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n?A face, though not long acquainted with but already very familiar, appeared in Howard’s field of vision.

nWith baby fat cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment and annoyance, her furrowed brows and piercing eyes looked down upon Howard from atop her horse.

nVivia was mounted, cradling the expressionless Jelia in her arms, with a riding crop in hand.

nMeanwhile, Howard lay in the wagon, an easy target by any measure.

nSnap—

nThe riding crop in Vivia’s hand made a crisp sound as her face remained impassive.

nHoward turned to look towards the front of the wagon, stunned.

n…

nAlthough Vivia didn’t show it much, it was undeniable that she had been keeping an eye on Howard’s condition, considering he was the first person she saw upon waking up.

nHoward rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, “Tell me what happened afterward, about Red Eye and Lilianne. As for myself, I’ll need some time to adjust before I can discuss it with you.”

nDespite his hesitation, Howard decided it was time to reveal some things.

nGiven the ambiguous stance of Nula and Dorek, the identity of an extraterrestrial here seemed not as sensitive as Howard had imagined, or perhaps, even more common than he thought?

nRecalling the information Dorek might have unintentionally revealed, Howard felt increasingly that beneath this seemingly peaceful world, something was brewing in the shadows.

n“Red Eye is dead. I had to play some of my cards, and fortunately, I managed to kill Red Eye,” said Ali, who was driving the carriage.

nShe didn’t elaborate further, and Vivia glanced at her, remaining silent.

nThe battle scene Vivia witnessed was not as simple as Ali described it now.

nWhen she found Ali, Ali was already teetering on the edge of death.

nIf she and Antalya had arrived a few minutes later, Ali might have been preparing for burial by now.

n“After Ali killed Red Eye, we rescued Lilianne and then found you. During this time, Soma died at Greg’s hands.”

nSince Ali didn’t seem inclined to share more, Vivia felt it inappropriate to say anything further.

n“When we found you, me, Ali, Antalya, and Jelia were all present. You were unconscious at Silverlight Crossroads, with no wounds on your body, but it was evident you had been injured.”

nSuch injuries would have been fatal for anyone else.

nNearly half of his waist had been sliced open.

nThough the wound had mysteriously healed, the regenerated flesh looked completely different from the original, and the bloodstains and torn clothes did not disappear, making it easy for them to speculate what Howard might have endured.

nThis was precisely what Vivia was worried about.

nSuch a level of self-healing couldn’t come without a cost, and Howard’s subsequent unconsciousness might have been part of that price.

nThat’s why Vivia wanted to know exactly what Howard had experienced.

n“I encountered the Old Nobles, his name is Ankurei, Red Eye’s boss.” Howard decided to keep Nula and Dorek’s existence hidden for now.

nTheir identities were more sensitive and mysterious than Ankurei’s and could potentially draw unnecessary trouble.

nThe entire incident was orchestrated by them from behind the scenes.

nCompared to the immature Old Noble Ankurei, they were far more dangerous!

n“While I was in battle with Ali against Red Eye, a man clad in black halted my advance. He informed me that someone wished to meet me, suggesting that this encounter would decisively impact the life and death of everyone involved.”

n“Unable to break through his blockade, I had no choice but to follow him, curious to discover who was orchestrating these events from behind the scenes.”

n“Then, I met Ankurei at Silverlight Crossroads.”

n“I couldn’t tell if it was an illusion or something else, nor could I grasp Ankurei’s intentions. After we clashed, Ankurei slashed me across the waist. I thought I was going to die. After losing consciousness, the next thing I knew, I was here.”

nThere are many things I can’t disclose, but Howard had no desire to fabricate a lie.

nHe knew Nula and Dorek would soon reappear because he was still alive.

nHe remembered clearly, Dorek had mentioned it was merely a graduation task from the novice village, with more quests awaiting them.

nHe didn’t want to involve Antalya and the others, at least not until he had a choice.

nHoward didn’t wish to reveal the existence of Dorek and Nula.

n“What else are you hiding?”

nVivia, having finished preparing her potion, moved towards Howard with a cold expression.

n“If you’re not willing to speak, it’s better to keep it to yourself. Otherwise, in the end, we’ll have to clean up the mess.”

n“This potion will fortify your body. Drink it.”

nLooking at Vivia’s expressionless face and then at the dark green potion in her hand, bubbling ominously, Howard hesitated.

nVivia remained silent, leaning against the carriage, about to dispose of the potion.

nStartled, Howard quickly intercepted her motion: “I’ll drink it, just let me drink it.”

nVivia paused before speaking, “I know Antalya was a bit hasty back then, but I hope you understand that it wasn’t a joke. Among members of an adventure group, complete honesty isn’t required, but absolute trust is necessary. Joining an adventure group means you’re no longer fighting alone, and it also means you’re not just fighting for yourself anymore. Your body, your life, they’re not solely your own now.”

n“This quest, many have lost control. It’s not just one person’s fault, but I don’t want it to become an excuse for you not to cherish your life.” Vivia’s voice was soft, her gaze gradually dimming.

n“I don’t know what you’ve been through, nor do I expect you to accept me, but at the very least, don’t die in front of me. It would make me feel utterly powerless.”

n“Even if it’s unreasonable or stubborn, I at least hope that you won’t die while I’m watching over you.”

n…

nWhen the group returned to Breeze City, it was nearing dusk.

nJust like when they had left, the group quietly returned to the tavern and took down the ‘Closed for Business’ sign.

nAfter a simple dinner, everyone retreated to their rooms to rest.

nPushing open the door of his room, which hadn’t been opened for over half a month, Howard sighed at the sight of his familiar surroundings.

n“Howard, what are you sighing about?”

nA voice, slightly hoarse and prematurely aged, yet carrying a childish tone, rang out.

n“How many times have I told you not to call me by my name? Call me ‘brother’ or ‘boss’!”

nHoward ruffled his hair, hand on his hip, turning towards the source of the voice.

nThere stood Jelia, clutching her pillow and blanket, positioned at the doorway.

nShe was dressed in a drab gray dress, her large, sparkling eyes filled with curiosity.

nHer ears twitched occasionally, almost irresistibly inviting one to reach out and touch them.

nHoward lifted his chin, eyeing the pillow and blanket in Jelia’s arms.

n“Why are you here? Didn’t we arrange a room for you?”

n“I’m scared to sleep alone.”

nSuch words coming from a little orc who had lived alone on the chaotic streets for years held little credibility, prompting Howard to sigh.

nShaking his head, he said, “If Vivia catches you like this tomorrow, I’m definitely in for a severe scolding.”

n“Why?”

n“You don’t need to know why. Now, hurry up and leave.”

nPerhaps the nutritional supplements she had been receiving lately were showing their effects, as Jelia’s face seemed more plump and hydrated, no longer the dry and thin appearance of before.

nHmm, nice to the touch.

nThinking this, Howard rubbed her ears a couple more times.

nThen, he looked up to see Vivia passing by the door.

nDressed in a simple dress, her hair loose and flowing, she stood in the yard, expressionless, holding a watering can.

nHer gaze towards them carried a disdain as if she had seen something filthy.

n“Huh, so this is the type you like?”

nWith a cold laugh, Vivia turned away.

nThough she controlled it well, Howard noticed her pace quicken slightly.

nAt that moment, Jelia said, “When you were rubbing my face just now, you had a really strange smile on your face, Howard.”

nHoward stared at Jelia as if he had seen a ghost.

nHe shifted the topic impatiently, “I’ve told you, you can’t sleep with me. Go outside.”

n“Who said anything about sleeping with you?” Jelia’s gaze shifted upward, her cold stare piercing Howard’s face.

n“I just want to sleep in the same room as you. You can sleep on the floor.”

nIs this something someone who insists on squeezing in would say?

n“What if you disappear again if I’m not watching you?” Jelia’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear enough for Howard to hear.

n“When you were unconscious, when you went missing, Vivia cried.” .

n“I hate that expression on her face because I don’t have the right to show such an expression.”

nJelia’s last words were spoken so softly that Howard couldn’t catch them, but he understood the gist of her message.

nHoward was taken aback.

nHe had thought Vivia merely harbored some fondness for him.

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