landbeastnovel Chapter 178 Honesty and Forgiveness
Chapter 178 Honesty and Forgiveness
Chapter 178 Honesty and Forgiveness
In front of the mercury mirror in the locker room, Gebu stood with his hands on his hips, looking at his naked body.
Thanks to the elf uncle, Gebu gained a new identity and a new body (though maintained by magic). He has been walking the world in the body of a half-human Gebu for several months now, and this is the first time Gebu has stopped and truly calmed down to look at his new appearance.
As expected of me.
From every angle, there's nothing wrong with Gebu's half-human body. He has the appearance of a sunny young man, a well-proportioned and balanced physique, healthy wheat-colored skin, and a pair of cheerful amber eyes that sparkle.
Geb's gaze shifted downwards, hmm—
The body of a half-human, the size of an orc.
If they can't become elves, then for tall races like humans, living like this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Up to now, Gebu hasn't thought much about matters between men and women.
Of course, he wasn't ignorant; he was just focused on self-improvement and didn't have the extra energy for romance.
Besides, who would fall in love with a goblin?
"Oh, my dear goblin—"
Gebu imagined the swordswoman dancing gracefully with a green goblin in her arms, a scene as dreamlike as a fantasy.
vomit----
Regardless of whether others like it or not, even Geb himself can't stand this kind of art style. Being born a goblin isn't his fault, but going out and disgusting people is wrong.
Gebu draped a towel over himself, covering his vital parts, and refreshed the mask's cooldown time.
He sensed his magical pet, carrying a dimensional bag, waiting in mid-air across a wall. It remained like this until now. There was nowhere to hide the dimensional bag, and Gebu didn't want to keep it indoors: what if some servant couldn't resist taking it?
The halfling went through his story in his mind before walking out of the locker room.
Amidst the swirling white mist, in a pool of water, a voluptuous mermaid carved from white jade exudes captivating charm. Her lips part slightly, silently beckoning lost sailors, luring them into a deadly illusion.
Gebu looked around and saw that there was no one else in the mermaid bath. Several masked maids saw Gebu enter and tactfully retreated into the back room.
On this cold winter night, the bathroom was incredibly warm. Seeing that no one was around, Gebu no longer held back and couldn't wait to immerse himself in the water.
It's so hot!
But it feels so good!
Gebu's skin flushed instantly, the chill in his bones completely dispelled by the hot water. A faint, elegant incense scent wafted through the bathroom, and upon closer sniffing, a faint sulfurous aroma emanated from the pool water.
spa?
There are no volcanoes near Matiana—where does this hot spring come from?
That's not the important question. The important question is, where are the peacocks?
When Gebu came up, he glanced at the third floor of the building. It was an enclosed design, seemingly arranged around the bathtub where he was. In his current situation, Gebu couldn't wander around and couldn't explore the other rooms.
But in such a private space, the peacock is hiding here—Princess Xilian couldn't possibly not know, could she?
Could it be that the princess is protecting the peacock?
Just as Gebu was thinking this, two figures entered from the other side of the bath.
Magnumabier's lamp—no, Magnumabier's big white rabbit—oh wait—
Gebu stared blankly. It was best not to go into too much detail (just like Princess Hilian's voluptuous thighs). All he could say was that Hilian was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the new kingdom, and this was no exaggeration.
Truly deserving of the name. Despite her advanced age, neither time nor gravity has left a mark on her.
The only thing comparable to her wealth was the princess's generosity.
Hilian was partially draped in a silk bathrobe, her long golden hair flowing down her collarbone, with a few strands slipping into the robe, a sight that aroused envy.
The woman walked gracefully to the other side of the bathtub, tested the water temperature with her bare feet, then submerged her calves, followed by her thighs, buttocks, and waist—
The bathrobe floated on the water's surface. Princess Hilian loosened the buttons, letting it drift away with the ripples, leaving only the steaming pool water as her garment.
In contrast, the swordswoman following behind Xilian appeared poor and reserved, completely covered up from head to toe, sitting awkwardly by the pool, clutching a towel tightly, her pale skin showing a hint of blush.
Princess Hilian glanced at the woman with interest and said casually, "Come on down, my dear Doffin. It's just the two of us here." Hilian looked at Geb and then chuckled, "He's seen everything anyway, what's there to be embarrassed about?"
"————" The swordswoman lowered her eyes, hesitating to speak.
Xilian was puzzled for a moment, her gaze shifting between the two of them. Suddenly realizing something, she chuckled.
"Gebu, when you say you two are companions, are you really just companions?"
"—Yes, that's right. You're right." Gebu replied casually, noticing that Princess Xilian seemed a little distracted.
Hilian snapped her fingers, bringing the dazed Gebula back to reality from the distance of a pool.
"Close your eyes."
Gebu did as instructed and heard a soft rustling sound, followed by the sound of water.
"Open your eyes."
Gebu did as instructed again. When he opened his eyes, he saw towels scattered around the pool. The woman with the sword was completely submerged in the water, with only her nostrils and eyes showing. Her black hair was floating on the surface of the water like seaweed. She stared at Gebu as if facing a formidable enemy.
Seeing that the halfling had noticed her, the swordswoman immediately looked away.
Hilian's attention was almost entirely focused on the mercenary. Her gaze lingered on the scar that extended from the mercenary's neck to her collarbone. She reached out and wetly swept her hand over the woman's scar.
The mercenary instinctively flinched, covering her scar with her hand, and unintentionally brushed away Xilian's hand.
The princess was not offended. She placed her fingers on the back of Hilian's hand and said softly, "Such a beautiful person, yet with such a flaw—I can have a priest from the New Kingdom Church use magic to remove the scar. Of course, that is, provided you agree."
"I—" The swordswoman raised her head slightly and looked at Gebu.
Huh? Why are you looking at me?
The swordswoman seemed to have gained some kind of power from her companion. She pondered for a moment, took a breath, removed her hand from the scar, and met the princess's gaze.
"Thank you for your kindness, but there's no need for it. Scars are a knight's emblem."
"Does that sound familiar?" Gebu thought to himself. "Was that my exact quote?"
The princess showed a slight surprise at the swordswoman's reply. She withdrew her finger and re-examined the woman in front of her.
"A traveler from a thousand lakes once told me that behind every scar lies a harrowing story. Perhaps you would like to share that story with me?"
The swordswoman hesitated for a moment, and Gebu suddenly realized something. He immediately used a communication spell to say in the swordswoman's mind, "Quick, repeat what I said."
The swordswoman immediately did as she was told, and then became a human repeater for Princess Hilian: "This is a very long story—I don't know if you have the patience to listen to it all."
"We have a whole night, don't we?" Shirley smiled.
"It all started with a dream from the gods—"
In the bath, through the knife woman, Gebu recounted the story he had prepared to Princess Xilian.
A young knight's squire received divine revelation in a dream and embarked on a trial, heading to the Crimson Fortress to hear of the scorpion lion's evil deeds.
Gebu embellished the same story he had used to fool the people of Chifang, repeating it to Xilian. The princess listened with great interest to the story told by the swordswoman, smiling and nodding frequently. She seemed more interested in the swordswoman's serious expression than in the woman's words.
"We came to Martina to attend your ball, and to be honest, we came just to see you." Following Geb's instructions, the swordswoman stared intently into Shillian's eyes.
"You want me, the Crown Prince of the Rose Kingdom, to give you, this self-proclaimed Rose Knight, a formal title?"
The princess thought about it and came to her own conclusion.
"I admit that my status as a Rose Knight was not bestowed upon me by the Commander of the Holy Rose Knights, but I firmly believe that it is the gods who are guiding my path—I hope that you can stand on the side of the gods, just like the Rose Saintess who founded this city."
"Standing on the side of the gods, huh." The princess chuckled softly, neither refuting nor agreeing. "The will of the gods is probably not something a knight-squire can decide."
"You're right, Your Highness."
"Is this why that old vulture is tracking you?" the princess continued. "That Gascoigne is no ordinary witch hunter. I've heard about his methods. You've crossed him, and you won't be able to escape unscathed."
"I have never considered backing down," the swordswoman said resolutely. "I am a servant of God, and I only obey His will. No one can make me deviate from my predetermined path."
This line of dialogue was copied by Gebu from that old priest, Usha, and he used it here.
Princess Hilian paused for a moment, gaining a new understanding of the young woman before her.
Geb noticed from her expression that the princess had developed a strong interest in the swordswoman: a straightforward, stubborn, and devout female knight who was willing to fight against witch hunters for her "fantasy"—the swordswoman's straightforward manner perfectly matched this character.
What an interesting person! You would never hear such a story in the palace.
"What about those bastards who attacked you? Were they witch hunters too?" the princess asked, her tone slightly displeased as she mentioned the uninvited guests who had disrupted her ball.
“I can guess who they are,” Geb said, raising his hand from the other side of the pool. “If you don’t mind, please allow me to explain.”
The princess turned her attention to Gebu, and the halfling immediately said, "Those people are members of the Gray Raven Society, a criminal organization—your noble status naturally presume no one has come into contact with them. I am a merchant, and I have had dealings with them—these villains disregard authority and will do anything for money. I learned from Father Usha of Redwood Town that this witch hunter's pursuit of the Rose Knight was not permitted by the Holy Church; it was purely out of personal vendetta. I don't know why a witch hunter would collude with the Gray Raven Society, but they actually tracked us to this ball and attacked right under Your Highness's nose—it's simply—"
Gebu hesitated, as if he couldn't bear to say what was about to come.
"What is it? Tell me," the princess asked, narrowing her eyes.
"This is blatant disregard for the authority of the Rose Royal Family," Geb added. "I am a devout Christian."
But I find this witch hunter's actions utterly despicable. By Obak, if he truly had a legitimate reason to hunt down heretics in Martina, shouldn't he have reported it to the Church of the New Kingdom and obtained your permission?
The princess listened to Gebu's words but did not answer immediately; instead, she pondered. At this moment, at Gebu's instruction, the swordswoman added, "I respect the authority of the Holy Church, but I do not wish to become a victim of witch hunters' lynching—please uphold justice for us."
After they finished speaking, the two looked at Princess Xilian with some nervousness. The water in the pool was quite hot, making Gebu feel uneasy. They had done all they could; whether they could persuade Xilian was entirely up to fate.
silence.
"Hmph." The princess snorted softly.
Gebu's heart clenched.
"I called you over hoping to have a relaxing and enjoyable evening—but instead, you've presented me with such a difficult problem."
"I'm so sorry to have ruined your night," Geb apologized. (Thinking to himself: Ruined your night?)
I almost lost my life!
"However, I must admit that tonight's events have taken me by surprise." The princess changed the subject, whetting the halflings' appetites.
"you----"
"The Gray Raven Society, the witch hunters—whoever they are, do you think I would allow anyone to do anything in the Silvermoon Corridor tonight without my knowledge?"
Princess Hilian stood up in the bath without any attempt to conceal herself, turned around and walked up the steps. Maids immediately appeared from nowhere, serving her by drying her body, applying ointment, tidying her hair, and then dressing the princess in a silk bathrobe before quickly and silently retreating as if they had never existed.
With her back to the two, the princess continued, "Your story is wonderful, Dove and Geb. Unfortunately, earlier today, someone told me a completely unrelated story."
"Your Highness, we absolutely have no right to deceive you. Our story—" Gebu hurriedly explained.
The woman turned her head slightly, revealing a perfect profile that was impossible to look away from, her eyes deep and unsettling. Gebu was instantly stunned and obediently shut his mouth.
"I'm tired, I'm too lazy to tell which story is true."
"How can I prove to you that we are not lying?" the halfling said, enunciating each word clearly.
At that moment, at the far end of the bathroom, a hunched figure emerged from the doorway and answered Gebu's question in a hoarse voice.
"I can attest that they are full of lies." Lady Peacock's aged face emerged from the steam. Her cloudy eyes were fixed on Gebu's face, as if she could see through the halfling's disguise.
"We meet again, Geb."