Chapter 63: Western Fantasy Romance (V)

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Chapter 63: Western Fantasy Romance (V)

Minea could clearly sense Servius’s dislike toward her, even a trace of hostility. But she paid it little mind. He was only a little boy, after all. Whether he liked her or not meant nothing to her. What truly concerned her was whether the powerful young man standing before her had, like her, come from another world, perhaps even as one of her “companions.”

If he really was someone from her former world, then there were certain things she could not reveal. In her current state, there was no possibility that she could compare to this man, who had clearly established himself in this world and treated the Yas Forest as though it were his personal playground. To wander so leisurely through one of the Kedor Continent’s forbidden lands was something only the legendary Saints could likely do.

Minea glanced once more at the enormous magic beast’s corpse behind the two of them, her fingers tightening unconsciously. If he truly was a Saint, then he was someone she could not hope to catch up to anytime soon. But… what if he still held deep feelings for their former world? Could he be made useful to her? A complicated look flickered through her eyes before it was hidden beneath clear innocence. As an assassin, she knew exactly what kind of person was most likely to inspire another’s sympathy.

Minea placed one of the exquisite pastries into her mouth, her movements cautious and filled with obvious reluctance to waste even a single bite. She had no idea what ingredients had been used to make such a delicate dessert. It melted the instant it touched her tongue, sweet without being cloying, carrying a faint refreshing coolness. It was clearly something only nobles could afford to enjoy, and certainly not a delicacy someone in this body’s position would ever have had the chance to taste. Because of that, she had no way of judging just how lofty this young man’s status truly was.

Servius glanced at Minea, who was savoring the delicious pastries with obvious enjoyment. The taste of the pastries still seemed to linger in his own mouth. His gaze slowly shifted to Miao Lichen, and when he noticed those fair, spotless hands, his brows furrowed slightly. His lips gradually pressed together, but he said nothing. With a quiet snort, he turned and prepared to walk toward the edge of the forest.

The next moment, however, he found himself gathered into an embrace. It carried a cool, refreshing scent, and the touch was equally cool. Since this was not the first time they had come into contact, Servius did not resist. It was nothing like what he had read in books, which claimed that humans all possessed warm, soft bodies. The body holding him was certainly soft enough, but there was none of that warmth that seemed capable of burning others. It was pleasantly cool, and he found that he rather liked it.

Taking the offered pantry, he ate it, one different in color and pattern from the previous ones but just as exquisitely made. When he saw Miao Lichen reach for another piece with his free hand and bring it to his lips, Servius simply took the plate from him instead, then settled comfortably in Miao Lichen’s arms as though it were only natural, leisurely enjoying the delicious pastries.

After finishing the entire plate, Servius still did not feel full, but neither was he hungry anymore. Although he wanted very much to continue tasting the pastries, he knew this was not the right place to indulge himself. Especially with that human beside them, who had remained here all this time for reasons he could not discern.

Just as Miao Lichen was about to take out another plate, Servius shook his head and straightened himself. He showed no surprise at Miao Lichen’s attentive care as he looked up to meet his eyes. Although those eyes were the blue he hated most, so similar to the angels’, they were remarkably clear. They held none of the arrogance or self-righteous hypocrisy he always saw in angels. They were so clear that they gave the illusion that one could see straight into the depths of his heart.

∇ Capture Target Servius Joy Favorability: 10.

“Where are we going now?” Servius finally realized that he was supposed to follow Miao Lichen now, rather than leaving the Yas Forest, a place that was relatively dangerous for him in his current state, according to his original plan. The feeling of having to accommodate someone else was something Servius had experienced for the first time. However, it did not make him feel curious in the slightest. Instead, it only brought him a sense of irritation, as his current situation constantly reminded him of his own weakness.

He tugged on Miao Lichen’s sleeve, making him bend down slightly. He was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with his current miniature body. The feeling of having to look up at someone had never existed in his life since birth. Responding to the sacrifice in the Kedor Continent, answering the call of this altar that had not been used by anyone for countless years and that he himself had personally created, was undoubtedly the only mistake he had ever made.

“I came to the Yas Forest for training. Little one, you are not in a hurry to leave either, are you? Hmm… I almost forgot to ask. Little one, what is your name?” Miao Lichen’s fingers gently played with Servius’s white hair. Only against those strands of white could the faint traces of color hidden beneath his fair skin become visible.

“Arthur.” Servius moved his gaze away from Miao Lichen’s eyes and spoke a false name. Although the Demon King and the Divine King had not appeared on the Kedor Continent for a very long time, that did not mean their legends had already ended. Servius knew very well that the name of the Demon King still existed within the records of the Dark Church, and it was also written within the Holy Scriptures. No matter how long he had remained absent, he was still the king of demons, the only Demon King in this world. Furthermore, he did not believe that Miao Lichen had the right to know his true name.

“Then, little Arthur, it seems you will need to wander with me for a while. I hope this journey will bring some gains.” Miao Lichen’s words seemed to carry a hint of anticipation, but upon closer listening, there was almost nothing behind them. Aesop Leslie had already been a Saint fifty years ago. After fifty years of accumulation and refinement, he had become recognized across the Kedor Continent as its strongest individual, standing at the peak of the Saint rank.

Once someone reached the Saint rank, advancing any further could only rely on the seemingly elusive concept of enlightenment. However, enlightenment was no easier to achieve than the breakthrough from Archmage to Saint, a barrier that had stopped countless geniuses. Anyone capable of becoming a Saint could already be considered a genius among geniuses. Because of this, their perspectives naturally became much broader. Although they desired to advance further, they would not force something that could not be forced.

Servius nodded. Wandering? In the Demon Realm, he could basically say that he rarely appeared in the Demon Palace, so when it came to wandering, he was definitely far more experienced than Miao Lichen.

Miao Lichen reached out, intending to pick Servius up, but Servius stopped him. Using his relatively small and delicate hands, Servius intertwined his fingers with Miao Lichen’s. He looked up at the tall figure beside him, and the dissatisfaction on his face became even more obvious. His original body had been far more perfect than this one. As a creation of the Creator and the ruler of darkness in this world, the Demon King’s body possessed absolutely no flaws.

Of course, although it was perfect, it was not necessarily more perfect than Miao Lichen’s body. The two simply belonged to completely different types. Miao Lichen’s body appeared exceptionally slender and delicate, almost too lacking in a sense of security for a man. If he were a mage, such an appearance would still be acceptable, but Miao Lichen was dressed like a swordsman. Although his swords were somewhat unusual, they could not possibly be mistaken for a mage’s staff. The Demon King’s body, on the other hand, possessed the standard physique of a man. While he could not be called muscular, his body was undoubtedly the perfect golden ratio. Even standing still, he carried an overwhelming sense of pressure, leaving no impression of fragility or delicateness.

“Um… my lord, can I travel with you as well?” Minea spoke at the appropriate moment. The way she looked at Servius no longer contained even the slightest trace of interest. If Servius had been Miao Lichen’s child, then he would have had some value to her. But now, their relationship seemed to be nothing more than a chance encounter between Miao Lichen and a young child. Servius could even be considered nothing more than a toy that this powerful individual entertained himself with when he was bored. Naturally, there was no need for her to pay attention to him.

“Travel with us?” Miao Lichen finally turned his gaze toward her. The only feature left behind from Aesop Leslie’s original appearance, those sky-blue eyes, swept over Minea’s body. Within those eyes, it seemed as though every thought she had was clearly reflected. “This place is dangerous. It is not somewhere children can casually play around. You should return as soon as possible.”

“But Arthur looks even younger than I do. I can take care of myself. Please do not make me go back.” Minea’s hand at her side tightened slightly. Although Miao Lichen’s gaze appeared gentle to anyone else, she sensed danger from it. Despite that feeling, her delicate face still carried a hint of innocent stubbornness. As if she had suddenly thought of something, her eyes became as pitiful as those of a small deer, yet they still held a clear trace of determination. It was the innocence belonging to this body’s age, a display of weakness and willfulness that would not make others feel disgusted.

“As a child of the Griffin Family, you cannot be so willful. Very well, you may travel with us. However, once your family’s trial is over, you must return.” Miao Lichen’s gaze carried a helpless yet affectionate warmth, the kind of look one would give to their own child. Or perhaps it was more like the compassionate gaze of the divine statues, filled with mercy for all living beings.

There was a hint of surprise in Minea’s eyes, but what stood out more was her seriousness. Clearly, she had no idea how Miao Lichen had discovered that she was from the Griffin Family. She glanced down at her own tattered clothes, trying to figure out what had revealed her identity. However, no matter how she looked, she could not find even the slightest trace of nobility in her current appearance.

“When I entered the Yas Forest, I happened to pass by your group and watched a free show along the way.” Miao Lichen had no intention of hiding anything. He placed a hand on Servius’s shoulder, seemingly unaware of the hostility the child held toward Minea.

“I was overthinking things…” A faint blush appeared on Minea’s cheeks as she performed the greeting of a noble young lady with elegance. Unlike the rigid and flawless etiquette of ordinary noble daughters, her movements carried a natural sense of ease and confidence. Anyone accustomed to observing noble etiquette would undoubtedly be impressed by the difference. “Thank you, my lord, for allowing me to follow you temporarily. I am Minea Griffin. Please just call me Minea.”

“Aesop Leslie.” Miao Lichen revealed the name without the slightest hesitation. On the Kedor Continent, it was a name that could be said to be known by everyone. However, to the two people present, the name held no special meaning. One was the Demon King who had only just arrived in this world, and the other was a transmigrator who had inherited this body’s memories but whose current body belonged to a woman who had effectively been confined within a household. Moreover, Aesop Leslie’s name had long since been replaced by the title of “Pope,” and very few people still knew it.

“Lord Leslie.” Minea felt that the name sounded somewhat familiar, but after thinking carefully, she could not recall any family named Leslie. Nevertheless, she firmly memorized the name in her heart.

The next moment, Miao Lichen noticed that the hand he was holding with Servius had suddenly been gripped tightly. He lowered his head and looked at Servius’s slightly displeased gaze, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes. However, after only a brief moment, Servius returned to his usual expressionless state, as though nothing had happened.

For ancient gods and those ancient humans who had long since been buried beneath the river of history, names were extremely important symbols. Ancient necromancy could use a person’s name to cast curses, so no one would reveal their true name unless they trusted the other person. Of course, there were exceptions. The names of ancient gods could not be used for curse magic. This was a rule established by the very foundation of this world, the Laws themselves, and no one could break it.

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