V2: Chapter 8: Was the Empire She Defended Truly Worth It?

Liang Lin had never seen the little one open its mouth before, and had no idea where it was hidden.

"Ah~"

"Ooh!"

"Eh?!"

Liang Lin jolted, nearly pulling the little one away with her hand. That strange sensation lingered on the most prominent part of her breast, a tingling, indescribable feeling.

A slight pain...

Liang Lin suspected the little one had teeth, but upon closer inspection, she felt nothing hard; everything on her breast was soft, so it couldn't be teeth. Besides, logically speaking, the child was so small, where would teeth come from?

She didn't feel much, just an itchy, tingling sensation and a little pain, but nothing like what she had imagined... the feeling of something being lost from her breasts.

The little one ate with abandon.

After a while...

Pop~

The little guy lazily stretched out her tentacles, like a human stretching.

"Are you full?" Liang Lin, asked to herself.

Although the little guy didn't respond, her energy returned, and she happily wiggled her little tentacles, making that familiar "squeak squeak squeak" sound.

Liang Lin loved poking the little guy's chubby skin; it felt so good, much better than those teddy bears.

"Hey, I'm asking you, will you ever become a normal human child?" Liang Lin was worried about her child's future. "What if you don't? Become a little tentacle monster? How am I supposed to take you out? You can't just stay at home forever, can you?"

Just thinking about it made her anxious.

"Sigh, it's okay, you can stay at home all the time. I have money, I can take care of you."

After all, it was her child. No matter what it looked like, she would raise it.

After all that trouble, plus childbirth, Liang Lin was exhausted. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and she was about to close them. Just before falling asleep, Liang Lin hugged the little one to her chest and covered it with the blanket.

"Goodnight... little thing, your name and stuff... I'll think about it tomorrow."

The next day.

Liang Lin was woken up by knocking on the door. She, who always woke up early, had slept until ten in the morning this time.

"Boss!"

Knock knock knock!

"Boss!"

Knock knock knock!

A series of knocks came from the door.

Liang Lin was a little annoyed at being woken up, but after glancing at her pocket watch on the table, her anger instantly subsided.

"Damn it! How is it already ten in the morning?!"

Liang Lin shouted at the door, "Wait for me! I'm changing my clothes. I just woke up!"

The knocking stopped.

Outside the door.

"Phew~"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Ulysses patted his muscular chest, leaning against the wall. "That scared me to death! I thought the Marquis had met with some misfortune."

Blaze chimed in, "Yeah, seeing how much blood she lost yesterday, I knew her wound must be huge. She hasn't shown up for so long today; I thought our leader had bled to death."

"Pah, pah, pah! What kind of talk is that? Don't curse our leader!" another soldier shouted.

Inside the room, Liang Lin changed into clean clothes, turned to look at her bed, and found the little guy's eyes closed, still asleep. Getting closer, she could hear its steady snoring.

"Hey, little thing, you should get up." Liang Lin grabbed the little guy's head, lifting the tiny creature into the air.

The little one was woken up and waved its tiny tentacles in protest, chirping incessantly.

Liang Lin was amused by this adorable scene. She couldn't see her own smile, but if she had a mirror, she would have been astonished to see herself smiling so tenderly. Indeed, what mother wouldn't smile tenderly at the sight of her beloved child?

Liang Lin lifted her clothes and gently placed the little one back on her stomach. Feeling the suction cups clinging to her, she finally felt at ease and lowered her clothes. Surprisingly, the little one didn't make a sound when it was against her skin; it was incredibly well-behaved.

This was much better than human babies.

The tentacles' chirping was beautiful, like celestial music, while the cries of human babies were hoarse and unpleasant.

Liang Lin opened the door to her room. She clenched her fist, covered her mouth, and coughed lightly. "I stayed up too late last night and didn't get up this morning, which delayed everyone's progress. Sorry."

"Oh, boss, it's good you're alright. The brothers were all worried about you, thinking you were injured, passed out, or even dead."

The soldiers chattered, expressing their concern for Liang Lin.

"How could that be? I already said I'm not injured, so I'm not injured."

Liang Lin looked around but didn't see the red-haired girl from yesterday.

"That girl's name... uh, what was that red-haired little girl's name again?"

"Athena."

"Right, where's Athena? And her younger siblings? Where are they? I don't see them."

"Oh, I told them to wait in the room. They wouldn't be of much help if they came out," Terence said.

"Okay," Liang Lin nodded and waved her hand. "Then let's go!"

On the way.

"Hey? Boss, you look so much better today than yesterday?" Mandel asked.

Of course, it's because that "thing" inside her was gone.

Liang Lin casually replied, "Yeah, probably because I didn't sleep well before. I slept really well yesterday."

The little tentacles on her belly remained motionless, so obedient that Liang Lin's heart melted.

No wonder it's my child, so well-behaved.

"Hey? Miss, your belly doesn't look as big as yesterday!" Terence, with his sharp eyes, pointed at Liang Lin's belly and exclaimed.

Benson, standing nearby, smacked him on the head. "How dare you point at the Marquis? How rude!"

"Ouch!" Terence rubbed the back of his head, complaining, "The Marquis wouldn't be as petty as you, caring about these things!"

A grown man ending with "that" made Liang Lin both laugh and cry.

"Well, I've just lost weight. I used to eat too much, so I looked fat. Now I don't have much of an appetite, so I'm not fat anymore."

Liang Lin started rambling. She knew that no one would believe her if she said she was pregnant or had given birth, and besides, she couldn't produce a child alone. So, she simply started talking nonsense and letting loose.

She said whatever was outrageous she wanted; she didn't believe it. They couldn't possibly believe something like that either.

"Oh... I see! As expected of the boss!"

Liang Lin: "..."

Alright, alright, that's enough. It's impolite to say anything more.

"...Don't look at me like that, you're so clueless. I can't stand it." Liang Lin took a few steps, trying to distance herself from the main group, afraid that her already limited intelligence would be affected as well.

Soon, the main group approached the border.

Upon entering the city, Liang Lin was stunned by what she saw.

Although their city hadn't been particularly prosperous before she died, now... what lay before her was like an empty city, like a desert city, devoid of any life, not even a blade of grass or a flower.

On the streets, people dressed in tattered clothes were everywhere. Some sat on the ground, some lay on the ground, some had a chipped, broken bowl in front of them—beggars were begging for food. But there wasn't a single grain of rice in the bowl, let alone a single coin.

Liang Lin looked around. Few shops were open on the street; most were blacksmith shops. Further in, she saw vegetable and meat stalls, but only the owners remained inside; no customers went in. The street was a scene of utter destitution.

Liang Lin's heart sank to the bottom.

This was the place where she was born and raised, the place where she grew up. The people here were her family. And now? Her own family couldn't even get a decent meal. So many people, huddled together, begging at the street corner. It pained her heart to the core; it felt like it was bleeding.

The soldiers around her didn't look well either.

"Boss..."

"We can't help them right now. Don't look." Liang Lin closed her eyes, turned her head away, unable to bear the sight of such destitution.

“Let’s go, we’ll go straight to the Kronin’s residence—no, it should be called Horace’s residence now.”

The group marched down the street, attracting attention wherever they went. Beggars around them looked at them with bewildered eyes; some would tug at their trouser legs, pleading for food.

“…”

Liang Lin couldn’t bear to watch. She took a silver coin from her pocket and handed it to Ulysses. “Take a few brothers and buy some food. Share it with them; one silver coin should be enough. I’ll lead the way first, slowly. After you’ve bought the food and distributed it, catch up quickly.”

Ulysses nodded, called a few soldiers, and went to buy food.

The mood was heavy throughout the journey.

Most of the people here were native to this place, and they felt a deep sorrow and helplessness at the sight of the desolation, feeling powerless to do anything for them.

It was at this moment that Liang Lin's mind once again churned with questions:

Liang Lin, is this really the kind of empire you want? Is it really an empire where the common people go hungry and cold? Is the empire truly right?

Yes…

The border has been occupied for so long, why hasn't the empire sent troops to suppress it again? Is it because after her death, the other nobles have become hesitant and unwilling to go to the battlefield? Or is it that, faced with the formidable Heraze Empire, they are all cowardly and hiding in their shells?

The first king of the Soteland Empire led his soldiers to conquer this land, but what about the current king?

Hidden within the luxurious palace, enjoying peace and wealth, those fighting on the borders are righteous soldiers like her; while the cowards cower within the capital, living like rats.

No, even if they are rats, they are rats with gold teeth, their lives so extravagant. Before Liang Lin became Liang Lin, she had never imagined such a luxurious life. On the border, although someone is a noblewoman, she never soaked her body in milk, never threw away cakes after a few bites, and never arbitrarily beat or insulted her servants.

All these commonplace occurrences within the Kronin family vanished within the capital.

So, these are the nobles I protected?

A wave of sorrow washed over Liang Lin.

So, it's understandable that her sister is disappointed with this empire. This thought suddenly popped into Liang Lin's mind.

No, no, no, that's not right!

She shook her head violently.

How could she have such thoughts? That was the empire that gave birth to her! Her parents had taught her from a young age to be loyal to the empire, and to be willing to give her life for the Soteland Empire if necessary.

But… her parents died too, on the battlefield defending the empire.

Was it all really worth it?

Liang Lin fell into deep self-doubt.

Soon, the group arrived outside the former Kronin residence. Ulysses followed closely behind.

"Wait, you can't come in. Who are you...?"

Liang Lin and her companions were stopped by a soldier.

"I... I'm a distant relative of Duke Sylvester (her uncle's name). We've come to seek refuge with him. Can we be let in?"

"Wait here a moment. I'll go ask the head of the family." The soldier turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Liang Lin called after him.

"When you see Duke Sylvester, remember to tell him that I still haven't learned how to weave a little rabbit out of foxtail grass."

"Uh...?" The soldier looked puzzled.

Liang Lin nodded to him. "Pardon me, but if you don't say it this way, I'm afraid the Duke won't remember who I am."

"Yes, Miss."

Judging from Liang Lin's attire, the soldier roughly guessed that she was a noble lady; her clothes and accessories were understated yet luxurious.

They waited outside for a short while.

Soon, the soldier came running back, panting, to Liang Lin and her companions.

"Hoo hoo, Miss, the Master wants you to come in."

"Let's go, let's go in."

A soldier led the way, and the group entered the mansion in a grand procession. Opening the main gate, the interior wasn't particularly luxurious, unlike the opulent furnishings of noble families in the capital.

"Wait here for me. After I finish speaking with my uncle, I'll arrange your accommodations," Liang Lin instructed her subordinates.

"Okay."

"Understood, Marqu…, I mean, understood, Miss."

They almost let it slip.

Liang Lin followed the soldier upstairs.

On the way up, she slipped her hand inside her clothes to adjust the baby's position. The suction cup had been sticking to one spot for too long, and it was getting itchy; she needed to move it.

Knock, knock, knock.

A soldier knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Liang Lin heard that familiar voice—it was her uncle, Sylvester.

Liang Lin entered the room, but the soldier didn't follow. He stood outside and closed the door tightly.

It had been a long time since they last met.

The last time Liang Lin saw her uncle was three years ago. Seeing him again, she was struck by how much he had aged in just a few years. Wrinkles had appeared on his face, whereas three years ago he had been so handsome. Now, his face betrayed his weariness.

Liang Lin stared silently at Sylvester, lamenting the relentless passage of time, lost in thought.

Sylvester spoke first.

"Miss, you look unfamiliar. We haven't met before, have we? Let alone be relatives," Sylvester stood up, scrutinizing the young woman before him. "But how did you know the code between my nephew and me?"

Liang Lin snapped out of her reverie and took a few steps forward, standing before Sylvester.

“Uh, Uncle, this matter is a bit complicated to explain.”

“Uncle?” Sylvester muttered, frowning. “I don’t remember ever having a niece like you.”

“No, Uncle, I’m your nephew, I’m your nephew, Eli.”

Huh?

Sylvester’s brain froze.

Liang Lin just stared at him expectantly.

“Miss, don’t joke with me… Don’t think that just because you know the secret code between me and my nephew, I’ll believe you just because you’re saying such strange things. My nephew is a boy, I know what he looks like, how could he suddenly become a niece?”

At this point, a hint of grief appeared in Sylvester’s eyes.

“My nephew, he’s dead, he died on the battlefield. I was the one who collected his body. When I collected his body, he was already…”

Sylvester didn’t finish his sentence.

He wanted to say that when he collected Eli's body, he found that the boy's corpse had been pecked beyond recognition by vultures; the scene was horrific, and just thinking about it broke his heart.

That was my only nephew!

"Yes, Uncle, I understand your feelings, but I really am Eli. This whole thing is quite surreal, so I've decided to use the quickest way to prove my identity."

Liang Lin knew she was about to perform another sword routine, being stared at like a monkey for a long time.

Liang Lin gripped the sword at her waist. Having learned from her previous experience proving herself, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, before drawing her sword, Liang Lin asked Sylvester, "Uncle, please don't be alarmed when I draw my sword. I just want to prove myself."

"Prove yourself?"

"Yes, Uncle, you should know that the Horace family's swordsmanship is never passed on to outsiders!"

Liang Lin said, taking a few steps back to keep her distance from Sylvester to avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding, and suddenly drew her sword from her waist.

Sylvester was startled and instinctively grabbed his own sword, watching Liang Lin's movements intently.

But the first movement froze Sylvester. The posture, the swordsmanship, even the expression—it was so similar to his nephew, Elijah.

"E-Eli?" Sylvester stammered, unconsciously uttering his nephew's name.

Liang Lin was overjoyed. She sheathed her sword, ran a few steps, and came to Sylvester, her voice filled with delight, "Uncle! You finally recognized me?"

"Is it really you?"

Sylvester still couldn't be sure that the beautiful young woman before him was indeed his nephew.

“It’s me! It really is me, Uncle! If you still don’t believe me, I’ll show you my swordsmanship again!” Liang Lin was eager to prove herself.

“No need.”

Sylvester was overcome with tears.

He was certain that the girl before him was his deceased nephew.

“Eli, I know, you are Eli.”

In an instant, Liang Lin’s eyes reddened.

Besides her sister, Sylvester was her only other family. She opened her arms and threw herself into her uncle’s embrace, hugging the fragile man before her.

"Uncle, I really missed you."

"Back then, there was a false rumor circulating in the capital that you had also died on the battlefield. It took a long time before someone told me it was false."

"I'm so happy to see you again!"

Sylvester hugged his nephew tightly. "I'm happy too, Eli. I'm so happy to see you again."

Sylvester had no children of his own, not even a wife. He had long considered Liang Lin his son, but he didn't visit often because he was busy with his work.

"Child, why have you become like this?"

Liang Lin explained to Sylvester, but didn't mention anything about the Magic Tower.

“So, heaven really does have eyes. You shouldn’t have died; you were so young.” Sylvester silently wept. “It’s good that you’re alive, it’s good that you’re alive… I thought then, if only it were me who died. I’m old, useless now.”

But Sylvester was only in his early forties.

“Uncle, what happened at the border while I was gone? Why are there so many beggars on the streets? Why has it become so desolate?”

Sylvester’s brow furrowed deeply at the mention of this, unable to relax even slightly.

“Since your death on the battlefield, the border has been left unmanaged. The soldiers either left or scattered; of course, most died on the battlefield. With you gone, most of the Kronin family is gone, and without a leader, the soldiers have scattered like birds and beasts.”

“Yes, I understand all that. What happened afterward?”

“Afterward, no one wanted to come and manage the border. Everyone wanted to stay in the wealthy city, enjoying wealth and comfort. No one applied. Even if the king gave the order, the nobles would rather feign illness to deceive the king, incurring the crime of deceiving the monarch, than come and manage the border.

Sylvester sighed.

“The border is just too harsh. Not only is there constant warfare, but you also have to personally lead troops into battle. These days, the nobles are all fat and bloated; how many of them have the ability to fight on the battlefield? Even if they do, they are unwilling to risk their lives.”

“So…”

“So I came. I volunteered.”

A deep weariness enveloped Sylvester.

“I’m sorry, Eli, I hesitated too. I hesitated for two whole months, until a few months ago when I finally made up my mind and came here.”

Sylvester felt guilty. His gaze towards Liang Lin held an unconcealed sorrow. “To be honest, Eli, I don’t have your courage to stand fearlessly on the battlefield. I’m probably afraid of death. If I die, the Horace family will truly have no male heir. I don’t want the Horace bloodline to end with me.”

Everyone is afraid of death; Liang Lin understood this perfectly.

The first time she went to the battlefield, she also hesitated. She was afraid of death too.

But as time went on, seeing more corpses and killing more people, her heart became numb. She felt that facing death was no longer frightening.

“Uncle, personally, I didn’t want you to come here.”

Sylvester smiled upon hearing this, raising his hand to affectionately pat Liang Lin’s fluffy little head.

“Yes, child, if everyone shrinks back, if everyone is afraid of death, then only the commoners on the border will suffer. Are the lives of nobles precious, but the lives of commoners not precious?”

“.....”

Yes.

Aren't the lives of commoners lives too? Just because they have no money, no power, no so-called noble status? It's truly, truly, so tragic, so laughable.

The Soteland Empire always divides nobles and commoners so clearly. Nobles use the finest resources to exploit the commoners, who labor for them, suffer their oppression, and are looked down upon. But what have the nobles done? The vast majority of them have never been to the battlefield to protect the safety of the commoners.

Is the Soteland Empire truly a good empire? Can it truly bring happiness to the vast majority of people?

"Uncle, you are also a very great person." Liang Lin smiled, then proudly pointed to herself with her thumb, "I am also a very great person, after all, I have died on the battlefield!"

"Yes, our Eli is the greatest swordsman of our time." Sylvester continued to ruffle his nephew's hair.

“Uncle, my name is Liang Lin now.”

Liang Lin corrected him, “Since I’m using this child’s body, you should call me by her name.”

“Okay, Liang Lin, a lovely name. I believe she was a very good child before.”

Duke Sylvester was always such a gentle person.

Just as the two were exchanging pleasantries, Liang Lin suddenly felt a slip on her stomach, something was wrong.

What was happening?

She looked down and saw a small tentacle sticking out from under her clothes, wriggling wildly, very conspicuous. In an instant, her face turned pale.

Oh no!

“What’s wrong?”

Sylvester, seeing his niece’s pale face, slowly lowered his head as well.