The moment the black Nether River appeared, all the Horned King Whales stopped moving, their expressions turning startled and uncertain.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yuan went over to Lilia.
At the sight of Lin Yuan, the doll girl first brightened, then pouted:
"Bad captain! You were lying there without moving just now. I thought they'd stabbed you to death!"
"Sorry, something unexpected happened." Lin Yuan stroked Lilia's head, his tone sincere. "I really owe you this time. If you hadn't stepped up at the crucial moment, I probably really would have been stabbed to death."
Lilia's way of speaking usually begged for a beating, but she was genuinely loyal to Lin Yuan and never harbored any ill intentions.
Although she had initially only come in response to the Mysterious Little Box's summons, and her bond with Lin Yuan had only come about because she had signed that Fate Contract without really understanding what was happening.
After everything they had been through, however, Lin Yuan had begun to feel truly grateful to have a crewmate like Lilia.
Without Lilia, there would have been many times when he could not have taken a single step forward.
Conversely, without him, Lin Yuan, Lilia would not actually have had much trouble, since she could revive endlessly.
Come to think of it, I've never asked whether there's anything Lilia wants, or anything she wants to accomplish. I'll ask her when I get the chance.
While Lin Yuan was reflecting on this, the doll girl reverted to her old ways:
"Ugh, having a noob captain really is such a worry. Captain, when are you going to become the strongest in the world?"
"...Lilia, at a time like this, you'd be better off keeping your mouth shut."
Although the two still had time to chat and