Chapter 160: The Accidental Encounter
“How can you say you don’t feel anything? Do you think I’ll believe that?”
In response to Airael’s final question, Arthur shook his head and replied nonchalantly, “You make a good point, but I honestly don’t feel much right now.”
If you listened closely, you could catch a hint of helplessness in his voice.
He knew that once Airael took this matter seriously, he would probably never find peace again.
“Really?”
Airael asked with a disbelieving expression.
“Really!”
Arthur paused to look at Airael and nodded earnestly.
Seeing Arthur so serious, Airael gradually began to believe him and said, “Alright, let’s just pretend you don’t feel anything for now. After all, you might still be adjusting to the current situation.”
With that, Airael smiled.
Now that Arthur had gained such fame, coupled with the covert assistance from the Tower of the Archmage, it would be difficult for him not to achieve something in this country.
Not to mention he was now full of ambition.
Arthur noticed that Airael understood him and didn’t say anything more.
The group continued on their journey, not speaking much along the way.
Next, they stopped for a meal at a restaurant before heading back to their inn.
Upon returning to the inn, Arthur immediately began to take off his armor.
Seeing this, Airael stepped forward to help.
It wasn’t until she got a closer look that she noticed the armor was riddled with scars from sword strikes.
Some of the marks were quite small, making them hard to notice at first.
“This armor is probably about to fall apart, huh?”
Looking at the battered chest plate in her hands, Airael commented.
Arthur fell silent for a moment.
He took his armor back from Airael, lost in thought as he examined the “patterns” on it.
This armor had been with him for a long time, countless times shielding him from harm.
But now, it was time to say goodbye.
Considering the state of the armor, it would be better to forge a new one rather than trying to repair it; that would be much simpler.
Seeing Arthur lost in thought, Airael decided not to speak further.
She turned her attention to the other pieces of armor he was removing.
For instance, the shoulder guards—these important protective pieces were also covered in wounds.
Each scar showcased their illustrious battle records alongside their owner.
Although some of the scars had been repaired, remnants still lingered, collecting over time with further use.
“It really is time for a change.”
After a long while, Arthur finally responded.
With that, he set down what he had in his hands and looked at Airael, saying, “Ailia, do you need a set of armor?”
“I don’t need it!”
Airael shook her head first, then clarified, “Haven’t I told you? Though I’m a Battle Mage, my true profession is that of a Mage. As for the inner armor for protection, you know I have my own.”
As she said the last part, Airael’s cheeks involuntarily flushed.
The only time Arthur could see her inner armor would only be in certain situations.
Arthur nodded, indicating he understood.
He had, of course, seen Airael’s inner armor.
In fact, he had even touched and taken it off before.
But he still didn’t quite understand this whole Battle Mage thing.
To him, if you were going into close combat, it would be best to wear actual outer armor—sometimes relying solely on inner armor and the Magic Shield just wouldn’t cut it.
It was always better to have multiple layers of protection.
However, since Airael didn’t want an entire set, he couldn’t force her.
He then leaned back against the sofa, looking quite exhausted.
Though his appearance wasn’t the best, Airael said nothing.
That was understandable.
Arthur had fought hard that morning, so feeling tired was completely normal.
But why not lie down on the bed?
With that little question in mind, Airael knelt beside Arthur.
She looked every bit the lady.
Arthur’s gaze naturally followed her.
“If you’re really tired, you should lie down on the bed; it would be more comfortable that way.”
Airael said as she looked at him.
Lie down on the bed!
Hearing those words, Arthur shifted slightly.
Was that a hint?
But at this moment, he truly felt too weak!
He was really tired.
Just out of kindness, Airael completely failed to realize how Arthur might overthink things.
Looking at Arthur, who was making no movement but just staring at her, Airael asked, “What are you looking at?”
Seeing that Airael seemed completely unaware, Arthur turned away and replied, “Nothing.”
At that moment, he realized he had been overthinking.
His heart felt a bit empty.
Even though he felt weak now, if Airael really had that kind of intention, he wouldn’t be opposed to putting in a little effort!
“If you’re tired, hurry and lie down. I need to take my afternoon nap soon, too.”
With that, Airael yawned.
“Okay—!”
Arthur replied with a single word before quickly jumping onto the bed.
Immediately after, Airael also lay down beside him, still fully clothed.
However, as soon as she laid down, Arthur pulled her into his arms.
“What are you doing? Didn’t you say you wanted to rest?”
Airael asked with a hint of dissatisfaction, looking at Arthur, who suddenly launched an attack.
Was he a machine or something? He fought so hard earlier and was practically out like a light, and now he suddenly had all this energy.
“I think resting like this is fine.”
Arthur replied.
After that, he truly didn’t do anything inappropriate; he simply held Airael in his arms.
Like hugging a soft pillow.
Airael, being held, had a look of disbelief, “How am I supposed to rest like this?”
Hearing this, Arthur loosened his embrace a bit.
With some freedom gained, Airael didn’t say anything more.
She found a comfortable position and began to sleep.
Seeing Airael asleep, Arthur also started to drift off.
Before long, the two of them had entered their respective dreamlands.
When they finally woke up, it was around three in the afternoon.
Airael first opened her sleepy eyes.
Her brows slightly furrowed.
She hadn’t woken up naturally; instead, she felt something hard poking her, which startled her awake from her dreams.
Once she was awake, Airael started to assess the situation.
At first, she wasn’t sure why, but then it hit her.
The culprit was none other than Arthur, who lay behind her.
And the “offending object” was his little brother.
