Chapter 8
The entire Alpha Squad was in disguise, lurking in the capital ofthe Eagle Kingdom. Captain Hua Yumu shared the truth about past events with the team.
Years ago, the Saionji clan, originally merchants, rose to prominence under the Saint’s blessing. They gained the Queen’s trust and eventually took charge of the military department, overseeing the Kingdom’s weapon forging. For a time, they were unrivaled in influence.
However, five years ago, this thriving family committed an act of treason, revealing the location of the weapons armory to their enemy, the Eagle Kingdom. Taking advantage of this inside information, Eagle Kingdom collaborated with the traitors to destroy the armory, dealing a devastating blow to Mios. The two Kingdoms engaged in a fierce battle, resulting in Mios’ crushing defeat. The armory was located in a coastal city called Jinxin, and the incident became known as the Jinxin Raid, a source of deep shame for all of Mios.
No one had anticipated the Saionji clan’s betrayal, as they were prospering and had no apparent reason to defect. But the evidence was irrefutable, and the entire family was sentenced to death.
Since then, the Saint had vanished without a trace, presumably kidnapped by the traitors. The Queen had to suppress this information and, after some time, announced that the Saint had passed away naturally. It was widely known that the Saints were typically frail and rarely lived past twenty.
This was the story known to the public.
They looked at Hua Yumu, waiting for him to reveal the hidden truth. He paused for a moment, then said, “Actually, there was only one true traitor, a distant cousin of the Saionji clan named Saburo. We suspect he was the one who kidnapped the Saint and defected to the Eagle Kingdom.”
If the family head had sanctioned such an act, the entire clan would have fled long ago. They wouldn’t have foolishly remained, waiting to be apprehended by the Queen.
When the entire Saionji clan was arrested, only one person escaped capture – this very “illegitimate” Saburo.
Unfortunately, treason was a grave crime that implicated the entire family. Even if others were innocent, they were condemned to death.
Wakako was startled by this revelation. “Saburo? I knew him,” she said.
Back then, her status was lowly. Apart from Miki, she had no opportunity to interact with the other members of the household, only bowing from afar.
Young Master Saburo was an exception. Rumor had it that he was born out of wedlock, and only brought back into the family to preserve the bloodline. Moreover, as an Omega, he was often looked down upon and treated merely as a pawn for future marriage alliances.
Wakako would occasionally encounter him. This young master had no servants and had to do everything himself. Over time, they exchanged a few words.
Although not close, she remembered Saburo as a gentle, refined, and easygoing person. It was difficult to associate him with words like “treason” and “kidnapping.”
Hua Yumu then said, “That’s convenient. His old portraits are outdated. If you still remember him, draw some new ones based on your memory.”
He changed the subject. “Many things happened in quick succession back then. The armory was destroyed, the Jinxin Raid resulted in a crushing defeat, the Saionji clan was executed, and then the Saint… The entire kingdom, even within the mercenary ranks, was in a state of panic. Under those circumstances, we couldn’t let the public know that the traitor had escaped.”
Hua Yumu still remembered how five years ago, the Queen, only twenty-two years old, had forced herself to handle state affairs. She had lost her parents at a young age and had matured prematurely, but this was the first time she had faced such a difficult situation.
“Captain Hua, I’ll leave the matter of Saburo to you to investigate discreetly,” the Queen had said. “I feel overwhelmed, and you’re the only one I can rely on. When the time is right, recruit some fresh talent for the mercenaries.”
—At this point, Hua Yumu smiled. “Wakako, you joined us through that opportunity.”
The Royal Mercenary selection process was incredibly challenging, with tens of thousands of participants kingdom wide. By the time Hua Yumu personally came to choose, the candidates had already undergone dozens of rounds of screening. Only ten remained in the Alpha group, and he immediately noticed the young woman covered in scars.
In fact, Wakako’s qualifications weren’t particularly impressive – at eighteen, she was considered older and harder to train. She was tall, but her physique didn’t appear particularly strong, with only thin muscle definition.
But the fierce determination in her eyes made him inexplicably believe she was a promising candidate.
In the end, she didn’t disappoint Hua Yumu.
In the arena, Wakako moved like a beast, blind to pain and exhaustion, unleashing raw, unyielding power. She possessed a primal instinct that transcended technique. The more blood was spilled, the fiercer she became. She needed no weapon, for she was the weapon.
The outcome was undeniable, Wakako was leading by a landslide.
The entire team had watched the fight, completely convinced of her abilities.
Even Hua Yumu, despite years as the mercenary captain, wasn’t confident he could defeat her in single combat.
He turned to the others and asked, “Doesn’t she remind you of Carol?”
Carol, like Wakako, used to excel in direct confrontations. After sustaining injuries and losing some agility, she took a backseat, becoming the team medic and trainer. The team needed someone to fill the role Carol once held.
The blonde woman firmly shook her head. “She’s stronger than me.” At least she could still feel pain, while Wakako clearly had an extremely high pain threshold, almost non-existent. That was pure talent, something you couldn’t acquire through training.
Later, they conducted a background check on Wakako and learned that although she was born into the Kitagawa clan, she had also spent time with the Saionji clan, even serving as a guard for the Saint. Although she was unlikely to be involved in the treason, they still observed her for a long period and even interrogated her with a special truth serum before fully trusting her.
“That’s the background information,” Hua Yumu tapped the table with his left finger. “There’s one last thing to add.”
Liu Siruo yawned and leaned back lazily. “What else? Aren’t we going to use this Saburo as a lead?” Despite being a few years older than Wakako, she looked childishly young.
Hua Yumu shook his head. “No.”
“When the Queen tasked me with tracking down Saionji Saburo and the Saint, I traveled extensively throughout the Eagle Kingdom. Just six months ago, I even infiltrated the royal palace, but I found no trace of them. It’s clear they’re hidden away in a place that’s both secure and completely secret.”
The Eagle Kingdom, having finally obtained the Saint, would naturally want to keep her in the safest possible location. This was something anyone could deduce.
His gaze swept over everyone. “Now, they’ve abandoned their safe haven and risked bringing the Saint back to the Eagle Kingdom’s royal palace. Something must have happened to force them to take such a risk.”
Wakako also sensed something was wrong. “…Even you couldn’t find anything, yet Lin Lin and I received news of the Saint so quickly.”
Hua Yumu was the most experienced in reconnaissance and tracking among them. Wakako was his apprentice and didn’t specialize in this area, so this was clearly illogical.
Something unusual was definitely happening.
“To be precise, you were the one who quickly received news of the Saint,” Liu Siruo corrected her with a sideways glance. “We didn’t know anything.”
She didn’t elaborate, but everyone understood the implication. After all, Wakako had spent time with the Saionji clan and was acquainted with both of them. It was quite a coincidence that she was the only one who discovered the Saint…
Having faced life and death together, no one doubted Wakako’s loyalty, but the situation was undeniably complicated.
Lin Lin, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up. “This information must have been released by Saionji Saburo. He deliberately lured Wakako there, both to gain favor with the Saint and to sow discord among us. It’s killing two birds with one stone.”
Wakako looked at her junior sister gratefully.
Albert, who had been listening attentively, also said in a deep voice, “Let’s not be suspicious of each other. We must trust each other unconditionally.”
Liu Siruo wanted to say something more, but Carol gently patted her shoulder, and she pouted and gave up.
Captain Hua Yumu didn’t express agreement or disagreement, but simply summarized the points discussed. “We have three things to do.”
“First, investigate Saionji Saburo. He couldn’t have betrayed his entire family single-handedly. There must be someone behind him, and we need to find out who that is.”
“Second, figure out why the Saint suddenly returned to the royal palace. The Eagle Kingdom will likely make a move soon, and we must seize the initiative.”
“Third.”
He paused, glancing at Wakako from the corner of his eye.
“The Saint has been gone for five years, and her allegiance is unclear. Even if we can rescue her, she may not be willing to come with us.”
“The Queen hasn’t given any instructions yet, but I want you all to be prepared.”
“Wakako, you have a connection with the Saint. If she defects, you must persuade her. And if persuasion fails, use whatever means necessary. Bring her back, no matter the cost.”
***
The squad meeting dragged on from before dawn until midday. The moment it ended, Liu Siruo and Carol, famished, hurried out to buy groceries.
Wakako was preparing vegetables in the kitchen when Hua Yumu came in to help.
The rhythmic sounds of their knives chopping echoed through the room, both demonstrating precise knife skills. However, one honed their skills in the Saionji clan kitchen, while the other’s were forged in the heat of battle.
“Are you feeling down?” The previous conversation had been strictly business, but now it was simply a master looking after his apprentice.
“Mm,” Wakako lowered her head, not wanting Hua Yumu to see her troubled expression, and mumbled a response.
Then she softly said, “Master, I served as the Saint’s guard for five years. But when you mentioned the possibility of her defection, I realized I don’t know what she’s thinking.”
The beetroot in her hand was chopped haphazardly, staining her hands with red juice.
She knew everything about Miki, from her daily routines to her preferences in food and clothing. She knew what Miki liked to eat, even the exact time she would wake up at night…
But she didn’t understand Miki’s heart.
The day she infiltrated the Eagle Kingdom’s royal palace, Wakako had vowed to find a way to rescue Miki. But Miki hadn’t agreed — nor had she refused. Could it be that she actually wanted to stay? Did she have no desire to return to Mios?
What would happen once the Saint was brought back to Mios? In the end, wouldn’t it just mean trading one palace for another?
Wakako felt a headache coming on, frustrated. If only she could figure out these questions.
Hua Yumu took the mangled beetroot from her hand and, with a few deft movements of his knife, carved it into a small flower.
“I think the Saint will listen to you,” he said.
Wakako took it as mere comfort and didn’t believe him.
Hua Yumu suddenly recalled many years ago, when his master retired due to age, and he took over as captain from his position as vice-captain.
At that time, the Saint of the Saionji clan had sent a message, requesting to see him.
It was his first time meeting the Saint. He knew she was born with a weak constitution, but he hadn’t expected her to be even more pale and delicate in person, like a precious porcelain doll that could shatter at any moment.
Despite her young age, the Saint spoke with maturity. She dismissed her servants, saying she wanted to speak with Captain Hua privately.
Hua Yumu, being an adult Alpha, initially maintained a deliberate distance from the Saint. However, the maiden beckoned him closer and bowed deeply.
“Captain Hua.”
Hua Yumu hastily returned a deeper bow. Despite his high status, he couldn’t bear such a gesture. “Lady Saint, what are you doing? Please rise.”
“I called you here to ask for a favor.”
The Saint’s voice was as clear as a wind chime.
Hua Yumu had a rough guess, but he didn’t know what he could possibly do for the Saint. “Please speak freely.”
“I wish to entrust a child to your care.”
A child?
Even the composed Hua Yumu couldn’t help but be taken aback. The Saint was only fifteen or sixteen, not even differentiated yet. How could she have a child? Moreover, the Saint was betrothed to the Queen. Who would dare to have a child with her in secret?
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind.
Perhaps his expression was too amusing, for the Saint pursed her lips and chuckled. “Don’t worry, it’s not my child,” she said. “It’s just a young guard of mine.”
Hua Yumu finally felt relieved.
“I won’t live long. I might suddenly pass away tomorrow. The only thing I’m worried about is my guard. She’s an orphan, with no family. I’m the only one who can make arrangements for her.”
She spoke of life and death with calm detachment.
“My guard has a natural talent for fighting. If I’m gone, I’d like to ask you to give her a chance, to see if she could find a place among the mercenaries.”
Hua Yumu pondered. “Lady Saint, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help, but the mercenaries are directly under the Queen’s command. The selection process is extremely strict, and it’s not something I can control alone.”
The Saint smiled. Even at her young age, one could already glimpse the stunning beauty she would become.
“I know. But that child is of servant status and can’t even enter the preliminary selection. If Captain Hua could help her remove her servant status, the rest would depend on her own abilities.”
“That’s a small matter.” Hua Yumu agreed. He didn’t want someone with talent to be held back by their background.
“Also, if she is selected, I hope Captain Hua will take her as your apprentice. Treat her as your own and guide her with care.”
Hua Yumu hesitated. “This…”
At that moment, the Saint lowered her head before him and slowly prostrated, performing the highest form of respect.
A gesture reserved for the Queen, yet she offered it to him, solely to secure a future for her servant.
She was the unique, once-in-a-generation Omega. She didn’t need to humble herself before anyone.
Hua Yumu understood the immense determination and courage it took for this proud noblewoman to discard her dignity and plead earnestly for a servant child.
He sighed.
“I promise you. If she truly has talent, I will take her as my apprentice and teach her everything I know.”
It wasn’t until he met Wakako that Hua Yumu realized the Saint’s words weren’t an exaggeration. Her young guard was indeed as formidable as she had described.
He kept his promise and took Wakako as his apprentice, teaching her everything he knew and treating her like family.
Hua Yumu would occasionally wonder, what kind of deep bond could have motivated the Saint to go to such lengths to secure Wakako’s future? They were master and servant, but their relationship had clearly transcended that.
He gazed at the carved beetroot flower, a sudden sense of intuition stirring inside him.
If there was a turning point in the Saint’s situation, it would undoubtedly lie with his apprentice.
