Chapter 90

She was also carrying a pile of textbooks (mostly literature assignments and supplementary books, also bought from the secondhand market).

The entire outfit cost less than 400 Lungmen Coins.

Well, the end result is that, to anyone who looks at her, she seems like a country bumpkin from some remote corner of the country.

Great! That's it!

As expected of me! My disguise is flawless! And it saves money too!

This is the wisdom of adults!

"Shark, this outfit looks expensive."

Skadi came out of the locker room, holding up the tag and saying...

However, Laurentina simply flicked the mysterious little card in her hand.

"Don't worry, I've checked. Aegir's account hasn't gone bankrupt yet; it's just clothing expenses. Zuo Jian also said..."

This is a necessary expense, we can't cut corners!

"... oh."

After Skadi finished speaking, she glanced at the price tag again.

400...

Victorian currency

Around 4000 Lungmen Coins.

Chapter 47, Laurentina's Greatest Crisis Ever!

What are they doing?

Skadi walked down the street wearing a brand new coat and a red scarf around her neck.

Although she didn't actually need anything to keep warm, Laurentina insisted on buying one for her to wear.

"Is it New Year's? Every country has its own New Year's calendar, and it seems we've just arrived a few days before Victoria is preparing to welcome the New Year."

Laurentina leaned closer and explained to Skadi.

Yes, a lot of the information in the guidebook that Zuo Jian picked up is still quite useful.

At least it will help her understand some of the current customs and traditions.

"New Year...?"

[The New Year... I really miss it.]

Zuo Jian peeked out and looked at the scenes that people were setting up on the surrounding streets, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Zuo Jian, haven't you celebrated a holiday like this in a long time?"

Laurentina looked down, staring at Zuo Jian with some curiosity.

Even they, as Abyssal Hunters, are granted a short vacation during such special times.

Normally, she would spend this time with the captain and other team members. For the Aegir, such companions and comrades-in-arms are more like family.

Thinking of this, she turned to look at Skadi, who, upon hearing the words "New Year," also showed a hint of nostalgia.

"By the way, Orca, how did Ulpian manage to spend your New Year's holiday with your three teams?"

Laurentina turned and asked.

However, after only a moment's thought, he answered.

"No training required for the New Year."

That's it?

"... not at all during the entire vacation."

"?"

Skadi answered Laurentina with a serious look in her eyes, while also showing a hint of nostalgia.

... Does she really think there's nothing wrong with this?!

[I'm usually the one who stays at the company to work overtime. Everyone else needs to go home to be with their families, but someone always has to stay and finish the work.]

Zuo Jian pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"Huh? Why? It's only a yearly holiday, how can those guys just leave all this work to you all by themselves?"

Upon hearing the other party's reply, Laurentina suddenly felt a surge of displeasure.

[Well, don't be angry. I understand. After all, everyone has family to spend time with. Children long for their fathers to come home while they're away, and mothers long for their children to return home after wandering.]

"... And what about you?"

Skadi, after hearing what Zuo Jian said, suddenly interjected.

Even after she lost her family, she had her captain by her side.

The rare rest during the holiday was one of the few heartwarming moments in all her memories.

She... couldn't imagine what that feeling of loneliness was like.

For Skadi, simply setting foot on this unfamiliar land alone was enough to make her feel somewhat tormented.

But the other party...

Unfortunately, there's no one at home waiting for me to return.

However, Zuo Jian seemed completely unconcerned, calmly explaining his reasons.

[However, at least I can still let those junior colleagues who spend all their time working overtime with me go home and have a good New Year.]

Skadi looked with some surprise at the eyes hidden in the blue brooch on Laurentina's chest—eyes that were sincere and gentle, as if they were happy about something.

"I'm sorry... I..."

[No need to apologize, it's not as bad as you think. Every year around this time, everyone leaves a bunch of gifts for me, so sometimes I still can't finish the food from two years ago.]

[Furthermore, several considerate younger relatives offered to take me back to their hometowns to celebrate the New Year together...]

Wait a minute... it's true I didn't agree, but... who said that to me before...?

I can't remember.

Anyway, those are all things of the past, there's no need to bring them up again.

He changed the subject.

"It's alright. If you don't mind, Shark and I can probably spend the New Year with you too."

Skadi looked up and spoke earnestly to Zuo Jian.

[Really? Thank you so much! But aren't you still looking for the other team members?]

"Victoria usually has a holiday for the New Year, so if we need to go to Londinium to collect and disseminate information... we'll most likely have to wait until the employees there return from their holidays."

At this moment, Laurentina had been silent until now, spoke up.

[Oh, right, I almost forgot that there should be a holiday for Chinese New Year.]

[Laurentina, you've been so quiet just now, were you thinking about something?]

Zuo Jian noticed that Laurentina had been keeping her head down and silent, as if she was thinking about something.

Generally speaking, when you hear Scar...

When Tiffany preemptively said she wanted to spend the New Year with him, Laurentina should have reacted at least a little.

"... Zuo Jian, it's New Year's, so... do you remember how we planned to go to Londinium?"

Laurentina looked down at the Sapphire on her chest, then glanced at Skadi behind her.

[Victoria has steam trains that go directly to all districts -- wait... steam trains... trains... holidays... not running?!!]

"... Could you fly over various cities with Orca all the way to Londinium?"

[It's impossible. A non-human state isn't easy to control, especially a flying form. Generally, the smaller the size, the easier it is to control, like a seagull. If we were to increase our size, it would be manageable for us alone, but we'd have to take Skadi with us...]

Do you know when steam trains usually stop running?

"I don't know... but the shop assistant said they have statutory holidays... and today is their last day of work."

"Those public facilities on that train..."

Laurentina was startled, then immediately grabbed Skadi and ran in an unfamiliar direction!

"Hey, Shark, this isn't the way back to the hotel..."

"Don't go back to the hotel! Damn it, we completely forgot about this!! Run, Orca! If you don't want to be eating sand with us for the next few days while we're traveling!"

"Our things are still in that hotel..."

"Zuo Jian!!!"

[You go to the station first, I'll be right back.]

With Laurentina's low growl, the Zuo Jian immediately turned into a thin line of blood at her feet, before quickly separating.

Then, in a secluded corner of the street, a figure exactly like Laurentina ran out and headed straight for the hotel where they had been staying.

"Shark, why are you in such a hurry?"

"If we miss the train, the time it takes to reach Londinium will be wasted on our journey!"

"By the time we arrive, the newspapers and radio stations there will probably be back in operation!"

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

Skadi tilted her head, not immediately understanding why Laurentina was in such a hurry.

"Have you forgotten what you just said?"

"I just..."

"Skadi, I have something to tell you."

Laurentina turned her head to look at Skadi and spoke with utmost seriousness, word by word.

"I want to spend the New Year with Zuo Jian."

"!! Oh right, if we're late..."

"Zuo Jian definitely won't want to waste time in this city. He'll only want to help us find the other team members quickly, so he'll definitely spend his time traveling instead of staying put and enjoying the holiday!"

"Shark... you know him very well?"

"... He understands people better than anyone else... and sometimes he's incredibly naive about certain things."

"I have never seen anyone like him before--"

Skadi has traveled to many parts of Terra these past few days and has naturally met many people.

But a guy like Zuo Jian... has never existed before.

"He actually understands just how complex human nature is better than anyone else."

Laurentina reminisced...

Zuo Jian was never a hesitant person; whenever he needed to kill, he gave off a cold, icy aura...

But...

"Even so, he still chose to extend as much kindness as possible to those in need... even if they might not be grateful... Honestly, how stupid."

Although Laurentina said that, the slight smile on her face was still reflected in Skadi's pupils.

"... I see."

"And after hearing his story about the past... I absolutely have to be there for him in this situation!"

Her eyes were resolute as she pulled Skadi along and ran wildly.