Chapter 78: The Supreme Leader of the [Rogue Encampment]

Her fiery red hair burned in the air like passionate flames. Her exquisite armor was carved with intricate, profound mystic patterns, swirling with faint yet terrifying Magic energies. Fine heavy boots crafted from white beast hide ran up her legs like vines, protecting her knees. Jade-like thighs, carved from flawless mutton-fat jade, were exposed—slender, beautiful, and snowy white, radiating soul-stealing allure. A sky-blue battle skirt shielded her pert, tempting round hips. Her slender waist swayed gently like a willow branch in the wind. Her snow-white skin, delicate and flawless, seemed easily encircled by a single hand. Towering peaks stood proudly within their light leather armor wrappings. Her breathtaking beauty was so overwhelming it felt impossible to gaze upon her directly. She carried an aura of chilly detachment, regal nobility, and stunning brilliance…

This was Andrissa Ileena. An unapproachable Valkyrie. The most beautiful [Flower of the Rogues] in the Diablo World.

She stepped lightly through the Portal, as if traversing countless realms and ages. She appeared in the Great Hall, standing before Sun Fei, poised and ethereal like a solitary orchid drifting untethered.

Ileena was in full bloom of her beauty.

For a long, long time since the previous [Flower of the Rogues], Andariel, had shockingly fallen in love with the Great Demon Lord Diablo and descended into becoming a terrifying demon, the Rogue Continent had seen no one worthy of the title [Flower of the Rogues]. Until Ileena appeared. This graceful, orchid-like young Rogue rapidly captivated the entire continent with her beauty and courage.

“Lord Sun Fei, I heard your call from the [Rogue Encampment].” Ileena bent slightly, performing a gesture of respect to a King practiced in the Diablo World. “Do you need me?”

“Ileena, please just call me Alexander from now on!” Sun Fei gestured towards a stone chair nearby with a smile. “Have a seat. So, I take it you’ve relayed everything about the situation here to Sister Acarra and Leader Kashya?”

“Yes, Your Majesty Alexander, just as you commanded, I have informed both leaders.” Ileena quickly adapted to the name ‘Alexander’. Over the past dozen or so days, her initial shock and awe had faded into calm acceptance. She fully understood Sun Fei’s status and position in this world. She remembered her first summoning via Portal over ten days ago to the Azeroth Continent. Ileena had been utterly overwhelmed by the peace and beauty of this world. Here, there were no rampaging demons or monsters, no invasion or corruption by Hell’s Evil Power. Everywhere was picturesque—lush greenery, rich vegetation, fresh air—a land bursting with thriving life. This vibrant world felt like nothing short of the heaven spoken of in legends back in the Diablo World. Ileena fell in love with it almost instantly.

For the past ten-plus days, she had been able to spend four hours each day in Shampoo City. With Sun Fei’s permission, she had quietly observed and learned everything about Shampoo City as a guest – including this world’s rules, Sund Fei’s identity, Shampoo City’s status, and the cycles of the sun, moon, and Stars. Then, after understanding it all and with Sun Fei’s consent, Ileena passed on what she knew to the two leaders of the [Rogue Encampment], Acarra and Kashya.

“Alright then, well done. Oh, and later, someone will take you somewhere. Go and observe carefully, then tell me what you find.” Sun Fei didn’t put on his Kingly airs before Ileena. Casually handing her a bright red apple, he chuckled. “Speaking of which, about my proposal earlier, do you know if Acarra and Kashya have thought about it?”

“They both agreed. However, Sister Acarra hoped Shampoo City might provide a bit of support… in terms of food… for the [Rogue Encampment].” Ileena blinked, accepted the apple, a faint pink blush dusting her delicate, jade-like cheeks. She quickly lowered her head to reply.

“Food? Hmm… I can only try. See if food can even be taken into the World of Diablo.” Sun Fei thought for a moment. “Perhaps I should discuss this matter personally with them later.”

Just then, a guard shouted a report from outside the Great Hall – Prison Warden Oleg had arrived as ordered and was waiting outside.

“Show him in!”

Before his words faded, Oleg rushed in eagerly. His face was flushed, as if bearing great news. Even the fat on his bald head jiggled with excitement. He knelt lowly, crawling forward a few steps, prostrating himself fully at Sun Fei’s feet. His voice oozed sycophantic flattery. “Your Majesty! Reporting to King Alexander! Grand news, haha! The new prison is fully restored! It’s ready to be used right this instant!”

As he spoke, Oleg quickly noticed Ileena sitting on the nearby chair. His heart was instantly and brutally stunned by the beauty of the [Flower of the Rogues]. Yet, he felt not the slightest trace of evil desire. On one hand, he knew this girl was likely close to His Majesty Alexander – that much was clear from the way she looked at the King. On the other hand, Oleg, being a One-Star Warrior himself, could keenly sense the formidable aura radiating from Ileena that far surpassed his own One-Star Level. He could also recognize the immense value of her magnificent armor carved with intricate, profound mystic patterns… All of this screamed a clear warning to Oleg: crush any deviant thought instantly! This stunning beauty before him was someone he couldn’t afford to provoke. Otherwise, he’d die without even a place to be buried.

Hearing Oleg’s report, Sun Fei nodded in satisfaction. “Excellent. You’ve done well. I’m very pleased. Now, immediately organize your men. Transfer all prisoners from the Iron Prison Water Dungeon to the new prison. Starting today, seal off the Iron Prison Water Dungeon completely. Without my direct order, no one is allowed to enter.”

“Your words are my life, Your Majesty Alexander!” Oleg’s heart surged with wild joy at Sun Fei’s praise. He loudly declared his loyalty.

“Hmm, one more thing. This Lady Ileena is my… friend.” Sun Fei had initially thought of saying ‘trusted aide’ or ‘confidante’, but felt ‘friend’ suited better. “After you’ve finished transferring the prisoners, take Ileena on a tour through the Iron Prison Water Dungeon. Remember: do not ask unnecessary questions, do not say unnecessary things. Once Ileena has seen everything, come straight to the Royal Palace to find me. I have a substantial reward for you.”

“Praise you, bright and merciful King!” Oleg beamed, his teeth practically cracking with happiness at hearing the word ‘reward’. Recent interactions had given him a deeper understanding of Sun Fei’s character. If Sun Fei called it a ‘substantial reward’, it was definitely something good. A torrent of oily compliments immediately poured forth.

“Ileena, go with him for now. Take a look. That place is strange. You might discover something. But, remember this: there’s a huge black iron door there. Don’t go beyond the door. Understand?” Ileena stood up, nodded, and followed Prison Warden Oleg out of the King’s Hall.

Watching the two figures disappear through the Hall entrance, Sun Fei licked his lips and rubbed his temples. Matters had been piling up relentlessly lately. Though he’d played the hands-off manager by delegating much to Brook and Best, he was still overwhelmed and gasping for breath.

A faint scent of orchids still lingered in the air.

It was left by Ileena from when she had sat on the stone chair.

Warm golden sunlight spilled lazily through the gaps between the great pillars and statues surrounding the Great Hall, bathing him in its glow. Closing his eyes, Sun Fei breathed in deeply the entrancing fragrance. Suddenly his thoughts flowed with unprecedented ease and clarity. His memory drifted back to twelve days earlier.

……

Twelve days earlier.

Sun Fei, back in the King’s Hall, after designing men’s and women’s clothing, then shamelessly designing a ‘brassiere’ for Angela like a crude lout, thereby frightening away his lovely fiancée, found himself temporarily idle. He decided to try contacting the mysterious, icy voice in his mind and returned to the World of Diablo.

Diablo World, [Rogue Encampment].

The second his feet touched the ground of the [Rogue Encampment], he was engulfed by a frenzy of cheers. Blinking, Sun Fei saw, to his astonishment, that at the very spot he’d last left the Diablo World, Auntie Acarra the Nun and Kashya the mercenary leader were still kneeling with the others, deep in Prayer. When they saw him reappear, everyone leaped up, shouting with unrestrained joy.

“Lord Sun Fei! You’ve finally returned!”

Sister Acarra’s wrinkled face blossomed like a chrysanthemum. Kashya and the others stared at Sun Fei with visible excitement, their expressions carrying a level of respect and reverence rarely seen in these NPCs before.

“Uh… What happened?” The sudden NPC enthusiasm made Sun Fei slightly uncomfortable. Flattery often meant trouble, he thought; maybe these guys wanted something from him?

“Lord Sun Fei, you destroyed the evil demon leader Andariel, reopening the path from the Rogue Continent to the east. According to the ancestors’ pact of the Rogue Encampment, you have become its Supreme Leader…” Ileena, standing beside Sun Fei, quietly reminded him.

“I became the Supreme Leader of the [Rogue Encampment]?”

Sun Fei was stunned. He suddenly vaguely remembered something like that. Ileena had mentioned such a thing when he’d last left the World of Diablo. He turned to look at Acarra, Kashya, and the others, not hiding the elation on his face. “Is this true? I really became the Supreme Leader?”

“That is indeed the case.” Acarra watched Sun Fei’s triumphant look and wished she could strike his face with her shoe sole. But bound by the ancestors’ oath, she forced herself to reply patiently.

Mercenary Leader Kashya and the blacksmith Charsi also nodded in confirmation.

“Haha! Does this mean I don’t have to pay for potions or Scrolls from Sister Acarra anymore? That I can hire mercenaries free from Kashya here? Or get gear from Charsi without spending a coin? Haha… Waha-ha-ha!” Sun Fei laughed shamelessly, his brain instantly concocting this sly notion.

A wonderful, carefree life seemed to beckon seductively to him, rushing forward.

But—

“That’s impossible! Even with the ancestral vow, the Supreme Leader cannot profit idly within the encampment… Lord Sun Fei, I must remind you: while you do possess the right to command all in the [Rogue Encampment] and restrict anyone’s actions, your primary duty as Supreme Leader is to shed blood in battle for the survival of every person here, every building, every cow, even every chicken! I’ve always said: in this world, reward and effort are directly proportional… However, as a mark of respect for the Supreme Leader, starting today, you may purchase all items from anyone in the camp, including my potions and Scrolls, at half price.” Sister Acarra the ‘Vampire’ spoke through clenched teeth, swiftly crushing Sun Fei’s dream of free riches.

“Huh… Half price?” Sun Fei stroked his chin, a bit disappointed, but he ultimately nodded reluctantly. “Still steep… but half off does sound good. Alright, deal.”

“Respected Lord Sun Fei, preparations are underway to activate the Oath Altar left by our ancestors. After the consecration ceremony, you will officially become the recognized Supreme Leader of the [Rogue Encampment]…” The doddering old man Kane, with his lecherous white beard, parted the crowd and approached, bowing with his cane. “According to legends on the Rogue Continent, those who become the Supreme Leader of the Rogues receive three incredible gifts bestowed by the Gods during the consecration ritual. The time is right… let us begin the sacred ceremony!”

Sun Fei realized everything in the Diablo World was unfolding toward an unforeseen direction.