The Place of Residence

As we were talking, Gugunir returned, accompanied by an old man. ◦•●◉✿ ✿◉●•◦

They seemed to be in a hurry, with snowflakes swirling up behind them like dust.

Huo Su looked worried. "Oh no, the Watchers has discovered you and told Father!"

"The Watchers? Is it that old man?"

"Yes, he's the Watchers of Hearth-Home. He can detect any outsiders who break in immediately."

"That's not a big deal, is it? At most, they'll just kick me out."

"No, you'll be arrested! Let's go!"

Huo Su opened the barrier, preparing to take me away, but Gugunir was incredibly fast, arriving in the blink of an eye.

"You're the intruder?"

"I wouldn't call it that. I'm just an explorer who ended up here by some accident."

"Then I unexpectedly met my daughter, and we unexpectedly became quite close?"

This guy, it turns out he was worried I had designs on Huo Su, without even considering how old his daughter is.

But I couldn't explain it. I couldn't exactly say that I had overheard their conversation and came to comfort Huo Su because I knew her, could I?

"I just got lost and wanted to ask someone for directions. Huo Su just said she was leaving, so I thought I'd go with her."

"No need. I've already called off the engagement with Ban Banlut's parents. She can stay."

"Really, Father? You really called off the engagement? That's wonderful!"

"You little rascal, you're such a worry!"

Huo Su was overjoyed and hugged her father tightly, acting like a spoiled little girl.

Gugunir patted her head, then turned his gaze back to me:

"As for the explorers, you cannot leave this place, or you will cause trouble for the Hearth-Home."

"What makes you say that? I have neither such thoughts nor the power to do so."

"The reason why Hearth-Home has been able to maintain its tranquility and peace throughout its turbulent history is precisely because of its seclusion; the casual entry and exit of outsiders would break this seclusion."

"If I say I'll keep it a secret, it seems you won't believe me anyway, so what other choice do I have?"

"Yes, you can leave once you defeat me, and I will personally see you off."

"Chief, you jest. I am no match for you."

With my current strength, let alone defeating Gugunir, I might not even be a match for the old man next to him.

I have witnessed the power of the People of Furnace Village more than once; they possess the blood of Ornn, Giant Sheep Power that it can shatter mountains and destroy everything.

I should agree to let him stay for now and figure out a way later. Since the Hextech Device can bring me in, it can definitely take me out.

Beyond the snow-capped mountains lies the land where the People of Furnace Village live. It's a large basin, and the scenery there is a completely different world from that outside the snow-capped mountains.

The climate here is warm, the vegetation is lush, and you can smell the fragrance of flowers from afar, just like springtime in Silver City.

Walking down the street, the whole village exudes a cheerful and peaceful atmosphere, like an elf world.

Ornn really did build a great place!

If nothing else is going on, living here indefinitely wouldn't be a bad choice.

Huo Su sensed what I was thinking, "Do you like it here, Ezreal?"

"I love it! It's so beautiful here; this is the peaceful life I've always longed for."

"Phew... that's good. I was worried you wouldn't like it."

Where am I being taken?

→

"A haven for wanderers, where many others like you have strayed into the Hearth-Home."

Would everyone want to live here?

"Yes, they love the beautiful scenery of Hearth-Home just as much as you do!"

The wanderer's dwelling is located in the southeast of Hearth-Home. As Huo Su said, many outsiders live here, most of them strong men from Freljord, and a few short men like me.

Like the People of Furnace Village, these people all had a shed next to their houses for casting, where they were busy working.

Occasionally, you might see people arguing over casting issues, sometimes even coming to blows, but they usually reconcile quickly and laugh it off.

It's clear that everyone is enjoying the pleasant life in Hearth-Home.

However, this doesn't mean I'm willing to live here indefinitely; in fact, I have some doubts about what I'm seeing.

Because their lifestyle is very similar to that of the Solar Cult!

No matter how wonderful life is here, it's impossible for everyone to want to stay forever.

So this place is very likely an illusion; I must be careful!

Huo Su took me for a walk around the neighborhood for a while, and then we found an uninhabited house. The house wasn't clean and needed to be tidied up.

While I was packing, she told me about some things I needed to be careful about, mainly that I couldn't leave Hearth-Home casually, or I would be executed as a fugitive.

You can cook your own food, buy it at the market, or even eat at your neighbor's house a few times.

There is currency in circulation here, but it is not made of gold or silver, but of a rare metal that is very suitable for forging weapons, called "Xun".

Another, even more popular, way to pay is through martial arts competitions.

No wonder Huo Su didn't know what gold coins were for when he bought things in Doco, and he was always ready to fight.

After I finished explaining these things, it was already dark. Huo Su said goodbye and went home.

"Goodbye, Ezreal. I'll come visit you often. Although my forging skills aren't great, I can teach you some basics."

"OK, thanks!"

I have no interest in learning any casting techniques, but there's no need to refuse Huo Su's kindness either, so I'll just go along with it for now!

I sat alone in the room, carefully considering the situation here:

The People of Furnace Village seem quite normal; after all, that's how they were when I first met Huo Su and Jergente.

Moreover, they can leave here and have their own freedom, unlike the Solar Cult which is completely closed off.

Gugunir also said that as long as he could defeat him, he could leave at any time, but he would have to personally escort him out.

This shows that he was not afraid of Hearth-Home becoming known, but simply did not want people to know its exact location in order to maintain its secrecy.

The outsiders are a bit unusual; they strayed into the Hearth-Home from various tribes, so why did they all fall in love with casting?

Take me for example, I have absolutely no interest in casting. Although I like the scenery here, I don't want to stay here for long, let alone those who have their own hometowns.

No place is more beautiful or more cherished than one's hometown.

I once heard Poppy talk about a prison in the Yordle world: Gensokyo.

Once inside, people get lost and live a "happy" life, which is somewhat similar to this situation.

Based on what I can think of, I believe that Hearth-Home is not a fictional place, but it does offer certain "special treatment" to outsiders.

To find out the truth, I need to talk to people and see if I can find any clues.