“Liewata! Are you okay!!”
A figure came rushing down from the mountain.
Liewata snapped to attention.
Seeing that it was her sister Luola, she immediately realized these people were the reinforcements her sister had brought back.
She rushed forward excitedly.
“Sister, you did it!”
Luola was a bit embarrassed.
Liewata thought they had successfully gotten help, but in reality, this was only a temporary deception.
As for what they would decide later, even she couldn’t guarantee.
She silently looked away, toward the battlefield ahead.
With the fall of the Minotaur General, the Minotaurs had begun to retreat.
Ordinarily, a war of this scale would require the village to hold out for at least an entire night.
But that person only observed for a moment, determined the presence of a general, and swiftly ended it.
Luola looked at the silver-haired figure.
For a moment, she didn’t know whether to feel gratitude or shame.
Liewata suddenly whispered, “Is… is she… Li Si?”
Luola was surprised that Liewata recognized her.
Even they hadn’t been sure when they first saw the Dictator Li Si in person.
After all, Li Si’s appearance was far too different from the rumors.
Only after truly interacting with her could one sense some of the rumored traits beneath that stunning beauty.
But honestly, there was still a huge gap between her and the dictator of legend.
Other than her overwhelming strength, everything else was subtly off.
Seeing that the battle situation was stabilizing, Luola quickly introduced Li Si to the villagers who were slowly gathering.
With the atmosphere of battle fading, all the residents of Hot Spring Village gathered at the village entrance, just like at the end of every defense battle, to welcome the triumphant return of the defense force.
But this time, unfamiliar faces had joined the returning party.
Luola solemnly introduced the group that had escorted them back.
When she reached Li Si, she emphasized, “This is Li Si! Dictator Li Si! The strongest adventurer in Border Town!”
“What! Li Si?! The one who first conquered the Dungeon?”
“No way! It’s her!”
“That Dictator Li Si is a man, isn’t he? How can she be such a beautiful young girl…”
“Wait… if she’s willing to come to our village, does that mean… we’re saved!”
“That’s right! It must be! Today’s battle ended faster than any before! It must have been because Lady Li Si stepped in! It has to be!”
“Lady Li Si! Lady Li Si!”
“Lady Li Si! Lady Li Si!”
All the villagers cheered passionately, like patients who had been sick for a long time finally seeing hope.
In their eyes at that moment, the silver-haired figure standing by the carriage had taken on the image of a savior.
Neither old village chief Luolun, nor defense captain Luola, nor the priest Suoda refuted the villagers’ judgment.
Because they knew this battle ended so quickly only thanks to Li Si’s insight.
“So that’s how the Minotaurs’ rank structure works… kill the general, and the rest retreat on their own… Li Si really does know everything.”
Lili Ya hugged her staff, watching the fervent villagers with a mix of shyness and excitement.
She had dreamed countless times of making an entrance in such an atmosphere.
Now, even though she was only standing beside the protagonist of this welcome ceremony, she knew that as long as she stayed by Li Si’s side, one day she would truly earn this kind of honor.
But Li Si didn’t seem to like this.
She remained unresponsive, her silver brows lowered, lips pressed together, looking like she was deep in thought.
Lili Ya noticed Li Si staring at a particular spot.
Following her gaze, she saw a pale neck wrapped in a dark red Magic Cloak.
In the center of the cloak, her collarbone was clearly visible, and a dragon-scale-like pendant hung between the two clavicles.
“Y-y-y-y-y-y-you-you-you-you’re Lililili…”
“Um… Liewata, what’s wrong with you?”
Luola looked at her suddenly stuttering sister with concern, both worried that Liewata might have injured her head and afraid that this stammering attitude would irritate Li Si.
But as the highest-level adventurer in the village, she couldn’t send Liewata away, which might seem inhospitable.
Fortunately, Lady Li Si didn’t drive Liewata away.
Instead, she tried to comfort her.
“Um, first, calm down.”
“Ah… o-o-o-o-okay, I-I-I-I…”
Li Si pinched the bridge of her nose.
She had originally wanted to ask the girl something, but seeing her like this, she wouldn’t recover anytime soon.
She tried a few more words, but Liewata showed no signs of calming down, so she had to give up on communication for now.
“Um… Lady Li Si, I’m sorry. She’s not usually like this…”
Luola nervously twisted her fingers and explained quietly, “She… actually… really likes you…”
Li Si shook her head helplessly.
She didn’t need to be told that—she’d felt it deeply since being recognized.
[Kind Mother: Liewata Recognition +5%]
[Liewata Recognition +5%]
[Liewata Recognition +5%]
The notification hadn’t stopped since they met.
Just walking from the village entrance to the Hot Spring Inn had already boosted Recognition by 50%.
And on top of that, there was an even more baffling system message.
[Dangerous Relationship Warning: Liewata]
[Note: If affection value exceeds recognition value, a dangerous relationship will develop.]
Li Si was speechless.
Where did this affection come from?
She hadn’t even heard the name Liewata until tonight.
How could there be a dangerous relationship already?
“Lady Li Si, I am truly terribly sorry. I’ll take her to the church right now to see if something’s wrong with her brain.”
Luola’s face was full of tension as she quickly pulled away the still-stammering Liewata.
What had been a lively temporary welcome party ended awkwardly.
Old village chief Luolun sighed helplessly.
Liewata wasn’t just the highest-level adventurer in the village, but also one of its few prestigious figures.
Tonight’s performance was unlike her usual self, but they wouldn’t blame her for it.
Instead, they were willing to bear the consequences together.
Luolun sincerely bowed, apologizing on Liewata’s behalf.
Throughout the journey, he had noticed the changes in Li Si’s expression.
As Liewata was led away, Li Si’s face grew increasingly somber, as if she were pondering something.
“Village chief.”
Luolun immediately perked up his ears, ready to face the dictator’s wrath but the next words he heard felt like they came from across an ocean.
“Luo Qi has been to your village.”
“Huh?”
Luolun blinked, his wrinkled face scrunching up in confusion.
One of the younger defense members quickly caught on and subconsciously replied, “Are you referring to the Hero?”
Li Si nodded, “That’s her. Flame-haired Luo Qi. She must have stayed here for a few days.”
“Ah… ah, the Hero, yes…”
The old chief quickly collected himself and nodded, “The Hero did come.”
Then, with his cloudy eyes, he silently questioned how this related to Liewata’s rudeness.
“That woman is still as terrible as ever. She hit that girl, didn’t she?”
“Huh?”
Luolun was bewildered.
He didn’t dare speak carelessly about the Hero.
Seeing Li Si shake her head and prepare to go inside to rest, he didn’t dare disturb her further.
He quickly excused himself and turned to leave.
Before leaving, the old chief glanced at the closed door and couldn’t help but let out a grateful sigh of relief.
Since arriving at the village, they hadn’t mentioned leaving even once.
That undoubtedly signaled a certain attitude.
Hot Spring Village might truly be saved.