183 I Totally Understand (1/2)

On the way, Leon and Lilith passed through the Upper District and new Lower District.

Due to being cooped up in her room ever since Leon brought her to the palace, she had not seen the changes taking place in the Capital.

When the Capital was attacked, she had seen the destruction to the Lower District. There was not a spot left unscathed in the big battle and everything was further reduced to ashes.

Lilith was amazed at how much humans had achieved in rebuilding the Capital in these few weeks since the attack.

Her eyes wondered about with curiosity, before landing on a building that stood out from the rest.

”Wow, humans have all sorts of interesting designs, especially that one.” Lilith pointed, before continuing, ”It feels quite majestic and beautifully designed like a piece of art.”

Leon followed the direction Lilith pointed. He was immediately startled when he laid eyes on the building.

Leon was sure they weren't in the location of the old Lower West District. Why was this building here? Did someone take interest in his building design and build another one here?

Leon quickly grabbed Lilith's hand and quickened their pace without making a comment.

Along the way, all sorts of gazes from the surrounding were directed at Lilith, or more precisely; her black wing. There were surprises, curiosity, some unexpected appreciative gazes and unsurprisingly; hostile gazes.

”Can you do something about your wing?” Leon casually asked, before adding, ”It's too conspicuous and attracts attention wherever we go. I'm afraid someone might not be able to hold back and jump out to attack you.”

”Oh? Are worried about me?” Lilith raised an eyebrow and said with interest.

”No, I'm worried for the person who might attack you.” Leon said bluntly. Lilith was stronger than the average palace guards. There was no way the nobles were her match, let alone; the commoners.

Beasts were known for their powerful bodies and physical strength. Although Lilith was a beastkin, he did not doubt that she inherited their powerful fleshly strength.

While he was aware of that fact, others might be deceived by her delicate appearance and forget such a simple fact. Whether it is land, resource or knowledge, the humans of this world lacked many things, but the one thing they did not lack was stupid people.

”Oh…” Lilith's mood quickly plummeted at his response and her brows creased into a frown.

”What do you want me to do? Cut it off? I only have one wing left you know. Isn't the reason why I'm following you because I'm afraid of being attacked by others? Aren't you supposed to be the prince? If someone dares to attack me, while I'm right next to you, wouldn't your status as the prince of this kingdom be a little… too pathetic?” Lilith said strongly with a hint of contempt.

”As you know, 500-year history of hatred between our two races is not something easy to resolve. There are bound to be people who will be hostile against you. If you accidentally hurt someone in your attempt to defend yourself, no one will care about the reason. The fact that a beastkin hurt a human will quickly trigger a chain reaction through the Capital and spiral out of control.” Leon explained, before helplessly adding, ”I just want to avoid such headaches if possible, alright?”

He had stayed under the radar to reap as much benefits as he could from the nobles and aristocrat families, but now that he had done exactly that, he was no longer looking for trouble.

However, before his status is announced to the world, there was indeed not many people that knew of his royal status.

After listening, Lilith's mood did not improve. She was aware of such of the hatred between their two races and didn't need him to tell her. While it was just a matter of a headache for him, it was a matter of life and death for her. She was alone while the humans were many.

Folding her arms, Lilith grumpily said, ”Yeah? So, what do you suggest I do? I was born this way. What are you going to do about it?”

As a newer generation of beastkins, she did not share the same inborn hatred for humans like the beasts does and considered herself as part of a different race to the beasts. In fact, many shared the same thought. The Wildlands were quite divided  between the beasts and beastkins as a result.

However, she did not need to mention this as they were still considered on the same side as denizens of the Wildlands.

”Well… cutting it off might not be a bad idea. It is pretty much useless without the other. You won't be able to fly with one wing anyway, but maybe I can use it to decorate my room. It's quite a beautiful wing after all.” Leon said with a teasing tone. He gazed at the lone black wing with an indescribable expression and rubbed his chin.

Hyuk!

Lilith reacted like a cat getting its tail stepped on. She quickly retreated warily and eyed him with an expression that seemed to imply that if he came closer, she would not hold back in her attack even if he was her saviour.

”You, you stay away from me!” Lilith shrieked.

”Hahaha… I'm joking, but it appears that you really don't have any methods to hide your wing.” Leon chuckled, before shaking his head. He had casually asked because of a simple thought.

The divine beasts from the Divine Realm had a magical technique called the [Hundred Beast Transformation Art], which allows them to transform their appearances into any form they please. Most divine beasts use it to transform into humans, while demi-humans use it to hide their beastly features.

Although he wasn't expecting such a high-level technique to exist in this world, he was expecting that a weaker version may exist among the beasts and beastkin. The body practitioners also had the ability to control their body and shape to some extent. It wouldn't be a problem to retract her wings into her body with such a method, but it seems that he had been expecting too much.

”Of course, I don't have a method to hide my wings! Don't you think I would have used it already to enter your human territory instead of flapping my wings around and stick out like a sore thumb!?” Lilith rolled her eyes.

”Haha, that's true.” Leon smiled wryly, before saying, ”Try not to cause for me, alright?”