I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

"Do you know Yuno?"

"Yeah, I guess so." She nodded gently, her hair fluttering slightly in the evening breeze. "We've known each other for a long time. She's capricious, unpredictable, and always does things you never expect. Being with her must be exhausting, right?"

Upon hearing that it was an old acquaintance of Yuno, Duanmu Yan lowered his guard somewhat, his gaze returning to the sky bathed in the glow of the sunset: "It's alright. Actually, Yuno is just saying what she doesn't mean. She is indeed a little willful, but she knows when to stop and doesn't make things difficult for people."

"Moreover, I think this kind of personality is... quite cute."

Upon hearing this answer, a hint of surprise flashed in the woman's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She pursed her lips and smiled gently: "Cute? This is the first time I've heard anyone describe her like that. Those old guys in the Senate are really having a headache over her presence."

"I don't know about that." Duanmu Yan shrugged and answered nonchalantly, "Anyway, I'm not a member of the Senate, and Yuno hasn't caused me any trouble. At least, from my perspective, Yuno is quite cute."

Upon hearing this answer again, the woman's smile became even more unrestrained.

She covered her mouth with her hand, letting out a soft laugh: "It seems you really like Yuno? And you've only known each other for a day?"

"Like?" Duanmu Yan considered the word carefully in his mind, his gaze unconsciously following the cheerful figure in the direction of the ice cream shop. "It might be easy to misunderstand if I say it like that. But after spending the whole day together, I really don't dislike her. Although she is a little willful, that awkwardness of saying one thing and meaning another makes everything just right."

He looked away and nodded frankly: "Yes, I like it quite a bit."

"That was a pretty quick answer."

"They admitted it readily."

Augusta gently rubbed his temples, his expression a mixture of amusement and a hint of schadenfreude.

Just then, Yuno came running back happily, holding two ice cream cones. When she saw the woman next to Duanmu Yan, she stopped abruptly, her eyes widening instantly.

"Augusta?! How did you get here... no, how did you find me?"

The woman called Augusta crossed her arms and leisurely half-closed her eyes: "Edict Yuno, your behavior is improper, you have left the Four Directions Hall without permission." She read slowly and deliberately, but without any accusation. "Do you know that these past two days, those old guys in the Senate have almost worn out my ears from reading your words? And you, on the other hand, are enjoying your life here in a leisurely manner."

Yuno raised his chin defiantly: "Hmph, who told you to be the governor?"

“Yes…” Augusta sighed softly, “What can I do? I’m the governor.”

Augusta?

Governor-General?

Wait a minute, could she be the governor of Seven Hills?

Duanmu Yan's eyes widened instantly, and he looked at Augusta beside him in disbelief: "Governor-General?"

"Put 'sir' out of the way." Augusta's facial muscles twitched slightly when he heard him address him that way. "Call me Governor, or Augusta, either is fine."

Despite her high position, she was still, at heart, a girl who had risen from humble beginnings in the streets. Even after becoming governor, she never put on airs in front of ordinary people.

—Of course, the Senate and the nobility are exceptions.

When dealing with these people, your humility and concession will only be seen as weakness.

Yuno walked over to Duanmu Yan and handed him an ice cream: "Here, this is for you."

She sat down next to Duanmu Yan and licked her own portion with small bites.

"And what about mine?" Augusta asked deliberately.

"Go buy it yourself," Yuno said, swinging her legs.

“It’s really heartbreaking…” Augusta sighed softly, her fingertips pressed against her heart. “After so many years of friendship, you can’t even afford to buy me an ice cream.”

"Don't give me that!" Yuno puffed out her cheeks and muttered under her breath, "Last time, the time before that, and the time before that, when I gave you desserts, you always took a couple of bites and then refused to eat any more. Now you're pretending to be wronged! Making me feel like the bad guy!"

"Alright, alright, I won't argue with you anymore." Augusta's smile faded slightly, and his expression became more serious.

"Yuno, something happened at Sanguis Karihara's place."

Volume 1: Chapter 93 I'm fighting Augusta, really?

"Sanguis Karahara? Trouble?"

Yuno was stunned for a moment, until the melted ice cream slid down the cone, before she hurriedly stuck out her little tongue and gently licked the milky white liquid.

"The Kuroshio Cloud? But it's not high tide now. Besides, I remember I was fine when I came out, so why is there trouble all of a sudden?"

Augusta shook his head: "The specifics are still unclear. It was Grandma Lilybe who sent the message herself, and I have already sent people to investigate."

"Could it be...that guy?" Yuno guessed.

“It’s still unknown. But this disturbance is very likely related to it.” Augusta frowned slightly, her tone turning serious. “In any case, Yuno, you must return to the Four Directions Palace immediately. As the Lady of the Court, you should know where you should be in a time of crisis; I shouldn’t need to remind you.”

Upon hearing this result, Yuno rested her chin on her hand and muttered softly, "I know... I thought I could play in Seven Hills City for a few more days, but I'm being dragged back on the very first day."

Although her words were full of complaints, the girl showed no sign of disobeying.

Sitting between the two, Duanmu Yan listened to their conversation and was completely bewildered.

They seem to be talking about something very important?

But is this something that an outsider like me should really be listening to?

"What are you talking about? Black Tide Cloud? And what is 'that guy'? Could it be some important secret? Should I leave for a while?" Duanmu Yan asked tentatively.

“No need.” Augusta waved her hand. “The dangers of the Sanguis Hunting Grounds are already common knowledge in Seven Hills City. As for the Black Tide Cloud—” she paused, “you should know about the Black Tide, right?”

Duanmu Yan nodded: "Yes, not only do I know about it, but I've even faced it for some reason."

This answer undoubtedly froze Augusta's expression for a moment, as if she found it hard to believe.

"You once... faced the Black Tide head-on? Does the Black Tide still exist in Laguna now?"

"Well, how should I put it?" Duanmu Yan thought for a while before saying, "What I encountered was not the recent black tide, but the remnants from twenty years ago. Due to some coincidences, I came face to face with it."

"Interesting. Remnants from twenty years ago?"

Augusta repeated softly, her gaze deepening.

As the governor of the Seven Hills, she naturally knew that history—twenty years ago, the coronation of the saint in Laguna attracted the invasion of the Ming Shi, and the black tide descended from the sky.

If that saintess hadn't sacrificed herself, the entire Lina Xi Tower would probably have been swallowed up by the Black Tide long ago.

A slight smile played on her lips as she unconsciously tapped her knee with her fingertips, giving Duanmu Yan a meaningful look: "But you survived? What about Black Tide?"

Even the remnants of what erupted twenty years ago, with their ability to pollute and erode everything in the world, are something that ordinary people cannot contend with.

For the average person to encounter it head-on would have virtually no chance of survival.

However, the young man survived.

"By me..." Duanmu Yan suddenly stopped, looking down at the voice marks on the back of his hand, "...ate them?"

"Eat it? What does that mean?"

"literal meaning."

Duanmu Yan called out Abu's name repeatedly in his heart, but the gluttonous fellow was curled up deep in his consciousness, fast asleep with his round belly, and could not be woken up no matter how he called him.

"That's truly unheard of."

Augusta lightly touched her lower lip with her fingertips, an incredulous glint in her eyes. Even Yuno, standing beside her, widened her eyes, nearly dropping the ice cream in her hand.

"You...you ate the Black Tide...?" Yuno's voice trembled. "That filthy thing, doesn't it make you nauseous? By the way...what does the Black Tide taste like?"

"So, all you care about is the smell of the Black Tide?" Duanmu Yan smirked. "And besides, I didn't eat it. Do you remember Abu?"

Yuno nodded quickly, "Of course I remember! That soft little thing... Ah!" She suddenly realized, "Speaking of which, I haven't seen it all day?"

Duanmu Yan showed her the sound mark on the back of his hand: "It's right here."

"?" Yuno tilted his head in confusion, his gaze shifting back and forth between Shenghen and Duanmu Yan.

“Abu and I are actually in a symbiotic relationship. It is currently sleeping deep within my consciousness,” Duanmu Yan explained patiently. “It devoured the Black Tide. However, according to it, the taste was terrible, and it never wants to try it again.”

Yuno blinked, slightly dazed. "Huh? Wait, you mean the Black Tide, which can pollute and erode everything, was swallowed up by your voice? And it lives inside your body? Are you kidding me?"

Duanmu Yan spread his hands, revealing a helpless smile: "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Are you a monster?" Yuno instinctively shrank back to the other end of the bench.

"Were you serious when you took half a step back?"

"I'm just kidding."

Augusta gently stroked her chin with her slender fingers, scrutinizing Duanmu Yan with the meticulousness of a scalpel.

After a long while, she slowly spoke, interrupting their interaction.

"How interesting... The Voice Remains actually live inside the Resonator's body, and it can even devour the Black Tide."

"This completely defies all common sense."

“Duanmu Yan—that’s his name, right?” Augusta said. “I wonder if you could go to Sanguis Hunting Ground to assist in investigating the truth behind this anomaly? Your special ability might have a unique suppressive effect on the Black Tide Cloud. I swear in the name of the Governor of Seven Hills that I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety. Whatever the final outcome, I will offer you a generous reward.”

This sudden request left Duanmu Yan momentarily stunned.

"Right, right!" Yuno suddenly clapped her hands, her ice-blue hair swaying gently with the movement. "I remember now, Duanmu won the gladiator tournament as soon as he arrived at Qiqiu! Maybe he really is amazing!"

"Oh?" A meaningful smile appeared in Augusta's eyes. "The gladiator champion?"

"That was just an amateur competition," Duanmu Yan hurriedly explained, "and it was mainly the Second Miss who—"

“In Seven Hills, the hunt never ends.” Augusta rose gracefully, her skirt tracing an elegant arc in the twilight. She stopped in front of Duanmu Yan. “Since you were able to distinguish yourself in the arena, and have fought against the Black Tide and survived…”

"Then would you do me the honor of sparring with me in the arena?"

Duanmu Yan's eyes widened: "Huh? Me?"

He knew little about the governor's legendary life, but he had heard how she used her weak resonance ability to defeat countless powerful enemies in the corrupt and bloody city-state of Seven Hills, ultimately ascending to the pinnacle of power.

Now this governor, known for his military prowess, actually wants to personally challenge him to a duel?

I'm beating Augusta, really?

Will it win?

Volume 1: Chapter (I) Ling <Yaoqi Siwei Kou Cusi 894 I can fight with you all day long>

"Uh……?"

Not buddy.

No, not a girl?

You, the governor and the champion of the previous Grand Gladiator Tournament, are now going to compete against this newcomer in the arena?

It feels like a novice who has just learned to wield a sword is suddenly asked to challenge the final boss—in a game you can barely manage by memorizing the steps, but real-life gladiatorial combat is a real, bloody battle.

“You might be surprised.” Augusta seemed to read his mind, turning to look at the arena not far away. There, the noise of people and the clash of weapons filled the air. “But in the Seven Hills, gladiators are accustomed to using swords instead of pleasantries, and using contests to understand each other.”

Customs that might seem barbaric in other city-states are perfectly normal daily life here.

Hunting and gladiatorial combat were integral parts of the lives of the Seven Hills people.

Moreover, this is not an instance of Augusta abusing his power.

As the champion of the Grand Gladiator Tournament, she had faced countless powerful opponents and numerous perilous situations on the battlefield. Often, she could tell whether her opponent was genuine or just bluffing with just a glance.

But this young man in front of me...

Augusta, however, couldn't quite see through it.

I always felt that I could sense a kind of "danger" in his frequency.

But she couldn't quite put her finger on what kind of "danger" it was, like a seemingly calm sea hiding unsettling undercurrents.

More importantly, he had faced the Kuroshio head-on.

“I am not fighting you as governor. I am fighting you as Augusta.”

As she spoke, she turned around and smiled at Duanmu Yan.

“You come from Huanglong, which I’ve heard of. Martial artists in Huanglong often make friends through martial arts. That’s quite similar to the style of Qiqiu.” She took a step forward, her heel lightly tapping the stone slab. “Since we’ve met by chance today, why not go to the arena and have a good spar?”

"Don't worry, although it's just a friendly spar, I will still give it my all."

Duanmu Yan: "?"

Shouldn't the last sentence be, "Friendship first, competition second, I'll let them win"?

Why are they saying they're going all out?

“This is the first time I’ve heard of someone volunteering to fight since Augusta took office as governor.” Yuno continued licking his ice cream, tilting his head to look at him. “Duanmu, you’ve hit the jackpot.”

That was definitely a stroke of incredible luck.

"Spending so much time in the Governor's Palace, dealing with those old foxes in the Senate all day, I've almost forgotten what the thrill of the arena feels like." Augusta stretched his arms, his knuckles cracking, and looked intently at Duanmu Yan. "So, want to give it a try?"