Chapter 503

Chapter 503: Conversation and Ballads

That night, Hollant and Red Pillar got quite drunk at the dinner table, leaning on each other and speaking incoherently about some of their mischievous early days.

Mei’er and Loran Hill naturally withdrew halfway through their meal and walked around on the empty ground beside the caravan.

After chatting for a while, they gradually became more familiar with each other.

“Reisia, how old are you this year? You look about the same age as me,” Mei’er curiously looked at the girl beside her.

This question immediately stumped Loran Hill. How should she calculate her age? Her physical age, mental age, or psychological age?

“This… probably around 17 years old.”

Lying wasn’t good behavior, but sometimes telling the truth could be bewildering. After a brief hesitation, Loran Hill answered like that.

“Oh, you can’t even remember your age?” Mei’er blinked curiously, looking at the girl with golden hair and a red dress.

“Because of some things that happened in my early years, I don’t know my exact birthdate, so this isn’t very clear,” the girl explained.

“Haha, Reisia is really interesting,” Mei’er chuckled softly.

“I’m also 17 this year, my brother is 25.”

“Do your family not worry when you go out alone? In my house, my father always feels reassured only if my brother or elders accompany me,” Mei’er said.

“Talking about how girls are easily deceived when alone, it’s as if they’re afraid someone might take advantage of our family business,” Mei’er continued.

“That’s indeed possible,” Loran Hill looked at Mei’er in front of her. Although this girl wasn’t as stunning as Fengnao, she was quite pure and cute, a kind of existence that evoked pity and concern.

“Don’t say that,” Mei’er jumped forward a few steps and then stopped, turning around to look at Loran Hill.

“Reisia hasn’t answered my question yet.”

Loran Hill slightly raised her head, brushed her ear hair aside, and replied, “In my home, there’s just me right now, so no one worries.”

Upon hearing this answer, Mei’er widened her eyes and lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ask.”

“It’s okay, actually, I’ve been used to it for a long time. Being alone is also very free, not having to consider too many things,” the girl looked up at the vast starry sky, where the Milky Way shone faintly.

“Do you feel lonely? When I was over ten, my brother went with my father to learn in the trade caravan, leaving me alone at home. Although there were servants and relatives, I still felt very lonely because there were many things I couldn’t confide in anyone.”

“It’s fine,” the girl responded softly.

In her previous era, the internet connected countless people. Although there were many disputes and arguments, she still met some partners with similar interests. They would chat and play games together, which provided some solace.

After being reborn in the present world, she initially lived a leisurely life in the forest. Later, meeting Tides, Chelsea, Chris, Night Mistress, Keti, Florasia, and her dormitory roommates, she didn’t feel lonely.

Thinking about it, she was truly fortunate. She had a group of great friends around her; some were witch seniors, some were schoolmates, and some were maids who accompanied her daily life.

“Because I met many friends, I don’t feel lonely,” Loran Hill tiptoed and gently leaped forward, feeling the night breeze brush against her body.

“That’s good.”

Looking at Loran Hill’s tranquil expression, Mei’er knew she wasn’t lying and felt relieved.

“So, does this mean that Lagtis Chamber of Commerce is currently just you?”

“In that case, Reisia is really impressive. Managing such a large chamber of commerce alone, whereas if it were me, I’d be in chaos, not knowing what to do.”

“There’s no need to worry so much. Many things seem difficult at first, but they become easier with practice. Believe in yourself.”

Loran Hill comforted Mei’er, and they walked side by side again, eventually stopping at a small hill.

From the hill, one could see most of the village camp below. Scattered fire pits illuminated the camp, and a few beastmen moved between tents. After nightfall, they didn’t have many entertainment activities. Mostly, they sat by the fire, chatting with their fellow tribespeople, passing the time.

—

The next day.

Hollant signed a major contract, and the Lamyia Trading Company began unloading bags of food and daily necessities, then loading bundles of fur onto the wagons.

“With this, we’ve completed most of the tasks for this trip.”

Standing on the empty ground beside the caravan, Hollant said. Before setting out, his father had given him a task list, but he never expected this journey to be so smooth. Could this be the favor of the goddess of luck?

Muttering to himself, he turned his gaze to the other side of the caravan, where two girls were conversing. One was his sister, and the other was the daughter of the Lagtis Chamber of Commerce, Reisia.

Through these days of interaction and occasional reminders from his sister, he grew increasingly fond of this golden-haired, red-dress-wearing girl. But he didn’t know how she viewed him.

Would she think he was handsome? Would she find him elegant and gentlemanly? Would she think he was promising and young?

Hollant felt as if spring had returned to his life, filled with a desire to show off.

This was the moment he couldn’t afford to miss. Tonight, he must make his move. If he waited any longer, she might leave, and he would regret it for the rest of his life.

That evening, by the campfire.

Loran Hill sat by the fire, watching the central horned poet play ancient ballads, his figure swaying slightly in the flames.

A well-dressed young man approached. He wore a black suit, held a bouquet of flowers, his hair neatly combed, and walked steadily towards the girl beside her, slightly bending down.

“Beautiful Miss Reisia, may I have the honor to invite you to spend tonight with me, watching the moon and taking a walk?” His movements were perfectly timed, as if he had practiced many times behind the scenes.

“But isn’t it nice to watch the moon here as well, and listen to those ballads?” Loran Hill looked at Hollant, her expression carrying a hint of a smile.

Seeing the beauty’s smile, Hollant froze momentarily, shaking his head slightly to avoid looking at the girl with an unparalleled beauty, slowly calming his racing heart.

“I meant, I want to be alone with you for a while,” Hollant, inexperienced in love, blurted out, causing his sister to shake her head in disapproval.

Indeed, the girl sitting by the campfire replied, “I’m sorry, I cannot agree to Mr. Hollant’s request.”

Rejected, she doesn’t like me. I’m embarrassed. Will my sister mock me? Did the people around see? Can I find an excuse to dismiss everyone? How will I boast to my old friends when I return?

A series of thoughts exploded in Hollant’s mind, making him stand there dazed. Finally, Mei’er couldn’t bear to watch and stood up, pulling her brother aside.

After a long while, the siblings returned to the campfire, where Hollant’s dejected appearance seemed as if he had just experienced the greatest setback of his life.

The horned tribe bard continued to play the ancient wooden lyre, recounting the legend of King Kaduren born from the flames.

[Crossing the wilderness, climbing the snow-capped mountains]

[The king of all beasts wielding the greataxe]

[He toppled the mammoth to its knees.]

[End of Chapter]