Delia Arrives

The news of Linley breaking through to the Saint-level made the five Barker brothers so excited they nearly tore the roof off.

"Saint-level!" Gates swung his giant axe excitedly. The battle-axe, which stood half as tall as a man, felt as light as a feather in his hands, and the gust of wind it stirred up swept the teacups off the table and onto the floor. "Lord Linley has finally broken through!"

"Keep your voice down!" Barker grabbed Gates by the shoulder, though his own voice was raised an octave higher than usual. "You're going to wake up the entire Yunfeng Town!"

"Big Brother, you're one to talk—aren't your own hands shaking with excitement?" Gates grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth.

Only then did Barker notice that his hands were indeed trembling slightly.

"Alright, that's enough." Linley waved his hand to stop the commotion, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Everyone go back and get some rest; we have to be on the road tomorrow."

"On the road?" Barker paused, the excitement in his eyes instantly replaced by confusion. "Where is Lord going?"

"The Imperial Capital." Linley looked toward the north. A trace of longing flashed in his eyes, and his voice softened. "Wharton—I haven't seen him in a long time. I want to go there and check on him first."

At the mention of Wharton, Barker understood immediately. As Linley's only younger brother, Wharton had been struggling on his own in the Imperial Capital all these years.

"I'll go with you." Akes stepped out from the shadows.

Linley did not refuse, simply nodding in agreement.

The night grew deep, and everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Only Linley remained standing in the courtyard, looking up at the starry sky. The night in Yunfeng Town was exceptionally quiet; even the wind seemed to tread lightly, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility.

"What are you thinking about?" Akes emerged from the house, carrying two bottles of wine.

Linley took one, pulled the cork, and took a sip. The liquid slid down his throat, bringing a spicy warmth that spread all the way to his stomach. He didn't answer, continuing to gaze at the stars.

Akes didn't press him, simply standing by his side and taking an occasional drink. The two stood in silence, shoulder to shoulder, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

The night was like water, and the moonlight draped over the earth like a thin veil. A few insect chirps drifted from the distant grass, intermittent and faint. The air was filled with the scent of soil and grass, mixed with the aroma of wine, making one feel involuntarily relaxed.

A burst of hurried footsteps approached from afar, shattering the silence of the night.

"Lord Linley!" The guard on duty ran in, his face wearing a strange expression. "Outside, there is... someone who wants to see you."

"At this hour? Who?" Linley frowned.

"It's a young lady." The guard's expression grew even stranger. "She says her name is Delia, and she traveled here from the Yulan Empire."

"Delia?" Linley was stunned, and the wine bottle in his hand nearly slipped.

Akes was also startled, the bottle freezing at his lips. He certainly knew who Delia was. In the original story, she shouldn't have appeared until the O'Brien Empire arc, and he hadn't done anything to disrupt the plot. Could it be that the butterfly effect was already influencing this world?

"Why did she come?" Linley found it hard to believe, his voice carrying a tremor he didn't even notice himself.

"Well, go and invite her in!" Akes gave Linley a shove and laughed. "What are you standing there like a fool for? Are you going to let a lady wait outside?"

Linley finally snapped out of it and walked quickly toward the courtyard gate, his pace much faster than usual—almost a jog. Akes watched his hurried back, shook his head with a smile, and turned back into the house with his wine bottle.

Under the moonlight outside the gate, a slender figure stood quietly. She wore a moon-white long dress, the hem stained with a bit of dust, clearly having traveled a long way. Her long golden hair drifted gently in the night breeze, a few strands playfully brushing against her cheeks. Her beautiful face bore a trace of exhaustion, with faint dark circles under her eyes, but those eyes were startlingly bright, as if filled with starlight.

"Delia?" Linley's voice trembled, unable to believe what was before him.

Delia looked up at the young man who was more mature and steady than in her memories. Ten years had passed; he had grown taller, his shoulders were broader, and the lines of his face had become more rugged, yet his eyes remained as deep as before. Her eyes instantly turned red, and tears shimmered in the moonlight.

"Linley..." she called out softly. Her voice was a bit hoarse, carrying the fatigue of a long journey, yet it could not hide the joy within. "I finally found you."

Linley walked over quickly, wanting to say something, but found his throat tight and unable to utter a single word. He stood before her, looking at her wind-tangled hair and the tears in her eyes, feeling as if his heart had been struck hard by something.

The last time they met was that night in Wushan Town. After that kiss, she returned to the Yulan Empire, and he began his long path of vengeance. For ten years, they had not seen each other. Ten years was enough for a boy to grow into a man, and enough for a feeling to ferment and grow richer in the depths of longing.

"Why did you come?" Linley finally found his voice, though it was much deeper than usual.

Delia bit her lip, not answering, just staring at him intently, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Linley's heart tightened. He stepped forward, wanting to comfort her, but didn't know what to say. He reached out, but stopped in mid-air, hesitated, and ultimately pulled his hand back.

Delia suddenly spoke, her voice very light. "I heard you were in Yunfeng Town, so I came."

"From the Yulan Empire to here, it's a long way, and you were alone..." Linley felt worried, his brows knitting together involuntarily. From the Yulan Empire to Yunfeng Town was at least several hundred miles, passing through forests infested with magical beasts and wildernesses rampant with bandits. He didn't dare imagine how much she had suffered traveling such a long distance alone.

"I'm fine." Delia shook her head, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly to give him a reassuring smile. "I am already a seventh-rank mage; I didn't encounter any danger on the road."

A seventh-rank mage. A complex emotion surged in Linley's heart.

"Come inside to talk." He stepped aside. "It's cold out here."

Delia nodded and followed him into the courtyard. As she passed by him, a faint, elegant fragrance drifted into his nose, causing Linley's heart to beat a little faster.

Akes was sensible enough not to appear, and even Bebe lay quietly in the corner pretending to sleep, though he occasionally peeked open one eye to curiously size up the beautiful girl who had suddenly appeared.

In the living room, Linley poured a cup of hot tea for Delia and sat down opposite her. The candlelight flickered, casting their shadows onto the wall, overlapping.

"You..." they both spoke at the same time, then stopped simultaneously.

"You go first," Linley said.

Delia held the teacup, head bowed, and remained silent for a long while. The cup turned slightly in her hands, and the curling steam blurred her features. After a long time, she spoke slowly, her voice unnaturally calm. "Linley, do you know why I came?"

Linley shook his head, though he had a vague guess in his heart.

"My father wants me to marry His Majesty Land." Delia's voice was very calm, but her hand holding the cup tightened slightly.

Linley's hand tightened as well, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"The Emperor of the Yulan Empire?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Hmm." Delia nodded. "He believes this will consolidate the family's status. After all, although the Ryan Family is a major power in the Empire, it has been gradually declining over the years. If they can arrange a marriage with the Imperial family..."

She did not continue, but Linley already understood.

A political marriage—the common tool of great families. Trading a daughter's happiness for the family's interests was all too common in this world. He simply hadn't expected such a thing to happen to Delia.

"You don't want to?" Linley asked, his gaze fixed intently upon her.

Delia raised her head, looking him straight in the eyes with a firmness he had never seen before: "What do you think?"

That gaze was too direct, too scorching; Linley found himself unable to meet it. He lowered his eyes to the flickering candlelight on the table, his heart in complete turmoil.

"I..." He opened his mouth, but did not know how to answer.

Delia smiled then, a smile that held bitterness, yet also relief: "Ten years ago, I said goodbye to you in Wushan Town, thinking we would meet again soon. Who would have thought that one parting would last ten years."

Linley was silent. Ten years—neither long nor short, yet enough to change many things.

"In those ten years, I thought of you every single day," Delia said softly.

"So you came alone?" Linley's voice was hoarse, his throat feeling as if it were blocked by something.

"Mm." Delia nodded, a stubborn curve forming at the corners of her mouth. "I told my father I was coming to find you. He didn't agree, so I left on my own."

She spoke of it lightly, but Linley could imagine what she had endured. A seventh-rank mage, traveling alone across hundreds of miles of wilderness, dodging magical beasts and bandits, sleeping in the open and eating in the wind, all just to see him once. He suddenly recalled the dust on her hem, the exhaustion in her eyes, and that smile she had forced to look effortless.

"You..." Linley wanted to say something, but found his throat constricted so tightly that the thousands of words he wanted to speak were stuck, unable to form a single syllable.

Delia stood up, walked over to him, and looked down at him. The candlelight behind her cast a golden halo around her. She took a deep breath, as if summoning all her courage: "Linley, I like you. I've liked you since our time at the academy. These feelings have never changed."

Linley looked up, meeting her clear eyes, and a corner of his heart was suddenly touched. In those eyes, there was anticipation, anxiety, ten years of longing, and the courage to disregard everything else.

"I know you have many things to do right now," Delia's voice trembled, yet remained firm. "I don't expect you to give me any promises right now; I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I will stand by your side. No matter where you go or what you do, I will accompany you."

"Delia..." Linley stood up, wanting to speak, but found himself at a loss for words. He looked at her cheeks flushed by the candlelight, at the tears in her eyes, and felt something surging within his heart.

He remembered his youth, the girl who always sat quietly in the back of the classroom. He remembered the shyness and tenderness hidden in her eyes when she occasionally looked at him. He remembered that night in Wushan Town, the unexpected kiss under the moonlight, and her hurried silhouette as she left.

In these ten years, he had experienced too much. His father's death, the pursuit of the Radiant Church, the grueling training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range... Hatred, flight, bitter cultivation, and battle had filled his entire life. He had thought he no longer cared about matters of the heart, believing his heart had long since hardened like iron amidst blood and fire.

But at this moment, looking at the girl who had traveled thousands of miles for him, listening to her softly recount ten years of longing, a string in his heart was fiercely plucked. That string had been silent for too long, so long that he thought it would never resonate again.

"I don't need you to respond to me immediately." Delia took a step back, a blush spreading across her face as if she had suddenly realized what she had said. "I just wanted you to know..."

"Delia." Linley interrupted her, reaching out to take her hand.

Her hand was cool and trembling slightly, her fingertips calloused from the journey. He gripped it tighter, wanting to pass his warmth to her.

"That night ten years ago, when you kissed me, I was actually startled." Linley's voice was soft, carrying a trace of nostalgia. "After you left, I stood in the courtyard for a long time, watching the direction you went, feeling empty inside."

Delia froze, staring at him blankly, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Back then, I was thinking, how could this girl be so bold?" The corners of Linley's mouth lifted slightly, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes. "Later, too many things happened—my father's death, the pursuit of the Radiant Church, the bitter training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range... I barely had time to think about anything else."

"I know you waited for me for ten years." Linley looked at her, his gaze gentle and firm. "You have suffered many grievances these past ten years. From now on, I will not let you wait any longer, nor will I let you suffer any more grievances."

"Linley..." Delia's tears finally fell, rolling down in large drops, tracing paths across her smiling lips.

Linley reached out, gently wiping the tear stains from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek for a moment: "After I resolve the matter with Wharton, will you be willing to be my bride?"

Delia nodded vigorously and threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Her hands gripped his clothes tightly, as if afraid he would vanish in the next second.

Linley held her, feeling the real warmth in his arms, and a corner of his heart was finally filled. He lowered his head, resting his chin gently against the top of her head, breathing in the faint fragrance of her hair, and closed his eyes.

In the corner, Bebe quietly poked his head out, his little eyes full of curiosity and confusion. He tilted his head for a long time, finally let out a yawn, and tucked his head back under his tail.

Akes appeared at the doorway at some point, watching the two embracing, a gratified smile on his lips. He quietly retreated, pulling the door shut behind him, his movements so light they didn't make a sound.

Moonlight spilled in through the window lattice, shining upon the two of them as if plating them in silver. The chirping of insects in the distance stopped at some point, and the whole world fell silent, leaving only the sound of each other's heartbeats, clearly audible in the stillness.

It was a long time before Delia lifted her head from Linley's chest, her eyes red but her face wearing a smile. She looked at Linley, reaching out to touch his face as if to confirm he was real.

"If you ran out like this, your father..." Linley was a bit worried, his brows furrowing slightly.

"He will understand." Delia shook her head, her voice still hoarse from crying. She blinked, revealing a rare, mischievous side. "Besides, I am an adult now; I can't listen to my father forever."

Linley was amused by her words and reached out to ruffle her hair.

Delia nodded and leaned against his shoulder, beginning to recount her experiences over the years. From her cultivation after returning to the Yulan Empire—meditating before dawn and practicing magic until night—to the infighting within the family, the cousins who smiled at her face but wished she would never marry behind her back; and finally, how she persuaded her teacher, Master Longers, to help her scout for news of Linley, and how she would secretly pore over intelligence reports sent from all over the land late at night...

Linley listened quietly, occasionally asking a few questions, but mostly just watching her in silence. When she spoke, her eyes would brighten involuntarily, and her fingers would dance along with her emotions. When speaking of happy things, her eyes would curve into crescents; when speaking of grievances, she would unconsciously pout.

Outside the window, the moon slowly climbed to its zenith, shrouding the entire Yunfeng Town in a soft, silvery glow. At some point, Delia's voice grew quieter, her eyelids heavier, until she finally leaned against his shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

Linley did not move; he simply draped a blanket gently over her, sitting quietly and listening to her steady breathing.

This night was very long, yet also very short.

The next morning, when Linley stepped out of the room, Akes was already waiting in the courtyard, holding two brushes and grooming the horses.

"Congratulations." Akes laughed, his eyes full of teasing. "Looks like last night went well."

Linley felt uncharacteristically embarrassed and glared at him: "Less talk, get ready to leave."

"Not waiting for Delia?" Akes asked deliberately.

"Let her sleep a bit longer." Linley paused, his voice softening involuntarily. "She traveled such a long way; she must be exhausted."

Akes shook his head with a smile, wisely choosing not to tease him further. He handed the brushes to Linley and went to check the horses' horseshoes himself.

It was well past sunrise when Delia finally emerged from her room. She had changed into a pale blue gown, her golden hair cascading loosely over her shoulders. She looked radiant, a far cry from the travel-worn girl of the previous night.

"Did you sleep well?" Linley stepped forward, naturally taking the bundle from her hands.

"Mm." Delia nodded, a blush creeping across her face as she avoided his gaze. "When are we leaving?"

"No rush." Linley pulled her over to sit down. "Eat breakfast first, then we'll go."

Breakfast was already laid out on the table: steaming porridge, a few side dishes, and freshly baked bread. Seeing this, Delia's eyes reddened slightly, but she held back her emotions and sat obediently by his side to eat.

After breakfast, the group prepared to depart. The five Barker brothers remained to guard Yunfeng Town, while Linley, Akes, Bebe, and Delia headed north toward the imperial capital.

Before they left, Sessler pulled Linley aside and lowered his voice. "Linley, the Radiant Church has suffered a loss; they certainly won't let this go. Be careful on the road."

"I know." Linley nodded, his expression turning serious. "I leave this place to you."

"Rest assured." Sessler laughed, patting Linley on the shoulder. "Although I haven't broken through to the Saint-level yet, I have no problem protecting myself. You, on the other hand, try not to be too impulsive when you reach the capital."

Linley patted his shoulder in return, then turned and mounted his horse.

Delia rode a white horse, staying close to Linley's side. The morning breeze lifted her long hair, revealing her fair face, while the sunlight danced in her tresses as if scattered with gold dust.

"Let's go." Linley spurred his horse and took the lead.

Delia followed closely behind, their hooves kicking up a trail of dust. She glanced back at Yunfeng Town once, then turned her gaze toward Linley's back, the corners of her mouth curling upward involuntarily.

Akes and Bebe brought up the rear, watching the two riding side-by-side ahead of them with faint smiles. Bebe lay on Akes's shoulder and whispered something, causing Akes to burst into laughter.

The sunlight bathed the four of them, stretching their shadows long across the ground.