V2 Chapter 78

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China a long time ago. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking.

His way of thinking was incredible and profound that it was not just used in ancient times and instead, even in the present world, his works are still valued highly and was even still followed by many people.

And Cian had read his works before and can even be said to be one of his low-key fans~

“…To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. In my form of combat, that is what I pursued and wanted to reach.” Cian said. “To be a great warrior one needs to be light and fluid…flexible in every turn of change.”

Oriel listening was shocked. “I have never heard of these sayings before…”

“… …” Cian shrugs with a faint grin.

“However, you have truly grown my little brother. Pave a path of your own, become stronger, and powerful than anyone else!” Oriel happily laughed.

Cian only saw Oriel laugh this carefully a few times in these two years of being together. This kind of action has never been seen by anyone else apart from him. And Cian dare says, laughing was her unique trait.

A normal girl, much less a princess would laugh in a reserved manner, especially if one was a lady. They would not show their teeth when laughing and emphasized on manners, intention, upbringing, etiquette, and other factors. However, she was an exception. She was direct and honest, strong and powerful like Joan of Arc, majestic and possessing imposing glamor.

She must have inherited this trait from her mother; The Demon Empress and Cian agreed to that.

Within Cian’s memories, Sitana has always been the most powerful and majestic person in the world, not less inferior or probably even beyond by the likes of Queen Zenobia of the Palmyrene Empire or Queen Boudicca of Iceni. Even if she wasn’t wearing a crown or wearing grand and beautiful Empress’ robes, even if she was wearing a normal slave’s clothing, it wouldn’t be able to mask her powerful, charisma that was so strong it was on the verge of eruption.

This type of woman was born to be a person of power. No matter who, instead of sighing at her beauty, everyone who saw her would first be shocked by her majesty…

Such majesty would usually only be seen in men, but the majesty that Empress Sitana of the Demon Empire exudes was in no way inferior to any man, or Kings or Emperors in this world or in his previous world; Earth.

Sitana will always be unique and one of a kind to Cian.

The one and only female emperor in the history of the Demon World.

There had been no one before her, and no one after her.

She possessed that domineering aura that a man might not even have. She could easily suppress and control people under her with ease. Other than being extremely wise, she was also ambitious and extraordinary. Becoming enemies with such a woman would be extremely dangerous unless one could crush her in one move.

And as her daughter, Oriel must have inherited this trait from her. Even without care, her elegance and aura of high birth will always show itself. Just like now, Oriel would not care about anyone. Although her way of laughing was not one would be considered as fitting for a lady of noble birth, especially that of royalty, if it was someone else laughing like the way she does, they would have looked disgusted and creeped out on that person. Calling her, coarse or vulgar would be already an understatement.

But because this person was as beautiful and elegant as Oriel, they felt that she looked very beautiful and attractive even when she was laughing like that……

Oriel would laugh whenever she wanted to, not caring about any manners and would laugh unrestrainedly. Her smile was as brilliant as a flower, the sound as crisp as a bell, resounding in the heart. It had a kind of sincerity that could not be explained, causing people to feel extremely generous and truthful.

“But before that day comes, I will be with you…always!” She grinned.

She was always the cold and expressionless beauty in front of other people… but in front of Cian, she was a totally different person!

Suddenly Cian who was bewitched by her promise and beauty, he saw her changed her sword technique completely.

Oriel used very fast movements going back and forth creating a starlike reflection with his sword.

She became serious…

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If not for Cian’s [Night’s Eye], he would certainly have a hard time following her movements.

Cian pointed his sword at a slight upward angle and unexpectedly he stopped completely. His two eyes were now staring directly at the Ice Princess. As his eyes looked at a certain place, Oriel quickly changed her sword moves then retreated or turned her attacks into defense.

This is not because of aura or any supernatural power but only instinct. Oriel who was keen senses immediately realized where Cian was always staring during the battle—and that is, the fatal parts of her body and her instincts yells danger every time she followed his eyes.

The moment Oriel takes the initiative to attack and lifted her sword to slash it down and Cian’s gazed at her heart. She had not finished his slash when she quickly withdrew it to block her chest. When she thrust her sword again, Cian responded by looking at the left side of her neck. In response, she hastily lowered her head which caused her sword to penetrate deep into the thick snowy field. It was as if Cian’s two eyes were shooting projectiles, that Oriel felt somewhat apprehensive.

No, Oriel was clear that if this was a real fight, the moment she made her move, Cian would immediately counter-attack with his sword that looks like a living snake. And when he did, all his moves were fatal enough to cripple an opponent.

Amazing…

Oriel couldn’t help but feel shocked by Cian’s growth that can only be called unprecedented.

She had seen many powerful and cruel killers in the past but she had never seen someone like her little brother, so young yet so terrifying. When they fought, she realized that the ‘Aanuel’ in front of her always use the most minimal action to move and go straight to the killing. His time is impeccable and his precision is unparalleled. It's not a Skill anymore but had become something akin to a subconscious reaction...or reflex.

The moment she makes her move, he would react and only after a short moment would he pull back, seemingly realizing that his opponent was Oriel.

It’s as if he was born to be a killer!

But he was still young!

Someone that had never fought in any serious battle and war was able to have such mentality and skills…

This is unbelievable!

Even Oriel has sometimes thought that ‘Aanuel’ in front of her was not the Aanuel she knows.

Many things are completely different from before and although she knows that she was turning a blind eye on some things she found unbelievable, she doesn’t want to think or even considered it for a second.

When did it start…?

Oriel had the urge to clarify this anxiety.

However, just thinking about it scared her for some strange reason.

In the end, she constrained this thought.

Oriel hurriedly channeled the energy within her and forcefully pressed down her heartbeat that was like a deer hitting its prey.

That’s not possible!

Aanuel is Aanuel!

With her mind at a mess, Oriel took a deep breath and stop.

Cian saw her action and also stopped.

“You’ve grown stronger than I expected…”

Oriel praised with a faint smile as she returned the sword on its sheath.

“Thanks,” Cian chuckled. “I’ve still a long way to go to reach your stage, Sis. However, there will come a day that I will be the one protecting you,”

“… …” Oriel was startled then her expression softened. The messy thoughts and concerns wrecking in her mind seemed to have been blown away with just those words. Her mood inexplicably became better.

And now, she felt as if everything had suddenly become clear.

Doesn’t matter…!

No matter what happens, she couldn’t doubt him!

In this world, no matter what it is… she needed to believe in him!

Aanuel, will always be her precious…Aanuel!

Even now, it was a pleasure to follow him, to protect him, to be in love with him.

I don’t want to think about the future anymore.

“Let’s go back,”

Oriel revealed a smile.

It was extremely quiet.

That smile was like the dawn in the eastern sky, a gentle radiance.

“Hm,” Cian nodded his head like an obedient child, captivated by this pure smile…

… …

“What happened?”

When Cian returned to his room, he saw Sibylla bringing out snacks and sweets from the food cabinet and placing it on the table.

“Oh, Aanuel. Aunt Avidhorn invited us to a ball tomorrow evening. She wants to celebrate the Marquis successful return from the battlefield.” When Sibylla saw it was Cian, she faintly smiled and explained, “I believe if we do not go, she will come back again to invite us.” She said wryly. “I don’t know what’s gotten to that person but she always treats me as someone very intimate and even forced me to agree to her to come.”

Cian raised his brow as he looked at her for a while without a word. He turned and walked in front of the closet and pulled a clean fabric. Sibylla was sorting out the table when Cian walked in front of her and draped it all over her head. Sibylla stared at Cian somewhat surprised, “You should really dry your hair properly first,” Cian muttered with a wry smile as he looks at her hair still dripping wet, showing the fact that she had just gone out from the bath.

“It will dry itself,” Sibylla replied but she didn’t stop Cian and just let him rub her hair dry with a sweet smile.

“So? What are you going to do? Take the invitation?”

Cian paused for a moment, then he shrugs. “Your decision,” he smiled faintly. Unlike the real prince, he was not the type of person who likes festive events such as parties or balls. He would never get used to it. If he goes, it would mean that it is necessary.

But this is not one among them, there’s neither drive nor motivation to go… probably that’s the reason why that woman ask Sibylla instead of me?

Cian suddenly had a realization.

Did she already have studied that deeply about me?

… Or is this just a coincidence?