him?”

Alarmed, Gong Hao stepped forward and said, “Master Heinz, I merely distracted the dragon at the crucial moment. That gave Lord Lancelot a chance to escape. In truth, he was the one who saved me afterward.”

This was close to the truth, and even Lancelot had nothing to say, though he frowned. Since Gong Hao did not wish to claim credit, Lancelot saw no need to press the matter, especially with his anger still burning and a mind to cleave Pierre in half.

Fortunately, a group of elite warriors and mages brought by Avril stepped in to persuade him. Klos spoke to Lancelot: “Lancelot, the need for spirit seeds is His Majesty’s command. But His Majesty likely doesn’t know how powerful and terrifying that dragon is. As for Pierre, let him be. Speaking of the dragon, do you think if we went with you into the jungle, we could destroy it?”

Lancelot shook his head. “There’s no need. I’ve searched every corner near the Gates of Hell and brought back all the spirit seeds I could. That dragon is incredibly powerful—even beyond level twelve. I’d rank it as a level thirteen beast. Maybe, with everyone together, we could kill it, but the losses would be catastrophic. The dragon cannot leave the central region; there’s no need to risk ourselves. It’s not worth wasting precious fighting power.”

Klos nodded, then turned to Gong Hao with a meaningful look. He said, “Don’t you want to ask me how the princess is feeling now?”

Gong Hao forced a bitter smile. “Master Klos, I suspect the result is quite bad.”

“Yes,” Klos replied with a smile. “She’s sworn never to see you again.”

Gong Hao lowered his head. Lancelot, puzzled, asked what had happened. Gong Hao briefly recounted the events.

Lancelot hadn’t expected Gong Hao to abandon the princess to save him. His expression was complex, and his gratitude toward Gong Hao deepened.

—————————————

“Shui, why did you leave the princess to save me?”

By the lakeside, alone, Lancelot finally asked.

Gong Hao thought for a moment before answering. “There are many reasons. First, I wanted to save you. You’re my teacher—even if you never admit it, you’ve taught me how to use battle energy and saved me countless times. Helping you once is the least I can do.”

“And?”

“The princess is growing up, developing her own feelings. She’s the emperor’s daughter; she shouldn’t fall for someone unworthy.”

“Well said—that’s a good reason. I always thought you wanted to marry her, but it seems you’re clear-headed. Anything else?”

“I wanted her to understand that not everything in life goes her way. If she insists on pursuing misguided feelings, she must be prepared to face the consequences.”

Lancelot was stunned. He never imagined Gong Hao would say such things. He looked at him oddly for a long time before saying, “Shui, you don’t seem at all like a thirteen-year-old boy.”

“I’ll be fourteen soon.”

“Still too young.”

Gong Hao didn’t answer. Lancelot patted his shoulder. “I suppose she’s very upset, but at least she hasn’t ordered your capture or death. That means she doesn’t hate you as much as she claims. Go on, see our princess. It’s your last chance—you wouldn’t want a princess to hate you, would you? That’s troublesome. Even if you don’t want her to like you, don’t let her hate you.”

“She swore never to see me again.”

“Girls’ vows are the most unreliable. Trust me, Shui, it’s true. Never believe a girl’s oath—they’re creatures of emotion, guided by feelings. Sometimes just a kind word or two can make them forget all unpleasantness. I know you’re good at soothing girls; you can do it, can’t you?”

Gong Hao gave a helpless, bitter smile, feeling like a gigolo.

“Alright, I’ll try,” he said.

“That’s the spirit.” Lancelot laughed. Though he’d faced death that day, he’d also gained a great reward—breaking through a bottleneck that had held him back for ages. Warriors experience life-and-death moments far more often than breakthroughs, so after such danger, his mood was more joyful than angry.

Feeling cheerful, Lancelot kept urging Gong Hao to go find the princess.

As Gong Hao left, he suddenly asked, “May I ask you something, Lord Lancelot?”

“Go ahead.”

“It’s not an easy question.”

“Ask away. Since you saved me today, I’ll answer anything.”

Gong Hao’s face wore a mischievous grin. “You seem to know women well—have you ever suffered from their fickleness?”

Lancelot froze, then threw a punch. “You brat, dare to joke at my expense?”

Prepared, Gong Hao laughed as he dodged and ran toward the castle.

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Avril was in her room, throwing a tantrum.

“Get out, all of you! Useless fools, I don’t want you here! Leave, every one of you!”

The maids and servants retreated, terrified.

Avril sat in her phoenix-flower chair, carved from camphor wood, tears streaming freely.

“Damn you, Grier, you bastard, you absolute bastard! I’ll never forgive you! You abandoned me! Sob, sob…”

The little princess cried bitterly. Never in all her years had she faced such a situation. At the slightest hint of trouble, hordes of warriors and mages would rush to protect her. Weren’t warriors meant to protect them? Why had Shui Grier forsaken the princess for the sake of a warrior?

Especially since he had promised to always protect her.

That damn bastard, I never want to be friends with him again—being friends isn’t fun at all.

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, heartbroken.

A handkerchief was handed to her.

Without looking, Avril grabbed it to wipe her tears, then realized something was off. She snapped, “Didn’t I say get out?”

Behind her came the familiar voice, unforgettable to her: “Yes, Avril, if you wish, I can roll out for you—if you’d like to see me literally rolling on the floor.”

Avril spun around, stunned.

Gong Hao stood there, looking at her helplessly.

“How did you get in?” she exclaimed.

“I assured your servants that if they let me in, I’d return them a happy princess.”

“No way, Grier.” She didn’t even use Shui’s name, pointing to the door. “Get out right now!”

“Is that an order from you as a princess?”

“Yes!” Avril replied bluntly.

“What a pity,” Gong Hao shook his head. “When your friend doesn’t follow your wishes, you stop seeing him as a friend and treat him as a servant? Is that it? Do you know what true friendship is?”

Avril was taken aback.

Gong Hao approached, gently holding her shoulders. “Avril, you’re a good girl, but you’ve never had a real friend. You don’t know what true friendship means, so you don’t know how to cherish it. Friendship is precious because it isn’t always about compliance—it’s about equality. Friends can bring joy and laughter, but they can also hurt, disappoint, and sadden you. Friendship isn’t obedience; friends aren’t servants. You must understand this.”

“If that’s the case, why do I need friends?”

“Because what friends give you, your servants never can. Remember what I said? Some things can only be gained after losing them.”

“But right now, I don’t see what’s good about having friends,” the princess sobbed.

“Really? Are you sure you want Shui Grier to become just like your other servants? It’s easy for me—I could kneel, beg, care for you meticulously, clown around for you, saying, ‘Oh, my princess, please forgive my insolence; from now on, I’ll obey your every command,’ with a servile expression. But would you like that? I wouldn’t tell you stories anymore; no more laughter between friends. I wouldn’t joke with you, because you’d need me to fear you, and only friends can joke to make you smile. You’d still be alone, still unaware of the world’s greater wonders. We wouldn’t play together, walk in the woods, care for each other… Is that what you really want?”

Avril stared at him, shaking her head. “No, Shui, I’ve never been so happy as when I’m with you. I have many servants, but only one Shui Grier. I don’t want you to become like them.”

Gong Hao smiled. “Neither do I. You’re adorable, like an angel. In my eyes, you’re not just a princess—you’re an angel, the most beautiful, lovable girl. But if I became your servant, you’d only be a princess and nothing more.”

Avril’s voice grew soft. “Strange… hearing you speak makes my heart race.”

“Yes, that’s friendship—a mutual care. When your friend is happy, so are you. When your friend is sad, you’re sad too.”

Avril frowned. “That sounds less like friendship and more like love.”

Gong Hao’s heart skipped. “Ah, there are similarities.”

Avril watched him, confused. “Are you sure what we have is friendship—not something else?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Gong Hao replied firmly.

Her disappointment showed. She felt the problem had grown complicated, as if she’d missed something. After thinking for a while, she suddenly cried, “Oh, damn it, Grier! What magic did you use on me? I told you to leave!” She pointed at the door again. “Get out! I said I wouldn’t forgive you—nothing you say will change that! I don’t want to see you again!”

She finally remembered her resolve not to forgive Shui Grier and to drive him away.

Gong Hao shook his head, smiling bitterly. “Since you insist, I’ll leave.” He slipped quietly out the door.

Avril watched him go, stunned.

For some reason, her heart ached terribly.

So painful!

Why? She didn’t understand.

But she felt she didn’t want that golden-haired boy to leave. She didn’t want him to leave her; she liked him being at her side, hearing him speak as if listening to the world’s most beautiful sounds.

“Shui!” she called softly, unable to help herself.

Oh, he was gone—he would never return.

I have no friend anymore; I have nothing.

Avril could no longer restrain herself; she began to cry quietly.

The door opened.

Gong Hao appeared once more at the doorway.

Avril threw herself at him, burying herself in his arms.

She said, “Shui, you’re a bastard!”

Then she bit him hard.

“Mmm.” Gong Hao suppressed a grunt, and in that moment, all of Avril’s resentment melted away.

Gong Hao sighed inwardly.

It seemed he’d handled things terribly—not only had he failed to distance himself from Avril, but their hearts drew even closer.

Damn this corrupted friendship!

And damn the blessing of the Love Birds!

Far away, Red and Green’s ears heated up, and together they let out triumphant howls.

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A brief recommendation: Comrade Xiaoyu’s “Proudly Destroying Heaven”—interested friends should take a look.