(Thank you very much to 'Guo Qiao Er Kuai' for the 10,000 reward, and to 'Yu Xing,' 'World's End Ballad,' 'Invincible Origin,' and 'Long Lian Qingxue' for their rewards!)
"Chu..."
Noah had no idea how much time had passed before he finally released those incredibly soft lips. He lowered his head and looked at Est, who was nestled in his arms with her eyes open and meeting his gaze, then suddenly smiled.
Est was still as expressionless as ever.
However, in the mysterious eyes of this spirit girl, a lake-clear radiance rippled as though she were savoring or losing herself in something. She did not look away, simply meeting Noah's gaze, with everything left unspoken.
Just as a warm atmosphere began to spread between Noah and Est, Noah's heart stirred. He abruptly turned his head and looked to the side.
At almost the same moment, a crisp, silver-bell-like laugh echoed out and reached Noah and Est's ears.
"To find a master who cares for her so deeply, it seems Miss Holy Sword has been quite lucky this time."
The sudden sweet laughter immediately startled Est awake. She reacted as well, turning toward its source.
On a nearby tree branch sat a girl in a dark dress, her glossy waist-length black hair swaying in the wind. Like an elf of the night, she lightly swung her feet as she looked down at Noah and Est. Her exquisite face bore a smile that seemed both innocent and impossible to read.
A trace of nearly imperceptible wariness appeared on Est's expressionless face.
"Dark Elf..."
The newcomer was none other than Restia.
But while Est looked toward Restia, Noah's gaze passed through Restia and fixed intently on the base of the tree she sat in.
Another girl stood there.
She wore foreign clothing similar