Have We Met?

"Age..."

Looking at the specially polished lacquered gourd that had landed in her hands, the girl pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time.

This gourd isn't very big, but the craftsmanship on it is clearly quite sophisticated.

However, in an area no bigger than two palms, exquisitely carved patterns are depicted.

Its surface is finished with gold and silver inlay, making it look exceptionally gorgeous.

Zuo Zheng also realized that this might be the last gift he would give himself at the age of 30...

Upon seeing Maria and Sui's calm expressions, she suddenly realized something.

"You... knew all along?"

Will this day ever come for Maria and the New Year?

"Certainly."

He raised an eyebrow.

"But you, are you only realizing it now?"

"..."

"Don't make that face, you're making me sad."

The girl smiled, her eyes narrowed.

Zuo Zheng, however, remained speechless, his expression complex.

Her throat moved slightly, as if trying to utter a sound.

But...

She soon discovered that she couldn't do it.

All sorts of things happen in this world every moment.

There are some things she has the ability to change, but those are minor matters.

But there are some things that she is powerless to change.

That's the general trend...

Everyone encounters both small and major events in their lives.

For Zuo Zheng, who has already entered the core circle of Yan, as long as she is in Yan, there really aren't many things that can be considered major events for her.

But...

Unfortunately, the current situation falls into this category.

"I... I'll talk to them..."

Zuo Zheng pursed his lips.

Her lips trembled slightly as she made a final attempt to resist.

She looked at the two people in front of her with expectant eyes, trying to get the final answer from them.

But unfortunately...

Both Maria and the young woman simply shook their heads slightly.

"Alright, it's time for us to go."

Sui got up with a whoosh and went to the girl.

Looking at the little girl in front of her, who was almost thirty but on the verge of tears, she smiled and gave her a hug.

Maria slowly rose at that moment.

Are you sure you want to stay here?

She looked at the young man in front of her and asked the question once again.

This was a very rare occurrence in Maria's life.

She rarely asks the same question to the same person repeatedly.

This is enough to show how much she values age.

But...

"I've made my decision... This is what I want."

He squinted, but the smile on his face never changed.

Just like when we met ten years ago.

"In that case, I understand."

Maria took a deep breath.

She gently stepped forward and cupped the girl's face in her hands.

Then.

He gently kissed her forehead.

May you find the peaceful sleep you desire...

Ancient words slowly escaped her lips, which startled Sui for a moment.

Then, her face slightly flushed, she took a half-step back and shyly covered her head.

"..."

She stared at Maria in astonishment, seemingly never expecting the two of them to do such a thing.

Maria didn't say much, but simply nodded slightly to the girl, turned around, and left with Zuo Zheng.

"Goodbye."

Under the moonlight, Maria's silhouette gradually blurred.

"Goodbye."

After a brief moment of panic, Sui also noticed Maria's departure.

After watching the increasingly blurry figure, she shook her head and smiled.

"Still no chance to fight?"

She took another deep breath and turned her head.

In the darkness in the distance, something strange seemed to be moving.

But Sui just smiled.

"Just so you know, I've never revealed my true form before..."

Come on, you fools.

"Let's see how much of my skills you've learned!"

She spoke, and flames surged around her!

Maria followed Zuo Zheng and soon arrived at the palace.

Maria could clearly sense the vigilance around her.

But she said nothing, and simply went to see the man in silence.

Over time, the man aged considerably.

He could no longer see the spirited and carefree self he once was... In just ten short years, it felt as if he had lived half his life...

His muscles were slightly sunken, and his body was not as good as it used to be.

But what remained unchanged was the flame still flickering in his eyes.

Upon seeing Maria arrive, he let out a soft sigh of relief.

Now that things have come to this, there's no need for anyone to hide anything anymore.

"If you leave now, I won't do anything."

The man spoke, his calm tone tinged with indifference and harshness.

He does not deny that both Maria and the 12th century were major contributors to humanity's ability to defeat Great Beast.

But for this very reason, he absolutely could not allow these Great Beasts in human skin to remain in this country.

Their mission is complete...

The only way I could repay them was by not harming them and letting them leave.

He knew these two men would not submit to him.

So he didn't expect much else, but turned around, pulled out an envelope that was clearly different from the style of Yan, and placed it on the table.

"From a personal perspective, I am truly grateful to you all... Without you, it might have taken me decades, even generations, to achieve all of this... and it might not have gone so smoothly..."

"This envelope contains a handwritten letter from a nobleman in Gaul. I had a long-standing friendship with him when I was young, and I even used the technology you provided to make a deal with him."

"Once you arrive, you will be granted titles and your own lands... There, you will be free from restrictions..."

The man spoke, which was his way of expressing his final act of goodwill.

Maria and the others did a lot. Even he, who was never friendly to Great Beast, was sincerely grateful to the two Great Beasts who were willing to stand on the side of humanity.

But this is just a token of gratitude.

As the emperor of Yan, he would not make any special exceptions for these two inhuman beings simply because of his gratitude.

Yan... is ultimately Yan ruled by humans...

Maria glanced at the envelope and then silently placed it on the table.

"No need..."

"..."

"I will leave here... my time is almost up."

Maria spoke softly, her gaze calm.

"If you are truly grateful... then do something for me."

322

Chapter 322 Have We Met Before?

Maria left in the end.

She didn't know how Yan would evaluate her after she left.

She doesn't care about these opinions.

She had already stayed in this place for far too long this time.

Whether it was the decades spent watching Sui forge weapons, or the more than ten years that Yan spent counterattacking the Great Beast, this stay was a long experience compared to the past.

It's time for her to go back home...

And inside that Hunter's Cabin with its cool, dark colors.

"Welcome back, kind Hunter."

The Doll stood quietly beside Maria's chair, her hands clasped over her chest, her tone calm.

The fireplace beside them was still swaying slightly.

The cool light shone on half of Maria's body.

How are you feeling?

"It was like having a long dream."

Maria got up and looked at herself.

At this moment, she was still wearing that set of black armor.