Chapter 68: Bell

[Ailin and another man walked into the room; you heard the muffled thud of armor knocking together.]

[Just from the sound, you could tell the armor was of uncommon quality–at least starting at gold rank.]

[The man stepped forward two steps. You saw his scar-covered face, yet his expression was very gentle, like a girl seeing a fluffy little animal.]

[He was extremely tall, and heavy chainmail still hung on his body.]

[Beside him, Ailin wore pure white light armor, and her cold, clear face carried a hint of a smile.]

[“This is my first time seeing a Halfling child. He looks really cute.”]

[“His name is Bell. I discussed it with the Halflings and came up with the name.”]

[Ailin looked at you with fond eyes; she had settled on this name for you.]

[The Ailin before your eyes was not wearing a ponytail now; her blonde hair was spread over her shoulders.]

[“Ailin, why are his feet so furry?”]

[“Don’t you know? Halflings’ soles are especially rough and thick, and they grow a lot of fuzz.”]

[“That’s why every time we go out adventuring, we bring several pairs of shoes. There are no cobblers in these Halfling villages.”]

[“I really never noticed…”]

[“But other than that, Halfling children look no different from Humans.”]

[“Boss, are you sure you want to adopt him?”]

[Ailin reached out a slender white finger and gently stroked your face.]

[“This child has nowhere to go. Why not let him help us out?”]

[“What about the baker from before?”]

[“He was only this child’s parents’ neighbor. Besides, a baker can’t look after a child all day. There are too many people in our adventurer group, and some have nothing to do, so they can just be babysitters.”]

[“That’s not good, Boss. We’re going to challenge the Twenty-Eighth Floor later, and by then no one will have time.”]

[“Then I’ll take care of him.”]

[“This…”]

[The man wanted to say something else, but Ailin’s serious gaze left him unable to refute her.]

[And just like that, by a strange twist of fate, you became the one Ailin took care of.]

[Adventurers had no fixed home, and life was still rather hard.]

[At first, everyone thought Ailin was being reckless. She was not only the leader of the adventurer group, but also their party’s vanguard.]

[Her usual battles likely consumed much of her energy, so everyone thought she had no strength left to take good care of a Halfling child.]

[However, things quickly changed. Everyone discovered that this Halfling child was very clever.]

[Not only did you not cry or fuss, you even knew how to express your needs.]

[Eating, drinking, using the toilet: you could express all these requests through your actions.]

[Your precociousness naturally sparked discussion among some adventurers.]

[“Don’t you think this Halfling child is strange?”]

[“I’ve never raised a Halfling child either. How would I know if they’re smart from birth?”]

[“Isn’t there a Halfling assassin in your group? You can ask him.”]

[“Hmph, that guy is only good at scouting. Once a fight starts, no one knows where he’s run off to. Occasionally he uses invisibility magic to kill a few enemies.”]

[“So basically no one in your group talks to him?”]

[“They’re all freaks. If the Dungeon weren’t full of their villages everywhere, I doubt the boss would let these freaks join us.”]

[A swordsman with a face full of fleshy bulges showed a disdainful expression, bit into a wheat bread stuffed with smoked meat, and raised an oak wine cup.]

[“Drink, Kavish.”]

[Across from him sat a slightly plump man. He wore as many as seven Magic Rings on his hand, representing his identity as a mage.]

[A brightly burning campfire reddened both their faces, perhaps also because of the alcohol.]

[Just as the two were chatting happily, a pretty figure walked out of the darkness.]

[“You two, from now on you’ll be responsible for training his magic and swordsmanship.”]

[“Ah… Boss, when did you…”]

[“This…”]

[The two were clearly startled by Ailin’s sudden appearance, and then began to regret why they had run their mouths.]

[“Your name is Kavish, right? Fifth-rank Magic user, from now on you’ll be that child’s Magic Mentor.”]

[“And you, Grey, senior swordsman, you’ll be responsible for instructing his swordsmanship.”]

[“Yes, Boss!”]

[The two did not dare object. First, they knew they had spoken ill of their teammate and already felt guilty.]

[Second, by helping take care of that child, they would owe Ailin a favor.]

[If they could do things for the boss, they would surely receive preferential treatment later. If they could join Group One, not only would their pay multiply several times, but they could also enjoy many privileges.]

[And just like that, your future teachers were also chosen by Ailin.]

[Ailin valued you greatly. Perhaps her maternal instincts had suddenly exploded; in any case, every day besides fighting, she played with you.]

[You naturally would not spoil her mood.]

[Besides, how could spending time with a beautiful girl ever feel boring?]

[Every time they saw you held in Ailin’s arms, pressed close to her full chest, many adventurers looked at you with envy.]

[“I wish I were that child.”]

[“Who wouldn’t?”]

[As time passed, you slowly grew up, reaching the age where you could walk.]

[Your precociousness became even more obvious. You very much wanted to join battle immediately; after all, Ailin had found the red weapon in the Dungeon.]

[At this time, with the Dragon Bloodline and the blessing of The Lightless One, dealing with ordinary monsters was still very easy for you. But you did not want to reveal your strength too early, so you chose to gradually display your Talent.]

[After all, there was still a very obvious difference in how people treated geniuses and monsters.]

……

[One night, as usual, you sat in Ailin’s tent reading a book.]

[Ailin walked in with heavy steps.]

[“Bell, do you want to take a bath?”]

[You nodded.]

[“I’m really too tired today. I don’t want to heat bathwater again.”]

[Ailin turned her back to you, removed the soft armor on her body, revealing her sweat-drenched fair back.]

[Hearing her words, you sensibly shook your head, indicating that Ailin could wash by herself and you did not need to.]

[“It’s fine, wash with me. That’ll save trouble.”]

[You opened your mouth slightly.]

[But Ailin would not allow you to refuse, and pulled you into the simple bathroom.]

[As the sound of cloth sliding down came, you silently began to take off your clothes too, but did not dare turn around to look.]

[“Hey, I forgot to bring a towel. Go to the bed and bring me the towel.”]

[You walked out of the bathroom, and then heard the sound of splashing water behind you.]

[Holding the towel, you swallowed, and pushed open the bathroom door.]