The road paved with bluestone bricks has been around for some years, and there are pits and puddles of water after it rains.
A somewhat stout businessman wearing a brown coat walked in front to guide Sylutia. He looked to be in his fifties, his fingers were a little thick, but his skin was still rosy.
"That's the room in front. My daughter Hedra lives there."
Sylutia and Aelofis followed him through the streets and alleys, and then walked into the somewhat short wooden door.
The room was a little dark and the walls were a little damp. After Sylutia entered, he heard a slight cough. Then the man opened the inner door of the bedroom and saw the black-haired girl lying on the hospital bed.
She was about 19 years old, and her face was slightly pale. She was covering her mouth with a handkerchief, her chest was heaving and shaking, and the outline of her bones could be vaguely seen under her thin clothes.
Seeing her father bringing the two of them over, she looked slightly surprised, then lowered her head, pressed the quilt with both hands, and remained silent.
In response, the man looked ashamed, went up to pour some hot water for her, and then asked about today's situation.
"Let's go." The other party only said these three words, as if he didn't have the strength or willingness to say more.
Seeing this, the man could only pat her shoulder gently and walked out with Sylutia and Aelofis.
"Sorry, I made you laugh." After coming out, he took a deep breath, then shook his head and said.
"Hedra is indeed my daughter, but we have only known each other for a few months."
"When talking about her life experience, I'm afraid I have to talk about the ridiculous things I did when I was young."
"About forty years ago, I was born in a village not far from here. Later, when I was about 17 years old, I followed an acquaintance from the village and came to this small town to find a job. That's when I met Hedra's mother."
"She is the daughter of a tailor in the town. She is very beautiful and wears good clothes made at home. She is the most popular girl in the town."
"I was just a helper in the tavern. I loaded and unloaded goods every day. It was very tiring and the money I earned was just enough to live on."
"After the work is done, a few helpers will get together and drink some sour wine from the tavern to pass the time."
"At that time, everyone would discuss which girl was the prettiest. Of course, the one mentioned the most was Vanessa, the mother of Hedra."
"Vanessa is the daughter of a tailor. She has had nothing to worry about since she was a child, her fingers are not as rough and calloused as other girls, and she has long black hair."
"I was ignorantly in love with her at that time, just like many young guys at that time, but I didn't think anything would happen between me and Vanessa because the gap in our status was too big."
"But accidents always happen. One night, when I was about to go back after finishing my work, I heard a cry of struggle coming from the alley, so I walked over out of curiosity."
"Then I saw a dark, strong man grabbing Vanessa, covering her mouth and preparing to commit violence."
"At that time, I was so excited that I rushed forward and hit the man's head with a stone, causing it to bleed."
"Soon, the man died, and Vanessa was also stunned."
"Fortunately, she reacted later and took me to find her father. With her father's help, the matter finally went smoothly. The security team announced that the man fell to death after being drunk."
"Because of this incident, Vanessa and I got to know each other, and our relationship developed rapidly. Unfortunately, her father looked down on me at that time and felt that Vanessa should marry into a better family."
"I quarreled with her father several times over this matter, and then I couldn't stand his father's ridicule. I also felt that I really didn't have the ability, so I left this town frustrated."
"Things became relatively simple after that. I went to many places to find work and make money. Later, I was lucky enough to meet my future lover, get married and have children. I also started a good business and earned some family property."
"In this way, until a year ago, I occasionally returned to this small town to see those people in the past. I found out that Vanessa was actually pregnant with my child. Unfortunately, I didn't know it. For this reason, she was beaten and scolded by her father, and her reputation was ruined. She never got married, and later took care of her daughter alone."
"After learning the news, I regretted it so much. I wished I could come back a few years earlier, but I still came late. Vanessa passed away two years ago, leaving Hedra alone."
"I found her and told myself that I was her father and would do my best to take care of her, but Hedra obviously has no feelings for me, a neglectful father, and was unwilling."
"She is as stubborn and strong as her mother."
"However, she contracted lung disease due to years of lack of nutrition and poor living environment. After I went to the doctor to see her, he said it was already too late. Even if I use expensive medicine, it will only extend her life and cannot be cured." He shook his head and sighed.
"After that, I looked around for a solution, and also asked some pharmacists and doctors in the guild. They said that it takes a targeted medicine of level 3 or above to cure the disease. I really couldn't find a way to buy it, so I could only post it in the bounty announcement, hoping someone could help me."
After listening to his story, Sylutia also roughly understood the whole story.
For the Woodland organization, third-level medical medicines are easily obtainable, but for ordinary people at the Surface Continent, they are life-saving medicines that cannot be bought even if they have money.
In the following time, Aelofis first comforted the other person, and then discussed the following matters with the man in detail. With Bard's superb communication skills, Aelofis easily persuaded him to complete the following matters according to his requirements.
"We will help you treat Hedra, and we will also find her a very safe and stable place to receive education and live in the future."
"However, as a price, the name Hedra will be temporarily lent to other people in the organization for use. I hope you can understand."
For a man who had already seen Aelofis's extraordinary ability, he had no room for doubt or rejection and quickly agreed. Seeing this, Aelofis nodded with a smile.
"Then the next step is to appease the girl in the room. Let me do this."
The three of them entered the door again, but this time Aelofis was in front. He told Hedra a lot in front of the hospital bed, telling her the whole story of that year, her father's fault, her mother's regret, his future life, etc. He also used magic to show the black-haired girl flying fireflies. They emitted different halos, flew around the room, shuttled back and forth, and formed various interesting patterns, successfully making the girl laugh.
"Want to learn, do you want to see that magical other world? I will take you there." Aelofis's voice was delicate and soft, which made the girl immersed in it, and then nodded smoothly.
After completing the comfort, the three people temporarily settled in this small town.
"Tia, you will take care of Hedra in the next few days. Talk to her more, she is also a kind-hearted girl."
"Okay." The girl nodded in agreement.
"During this period, you should try your best to remember the environment and various details of this small town. In the future, you will take the identity of Hedra and go to the Mage Alliance."
"I understand."
In the next month, Sylutia accompanied Hedra to every place in this small town. The two chatted about their past and their favorite things. Hedra told Sylutia about everyone she knew here and the big and small things that had happened.
"The person I usually have the best relationship with is Jenny from the Aimo family. She has golden curly hair and likes to eat fish. We once learned arithmetic together."
"But now she and her parents have moved to the nearby Pine Lake City, where the environment is better. She only comes back once a month or two to see me."
"The relationship between other people and me is relatively distant. If Tia lives as me, it would be normal for them not to recognize him after a few years. But Jenny and I are so familiar that I probably can't hide it from her." Hedra has gradually learned about the future arrangements.
"I will pay attention." Sylutia nodded.
However, Hedra is indeed a very smart girl. She was worried that this flaw would affect Sylutia's future mission, so she told the girl another secret.
"If one day you meet Jenny and she wants to expose you, if you tell her this secret, she will believe you and keep it a secret for you."
Slowly, with the help of Sylutia, Hedra took medicines specially designed to treat lung diseases, and his body gradually improved, and his complexion gradually returned to a normal rosy look. His body shape, which was thin and boneless before, is now much healthier, and he can run and jump a little.
Seeing that the time was right, a carriage took Hedra away. She would follow Aelofis to live in the Woodland, while Sylutia would follow the businessman to the city "Quebes" in the north of Meteor Lake.
A few days later, the ship passed through the undulating Meteor Lake sea and arrived at the port on the shore.
With the support and guidance of the businessman, Sylutia slowly walked off the ship wearing a black off-shoulder summer dress and a wide-brimmed sun hat.
There are seagulls around here, the pier is very lively, and there are people everywhere. The girl's nose can smell the obvious smell of fish and the moist smell of sea water.
"This is Quebes, Hedra." The businessman looked up at the blue sky, then turned around to greet Sylutia.
"Yes, uncle." Her first external identity is that of the businessman's distant niece. Because both her parents died, she was raised and cared for by her uncle Alanfude·Griffin, who lives in Quebes where she lives.
After arriving at Quebes, a carriage came to pick them up soon.
After sitting in the carriage, Sylutia looked around with a little curiosity. Judging from the sophistication of the carriage, the "uncle" in front of him must be quite rich.
Thinking about it, if you don't have enough money, you probably won't be able to send your "niece" to the Mage Alliance to study.
"Quebes" is Merchant City Union's large commercial port located on the northwest coast of Meteor Lake. Many ships come and go here, and Quebes is not far from the area ruled by the Mage Alliance. It is the edge of the sphere of influence controlled by the Woodland.
In addition, it needs to be added that "Merchant City Union" is a large force composed of many ports and cities along the coast of Meteor Lake. Their strength is probably equal to that of the kingdom and they have a lot of wealth. Meteor Lake is a lake in name but is actually the inland sea in the southeast corner of the Fourth Continent. It is also the second largest internal sea on the continent. The first is "Ice Sea" in the north.
The carriage passed through the bustling market, and Sylutia looked through the curtains at the scenery outside.
The level of prosperity here is no less than that of White Cliff City, and is even more vibrant. The decoration style of the street shops and buildings is also very different from Regas.
White Cliff City As Regas, Royal Capital has the light seriousness of Royal Authority, and is located in a colder location, with many architectural tones. Mainly "white, blue, and gray", Quebes is a seaside city. The building tiles are mostly orange, and the stone walls also have a touch of sea salt pink. The color is soft and warm, and it is particularly comfortable when paired with the blue sea water and sky.
A few minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a large mansion. Soon the black wrought iron gate slowly opened. The carriage continued inside and stopped at the main entrance of the mansion.
The housekeeper in the mansion came with several servants to greet him. Alanfude got out of the car first, and then supported Sylutia and walked out slowly.
This black-haired girl immediately attracted the attention of the servants present. Faced with her beautiful appearance and delicate temperament, the people present could not help but look at her several times and become a little distracted.
"Ahem..." The butler had to cough to remind everyone, and then the welcoming ceremony continued.
"Master, you are back." He put his hand on his shoulder and bent down to salute.
"Yes, I'm back." Alanfude looked at the mansion where he had been away for nearly a year, with many emotions.
"Hedra, this will be your home from now on." He turned around and told Sylutia, with the same expression he had on the sickly girl before. He was probably thinking of his daughter who had been missing for many years.
"Yes, Uncle Alanfude." Sylutia bowed and returned the greeting with complete etiquette.
Sylutia followed Alanfude into the front hall of the mansion. Not long after she sat down, she heard the sound of angry high-heeled footsteps.
A lady wearing a gold silk dress came quickly to the hall. Her eyes first looked at Alanfude, and then quickly turned to Sylutia.
After looking at Sylutia's appearance and clothes, she frowned at first, and then looked back at Alanfude with a bit of resentment, as if she was questioning him, but after all, there were guests present, so she still refrained from getting angry immediately.
"Haye, this is my niece, Hedra. Her family suffered a change and her relatives died, so I took her over and will live with us from now on." In order to prevent Sylutia's identity from being leaked, Alanfude had to lie to his wife.
"Really?" the other party questioned, but finally endured it.
After probably a few seconds of mental preparation, the lady walked towards Sylutia with a smile, welcoming her arrival.
"Is she Hedra's niece? I really feel sympathy and regret after hearing your news, but don't worry, you can live here with peace of mind from now on, our home will also be your home." Although she complained about her husband and thought that Hedra's identity was very problematic, she still did not get angry with this girl.
At night, the family gathered together for dinner. Alanfude was sitting at the top. On the left was his eldest son Ecol, on the right was his wife Haye, then the second on the left was his daughter Eliel, and the second on the right was Hedra (Sylutia).
"Hedra, this is your cousin, Eliel." Sitting opposite the girl is a tall girl with big golden waves. She is the eldest daughter of Alanfude and Haye.
"Hello." Eliel greeted with a cold expression, as if he didn't welcome this girl.
"In addition, the person sitting next to me is your cousin, Ecol." This young man looks similar to Eliel, but his expression is not so cold and slightly softer.
"Hello, Hedra."
"Finally, there is my wife, you can call her aunt, or Haye aunt."
"Aunt Haye." The girl nodded slightly to the lady beside her.
"As for the situation of Hedra, I have told you that she encountered some misfortunes, but fortunately she came to us, Eliel, Ecol, you can take more care of this sister in the future."
"I understand, Father." The two siblings nodded.
In this way, a little unfamiliar and ordinary, Sylutia spent the first night in this new family calmly.