"She actually entered the Sage's True Garden?" Shenqi asked Xiuzawa, her voice filled with disbelief.

Xiuzawa nodded. "Believe it or not, it is the truth. You should know the Sage's Garden as well as I do; you must surely understand the consequences and the immense price your mother has paid by entering the Sage's True Garden."

Shenqi certainly knew of the Sage's True Garden; she had been aware of it since childhood and had done her research. Although the Sage's True Garden was a structure within their Demon Clan's royal palace, it fundamentally did not belong to them. More accurately, it could be considered an Outlier.

In all the history she knew, the Sage's True Garden had always existed, but no one knew when it first appeared; even a thorough search of the classics yielded no record. This Sage's True Garden had accompanied their royal lineage for dozens of generations, and every Demon King regarded it as a forbidden zone—not just for commoners, but even for members of the royal family, even the King himself was barred from entry.

It wasn't that the Sage's True Garden was dangerous; in fact, it posed no threat whatsoever. There were no traps, no enemies; even someone utterly defenseless could walk in and return safely. Nor did it conceal any shameful secrets—it was utterly empty, containing only a single room and a small vegetable patch, nothing more.

The true reason was the Sage who resided within.

In truth, the Sage herself was the true forbidden zone, far more so than the garden.

The Sage naturally possessed the dignity befitting her station. She would not casually resort to violence or killing. As long as you did not make an enemy of her, her demeanor would be quite amiable. However, the moment you made contact with her, the moment you spoke to her, you would pay a price.

This price was not demanded by the Sage; rather, it was exacted automatically the instant the two parties met, a payment even the Sage herself could not refuse.

So, what was the price that led the Demon Clan's countless generations of kings to revere her like a deity while simultaneously fearing her like a devil, thus establishing the garden as an absolute prohibition?

It was nothing other than the name of the garden itself—Truth!

What is truth? A person's name, their life, their social circle, even their value, their very existence—all these things constitute reality, and that is what the Sage's Garden took.

In other words, anyone who entered the Sage's True Garden and interacted with the Sage within would find their name gradually forgotten, their life accelerated toward its end, the people they knew would slowly forget them, and even the value they had once created would fade. By the time they died, their entire existence in this world would vanish, and no one would ever remember them.

The price was thus devastatingly cruel.

In the past, due to chaos spreading from other dimensions, the Demon Clan had faced crises that threatened annihilation several times. It was only when their King consulted the Sage within the True Garden that these dangers were averted. But... which King it was, how many Kings had done so, and what the nature of the danger had been—no one remembered any of it.

And now, Shenqi's mother had entered the True Garden. The outcome could easily be imagined.

Seeing Shenqi's stunned and blank expression, Xiuzawa spoke again. "Though you left the Demon Clan over a decade ago, your mother never stopped watching over you. When she learned you were in conflict with the Werewolf Clan, she knew things were going sour. But as the Queen, she could not ignore the safety of her people for the sake of one person. Thus, she had no choice but to consult the Sage again. It was then that the Sage gave your mother the answer she had always sought..."

"The answer she always sought?" Shenqi murmured blankly.

Xiuzawa nodded. "What your mother desired was not just to save you from the Werewolf crisis, but also to free you from the Witch's curse. This current danger, too, served as an opportunity... The Sage herself said that if you could just hold on for a while, a distinguished benefactor would arrive to help you overcome this crisis, and concurrently, deliver you from that Witch’s eternal curse."

"Ah?!" Hearing this, Shenqi froze, instinctively looking towards Lin Luo.

Lin Luo understood immediately and pointed at himself, "Don't tell me that benefactor is me?"

Xiuzawa smiled faintly. "I do not know if that benefactor is you, but everything I have done was according to the Sage's instructions. However, the facts have proven the Sage was not wrong; at least for now, we have relied on you to survive this crisis."

Having said this, Xiuzawa looked toward the somewhat dazed Shenqi, walked over, patted her shoulder, and said solemnly, "Princess, you are a princess. Though you have been deposed, in my heart, you remain one. While it may be improper for a subject to say certain things, this might be our last opportunity to converse, so there are things I must say... Although your mother was very strict with you, sometimes cold, she truly loved you. For your sake, she dispatched her most trusted fighters to protect you; for your sake, she did not hesitate to enter the Sage's True Garden; for your sake, she communicated with the Sage repeatedly. Even if it meant the utter destruction of her own existence one day, she never felt a shred of regret. Moreover... for your sake, she specifically instructed me to sever your wings."

Lin Luo understood the first few sentences, but the last one baffled him. What did 'sever your wings for your sake' mean? After all, the Demon Clan's wings were a vital tool for survival. Shenqi's wings were gone—two lives lost, effectively. How could that be good?

Lin Luo was confused, and Shenqi was equally perplexed.

Seeing their doubt, Xiuzawa didn't explain immediately. Instead, he reached up and touched his own shoulder. "Princess, everyone's meaning of existence differs. Even the wings on our bodies carry different significance for different people. My weapon is just a weapon to me; without it, I am still the Demon Clan's foremost master, still ready to go through fire and water for the clan, still willing to give my life for the Queen. But you are different!"

"Your wings are not merely your weapons, nor just tools for survival. They are more a constraint upon you. As long as those two wings remain, you can never truly escape the bondage of the Demon Clan. But now... your wings are gone, and you are free to soar!"

"Xiuzawa..." Listening to Xiuzawa's resounding words, Shenqi finally understood why he had been so ruthless before. It wasn't just to dispel the West Wolf King's wariness; more importantly... it was to grant her freedom!

And all of this was done by Xiuzawa at the behest of the mother she had always resented.

Thinking of this, Shenqi felt something constrict her throat, rendering her unable to speak.

"I have said all I needed to say; my task ends here. And finally..." Xiuzawa turned his head toward Lin Luo and smiled, "Though I still don't know your name, the Princess is in your care."

Seeing his air of settling final affairs, Lin Luo frowned. "Judging by what you're saying, you seem ready to entrust your princess to me. Is that truly acceptable?"

Lin Luo found the situation absurd. No matter the debt of life he was owed, they were still strangers. To simply hand over a princess's future to him seemed utterly preposterous.

Yet, Xiuzawa laughed with an easy grace. "Whether you are capable, I do not know, nor do I need to care. But the Sage said you are capable, so you are capable. Even if you weren't, you are now!"

Xiuzawa had unwittingly uttered a phrase fit for a future sovereign. Lin Luo felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him, then asked, "You mention 'the Sage' left and right. She sounds quite extraordinary, and she seems to know some things about me. Who exactly is she?"

Xiuzawa shook his head. "That I cannot tell you. Even if you ask further, it will be useless. Don't think about going to the Demon Clan to find her, either, because you will never meet the Sage."

"Why?" Lin Luo frowned inwardly. Are you reading my mind? You even guessed what I intended to do.

In truth, Lin Luo had been contemplating a trip to the Demon Clan, as the legendary Sage deeply piqued his curiosity. He had a vague feeling she was somehow connected to him.

Xiuzawa continued, "Because as I arrived here, the Sage had already vanished from the True Garden. Even the Queen does not know her whereabouts, only that she will never return."

Lin Luo looked at him and saw no sign of deceit. His heart sank; it seemed he had missed his chance.

With that knowledge, a trip to the Demon Clan became pointless.

However, at this moment, he became even more certain that the Sage had some relation to him.

"Xiuzawa..." Seeing Xiuzawa turn to leave, Shenqi quickly called out to him, but after opening her mouth, she didn't know what to say. She stopped, her words caught.

But Xiuzawa understood her meaning and smiled. "Princess, you need not feel guilty. What your mother did for you was not a sacrifice, nor does it require your thanks. If you live on burdened by guilt, then her sacrifice means nothing. As a mother, she only wished for you to live freely and happily; that is the best repayment you can offer her."

"But she..." Tears began to well up in Shenqi's eyes, for she finally understood that she had misjudged her mother all this time, and one day, she would even forget such a mother.

Xiuzawa lifted his gaze to the sky. "I will remain alive, alive until the day she dies. So, even if everyone else forgets her, I, at least, absolutely will not! I will forever remember that I served such a great mother, and such a great Queen, in my life!"

With that, Xiuzawa did not look back and departed with a graceful air.

Shenqi watched his retreating figure, tears streaming down her face.

PS: Originally planned for five thousand characters, but I was in pain and rushed to finish three thousand. I will make up the rest tomorrow. (To be continued)