They say friendship is like a treasured fine wine; it doesn’t spoil quickly like other things—instead, the longer it ages, the more fragrant it becomes.
Beneath a warm, vibrant pale green glow, the entire space seemed infused with the scent of vanilla cream ice cream, yet even the air carried a subtle chill of sorrow.
The small green figure, glowing softly, wore an indistinct expression. Vyea couldn’t tell if she was crying or smiling. Only the virtual body, composed of flowing data streams, flickered intermittently as if dropping frames.
Vyea knew this was a sign that Xiaolu’s emotions were undergoing violent fluctuations.
She wished she could greet her like those long-separated characters in movies, meeting with a big, heartfelt embrace—such a pure hug could be so warm, warm enough to heal the scars carved by time.
And the reunion hug needn’t last long—just enough for the other to feel your body heat and presence, before softly whispering into their ear:
“I’m back.”
Vyea’s green pupils quietly watched the figure before her, calm as ever. She spoke softly,
“I’m back, Xiaolu.”
A sob escaped.
The blurry green figure lunged forward, desperately reaching out to touch Vyea’s body with a touchless virtual shadow. Her voice, soaked to the bone with sorrow and trembling with a sob,
“…Brother Ye, why did you turn out like this? I really almost didn’t recognize you… sniff Red Sister said you and Sister Fu died together, that you’d never come back to see me. I didn’t believe it. But everyone in the Hero Squad says you’re dead, all the humans on the Continent say you’re dead, even your Trainee finally comforted me saying you won’t return. Everyone thinks you’re dead. I hate them all so much…”
Holding a shapeless, intangible figure close, listening to her sobbing, Vyea was silent, letting the glowing green tears drip down onto her arm.
Though as intangible as air, those tears felt so cold, so icy, they almost burned.
To be honest, she wasn’t very good at comforting others, but even the dullest would know to wait for the other’s emotions to settle before speaking further in a moment like this.
I really have become the selfish, despicable adult who only thinks about herself! Vyea grumbled inwardly as she hugged the figure gently and sighed softly:
“I’m sorry, Xiaolu. Say whatever’s on your mind. Tonight, I’ll stay here with you.”
“Then, let’s pinky swear.”
“Mm…”
Vyea responded softly, sitting cross-legged beside the enormous Glass Container. Her emerald eyes gazed calmly ahead.
To her left, the gem glowed green inside the container; to her right was the Spirit of the Jewel, Xiaolu.
Xiaolu was happy: “Good thing I’m off today. Otherwise, Brother Ye, with how you look now, if you’d come running over, I’d definitely misjudge at first sight—and those humans might’ve even taken you away…”
“But Brother, what really happened to you three years ago? Was it really like Red Sister said—that you died alongside Sister Fu?”
“No.” Vyea smiled wryly and shook her head.
“Phew, I knew you wouldn’t do something that stupid!” Xiaolu was angry. “Red Sister lied to me again!”
But the anger vanished as soon as Red Sister was mentioned again, replaced by worry. Red Sister was unlike her—bound in the Capital for centuries, without contact for several seasons now.
“Xiaohong?”
“Yeah.” Xiaolu pouted. “Her temper’s always been bad, but it’s gotten worse in recent years. She keeps saying the Capital is a place that makes her miserable, like a glittering prison. One day, she said she’d set that prison ablaze.”
…
Fengxiang Town.
Heavy rain poured relentlessly, swirling winds howled, and pink lightning flickered intermittently in the clouds. Fino, a female Demon Hunter Knight of the Church, held a slanted black umbrella, standing beneath the eaves of the Knight Checkpoint.
This was the South Border’s weather—storms and violent rain arriving suddenly, without warning.
Worry shadowed Fino’s eyes. She had heard that the monsters pouring out from the depths of the Forest had clashed with the frontline Warriors. Now the city’s defenses were thin, and some ill-intentioned folks were already stirring, eager to take advantage of this crisis.
She sighed, thinking of her parents.
“Little girl, where’s your home? I’ll escort you back.”
Fino lowered her gaze to the shy little girl clutching a Black Cat. At this age, Fino herself would still be nestled in her parents’ arms, whining for milk.
“…”
The girl didn’t answer, her golden eyes flicking briefly toward the city gates before quickly dropping as if pricked by a needle.
Catching the gaze, Fino was momentarily stunned. So she really came from some small village outside the city?
Through the rain curtain, Fino glimpsed the orange Explosion Cloud outside the city—bright and fierce from violent blasts—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
The battle at the frontline with the monsters was fierce…
Yet such explosions made no sound inside Fengxiang Town, so the fight must still be some distance away.
Fino considered this for a moment before lowering her eyes again toward the little girl holding the Black Cat.
“Do you know where your parents are?” she asked.
“…”
The girl was silent for a moment, exchanging a look with the Black Cat, then shook her head.
You don’t know anything at all!
Luckily, Fino hadn’t expected much, so she felt no disappointment. She remained quiet, staring into the endless downpour.
“Sorry, little one.”
She said, “I probably can’t take you home, nor find your parents. And it’s dangerous around here; I can’t keep you with me.”
Fino crouched slowly, holding the umbrella with one hand and gently stroking the girl’s hooded head with the other. Meeting her slightly panicked and fearful golden eyes beneath the hood, her voice softened:
“Little one, remember, I’ll give you the umbrella soon. You follow the path behind us all the way. Avoid people if you see them. Keep going until you reach a house with a white-tiled roof. You’ll see a very noticeable rounded arch door—you can go right in. There are Nun Sisters inside; they’re good people. They’ll help you find your mother…”
Suddenly, Fino’s expression changed sharply. She stood up abruptly, staring into the rain with fear flashing in her eyes.
At the same time, a sharp alarm sounded from the Knight Checkpoint!
Monsters appeared.
The Black Cat, eyes closed as if napping, slowly opened its golden pupils, faintly visible in the night rain. It flicked its fluffy tail at the girl:
“Meow!” It’s time to go, Your Highness.
The umbrella was shoved into the girl’s unharmed right hand. Fino drew her sword and plunged into the rain, following the fully armed knights rushing out of the checkpoint.
“Will they die?”
Standing in the rain holding the big black umbrella, the Black Cloak Girl bowed her head slightly.
“I don’t know, meow.”
“Then… can I still go home?”
“Home? You mean Demon King City… that depends if your mother still wants you, meow.”
“I have a mother?”
“Meow. You not only have a mother, but a father too.”
“Then I…”
“Don’t think too much. They’re both dead. Meow.”
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