Anno's words sent Yao Ziyan into deep thought.
By chance, she had fallen into another world, alone in a completely unfamiliar environment, struggling to survive for a hundred years.
Even though all she knew was a single name, she had never given up on finding the road home.
But could she really go back?
Even if she found the way back, could she still return?
Perhaps, from a realistic point of view, Kolo—the place where she had lived for nearly a hundred years—was more like her home.
Yao Ziyan fell silent for a moment, then placed a hand on the elf girl's shoulder and looked seriously into her eyes. "Why would you think that?"
"I... don't know." Anno shook her head.
Yao Ziyan sighed and rubbed her head. "Then have you ever considered that you once had a family too? Even after a hundred years, they may not have forgotten you. They could still be waiting for the day you return."
Anno's words reminded her of Su Nan.
Alone, she had witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations across Tianlan Continent over millions of years. Everything familiar had become bubbles in the river of history, slipping away in silence.
For Su Nan, sealing away her own heart was perhaps the best way.
Anno and Su Nan were somewhat alike, yet vastly different as well.
A hundred years was neither particularly long nor particularly short. Nothing had yet reached the point where it could no longer be changed, and elves were a Longevity Race with long lifespans.
All in all, in Yao Ziyan's view, Anno had absolutely no reason to become disheartened.
Anno froze for a moment, then buried her entire face in her knees and answered in a muffled voice, "I don't know."
"How about I tell you a story?"