Chapter 875

Chapter 875: Rainy Night

As they completed their mission, the two began their return journey.

Approaching dusk, the mountain path grew dim, and a grayish cloud drifted across the sky, causing a light drizzle to fall.

Lolan Hill (Mesia) raised her hand to shield herself from the fine rain, standing atop a hill to gaze into the distance.

“It will be difficult to make it back before dark; the rain is getting heavier.”

Without a proper path, the ground became muddy and treacherous once soaked by the rain. Getting dirty was trivial, but traveling in such conditions was unwise.

“Let’s find somewhere to rest for the night,” the young lady turned to Lotte beside her.

“Alright.” Lotte nodded, then followed after Mesia.

After walking for some time, Mesia led Lotte to a rocky outcrop. Gazing at the sloping rock face, the young lady drew her sword.

A pale purple blade flashed through the air, and a chunk of rock peeled away, revealing a space large enough to lean against.

“You stay here while I gather some firewood.” Mesia instructed simply, then circled around to the nearby woods, returning with a few dry branches wet with dew.

Soon, a plume of smoke rose, and the wood crackled as it caught fire.

They sat under the shelter of the rocky outcrop, huddled around the small campfire, drying their clothes and warming their provisions.

The rain intensified, water droplets rolling down the dense foliage, splashing onto the ground and creating a continuous splash of water. The outside world was hazy and noisy, with distant thunder rumbling in the sky.

Looking at the orange-red flames before her, warmth spread through her hands. Lotte felt much better, while Mesia took off her shoes, kneeling to dry her wet socks.

Seeing Mesia’s serious and calm demeanor, Lotte couldn’t help but smile slightly.

This swordsman girl had a cute side too. Perhaps she only now realized that Mesia was about her age, her extraordinary abilities overshadowing this fact until now.

“Where are you from, Mesia? Your speech sounds quite standard,” Lotte asked curiously.

“Me?” Mesia, also known as Lolan Hill, tilted her head in thought.

How should she respond? Saying she was from the Empire would reveal too much; she didn’t know the local customs and traditions.

“I come from a remote forest village near Clancia.”

“That doesn’t seem like you. You’re so capable and knowledgeable.”

Lotte hugged her knees, resting her chin on them, looking at the girl.

“Just a bit more capable. Actually, I’ve traveled a lot, so I’ve been to many places.”

“What about you, Lotte? Are you from the Southern Region?”

“Yes, indeed. My family used to be quite big, but now, maybe I’m the only one left.”

Lotte spoke calmly. These days, under Lolan Hill’s guidance, she had come to terms with many things.

“I’m sorry, I brought up painful memories.”

“No need to apologize. I’ve been thinking about it every day, so I’m used to it.”

Lotte shifted her gaze to the campfire, the orange-yellow flames bringing back past memories.

“Mesia probably guessed that I wasn’t from an ordinary family.”

“I could tell. After all, a commoner’s child wouldn’t be so well-maintained.”

Lolan Hill smiled faintly. She had seen the hard work of farming as a child and knew how tough it was.

It was easy to say “hoe the land,” but holding a heavy hoe and striking the earth with force made children realize how hard the soil was, and how uncomfortable the handle was. The sun’s scorching rays and the mosquitoes in the grass were not pleasant.

“I am indeed from a noble family.”

Lotte looked at the campfire, slowly recounting her past.

“Life was luxurious and happy when I was young, which made me somewhat spoiled.”

“But such a life has ended. After the Empire’s defeat, my family was among those punished. Our peerage was revoked, and we suffered many misfortunes.”

As these long-buried words were spoken, Lotte felt much lighter.

“I escaped with the help of my retainers and guards. Along the way, others gradually disappeared, leaving me alone.”

“When I sleep, I often dream of many people, but I feel scared and guilty, knowing I can’t do anything for them.”

“If it were my brother, he might seek revenge, but I’m just a coward, wanting to escape everything.”

Staring blankly at the flames, Lotte spoke her heart.

“I can’t do it. I don’t know what’s right, and it’s hard to refute the accusations against my family.”

The rain in the mountains continued endlessly, with occasional water droplets falling from the trees, splashing on the ground, creating fleeting water flowers. Some fell on the leaves, making a slight tapping sound.

Listening to Lotte’s words, Lolan Hill didn’t know how to comfort her, so she gently patted her back and sat with her.

The pancake by the fire gradually heated up, the edges turning slightly golden, a faint aroma spreading amidst the rain.

“Eat something.” The young lady placed the warm pancake in Lotte’s hands, then picked up another, breaking it open to reveal the steaming meat filling.

She ate small bites, having been hungry after spending a day outdoors.

Eating the warmed-up provisions next to the cool rain curtain, a subtle sense of satisfaction rose within them.

If only there was a comfortable bed, Lolan Hill thought. If Ye Ling were here, she would surely complain, asking the young lady to conjure a comfortable bed for her to roll around in and listen to the rain.

But for now, to keep their identities secret, they had to endure. Or perhaps experiencing a different life was also a kind of fun.

She removed her cloak, spreading it over the stone surface inside the rocky outcrop, then they sat on it, preparing to rest briefly against the rock wall.

Come to think of it, her extraordinary sequence was almost ready to advance. Maybe tonight would be the time.

With these thoughts, Lolan Hill closed her eyes, her mind gradually sinking into the depths of consciousness. The silver metallic core within her began to flicker and change.

Golden patterns spread and expanded like intense embers within the core, while magic power continuously flowed along these patterns, expanding endlessly.

After a long time, Lolan Hill opened her eyes again; it was already deep into the night. She focused, seeing the virtual screen in her vision, her stats appearing.

(End of Chapter)