[Natasha's Mind Pendant (Elite): Grants immunity to the effects of Spiritual Magic.]
'An Elite-grade item?'
'A pendant that grants immunity to Spiritual Magic?'
Su Xuan was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the mission reward to include an Elite-grade pendant.
What was even more surprising was the pendant's extraordinary effect: the unique attribute of granting complete immunity to Spiritual Magic.
"May I ask this of you, Mr. Su Xuan!"
Natasha gazed at Su Xuan with deep emotion, her expectant eyes revealing a subtle desire as she hoped he would accept her request.
"Since I've accepted the commission, I will naturally see it through to the end and fulfill my duty," Su Xuan replied calmly.
Even without the pendant from Natasha, he would have given his all to ensure the mission's success.
But if she insisted on giving it to him, he would consider her feelings and accept it politely.
"Oh, wonderful! Then this pendant is for you! Please, don't refuse! Also... I have one more small request," Natasha said with a smile.
"What is it?"
"Could I... see her real face?" Natasha asked expectantly, looking at Rosaline, who stood behind Su Xuan.
'She had to know if it was really Rosaline inside the armor. If it was...'
"You may, but only after the mission is over."
Su Xuan replied.
'It wouldn't be a problem to let Natasha see Rosaline after the mission was over.'
'He just hoped she could accept the fact that Rosaline was already gone.'
"Really? Thank you so much!"
A beautiful smile graced Natasha's face as she handed the pendant to Su Xuan.
Su Xuan took the pendant and was about to put it in his coat pocket when he was surprised to catch a faint, sweet scent lingering on it...
He recalled where Natasha had stored the pendant and froze for a few seconds.
Then, he carefully placed it in an inner pocket.
"Roxia should be back soon. I'll have her come meet you immediately. Please wait a moment."
After leading Su Xuan and his companion to the castle's drawing room, Natasha promptly excused herself from the room.
The reason she had arranged this meeting was for Su Xuan to meet Roxia.
At the very least, Su Xuan needed to meet the person he was hired to protect.
Su Xuan sat on the sofa, waiting for Roxia to arrive.
He picked up a cup of coffee and took a small sip.
'A bit bitter!'
He wasn't fond of such bitter coffee, so he set the cup down.
While waiting, Su Xuan's gaze swept across his surroundings.
Portraits of the core members of the Yerman Clan adorned the walls of the drawing room.
Among them, one portrait of a woman caught Su Xuan's attention.
He stood up and walked over to the portrait.
The figure in the portrait was a valiant, golden-haired Female Knight, clad in gleaming White Gold armor and holding a sharp longsword. Her emerald eyes sparkled like stars, and her exquisite features were utterly flawless, a breathtaking sight!
In the corner of the portrait, a line of small text was written.
'Portrait of Rosaline'
"Rosaline, is this you?"
Su Xuan asked, pointing to the portrait.
The Undead Rosaline stared blankly at the portrait of her former self, not responding immediately.
After ten or so seconds, she slowly shook her head, seemingly confused, as if to say the person in the portrait might not be her.
Su Xuan let out a soft sigh at this.
'Rosaline really has forgotten everything!'
'She doesn't even remember what she used to look like.'
"She's perfect, isn't she?"
Suddenly, a man's voice drifted from behind him. Su Xuan spun around to see a male Knight in gleaming silver armor standing in the doorway.
"And you are?"
"My name is Mei Xing. I'm Roxia's cousin."
The Knight took a step closer, his dark brown eyes fixed on the portrait of Rosaline hanging on the wall. "I'm also one of Lady Rosaline's many admirers," he added.
'An admirer of Rosaline?'
Su Xuan fell silent for a moment, glancing over at Rosaline.
Rosaline remained impassive, sitting quietly on the sofa.
"I can tell we're cut from the same cloth," Mei Xing said, smiling at Su Xuan. His eyes were filled with appreciation and a sense of camaraderie. "You must have heard Lady Rosaline's legendary tales and come to admire her, too. Am I right?"
"..."
Su Xuan frowned.
'Admire Rosaline?'
'Has this guy gotten the wrong idea?'
But...
Su Xuan could clearly sense that this guy, Mei Xing, held an admiration for Rosaline that bordered on madness.
"Indeed. Rosaline's stories are quite moving."
Not wanting to elaborate, Su Xuan simply went along with it.
"Yes! Lady Rosaline's legendary stories are absolutely thrilling! They're what I read every single night before I go to sleep!" Mei Xing exclaimed excitedly.
His enthusiasm was so intense that Su Xuan instinctively took a step back.
'What a fanatic.'
"You know, even though I was never fortunate enough to meet Lady Rosaline many times, my reverence for her is as endless as a mighty, flowing river..."
Su Xuan said nothing, content to simply listen.
He casually glanced at the Knight beside him, and the man's basic information appeared in his vision.
[Mei Xing (Rare)]
Level: 11 (500/2200)
Race: Human
Power: 100 / Agility: 80 / Magic Power: 80 / Physique: 120
Growth: 6 (Gains 6 points to All Attributes per level.)
Skills: (Expand)
'Level 11, huh?'
Su Xuan stroked his chin in thought.
'Since entering Yerman Castle, the highest-level Knight I've seen was only Level 15.'
'It seems the top-tier fighters in Sunset City are only around Level 20 at best.'
"Mei Xing? What are you doing here?"
Just then, two graceful figures appeared in the doorway of the drawing room, catching Su Xuan's eye.
He turned to look and saw Natasha. Standing beside her was a long, golden-haired Female Knight.
At first glance, Su Xuan mistook her for Rosaline. Upon closer inspection, however, he noticed slight differences. This woman lacked Rosaline's valiant bearing, possessing instead a more girlish air.
'But there's no denying it—she looks just like the Rosaline in the portrait!'
'So that's Roxia?'
Su Xuan couldn't help but mutter to himself. He hadn't expected the aunt and niece to look so much alike, as if they were cast from the same mold.
And... Su Xuan's gaze drifted to another portrait on the wall—a painting of Roxia's father.
The man in the painting also had golden hair. Though he was a man, his features were exceptionally fine and beautiful, bearing a startling resemblance to Roxia.
The only difference was that both Roxia's father and Rosaline had emerald-green eyes, whereas Roxia's were sapphire-blue.
'That must be a trait inherited from her mother.'
Su Xuan glanced over, and an information box popped into view.
[Roxia (Elite)]
Level: 12 (0/2400)
Race: Human
Power: 140 / Agility: 140 / Magic Power: 100 / Physique: 140
Growth: 8 (Gains 8 points to All Attributes per level.)
Skills: (Expand)
Status: Curse (Unknown)
'A Curse?'