Ailia’s words drifted away with the wind.
They lightly entered Zhe Zilin’s mind and heart, becoming heavy.
Zhe Zilin raised his voice, his tone somewhat hoarse, and comforted her.
“Pessimists are always right, optimists always move forward. The things you’re afraid of might not happen either.”
He did not know why he said such words. After a moment of silence, he continued.
“Actually, I’ve always wanted to know… why do you like me?”
“I’m neither an exceptionally strong knight nor a noble with power in my hands. I haven’t even inherited my only territory yet. Not to mention my reputation as a playboy.”
“You could say that aside from my looks, I have nothing.”
Zhe Zilin thought for a moment and went on.
“Don’t tell me you only like my face?”
From his perspective, Ailia’s liking for him had no reason and no process. It was more like a game setting. From the first moment he opened his eyes, she had been unconditionally good to him and liked him.
Perhaps they had a past together, but Zhe Zilin truly could not remember it.
Ailia shook her head like a rattle drum and denied it.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Not what? You don’t like my face?”
“I like it very much. But it’s not only that.”
Ailia bit her lip, seeming somewhat self-reproachful. “It was because of the magic potion that you forgot.”
“I once followed you traveling across the South Island, set foot on the Eastern Plains, and admired the aurora in the Western Wasteland. Everyone said you were a playboy. If you hadn’t been born into a good family, you would have accomplished nothing.”
“But on the South Island, you crossed through a shark swarm and saved one hundred and twenty fishing households. On the Eastern Plains, you played chess against the Shepherd King and freed three thousand slaves. In the Western Wasteland, you dug wells and brought water, benefiting the villages within five hundred li.”
“Only those who truly knew you understood that your appearance was your most insignificant advantage.”
Zhe Zilin fell silent, his face full of confusion.
Did I do all that?
Am I that outstanding?
When he looked at Ailia, the girl’s eyes shone brightly as she recalled the past, as if those events had happened just yesterday. Her heart had already become impassioned.
He realized that Ailia was not lying. All of it was true.
He had thought he probably could not accomplish those things. Any one of them sounded simple, yet was as difficult as reaching the heavens. But in Ailia’s eyes, she had personally witnessed someone solving so-called impossible tasks one by one.
So this love was not without reason.
Zhe Zilin thought for a moment. “Because of those things, you like me?”
Ailia raised her head. A faint light flashed in her eyes. She pressed her lips together in a smile and slowly shook her head.
“My love for you was not born from long companionship. It was love at first sight.”
Zhe Zilin was puzzled and tried to recall where he had first met Ailia.
“At the Royal Capital?”
“I won’t tell you.”
A soft light appeared in Ailia’s eyes. “The magic potion will eventually lose its effect. When that time comes, go ask the different Ailia in your memories. I have to leave some chances for my future self.”
She could not predict the future. She only hoped that one day, when Zhe Zilin regained his memories, the girl could stir a ripple in his heart.
Zhe Zilin did not press further. Now he knew that Ailia’s affection was not a game setting. Between them, there was a past that only Ailia knew.
That’s right. This is how it should be…
Ailia was not some insignificant NPC, nor a character in a game.
She was a living, breathing person.
“Alright. I promise you.”
Zhe Zilin made a commitment. “If one day I remember everything, I will tell you.”
A smile like sunshine after rain appeared on Ailia’s face. Her face, which had just weathered a storm, now bloomed with a bright smile. Her slightly red eyes looked as though makeup had been applied to them.
Zhe Zilin could no longer see the neurotic yandere from before. Perhaps her paranoia, possessiveness, and suspicion still existed, but sincerity now overshadowed all prejudice.
“Thank you.”
Ailia smiled. She turned and looked toward Zhe Zilin’s room inside the castle.
“Ed, I’ll pack your things for you. Let’s set off for North City right away.”
Zhe Zilin nodded. Suddenly, the system’s voice echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations. You have completed the third task: Place the Contract Ring on Ailia]
[Title restriction unlocked: Magic]
[Magic 5: (An ordinary sorcerer has 5 Magic. You can use basic magic.)]
……
[You have completed the task: The Witch’s Wish]
[Reward obtained: Reloads +1, All base stats +5]
[Name: Zhe Zilin]
[Title: LV2 Swordsman → LV1 Magic Swordsman]
[Strength 20: (An ordinary swordsman has 10 Strength. You can face two swordsmen head-on.)]
[Agility 25: (An ordinary swordsman has 10 Agility. You can parry simultaneous attacks from two swordsmen with ease.)]
[Magic 10: (Exceeds that of a normal sorcerer. You can learn ten percent of the world’s magic.)]
……
[Congratulations. You have completed the hidden task: The Witch’s Confession]
[Because of your confession, you successfully gained the witch’s trust. She voluntarily told you about the past.]
[Reward obtained: Wizard’s Potential]
[With the Wizard’s Potential, you possess extraordinary talent in the field of magic. One day, perhaps a fifth witch will appear in this world.]
Hmm? Was it because I confessed about my resurrection that it triggered the hidden task?
Because I was honest this time, Ailia was able to change her mind and open her heart.
Zhe Zilin nodded to himself.
Indeed, honesty brings people closer every day, while hiding one’s heart and intentions gradually creates distance.
Just as he was reflecting on this, the system’s voice sounded again:
[Please proceed with the next stage task: Kill the eldest son of the King of the North.]
Zhe Zilin frowned. The system would never assign a meaningless task. The King of the North was about to die, and his eldest son would succeed him as the new king. Killing him would be extremely difficult. But why was he being asked to do this?
He remained doubtful. Right now, the most important thing was still heading to North City.
The sun was already hanging directly overhead. If they wanted to reach North City before nightfall, they would have to ride at full speed.
Zhe Zilin strode toward the castle and packed his belongings together with Ailia.
“Ailia, can you teach me magic?”
“I can. What kind of magic do you want to learn?”
“Hmm… something that can kill without a trace.”
……
……
Deep in the mountains several hundred li from North City, a fierce battle had just ended.
Nearly a hundred refugee corpses lay scattered among the grass and trees. Blood had dyed the stream red and seeped into the soil.
Griet dismounted. Earlier, the refugees had charged forward like madmen and scattered him from Princess Osha.
When he finally fought his way to protect the princess, dozens of corpses were already lying at Osha’s feet.
He had barely been able to see how Osha had killed so many people in an instant. The image of the once-fragile princess had completely vanished without him knowing when.
“Princess, are you alright?”
Osha held a dagger and squatted in front of a refugee who was still breathing. She gently stroked the person’s neck.
“Griet, my Contract Ring just broke. Do you know what that means?”
Griet lowered his head nervously and answered, “Leibang Ed has betrayed you.”
Osha slightly shook her head. Her fingers stopped at the artery on the refugee’s neck.
“Ed was bewitched. He would never betray me.”
Griet did not dare to speak further and stood quietly in place.
Osha lightly dragged the cold dagger across the artery. Watching the blood slowly flow out, she smiled.
“I will personally kill that woman.”
After speaking, her gaze returned to its usual gentle state. Her expression became soft and graceful as she turned to look at Griet.
“Let’s go. North City isn’t far.”
After walking two steps forward, Osha suddenly squatted down again and began sobbing.
Griet sensed Osha’s sorrow and was about to step forward to comfort her. But as he got closer, he clearly heard her murmur.
“Ed, if you’re not mine… then let’s die together. Let’s die together.”
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