Ayshibin was confused. “I have always liked you, Austin.”
“I’m not Austin at all,” Shuai Chang said directly.
Ayshibin’s body froze. “What did you say?”
“I said I’m not Austin. Austin is already dead.”
“Then who are you?”
“I am,” Shuai Chang detached himself from Austin’s spiritual form, a strong man with black hair picked Ayshibin up, “Remember, my name is Douglas Gale.”
Ayshibin slapped Douglas Gale across the face, “When did you get into Austin’s body?”
Shuai Chang held Ayshibin’s hand to prevent it from leaving his face.
Shuai Chang’s eagle-like sharp gaze locked onto Ayshibin. “Under the Sunset Mountains, the first time I saw you, I decided I had to have you.”
Ayshibin angrily retorted, “You killed Austin and the others!”
“They weren’t kind to you, were they?”
Shuai Chang leaned down to kiss Ayshibin’s tender cheek but was blocked by his other hand, so he kissed the fingers instead.
“Are you going to hate me for a group of people who were watching you?”
“I,” Ayshibin lowered his eyes, his lips pouting downwards in grievance, “Alright, you’re right. They always regarded me as an object and never cared about how I felt. Austin’s sudden change in attitude made me suspicious. What I just said about the first time meeting Austin was all a lie.”
“With me around from now on, no one will dare to treat you as a tool again.” Shuai Chang lovingly placed a gentle kiss at the corner of Ayshibin’s sad lips.
After clearing the misunderstanding with Ayshibin, Shuai Chang no longer struggled to hide his identity. He found a secluded spot to dig a hole and bury Austin’s body to avoid drawing unnecessary disputes.
Shuai Chang noticed Ayshibin often stealing glances at him, and when he looked back, Ayshibin would lower his head and act as if he was deep in thought.
Shuai Chang wrapped his arms around Ayshibin’s slim waist, rubbing him affectionately. Ayshibin’s cheeks flushed, panting and attempting to break free. “Douglas, let go of me.”
Shuai Chang pinched Ayshibin’s chin, turning his head to face him. “Were you just stealing a glance at me?”
His deep, magnetic voice brushed against Ayshibin’s eardrums, and in a moment of distraction, he nodded. Realizing, he quickly shook his head to deny it. “I wasn’t stealing a glance at you.”
“But it’s just the two of us here. If you weren’t stealing a glance, am I looking at myself?” Shuai Chang pinched Ayshibin’s delicate chin and leaned in to plant a kiss on his red lips. “Will you tell me? Bad kids who lie have to be punished.”
The robust aura radiating from Shuai Chang made Ayshibin dizzy. His hands pressed against Shuai Chang’s chest felt the resilient muscles, causing Ayshibin’s face to turn bright red as he whispered into Shuai Chang’s neck, “Because you’re so handsome; I can’t help but look.”
Shuai Chang let out a laugh, his vibrating chest passing on his joy to Ayshibin.
“Ayshibin, you’re also a beautiful young man, and I really like you.”
“Ah.” Ayshibin nestled himself in Shuai Chang’s embrace, too shy to move.
There was nothing here; Shuai Chang wouldn’t really do anything to Ayshibin. It was just that his prince was too sweet, making it impossible not to tease him.
As night fell, they continued traveling and were exhausted. Shuai Chang held Ayshibin as they slept on the carriage through the night and resumed their journey early the next morning.
They arrived at the town of Krumlov in the Holy Roman Empire before noon. The architectural style was entirely different from Kane town, likely because of its proximity to the forest. Most of Krumlov’s houses were built as two-story wooden structures, with a few reaching three stories.
Just as they approached, the shining sun in the sky began to rain. Shuai Chang entered the carriage to escape the rain, while Ayshibin said, “The book says that most areas of the Holy Roman Empire rain all year round, approximately three hundred days a year, with it raining for two hundred ninety-nine days. No wonder their houses are built two to three stories high; the first floor must be very damp and unsuitable for living.”
“What do they rely on to survive with daily rain?”
“There are fish and shrimps in the ponds, rice growing, and lotus roots in the mud. With the constant rain, they won’t lack water. No matter how bad the environment is, people can always overcome such challenges and live happily.” Ayshibin’s eyes sparkled with light, more beautiful than the green leaves swaying in the rain.
They initially planned to wait for the rain to stop or lessen before knocking on a door, but as the rain persisted, thick dark clouds appeared overhead, turning the light rain into a torrential downpour.
While they could shelter inside the carriage, the horse pulling it became restless in the storm, neighing continuously.
“Douglas, we need a plan, or the horse might go crazy,” Ayshibin said anxiously, lifting the carriage curtain.
Shuai Chang replied, “There is a way, but I’m afraid it will expose my identity.” Dark mages were hunted down throughout the continent of Hughes. If anyone discovered the dark elements within him, it would certainly draw a crowd seeking his life.
“I’m not afraid. Douglas, teach me.”
Shuai Chang instructed Ayshibin on a spell, teaching him how to control the light element to envelop the horse, shielding it from the rain.
Ayshibin successfully executed it the first time as the restless horse calmed down, looking around in confusion, not knowing why the rain was no longer drenching it.
Fortunately, Ayshibin’s internal light power was profound. After an hour, the heavy rain finally ceased, and the aromas of the soil and grass intermingled in the hazy mist. Shuai Chang stepped out and took a seat on the carriage’s yoke, driving the horse forward to a magnificent three-story building.
He carefully retracted the dark elements around him and knocked on the door.
“Who is knocking?” an elderly voice came from inside.
Ayshibin also got out of the carriage and said gently, “Hello, we come from the Holy See.”
“Ah!” The door creaked open, revealing a white-haired old man.
“Is that you, my Lord Saint?” The elder trembled with excitement.
Ayshibin smiled and nodded, “Hello, do you happen to know Mayor of Krumlov?”