Volume 1, Chapter 41

A few minutes later, seeing that the inspection was complete, Garona dispelled the earth wall magic.

“Hmm, now…”

What should she do?

After cautiously helping the pink-haired girl before her get dressed, the guilt in Mengxi’s eyes only intensified.

The reason was simple.

While helping the girl dress, every time her hand brushed against the girl’s skin, the girl would tremble all over. It was unclear whether it was from the sharp pain of her wounds or out of fear for Mengxi.

Moreover, every time Mengxi’s eyes met the pink-haired girl’s, a look of grievance and terror would constantly well up within the girl’s deep blue eyes.

It seemed her crude and overreactive behavior just now had left the girl with quite a bit of psychological trauma, to the point that she was now terrified of her…

Mengxi couldn’t help but sigh.

Since it was her mistake, she had to take responsibility for it.

From now on, she would treat her better…

Additionally,

The girl remained curled up; she must be very cold, right?

It made sense.

After all, this was the Northern Frontier, and she was wearing such thin clothing.

Noticing the girl’s shivering, petite body, Mengxi’s heart couldn’t help but ache.

Then, Mengxi stood up and slowly unfastened the white fur cloak from her back, wrapping it around the pink-haired girl.

This cloak was crafted from the pelt of a sixth tier magical beast, a Savage Snow Bear. Its cold resistance was incomparable. Almost everyone from the Ashurmos Church who came to the Northern Frontier for missions was issued one of these large cloaks.

After being wrapped in the cloak, the pink-haired girl clearly stopped shivering as much as before, and the gaze she directed at Mengxi seemed slightly less guarded than at the start.

“I-I’m sorry, little sister. Earlier, I suspected you were infected by Shadow Essence and was a bit too rough… I’m truly very sorry.”

Mengxi tried her best to express her apology.

“Don’t be afraid. No one will hurt you anymore. I will protect you and take you to a safe place.”

Rеaⅾ on КatReaⅾingСafе

Mengxi continued softly, her lavender eyes filled with gentleness.

The chill and hostility had completely vanished from her presence.

Compared to the murderous and solemn girl from before, she seemed like a completely different person.

The current Mengxi was as gentle as an angel, her clear and holy voice possessing an unparalleled sense of approachability.

However,

Even so, the pink-haired girl’s eyes remained dominated by fear. She looked at Mengxi timidly and did not reply, her small eyes still filled with wariness.

Seeing this,

Mengxi shook her head helplessly.

She felt slightly frustrated and conflicted.

But what could she do? She was the one who had been so aggressive just now.

All she could do now was compensate her as much as possible. She would look after her for now, and once they returned to Windward City, she would try to find the girl’s family. If they couldn’t be found, she would look for a family willing to take her in. If all else failed, she would take her back to the Holy Capital Hall; there were specialized places there to care for children like her.

While lost in thought,

Mengxi unhooked the water bottle from her waist, knelt down, and held it out to the pink-haired girl.

“Would you like some water?”

“…”

The girl remained silent, staring quietly at the bottle in Mengxi’s hand. After a moment of hesitation, she finally reached out and took the bottle.

Seeing the girl accept the water, Mengxi breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, the young woman slowly stood up and looked toward the distant fortress.

On the other side,

Seeing Mengxi’s movement, Garona walked over, glanced at the girl sitting in the snow, and asked curiously:

“How is it going?”

“Not great. Her guard against us… er, against me, is still very high. She won’t even speak.”

Reαd oո ΚаtRеadіnɡСafе

“I see. Well, who told you to be so rough, Captain?”

“My apologies.”

“Did you apologize to the child?”

“I did, but she still seems unwilling to acknowledge me.”

“Hmm? Is that so? Although it’s a normal reaction, it really is quite strange.”

Garona raised a hand to her lips, a look of confusion on her face.

“Hmm?”

Mengxi also tilted her head slightly.

“How is it strange?”

“Because usually, children like her, or even ordinary people, quickly develop a favorable impression of you after meeting you, Captain Mengxi. They constantly try to get close to you. Wasn’t it the same with that rebellious little prince? He even drew his sword at you at first, but later he became just like a devoted puppy…”

“Hmm?”

Hearing Garona say this, Mengxi suddenly felt a trace of surprise. She looked back at the curled-up pink-haired girl with unexpected interest.

“Now that you mention it, it is a bit strange.”

Indeed.

Because of the influence of the ‘Holy Spirit Power’ surrounding her body, almost all creatures, especially intelligent ones, would subconsciously develop an affinity for her. When she made contact with the girl earlier, she hadn’t deliberately suppressed her Holy Spirit Power.

As an ordinary girl of the third tier, how could she not be affected? Why did she still harbor such strong wariness?

Although Mengxi disliked the effects brought by her Holy Spirit Power, the current situation truly left her startled.

Mengxi’s lavender eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the pink-haired girl with a profound gaze.

The only ones who should be immune to the influence of Holy Spirit Power were Abyssal Demons, right?

But this child wasn’t an Abyssal Demon, nor was she infected.

In other words? She could resist the influence of the Holy Spirit Power?

‘This child seems a bit special…’

Rеаⅾ oո KatReαԁіոɡСаfе

Mengxi couldn’t help but reach this conclusion in her heart.

While Mengxi was thinking, Garona’s voice reached her ears again.

“But Captain, what should we do now? Are we heading back?”

“Hmm?”

Her companion’s words brought Mengxi’s thoughts back to reality. The silver-haired girl thoughtfully scanned the exhausted Ashurmos Church knights and the dozens of miserable slaves they had just rescued.

“Let’s head back. Everyone is exhausted. Besides, with these children with us, we don’t have the strength to fight Abyssal Demons.”

As she spoke,

Mengxi’s gaze lingered on the pink-haired girl behind her.

“Furthermore, the injuries on these children need to be treated as soon as possible.”

“Yeah, true.” Garona nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s get ready to set out.”

“Understood.”

After responding with a nod, Garona picked up her scattered weapons and began to orderly direct the group’s withdrawal.

At the same time,

Driven by her sense of guilt, Mengxi slowly walked over to the pink-haired girl and spoke in the gentlest tone she could muster:

“Um, little sister, we are preparing to return to Windward City. Although you might be very upset with us… or rather, with me… for your own safety, please come with us.”

As she spoke,

Mengxi slowly extended her right hand to the pink-haired girl.

Upon seeing Mengxi’s gesture, a clear flash of hesitation appeared in the girl’s deep blue eyes, which caused Mengxi’s heart to tremble.

However,

After a moment of hesitation, the pink-haired girl finally reached out and grasped Mengxi’s hand.

Feeling the small, fragile hand that felt as soft as if it had no bones, Mengxi felt another wave of shame.

Reаԁ оn КаtRеаdіոɡCαfе

How could such a weak, delicate girl be a threat?

What was I thinking earlier…

At the same time, seeing that the pink-haired girl was no longer resisting,

Mengxi felt a sense of relief wash over her.

The silver-haired girl then gave a gentle pull, lifting the pink-haired girl from the snow.

“Let’s go back. Someone will help treat your injuries when we get there…”

?

Hmm?

However,

Just as she finished speaking,

An indescribable sense of crisis suddenly surged into Mengxi’s mind!

The silver-haired girl’s pupils snapped shut! A rare look of terror emerged within them! Suddenly, under the bewildered gazes of the Ashurmos Church knights, their usually composed captain abruptly changed expression and turned toward them in a panic!

“Quickly! Run!!”

What??

What’s happening?!

Hearing the girl’s scream and seeing Mengxi’s abnormal behavior, Garona and the other Ashurmos Church knights looked at each other in confusion.

However,

Before they could figure out what was happening,

The bright sunlight was suddenly blotted out by black clouds. The earth began to tremble violently, and a howling gale swept past their ears.

Accompanied by the overwhelming aura of Shadow Essence, a strange black mist erupted from the Deepwinter Forest. Countless low, terrifying roars reached their ears. In an instant, everyone held their breath…

Are you… are you kidding me…