Irena

"Stop..."

Lin Luo patted Torrent's head, and the horse slowly came to a halt.

After hours of travel, Lin Luo had finally arrived at the Weeping Peninsula.

It was getting late, so he decided to spend the night at a merchant's Site of Grace before heading to Castle Morne. After all, he wasn't in a loop anymore, and even with his high constitution, Lin Luo could still feel fatigue.

"Is... is someone there?"

Just as he passed the Bridge of Sacrifice, a woman's voice interrupted Lin Luo's thoughts.

"Oh?"

Lin Luo turned around. Wasn't this the blind daughter of the Lord of Castle Morne?

Lin Luo patted Torrent's back. Torrent whinnied twice and dissipated into a shower of light in the air.

"May I ask who you are..."

Although he knew who was in front of him, Lin Luo still asked.

"Ah..."

The blind girl didn't answer.

She simply asked, "This might be a bit sudden, but I wanted to ask who you are..."

"My name is Lin Luo. I am a Tarnished."

Lin Luo replied patiently.

"A Tarnished, you say..."

"My name is Irena."

"Could you possibly help me? I will give you a reward..."

Irena said shyly, "This is rather abrupt, but I truly have no other choice..."

"Hmm..."

"Tell me what you need first..." Lin Luo propped his chin on his hand. Even though he knew the reward wouldn't be much, helping this blind girl was a good deed.

"Thank you in advance..."

The girl stood up and bowed deeply.

"I escaped from Castle Morne over there. The servants in the city have started a rebellion."

"My eyes have been inconvenient since birth, so I can't describe what happened, but I heard terrifying screams and panicked cries. My father told me to flee."

Irena said with a hint of a sob, "My father is the Lord of Castle Morne. He's very stubborn. He says it's the duty of those in power."

"But I want my father to live, even if I'm branded a coward who abandoned the city..."

"Mm..."

Irena took out a letter. "Please, could you deliver this letter to my father? I believe he will change his mind once he sees it..."

"I can..."

Lin Luo looked at the blind girl before him and answered.

"Thank you. Then, please take it..."

"And what about you?"

Lin Luo looked at Irena and asked, "Why don't you come into the city with me? Of course, if you trust my strength..."

"Can I?"

Irena asked, confused, then with a hint of worry, "Perhaps not. My eyes are inconvenient, and following you would only be a burden..."

"No..."

Lin Luo refused.

"There are many demi-humans around here, as well as beasts, and many bandits."

"I don't want to come back and find a corpse."

"But..."

"Don't refuse. If you die, who will I get my reward from!"

Lin Luo interrupted Irena.

Although Lin Luo's words were a bit harsh, it couldn't be denied that he was genuinely looking out for Irena. If he just left her there, by the time he returned, all that would be left would be a corpse and a blood-stained greatsword.

"Then... I'll trouble you, Tarnished."

Irena bowed to Lin Luo again. Lin Luo helped her up and guided her onto Torrent.

"It's getting late. There's a wandering merchant ahead, let's rest there for a bit."

Lin Luo led Torrent by the reins, slowly moving forward, and cleared out some of the demi-humans along the way.

"Did you hear those demi-humans screaming? If you were still back there, you probably would have..."

"I'm sorry..."

Irena whispered, "I just didn't want to be a burden..."

"No need to apologize... A burden is for the weak.

Lin Luo waved his hand, handing the torch to Irena.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

"If you want to do something, help me hold this torch. It's quite dark ahead..."

"Okay..." Irena fumbled, taking the torch. She gripped it tightly with her left hand, holding Torrent's reins with her right.

After a while, Lin Luo saw a yellow point of light. If he wasn't mistaken, it should be the location of a Site of Grace.

The two and their steed stopped at the Site of Grace. Lin Luo helped Irena off the horse, and Torrent obediently lay down on the ground (please don't say it was like a dog).

"Let's rest here for now. I'll go deal with the trouble ahead."

Lin Luo said to Irena, and by the way, he activated the Site of Grace.

"Wife, are you there?"

Lin Luo shouted into the void.

... A flock of crows flew by.

"Uh, Melina? Are you there?" Lin Luo awkwardly scratched his head and asked again.

"Hmm?"

Melina's figure slowly appeared.

"Were you calling me just now...?"

"Is 'wife' a special nickname?"

Melina asked, confused.

"Uh... no, you can think of it as a nickname for someone you can't be separated from..."

Lin Luo said, his face not blushing.

"Oh... Then, wife, what do you need me for?"

Melina said seriously, "It seems these Runes aren't improving your strength much, are they..."

"Pfft..."

Lin Luo couldn't help but laugh. "Well... if it's a man, you call them husband, and if it's a woman, you call them wife..."

"Hmm... Then, husband, what is it?"

Melina still believed him.

"Uh... Wife, I want you to help protect Irena. She's my employer..."

Lin Luo held back his laughter, his face turning red.

"You... seem a bit off..."

Melina looked at Lin Luo suspiciously but didn't probe further.

"Okay... I will help you protect her..."

"Thanks, wife..."

Lin Luo smiled and waved at Melina, then walked towards a wandering merchant on the side.

"Ah... Tarnished, are you here to trade?"

The old man glanced at Lin Luo and then continued, "I hope you don't make any unnecessary moves..."

"..."

Lin Luo looked at the old man speechlessly. He was in a good mood and couldn't be bothered to argue with him.

"Here are some Runes, give me the Stonesword Key."

Lin Luo tossed ten Golden Runes to the old man.

"Hmm..." The old man counted the Runes, gave Lin Luo a wary look, and handed over two Stonesword Keys.

"Although you don't look like a good person, I still thank you for doing business with me. After all, we wandering merchants can only survive because of you."

"If you can't speak properly, then don't speak..."

Lin Luo's eyes twitched. He took the Stonesword Keys and turned to leave.

Melina, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle at the scene.

Irena also heard the commotion.

"Such a gentle voice..."

"Is that Lord Lin Luo's wife?"

"Huh?"

Melina heard this and panicked for some reason, "No... I'm just, his maiden..."

"Is that so..."

Irena asked doubtfully, "Excuse me, I just heard Lord Lin Luo say you are an inseparable part of him..."

"I just subconsciously thought you were his wife."

Her words struck Melina like a bolt from the blue, and she immediately understood.

Her face flushed with shame and anger, and she glared at Lin Luo.

Seeing the situation was bad, Lin Luo quickly ran away.

He only left one sentence behind.

"Husband, but that's how we address our husbands in our hometown. Melina, since you called me that, you'll have to take responsibility for me..."

Couldn't find the book by its title, maybe try searching for the author, they might have just changed the name!