Delicious Red Fruit

"I ask only that Your radiance shine upon me and protect me as I pursue the path of strength I yearn for."

In Xian's impression, the relationship between a medieval lord and his attendants or knights had been mutually supportive.

Knights and attendants had to loyally offer everything, even their lives, to their lord. At the same time, however, the lord was obligated to grant them protection and appropriate respect.

If he truly had a kingdom of 1.4 Billion people backing him, then when faced with Bern, who had saved him from a wolf's jaws, Xian would certainly have agreed to his request without hesitation.

But the problem was that he was nothing more than an outsider with an intimidating-sounding Status Blessing but nothing else! He simply could not fulfill Berg's request, so naturally, he should not accept the other man's loyalty.

Otherwise, when the truth was exposed one day, he might end up like that wolf, shot through the eye by an enraged Berg.

Time passed second by second, and the fervor on Berg's face gradually stiffened.

He sensed that something was wrong, so he cast a pleading look toward Anlìyà beside Xian, hoping that this kind older sister, who had watched him grow up, would lend him a hand at this crucial moment in his life.

In his eyes, his sister, who was as beautiful and captivating as the incarnation of the god of love, had spent three days and nights with this noble Highness. They must already have become intimately involved.

Therefore, saying a word or two on his behalf should still have been within that Highness's tolerance.

Feeling Berg's "pitiful" gaze, Anlìyà ultimately could not bear it. Her lips moved, and she was just about to speak when Robert, beside her, firmly pressed down on her shoulder.

Anlìyà looked at her adoptive father in confusion. She knew how highly he regarded Berg, even raising him as though he were his own son.

In response, Robert merely shook his head firmly.

Though he felt sorry for Berg, he had to save this precious, sole opportunity for "that matter."

Seeing this, the girl could only return an "I'm sorry, but I can't help" look.

Xian, lowered his head in thought, failed to notice the exchange of looks among the three.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I need a few more days to think about this." Xian sighed softly, a trace of apology flashing through his dark eyes.

After considering it again and again, he still decided to give himself a few more days. After all, what if he really awakened some cheat ability? The moment he said this, the fervor on Berg's face was immediately swallowed by deep disappointment.

To Berg, this was undoubtedly a tactful rejection in noble speech.

Even though I saved your life, Your noble self still doesn't wish to take someone of such humble birth as me as your attendant? Berg forced down the unwillingness and disappointment in his heart. He rose, bowed slightly, then turned and left with his head lowered and shoulders slumped.

Anyone could see the desolation in his departing figure.

"Your Highness, I still have village matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first."

After Berg left, Robert also chose to depart, leaving only Xian and Anlìyà in the wooden house.

"Miss Anlìyà, could you take me around the village?" Xian asked after giving it some thought.

To learn the language, he had stayed cooped up in the wooden house for three whole days. It was time to get some fresh air.

He could also take the chance to learn more about this world. After all, no amount of listening could compare to seeing and understanding things with his own eyes.

"It would be my honor, Your Highness."

The blonde girl rose onto her tiptoes, lifted the hem of her linen bodice dress, and gave a slight curtsy.

Though her clothing was plain and even patched in places, her graceful movements and delicate, fair face made her seem like Cinderella from a fairy tale.

Unfortunately, Cinderella was destined to marry a prince, while he was merely one ordinary person among 1.4 Billion.

A trace of regret flashed through Xian's eyes.

It was afternoon. Sunlight filtered through scattered clouds and fell in mottled patches upon the winding dirt paths of the village, as though draping the earth in a soft golden veil.

After Xian and Anlìyà followed the dirt path for some time, rings of lush green orchards came into view.

Tempting scarlet fruits dotted the dark green branches and leaves like dazzling rubies, creating a scene as beautiful as a delicate oil painting.

The air was filled with a rich, fresh fragrance of fruit that made one's mouth water.

At the very least, Xian's appetite had already been awakened.

Anlìyà, beside him, noticed this and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, would you like to try some?"

Xian nodded emphatically.

Hearing this, the girl walked briskly toward the largest fruit tree in the orchard—a towering tree dozens of meters tall, thick enough that four or five people could barely wrap their arms around it. The fruit upon it was also the brightest red.

"Uncle Simp!"

Anlìyà waved and shouted up at the middle-aged villager standing high on a ladder, picking fruit.

She had put so much force into it that her voice, usually as lovely as a clear spring, cracked slightly.

Hearing her call, the villager looked down in confusion.

When he saw Anlìyà waving, he smiled. But when he saw the young man beside her with a long string of white words floating above his head, his expression turned terrified.

"Y-Y-Y-Your Highness!"

Simp staggered and nearly fell from the ladder.

Fortunately, he grabbed hold in time. Otherwise, from such a height, he would likely have been killed by the fall.

Still, his own death was a minor matter. If he offended that Highness's eyes and caused the village's most beautiful flower—Anlìyà—to be caught up in the Highness's wrath, it would be an unforgivable sin. Even in death, he would not forgive himself.

With that thought, Simp climbed down the ladder with the agility of a monkey scaling a tree.

"G-Greetings to you, noble Your Highness."

Simp prostrated himself on the ground, hands and feet flat against the earth. His tense voice trembled as though it had been squeezed from between his teeth.

"Ur." Xian spoke softly.

The word meant "rise." As for "Kara," it meant "withdraw."

Only after receiving permission did the villager stand again, though he still remained bent at the waist.

"Uncle Simp, His Highness wishes to taste the fruit from our orchard. Please offer His Highness the sweetest fruit you picked today."

Anlìyà said softly, her silvery voice even sweeter than the fruity fragrance lingering in the air.

"Of course! It is the honor of Fruit Basket Village!"

Simp, who had been incomparably nervous moments ago, instantly became excited. His face flushed red as he set down the fruit basket full of fruit on his back, then lowered his head and rummaged through the pile.

A moment later, he held out a fruit in both hands before Xian. It was so red that it verged on purple, its skin smooth as silk.