Delia Arrives

The news that Linley had broken through to the Saint-level had excited the five Barker brothers so much they nearly raised the roof.

"Saint-level!" Gates waved his giant axe excitedly. The battle-axe, nearly half his height, was as light as a feather in his hands. The gust it stirred sent the teacups on the table clattering to the floor. "Lord Linley finally broke through!"

"Keep your voice down!" Barker pressed a hand against Gates's shoulder, though his own voice rose several octaves. "You'll wake up all of Yunfeng Town!"

"Big brother, you're telling me off, but aren't your hands shaking too?" Gates grinned, showing two rows of white teeth.

Only then did Barker notice that his hand really was trembling slightly.

"All right, all right." Linley waved a hand to quiet everyone, though an exasperated smile tugged at his lips. "Go get some rest. We have to set out early tomorrow."

"Set out?" Barker stared at him, the excitement in his eyes instantly giving way to confusion. "Where are you going, my lord?"

"The Imperial Capital." Linley looked north, a flicker of longing passing through his eyes. His voice softened. "Wharton hasn't seen me in a long time. I want to go there and visit him first."

At the mention of Wharton, Barker understood at once. As Linley's only younger brother, Wharton had spent these past years making his own way in the Imperial Capital.

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

Linley didn't refuse. He only nodded.

Night had fallen, and everyone had gone back to their rooms to rest. Only Linley remained in the courtyard, looking up at the star-filled sky. The night in Yunfeng Town was especially quiet. Even the wind seemed to tread softly, afraid of disturbing the peace.

"What are you thinking about?" Akes came out of the house carrying two bottles of wine.

Linley took one, pulled out the stopper, and drank. The wine went down with a spicy warmth that spread from his throat to his stomach. He didn't answer, only continued gazing at the sky.

Akes didn't press him. He simply stood beside him, taking an occasional sip. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder in silence, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

The night was as fluid as water, and the moonlight draped lightly over the earth like a veil. A few insects chirped in the grass in the distance, their calls coming and going. The scent of earth and fresh grass mingled with the wine, making it easy to relax.

A flurry of footsteps approached, breaking the quiet of the night.

"Lord Linley!" The guard on watch hurried into the courtyard, wearing a peculiar expression. "There's someone outside—someone who wants to see you."

"At this hour? Who?" Linley frowned.

"A young woman." The guard's expression grew even stranger. "She says her name is Delia. She's come all the way from the Yulan Empire."

"Delia?" Linley froze, and the bottle in his hand nearly slipped.

Akes was startled too, his wine bottle stopping just short of his lips. Of course he knew who Delia was. In the original story, she wasn't supposed to appear until the O'Brien Empire, and he hadn't done anything to disrupt the plot. Could the butterfly effect already be changing this world?

"Why has she come?" Linley asked, hardly able to believe it. His voice held a tremor he hadn't even noticed.

"What are you waiting for? Go invite her in!" Akes gave Linley a shove and laughed. "Why are you just standing there? You can't leave the young lady waiting outside!"

Only then did Linley react. He hurried toward the courtyard gate, moving much faster than usual, almost breaking into a run. Watching him hurry away, Akes shook his head with a smile, then turned and went back inside with his bottle.

In the moonlight outside the gate, a slender figure stood quietly. She wore a pale moon-white dress, its hem dusted with a little dirt, clear proof that she'd traveled a long way. Her golden hair stirred gently in the night breeze, a few strands playfully brushing her face. Her lovely features showed the weariness of the journey, and faint shadows lay beneath her eyes, but her gaze was astonishingly bright, as if filled with starlight.

"Delia?" Linley's voice trembled. He could hardly believe what he was seeing.

Delia raised her head and looked at the young man before her, so much more mature and steady than the one she remembered. Ten years had passed. He was taller now, his shoulders broader, the lines of his face more defined, but his eyes were still as deep as ever. Her eyes reddened at once, tears glimmering in the moonlight.

"Linley..." she called softly. Her voice was hoarse with the exhaustion of the long journey, but she couldn't hide her joy. "I finally found you."

Linley hurried toward her, wanting to say something, but his throat tightened and not a word came out. He stood before her, looking at her wind-tousled hair and the tears in her eyes. It felt as if something had struck him hard in the chest.

The last time they'd seen each other had been that night in Wushan Town. After that kiss, she had returned to the Yulan Empire, while he set out on his long road of vengeance. They hadn't seen each other once in ten years. Ten years was enough time for a boy to become a man, and enough time for love to grow richer in the keeping of longing.

"How did you get here?" Linley finally found his voice, though it was lower than usual.

Delia bit her lip and didn't answer. She only gazed at him, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Linley's heart tightened. He stepped closer, wanting to comfort her, but he didn't know what to say. He reached out, then stopped halfway, hesitated, and finally drew his hand back.

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

"The journey from the Yulan Empire to here is a long one. You came all by yourself..." Linley was worried, and his brow furrowed without him realizing it. The trip from the Yulan Empire to Yunfeng Town was several hundred miles at the very least, with beast-haunted woods and bandit-ridden wilderness along the way. He couldn't bear to think of how much hardship a young woman must have endured traveling so far alone.

"I'm all right." Delia shook her head and smiled reassuringly. "I'm already a Level Seven Mage, and I didn't run into any danger along the way."

A Level Seven Mage. A complicated feeling welled up in Linley's heart.

"Let's go inside and talk." He stepped aside. "It's chilly out here."

Delia nodded and followed him into the courtyard. As she passed him, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted into his nose, making his heart beat a little faster.

Akes was considerate enough not to show himself. Even Bebe obediently lay curled up in a corner pretending to sleep, though he kept opening one eye to sneak curious looks at the beautiful young woman who had appeared so suddenly.

In the sitting room, Linley poured Delia a cup of hot tea and sat across from her. The candlelight flickered, casting their shadows on the wall, where they overlapped.

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

"You go first," Linley said.

Delia held her teacup with her head bowed, silent for a long while. It turned slightly in her hands as wisps of steam rose, blurring her face. At last, she spoke, her voice so calm it sounded unnatural. "Linley, do you know why I came?"

Linley shook his head, though he had a vague idea.

"My father wants me to marry His Majesty, Emperor Land." Delia's voice was calm, but her fingers tightened slightly around the teacup.

Linley's hand tightened, his knuckles paling with the pressure.

"The emperor of the Yulan Empire?" he asked, his voice giving nothing away.

"Yes." Delia nodded. "He thinks it would strengthen the family's position. The Ryan Family is a great family in the empire, but we've been declining over the years. If we could form a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family..."

She didn't finish, but Linley understood.

A political marriage—the usual tactic of the great families. Trading a daughter's happiness for the family's gain was all too common in this world. He just hadn't expected it to happen to Delia.

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

Delia lifted her head and looked straight at him, a determination in her eyes he'd never seen before. "What do you think?"

Her gaze was too direct, too fervent. Linley almost couldn't meet it. He lowered his eyes to the dancing candle flame on the table, his thoughts in turmoil.

"I..." He opened his mouth, but didn't know how to answer.

Delia smiled. There was bitterness in it, but also relief. "Ten years ago, I said goodbye to you in Wushan Town. I thought we'd see each other again soon. Who could have guessed that goodbye would last ten years?"

Linley fell silent. Ten years wasn't long, and it wasn't short, but it was enough to change many things.

"For all those ten years, I thought of you every day." Delia's voice was soft.

"So you came here alone?" Linley's voice was hoarse. It felt as if something were lodged in his throat.

"Yes." Delia nodded, the curve of her mouth stubborn. "I told my father I was going to find you. He refused, so I left on my own."

She said it lightly, but Linley could imagine what she'd been through. A Level Seven Mage crossing hundreds of miles of wilderness alone, avoiding magical beasts and bandits, sleeping rough and eating whatever she could—all just to see him. He suddenly remembered the dust on her dress, the weariness in her eyes, and the smile she'd forced to look carefree.

"You..." Linley tried to say something, but his throat felt blocked. A thousand words crowded in his mind, yet not one would come out.

Delia stood and walked over to him, looking down at him. The candlelight behind her crowned her in gold. She took a deep breath, as if gathering every last bit of courage she had. "Linley, I love you. I've loved you since our academy days. I've never changed my mind."

Linley raised his head and met her clear eyes. Something deep inside him stirred. In her gaze he saw hope, nervousness, ten years of longing, and the courage to risk everything.

"I know you have a lot to do right now." Delia's voice trembled, but she remained resolute. "I'm not asking you to make any promises now. I only want you to know that whatever happens, I'll stand by your side. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll go with you."

"Delia..." Linley got to his feet, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn't come. He looked at her cheeks, flushed by the candlelight, and the tears in her eyes, and felt something stirring inside him.

He remembered the girl from his youth, always sitting quietly at the back of the classroom. He remembered the shyness and tenderness hidden in her eyes whenever she glanced his way. He remembered that unexpected kiss under the moonlight on the night in Wushan Town, and the hurried figure disappearing as she left.

So much had happened over the past ten years. His father's death, the Radiant Church's pursuit, his years of hard cultivation in the Magical Beast Mountain Range... Hatred, flight, cultivation, and battle had filled his entire life. He'd thought he no longer cared about love. He'd thought his heart had long since hardened in blood and fire.

But now, looking at the girl who had traveled a thousand miles for him and listening to her speak softly of ten years of longing, he felt a string somewhere deep inside him plucked hard. It had been silent for so long that he'd thought it would never sound again.

"I don't need you to answer me right away." Delia stepped back, her cheeks flushing as if she'd only just realized what she'd said. "I just wanted you to know..."

"Delia." Linley cut her off and reached for her hand.

Her hand was cold and trembling slightly, her fingertips roughened by the long journey. He held it more tightly, hoping to pass some of his warmth to her.

"That night ten years ago, when you kissed me, I was actually startled." Linley's voice was soft, tinged with nostalgia. "After you left, I stood in the courtyard for a long time, looking in the direction you'd gone. I felt so empty inside."

Delia froze, staring at him as tears welled in her eyes.

"Back then, I thought, 'How can this girl be so bold?'" The corners of Linley's mouth lifted slightly, warmth filling his eyes. "Then so much happened—my father's death, the Radiant Church's pursuit, my hard cultivation in the Magical Beast Mountain Range... I barely had time to think about anything else."

"I know you've waited for me for ten years." Linley looked at her, his gaze gentle and firm. "You've endured a lot over the years. From now on, I won't make you wait anymore, and I won't let you suffer."

"Linley..." Delia's tears finally fell. Great drops rolled down her cheeks and past the smile on her lips.

Linley reached out and gently wiped away her tears, his fingers lingering against her cheek for a moment. "After I take care of things with Wharton, would you be willing to become my bride?"

Delia nodded fervently and threw herself into his arms, weeping uncontrollably. Her hands clutched his clothes as if afraid he might disappear at any moment.

Linley held her, feeling the warmth of her in his arms. At last, the empty place in his heart was filled. He lowered his head, rested his chin gently on top of hers, breathed in the 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 and watched for a while, then yawned and tucked his head beneath his tail.

At some point, Akes appeared in the doorway. He watched the two of them embrace, a relieved smile on his face. Then he quietly backed out and closed the door behind him, moving so softly that he didn't make a sound.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice and fell upon them, as if bathing them in silver. The insects in the distance had fallen silent at some point. The whole world grew quiet, leaving only the clear sound of their heartbeats.

After a long while, Delia finally lifted her head from Linley's arms. Her eyes were red, but she was smiling. She looked at Linley and touched his face, as though making sure he was real.

"You left like this. What about your father...?" Linley asked worriedly, his brow furrowing slightly.

"He'll understand." Delia shook her head, her voice still hoarse from crying. She blinked, revealing a rare hint of mischief. "Besides, I'm an adult now. I can't listen to my father for the rest of my life."

Her words made Linley laugh. He reached out and ruffled her hair.

Delia nodded and leaned against his shoulder, then began telling him about the years she'd been away. She talked about training after she returned to the Yulan Empire, meditating each day from before dawn and practicing magic late into the night; about the feuds within her family and the cousins who smiled to her face but secretly hoped she'd never find a husband; and about how she'd persuaded her teacher, Master Longers, to help her look for news of Linley, and how she'd secretly pored over reports sent from all over the empire late at night...

Linley listened quietly, occasionally asking a question, though most of the time he simply watched her. As she spoke, her eyes brightened without her realizing it, and her fingers moved along with her feelings. When she talked about happy things, her eyes crinkled with her smile. When she talked about her grievances, her lips would pout unconsciously.

Outside the window, the moon slowly climbed to its highest point, bathing all of Yunfeng Town in soft silver light. At some point, Delia's voice grew quieter and her eyelids heavier. At last, she fell fast asleep against his shoulder.

Linley didn't move. He only draped a blanket gently over her, then sat quietly, listening to her even breathing.

The night was both long and short.

The next morning, Linley stepped out of the room to find Akes already waiting in the courtyard. He held two brushes and was grooming the horses.

"Congratulations." Akes grinned, his eyes full of teasing. "Looks like you had a good night."

Linley was rarely embarrassed, but now he shot Akes a look. "Cut the nonsense. Get ready to leave."

"Not waiting for Delia?" Akes asked deliberately.

"Let her sleep a little longer." Linley paused, his voice softening without him realizing it. "She traveled a long way. She must be exhausted."

Akes shook his head with a smile and wisely stopped teasing him. He handed Linley a brush and went to check the horses' horseshoes.

It wasn't until the sun was high that Delia came out of her room. She had changed into a pale blue dress, her golden hair falling loosely around her shoulders. She looked radiant, a far cry from the travel-worn young woman of the night before.

"Did you sleep well?" Linley asked as he went to meet her, naturally taking the bundle from her hands.

"Yes." Delia nodded, her cheeks flushing. She didn't dare look at him. "When are we leaving?"

"No rush." Linley led her to a seat. "Let's eat first. We'll leave afterward."

Breakfast had already been laid out: steaming porridge, a few side dishes, and freshly baked bread. Looking at the food, Delia's eyes grew damp again, but she held back her tears and sat beside him to eat.

After breakfast, the group got ready to depart. The five Barker brothers stayed behind in Yunfeng Town, while Linley, Akes, Bebe, and Delia headed north to the Imperial Capital.

Before they left, Sessler pulled Linley aside and lowered his voice. "Linley, the Radiant Church took a heavy loss this time. They won't let it go. Be careful on the road."

"I know." Linley nodded, his expression turning serious. "I'm counting on you to look after things here."

"Don't worry." Sessler smiled and patted Linley on the shoulder. "I haven't broken through to the Saint-level, but I can still protect myself. You're the one who needs to be careful not to act rashly once you get to the Imperial Capital."

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

Delia rode a white horse beside Linley. The morning breeze lifted her hair, revealing her fair face. Sunlight danced in her golden locks like scattered gold dust.

"Let's go." Linley squeezed his horse's flanks, and it surged forward.

Delia followed close behind, the horses' hooves kicking up a trail of dust. She glanced back at Yunfeng Town, then turned to look at Linley riding ahead. A smile crept onto her lips.

Akes and Bebe followed behind. Watching the two ride side by side, they smiled. Bebe lay across Akes's shoulder and muttered something. Akes burst out laughing when he heard it.

Sunlight fell on all four of them, stretching their shadows long behind them.