Chapter 10 We'll help you!

However, facing the persistent questioning from Mira and Luna, Bai Ye answered directly and openly:

"It's about the connection between the first time and pain."

Mira and Luna's curiosity grew even more intense:

"Then what is the relationship between the first time and pain?"

Bai Ye thought for a moment, organizing her words to explain as simply yet clearly as possible.

The girls listened, their expressions varying.

After hearing the explanation, Mira and Luna suddenly understood:

"So that's how it is..."

"Don't worry, Captain! It will definitely hurt, but not too much!"

Mira patted her chest confidently, as if giving a guarantee:

"If it hurts too much, we'll have Sister Xier help you!"

"Anyway, Sister Xier knows Holy Magic; any pain or injury can be healed in an instant!"

Bai Ye: "..."

Xia Xier: "..."

Faced with Mira's enthusiasm, Xia Xier didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Bai Ye's pretty cheeks were flushed crimson, and she secretly blamed Mira with her eyes for giving such reckless suggestions.

Whether it was to take the opportunity to clear her own suspicions or for some other purpose, Xia Xier actually followed Mira's lead—

"Actually, you wouldn't even need me."

"That kind of pain doesn't even require Holy Magic; just ordinary healing magic can easily cure it."

After all, the pain of losing one's virginity is merely a physical ache.

Holy Magic, which can only be activated by Saintess Power...

Is not meant to be used for something like this.

Leaving Mira aside, Xia Xier's words carried a lot of weight in Bai Ye's heart.

"That means... even if I don't have much magical talent..."

"Since I can perform healing magic to stop bleeding and recover from small wounds, I should be able to directly heal that pain too, right?"

Bai Ye nodded, asking Xia Xier with a look of partial understanding.

Xia Xier nodded with a smile.

Bai Ye let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Although she could have been like Qingya and claimed not to care about such pain...

The deepest apprehension and unease in her heart were finally laid to rest!

As Bai Ye finally got the answer she wanted, Qingya, who had been observing from the side for a long time, suddenly noticed something amiss—

"Wait, Sister Bai Ye, why would you suddenly ask us such a question?"

"As far as I know... given your personality, you shouldn't be interested in this kind of thing."

On ordinary days, with her fiery red hair, she was like a mature older sister next door—gentle, tolerant, and elegant.

One could say she was almost the polar opposite of the rumors in the outside world!

But she was the last woman who seemed likely to bring up such a topic!

Qingya was incredibly sharp; the slight sense of relief that had just emerged in Bai Ye's heart was instantly seen through!

Bai Ye didn't intend to hide it either.

However, under the gaze of Qingya, Xia Xier, and the others, Bai Ye suddenly fell into a brief silence.

A moment later, Bai Ye hugged her knees with both hands and rested her chin gently on them, lowering her head with a slightly silent and weary air.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became quiet.

The girls looked at each other and, by unspoken agreement, remained silent, quietly waiting for Bai Ye to speak.

Finally, Bai Ye slowly raised her head, though her gaze remained fixed on the floor. Her voice was soft, yet seemed filled with exhaustion:

"Actually..."

"..."

Following her explanation, the girls were all stunned.

Mira, whose mindset was less mature, was so angry she jumped up on the spot—

"What!!!"

"Captain, are you saying..."

"That Third Prince of the Fran Empire specifically named you to be his concubine?"

"How can this person... be so shameless???"

"This is going too far!"

Mira's face was flushed with anger, and she waved her small fists, wanting to go settle the score with that Third Prince.

"Mira."

Bai Ye grabbed Mira's hand, her expression serious and determined:

"Calm down. Impulsiveness will only make things worse."

The Fran Empire was currently the most powerful and longest-standing empire among the four great empires!

Although Mira and the others possessed the formidable strength to defeat the Four Great Demon Generals—making them top-tier even within the Fran Empire—

But...

With Bai Ye's own strength...

To contend against the entire Fran Empire by herself...

Was ultimately just a fantasy.

Compared to Mira, Xia Xier clearly understood the gravity of the situation better.

Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a rare look of solemnity:

"Sister Bai Ye..."

"How do you plan to handle this?"

Xia Xier didn't ask why Bai Ye was telling them this.

In her view, the fact that Bai Ye chose to speak about it voluntarily already meant...

Bai Ye didn't want to refuse the Third Prince of the Fran Empire!

As for the reason...

Xia Xier could understand.

It was likely that the Third Prince was using the name of the Empire to pressure her, forcing Bai Ye to comply with this marriage contract...

And the reality was exactly as Xia Xier guessed.

Bai Ye shook her head helplessly and sighed softly:

"The message the Fran Empire gave us contained only two choices, simple as a single word..."

"'Marry' or... 'Destroy'!"

"There's no other way. After all..."

"I am Bai Ye, but I am also Bai Ye Betasina, the First Imperial Princess of the Sains Empire. The responsibilities that belong to me..."

"I cannot shirk them."

"For the sake of my people, I have no other choice..."

She, who had always been strong, showed such a vulnerable side in front of everyone for the first time.

In her expression, there was a trace of pain and helplessness, but even more so, the burden and responsibility of being a princess!

Xia Xier tightly gripped Bai Ye's hand.

Bai Ye turned her head, smiling, wanting to give Xia Xier a reassuring look.

But her nose felt slightly stinging.

For a moment, all the girls fell into silence.

In the end, it was Mira, sobbing quietly, who broke the silent atmosphere!

"I don't understand!!!"

"Why are we all heroes who defeated the Demon King, yet our lives are still subject to the whims of others?"

"Isn't that Fran Empire supposedly the number one empire?"

"Then why didn't they send heroes to subjugate the Demon King?"

"Instead, they want to sacrifice Bai Ye, sacrifice our Captain..."

"To want our Captain... is that Fran Empire even worthy?"

Mira's personality had always been straightforward.

This was a question even Xia Xier couldn't answer.

Bai Ye just shook her head with a bitter smile.

Only Qingya, always calm, spoke after a moment of deep thought:

"Mira, some things... are far from being as simple as they appear."

"The foundation of the Fran Empire is far beyond our imagination."

"Before we subjugated the Demon King, if it weren't for the Fran Empire..."

"Possibly our entire Fatlan Continent would have been ruled by the Demon King!"

"One could say that before us... the Fran Empire was the guardian of the Fatlan Continent."

"Their existence deserves respect."

"As for that Third Prince..."

Qingya's expression was complex as her gaze fell upon Bai Ye:

"Sister Bai Ye, are you... really going to agree to the other party's demand and become a concubine for the Third Prince?"

Bai Ye didn't speak, remaining silent for a long time.

Finally, she let out a soft sigh:

"Other than agreeing, do I have any other choice?"

The girls fell into silence once more.

Though they were unwilling, they all knew that this was perhaps the only way.

The atmosphere became incredibly heavy, as if even breathing had become slightly stifled.

Just then—

Luna, who had been standing quietly to the side, gently brushed a strand of her emerald-green hair—

"Captain, if you don't want to..."

"We will help you!"

"At the very least... my Forest Elf race... will help you without reservation!"

The elf girl's eyes were steadfast and her expression serious. Though her words were soft, they were powerful and resonant!

...

PS: Adventurer Ranks: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, Saint King, God (God-level adventurers are only the five members of the Hero's Party).

Common Magic Levels: Low-level, Intermediate-level, High-level, Saint-level, God-level.

Taking Dewin, the head of the Holy Mountain Monastery, as an example: Dewin is a Saint King-level adventurer and one of the Seven Star Guardians of the Holy Kingdom, capable of casting Saint-level Magic.