TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 81

Intruder?

Albin turned around in shock and saw a fierce-looking… peacock?

The brilliantly colored blue peacock glared at him, the black cross-shaped star in its eyes radiating danger.

It was a monster!

Wasn’t this place near the Temple of the Goddess of Love? Why would a monster be here?

And what did intruder mean? Was this flower field some monster’s territory?

“Wait! I’m not a bad person!”

Albin was full of questions but had no time to ask, because the blue peacock had already opened its beak, gathering a blast of black light.

Sensing the intent to attack, Albin quickly raised his arm and formed a shield of light before him.

Seeing him use magic made the peacock even more wary. Flapping its wings, it shot volleys of demonic energy like arrows.

The light shield trembled violently under the barrage, numbing Albin’s arm. Every strike landed with a sharp crash; smoke and dust filled the air, shattered petals flew everywhere, and the flowers around them bent away in panic.

When the smoke cleared, the peacock—certain it had the upper hand—was stunned to find itself tightly bound by layers of red chains, like a ball of yarn wrapped firmly around it, unable to move. The child before it was completely unharmed.

This was definitely not a normal child!

It screeched sharply, glaring at the enemy pretending to be a child.

Albin hurriedly explained, “I accidentally got lost and wandered in. I’m really not a bad person!”

[Hah! There are multiple layers of barriers here. It’s impossible to accidentally enter.]

After saying this, the peacock seemed unsure whether Albin understood the language of monsters—or perhaps it thought of a way to escape. It transformed into a human form, that of a boy in his mid-teens.

But the chains Albin used were ones he’d crafted to restrain Zeman—reinforced over their journey—and the enraged peacock couldn’t break free.

Albin didn’t know how to explain how he managed to get inside. Feeling wronged, he asked, “Do you know how to get back to the Temple of Love? I’ll leave right away.”

The peacock snorted coldly, and at that moment, a swift figure burst out of the forest.

Seeing it, the peacock shouted, “Dad, it’s him!”

The figure stopped beside the peacock—and Albin realized it was a tiger!

Unlike the younger peacock, the tiger exuded a dangerous aura. It was about to pounce on him with a roar, but before Albin could defend himself, the tiger suddenly froze in place.

Frost spread over half of the tiger’s body, and Albin felt himself pulled into a cold embrace.

Recognizing the familiar scent, he looked up with joy. “Brother!”

Seeing Mu En’s face, the anxiety in Albin’s chest melted away, though his expression still held traces of fear.

The peacock, staring blankly at his frozen father and at Edward standing opposite, was completely confused. “Lord Edward? What’s going on?”

Edward sighed at the sight.

He explained to Albin and Mu En, “The peacock and the tiger are guardians responsible for protecting this restricted area.”

Then he asked Albin in puzzlement, “Why is little Albin here? The barriers shouldn’t allow outsiders to enter.”

“I just wanted to walk around. I got lost in the forest… then it felt like the big tree was calling to me, and I ended up here.”

Albin released the chains. From Edward’s words, he realized he might have wandered into someone’s forbidden ground.

Drooping his head, he apologized softly, “Sorry… I didn’t know how I got in.”

Edward pondered. He believed Albin wasn’t lying—and didn’t think a child could silently bypass the barriers. Was something wrong with the restricted zone’s protections?

Drawn by the tree…?

He thought deeply.

“It seems to be a misunderstanding. This child is my guest.” Edward gently stroked Albin’s head. Although Albin didn’t seem injured, he still cast a healing spell, apologizing with a smile. “Sorry for frightening you.”

Albin shook his head. “I went where I shouldn’t have.”

At Albin’s gesture, Mu En released the frozen tiger. The tiger also transformed into a human and stood beside the peacock, looking bewildered.

Albin glanced at them curiously.

Does the temple really hire monsters as guards?

Seeing his confusion, Edward explained, “A few years ago, the former guardians of this forbidden area betrayed us and stole something before fleeing. Since then, I’ve replaced them with new guards.”

“The peacock is a human–monster hybrid. His mother was a priestess of the Temple of Love. Their kind is unwelcome in both human and monster worlds, so I sheltered them here. With the barrier, they won’t harm humans.”

The burly tiger nodded. “We are grateful Lord Edward took us in.”

Pressing a large hand on the peacock’s head, he bowed with his son toward Albin. “Sorry for scaring our guest.”

The peacock pouted, clearly reluctant.

Albin waved both hands repeatedly. “I told you—it was a misunderstanding! You were just doing your job, and you did great!”

Just like Bear Big and Bear Two—chasing off bad guys and protecting the forest!

The tiger and peacock were stunned by his reaction.

Albin panicked, thinking he’d said something wrong.

Edward chuckled. “They’re surprised because you don’t discriminate against them.”

Human–monster hybrids had terrible lives among humans, who often vented their hatred of monsters onto those with mixed blood.

The tiger had apologized so quickly earlier because he didn’t want trouble—after all, if news spread that Edward employed hybrids as guards, Edward would face backlash too.

“Ah!” Albin remembered that Uncle Jacques had mentioned this. “I also have someone very important to me who’s a monster. So I don’t dislike monsters at all! Good people and good monsters are the same to me.”

“No wonder you’re Lord Edward’s guest,” the tiger said, moved.

The peacock, who had been scowling all this time, stared at Albin’s clear eyes and suddenly bowed his head. “Sorry for scaring you.”

Hands on his hips, Albin said, “I told you—no need to apologize! I’m the one who entered a forbidden area. I should be apologizing! …And I even tied you up…”

The peacock, who hadn’t even beaten an eight-year-old kid, gritted his teeth, turned away, and pretended not to hear.

Edward clapped his hands. “Alright, as long as the misunderstanding is resolved.”

The tiger and peacock left first.

Watching them go, Albin asked curiously, “Are they really parent and child? How does a tiger end up with a peacock for a kid?”

Edward carefully repaired the damaged flower field as he answered, “They are. Monsters are different from humans and animals—their offspring don’t necessarily inherit the same beast form. Only the human form looks somewhat similar. So it’s possible for a tiger’s child to be a peacock, or for a rhino’s child to be a crocodile. Except for the merfolk—they’re the only consistent ones.”

“That’s amazing.”

Albin couldn’t help wondering what kind of monster Little Black’s father might be.

His thoughts drifted, but a more pressing question came to mind.

“Brother, why are you here?”

“I came to find the Love Goddess, Laf.”

Muen approached the towering tree behind Albin, concentrating as he observed it.

“Laf’s aura is here.”

“Huh? The Love Goddess?” Albin turned his head in surprise.

“Did the Love Goddess turn into a tree?”

Muen placed his hand on the trunk, closed his eyes, as though communicating with something.

But after a moment, he opened his eyes and shook his head.

“No response. Even though Laf’s aura is very strong, I can’t feel her power.”

Hearing this, a hint of dimness passed through Edward’s eyes.

“I see…”

He gazed up at the massive, lush tree, his expression filled with nostalgia.

“It’s said that after Lady Laf was gravely wounded and fell into a coma by the Godslayer Spear, she transformed into this tree. For centuries, the Temple of Love and the royal family of the Rose Kingdom have been guarding this sacred tree.”

Albin touched the Godslayer Spear on his wrist, anger rising in his heart.

“Those people are awful! Why would they hurt the Love Goddess?”

Edward shook his head.

“There are very few records. Even I have no idea.”

Muen also shook his head, indicating he didn’t know either.

“Many years ago, I could faintly feel a bit of her power here—sometimes lively, sometimes gentle. Back then, I hated being the Holy Son and often snuck here. The sacred tree would always comfort me.”

Edward half-closed his eyes, reminiscing about his immature past.

His mother had passed away early, and though his father had always spoiled him, after becoming the Holy Son he was forced into grueling training. He had no desire to take on the role, and when his father—for the first time—refused to indulge him, it made him even angrier. He had incredible talent but no motivation, so his magic progress was slow. He ranked at the bottom of his peers, was mocked, and constantly challenged.

Whenever he got bullied, he would cry. And because the priests rarely visited the restricted area, he used his status to enter it freely, often hiding beneath the sacred tree to cry.

And every time, the sacred tree would comfort him.

Its power was faint, and he couldn’t hear any divine voice, but sometimes there was a gentle power soothing him like a mother; sometimes it turned playful, like having a younger sibling.

Thinking of his bedridden mother and younger siblings at home, he gradually began acting like a big brother.

He brought interesting toys, planted beautiful flowers, spent holidays with the tree.

The sacred tree gave him love—he, in turn, nourished it with love.

As he grew older, his duties increased. He was praised as the perfect prince, no longer able to be willful. His pressure only mounted. As both priest and prince, he couldn’t confide in anyone.

Only in front of the sacred tree could he let everything go.

“But ever since the betrayal of the guards a few years ago, it’s been difficult to feel its power. Especially recently—there’s been no response at all.”

Hearing this, Albin felt an indescribable heaviness and hurriedly asked:

“What exactly did that guard steal? Can it still be found?”

“A golden apple that originally grew here,” Edward said, pointing to the empty hollow in the sacred tree. His expression grew grim.

“When we found the guard, he was already dead. We investigated for a long time but never found the apple.”

Muen suddenly asked:

“This happened eight years ago?”

Edward paused, then nodded.

“Yes. Eight years.”

Muen continued:

“Xiaobai, try channeling your magic into the sacred tree.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Even though he didn’t understand why, Albin obediently followed the instruction.

Only Edward stared at Muen in shock, his gaze flicking between Albin and the giant tree.

Albin placed his hand on the rough bark, closed his eyes, and gently pushed his magic forward. He felt it flowing like a stream into a dark space.

His heartbeat quickened. He felt as though he connected with something—but the other side remained silent.

He opened his eyes and looked at Muen.

“No response?”

Albin nodded.

“It feels like something is inside, but… there’s no reply.”

Muen withdrew his gaze.

“Then let’s go.”

“Huh? We’re leaving already?”

Albin looked reluctantly at the tree.

“Since Laf isn’t responding, staying won’t help.”

Albin nodded and followed Muen out, turning back multiple times to look at the sacred tree.

Edward did not follow them out. He watched the two brothers leave, his mind filled with countless questions.

Muen claimed he was the Love Goddess’s adopted son. And Albin was his younger brother…

Albin inexplicably entered the restricted area… and was drawn directly to the sacred tree…

Eight years ago…

A ridiculous theory flashed into Edward’s mind, making his eyelids twitch.

He immediately checked the barrier of the restricted area. Everything was normal—no outsider could enter, not even the tiger family.

But if the being was originally inside the barrier—like butterflies, birds, squirrels—creatures already recognized by the barrier…

They would be unaffected.

Edward slowly followed the brothers out, thinking he must be going insane.

Just like when he once suspected Zeman was a monster.

“Albin.”

Once Albin unknowingly stepped outside the boundary, Edward suddenly called out.

“Could you come here for a moment?”

“What’s wrong, Uncle Edward?”

Completely unaware of the barrier’s location, Albin walked over easily—passing through it without resistance.

Edward’s heart jumped. He swallowed and forced out the words:

“Your magic is much stronger than before. I didn’t expect you to improve this much in three months… could you let me feel your magic more closely?”

Pleased by the praise, Albin proudly released a warm flow of magic toward him.

Edward felt that familiar power. His eyelashes trembled.

Exactly the same.

Exactly like the sacred tree’s lively, comforting power from his youth.

He stared at the child who had felt familiar since the very first moment he saw him.

This was the Love Goddess’s golden apple.

The true miracle child.

His companion through childhood—his little brother.

When the three returned to the temple and saw Zeman, who had just come out searching for Albin, Edward—who had been chatting cheerfully moments before—immediately dropped his smile and ground his teeth in regret.

He suddenly really wanted to punch someone.

Especially someone named Zeman.

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