Chapter 632

Chapter 17 The Small Town in the Desert, Part 2

“Um, Miss… May I ask what brings you here?”

He asked me this with a wary look in his eyes, but there was no malice. I had thought no one would approach me again, so being suddenly spoken to took me by surprise. I wasn’t sure how to respond and just tilted my head slightly, biting my fingernail as I casually asked, “Where’s the Red River Village?”

“Red River…”

The man asking the question was momentarily stunned, staring at my face with widened blue eyes.

What’s going on…

I took a small step back, suddenly feeling on guard.

He muttered, “Red River… cute…”

“…Huh?”

Red River… cute?

I furrowed my brows, gnawing on my nails, feeling dazed. I didn’t understand what he meant, still feeling guarded, and was about to turn away when the man seemed to realize something: “Ah, no, that’s not what I meant… I mean, oh, Red River…”

It seemed he only now understood what I had asked.

To cover up, the man scratched his head, looking down and pretending to think hard, as if trying to figure out why I had asked such a thing.

Oh…

I immediately understood why he had faltered, and couldn’t help but chuckle, though I also felt a bit angry. I always felt that when people called me cute, they were insulting me… Whatever, he was talking about the Red River, so I might as well pretend I didn’t hear him correctly. What’s the point of arguing over this?

Of course, I couldn’t afford to get into an argument right now, so I kept a calm and composed expression.

I didn’t know this man, nor did I know much about him, but he should have heard of my existence, perhaps even knowing about my status as an “heir.” Once he snapped out of his shock at realizing I was as cute as he had just seen, he pointed westward in the town and honestly replied, “If you want to go to the Red River, it’s about half an hour’s walk from here. There’s a desert oasis in that direction. After reaching the oasis, head north, and you’ll find its upstream…”

The man paused, probably wanting to give me a friendly smile, but his dark and rough skin made his face look full of wrinkles, and his smile looked very stiff, making him look uglier than if he were crying.

“Just going there without someone from the town to guide you, Miss, you might get lost. Ah, that oasis is the blessed land given to us by the Great Goddess. If a stranger goes alone, they can easily lose themselves in the mirage and eventually die of thirst in the desert…”

I tried to ignore his ugly smile, “Mirage?”

“It’s the illusion of seeing an oasis, but you can never reach it.”

“Oh.”

Isn’t that just a mirage…

I pouted, pointing to the entrance of the town west, blocked by wisteria vines: “I want to… go out and see.”

“This…”

The man rubbed his hands together, still smiling, but looking somewhat troubled, “Miss, outside the town, all you see is sand and yellow earth. What are you going out for?”

I looked up and thought for a moment: “To… find lizards to eat.”

Of course, this was said offhandedly.

“Huh?”

But the man froze, looking incredulous: “I heard the mayor… sent you half a lizard last night…”

“Not spicy enough.”

“…Not spicy enough?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Ah—”

After I nodded, the man suddenly seemed at a loss, his eyes blank, his mouth open but unsure what to say.

“Miss.”

At this moment, two other men came over. They had been standing nearby, clearly having overheard our conversation. The steady-looking, square-jawed strong man quickly took over: “If you want anything to eat, just say so, and the townspeople will send it over. We won’t neglect you. But if you insist on leaving the town… please wait here for a moment. We need to inform the mayor.”

After saying this, he seemed afraid of causing a misunderstanding and explained further: “Sorry, we don’t mean anything else. It’s just that the desert… perhaps you’re much stronger than we imagined, but even Miss Elina, if she went out unfamiliar with the environment, could easily get lost and face serious danger…”

“Like not finding water…

Yuan, without food, various difficulties may arise, but they wouldn’t be the most severe… When the sandstorm comes, it will be impossible to survive in the desert… Such a natural disaster, once you see it, you’ll understand.”

The thinner man beside him added, “You were entrusted to us by Miss Eluna, we must consider your safety. If you plan to travel, you need to prepare thoroughly…”

“…”

I didn’t speak.

One second, two seconds, three seconds passed. I tilted my head up, staring intently at the three strong men, observing their subtle expressions until they felt uncomfortable and started shifting uneasily. Only then did I casually avert my gaze.

They weren’t lying…

I judged this in my heart.

These people actually seemed quite honest.

Just like that little girl, they were so simple that they would explain their reasons and motives before being asked, unlike someone who would lie and deceive me without any trace. If they were really like that, they shouldn’t have made me notice the hint of vigilance in their eyes.

Fine…

I’ll believe you for now.

“Forget it.”

I reached out to scratch my cheek and waved at the three of them: “I suddenly don’t feel like going anymore.”

Of course, I had no intention of going out right now.

I was just observing these people’s attitudes, trying to see where their limits lay.

So far, they might just be treating me as some… noble and mysterious guest? I don’t know how that woman explained things to the town, but based on what happened from yesterday to today, in their understanding, I should be closely related to the divine body of the Goddess of Sin…

The so-called successor?

These people could understand this, and they wouldn’t overly restrict my freedom.

Because in their eyes, I am some uncontrollable superior existence, which I am sure of. That’s why they look at me with awe, but also with a hint of caution and vigilance.

This isn’t hard to understand. I think such contradictory emotions are probably an instinctive psychological reaction when facing a powerful, purpose-unknown, and unknown entity.

After all, this is their land.

These people have lived here for years, with most of their family and friends here as well. I can tell that this town is almost isolated from the outside world. The sudden appearance of a stranger would naturally cause rejection. They only trust Eluna completely and doubt nothing she says, treating the people she brings with goodwill rather than hostility.

They don’t know I’ve lost my power. It’s natural for them to be wary of my presence, and there’s no trust between us. This attitude is common among people.

And they couldn’t even hide this common sentiment properly.

Most likely, they aren’t the type to scheme behind your back…

Thinking this, I felt a bit relieved, shrugged my shoulders, and didn’t want to waste any more time probing further. I ignored the three men who were looking at each other and turned back to go.

At least…

Until Eluna returns, these people won’t do anything to me.

On the way back, there seemed to be more people.

Women with veiled faces gradually came out, carrying huge clay jars on their heads, following the men and pack animals leading the way in the opposite direction.

These women showed much less suspicion in their eyes compared to the men, with more curiosity. Their gazes followed me as I walked past, with a few hints of hostility. I heard some women whispering.

“Eluna is enough; why bring such an eye-catching sinner…”

“It’s fine she’s wearing so little, but not even covering her face. Who does she want to seduce…”

“She’s beautiful, but it doesn’t matter…”

“Her hair is black; I’ve never seen such hair before, it’s truly unique…”

“But she lacks femininity…”

“Shh! Speak softer…”

“Don’t you know the mayor’s warning? We can’t afford to provoke her…”

…Hmph.

A bunch of uncouth desert women. I won’t get angry with them.

Getting angry causes wrinkles.

I’m not angry…