Chapter 40: Too nagging

The next day, they woke up.

Xiadam had huge dark circles under her eyes, looking a bit disheveled and more bedraggled than before.

The maid Gallondine brought breakfast for the two of them.

Steamed mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, potato stew with wild vegetables.

Neither Xiadam nor Sheffield realized what was about to happen.

They still ate happily, regaining much of their energy.

But when dinner came, Sheffield noticed it was potatoes again.

Xiadam’s heart skipped a beat—she finally felt something was wrong.

The following week…

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, even late-night snacks—all potatoes, prepared in every possible way.

Potatoes contain most of the nutrients necessary for human survival, and they were quite delicious.

But even Dragon meat would become tiresome if eaten every day!

This didn’t affect Xiadam much; she wasn’t picky.

Not only was she not picky, she had previously said that as a Kingdom Knight Broadsword, she might have to spend many days in the Demon Domain without eating or drinking, sometimes having to eat some very strange local specialties.

So eating potatoes every day didn’t bother Xiadam.

The one most affected was Sheffield.

While Xiadam barely recovered from the grief over her old friend’s sacrifice, Sheffield sank into melancholy from going so many days without meat.

“Potatoes are really quite good,” Xiadam said, thoroughly enjoying this pastoral life.

She had already started learning how to cultivate potatoes beside the ancient castle and had even cleared a small field herself.

She had taken off her Magician’s White Robe, changed into plain working clothes, laid down her White Branch Magic Staff, picked up a hoe, and resolutely joined the Great Western Development Project.

But she would never put down her Warrior’s Greatsword—it had to hang at her waist.

Potatoes were easy to grow. With the right man-made fertilizer, even this sandy soil could yield crops.

Yet, despite this, the farmers of the City of Sunset Yellow Sands still faced a serious problem.

That was the lack of water.

In fact, the entire western desert was parched.

If it didn’t rain, the nearest water source to the city was a large lake several kilometers away.

That lake was the only source of water for all creatures in the vicinity.

It was teeming with prowling fierce wild beasts and sometimes terrifying, brutal magical beasts.

The farmers in the City of Sunset Yellow Sands had to regularly go to the lake to fetch water, leaving the safety of the soil walls behind.

One day, Xiadam was eating mashed potatoes in the castle’s dining hall.

She fed some to the Fat Little Dragon with her spoon while enjoying the peaceful, comfortable life.

Sheffield lay over the table, reluctant to eat mashed potatoes, though the meat stored in her Storage Space was already gone.

“Senior Xiadam, regarding the water-fetching situation, we earnestly ask for your help.”

But in the middle of the meal, Blood Knight Irene suddenly burst through the door and knelt proficiently on one knee before Xiadam, bowing her head and sincerely pleading for help.

“Coo-coo~ If you have something to say, stand up and say it. Don’t kneel every time we meet. You’re the daughter of my comrade; you don’t need to respect me that way. It actually pains me. Just speak plainly. I’ll risk this old life to help you.” Xiadam almost choked and quickly helped her up.

“Sorry, Senior. We, the vassal knights, cannot operate during the day and thus cannot escort the residents to fetch water, so we can only ask you two for help. I know this request is extremely difficult, but you’re our only hope.”

Blood Knight Irene stood but still bowed deeply.

“Child, stand up straight. You never need to bow to me.” Xiadam said firmly.

“Ahhh! This is so suffocating! Enough with the nagging! Let’s go!” Sheffield suddenly stood up, emotions bursting out.

“Don’t worry. We will definitely protect the residents.” Xiadam patted Blood Knight Irene’s shoulder confidently as she accepted the mission.

Her daily potato farming and rural life had already helped her recover from the news of her old friend’s death.

She could now resume practicing magic, care for her pets, play with the Fat Little Dragon, and settle into an early retirement lifestyle, which she greatly enjoyed.

But for Sheffield, the playful dragon, this was torture.

Not that she couldn’t enjoy rural life—Sheffield was also a lazy dragon—but the one thing she couldn’t stand was eating potatoes every day.

Blood Knights could not act during the day; they moved only through the tunnels under the soil walls, lurking in darkness to guard the city’s perimeter.

But at night, the residents faced the problem of poor visibility and could not move in large groups.

Many people venturing out after dark would be more dangerous, with wild beasts, magical beasts, bandits, ghouls, and hostile vampires lurking outside.

This was quite awkward, because growing potatoes required a large amount of water.

This kept the water reserves in the City of Sunset Yellow Sands perpetually tight.

But now, things were different. The city had human mages who could operate during the day and escort water transportation.

Blood Knight Irene still looked worried as she stood inside the castle, watching the two and the little dragon leave.

Seeing Xiadam and Sheffield step into the sunlight, a trace of envy and helplessness appeared on her face.

“Irene, never regret the path you chose. Regret only stops you from moving forward and brings no benefit.”

“You have chosen a very difficult path, giving up your humanity, but you still maintain a righteous heart and unyielding will. You are nobler than anyone.”

“You have your own mission, your own persistence. Focus on your duty.”

“I will do the task we must undertake. We are comrades standing shoulder to shoulder; don’t worry about us.”

Xiadam keenly sensed Blood Knight Irene’s emotions and immediately stopped, turning to give her a blunt lecture.

“You’re too naggy.” Sheffield snapped.

“Senior’s reprimand is well-deserved.” Blood Knight Irene perked up at once.

“If you have time, help me check if there’s a Human Grimoire at home.” Xiadam, thinking she looked cool, waved her hand over her shoulder and gradually walked away.

But after a few steps, she sensed something was off, turned back to the castle room, changed into her Magician’s White Robe, picked up her White Branch Magic Staff, and went out again.

This was a bit awkward.

They arrived at the city gate of the soil-walled city.

A group of strong male villagers had gathered, but that was all—they were not professional warriors.

There were several modified Water Wagons, specially used for transporting water.

“Mage Lady, you’re here!”

The Hat-Wearing Brother was also among the group. Seeing Xiadam, he greeted her with a smile, holding a pitchfork.

“We’re here as escorts,” Xiadam said.

“Mage Lady, you are truly magnificent!” The Hat-Wearing Brother continued flattering her.

“Enough with the nonsense. Get ready; we’re leaving.” Xiadam ignored him and took command of the team.

She and the Fat Little Dragon boarded the first Water Wagon.

Sheffield rode on the second Water Wagon.

The entire group set off, leaving the City of Sunset Yellow Sands, heading toward the lake.