When Luo Ge woke up, he had a dream.
In my dream, it was Zenith.
In his home in Buena Village, sunlight streamed obliquely through the window as he and Paul practiced swordsmanship in the yard.
The crisp sound of wooden swords clashing together.
Paul's gruff laughter, and the occasional breeze—everything was so clear.
Zenith sat on the veranda, watering the flowers and plants she had planted.
She didn't speak, but her gaze kept drifting towards the direction where the father and son were practicing, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.
It exudes a feeling of pure happiness.
Luo Ge had never noticed before.
But in the dream... he saw everything clearly from Zenith's perspective.
The scene is very heartwarming.
This didn't last long; things quickly took a sharp turn for the worse.
The sunlight disappeared.
The scene became dark, damp, and cold.
In a dark and gloomy place, Zenith was curled up, her eyes closed, fast asleep.
Her face was pale, her lips were cracked, and she was surrounded by endless darkness and cold crystal walls.
Luo Ge wanted to get closer, he kept running... trying to reach out and pull her back.
But Luo Ge's hand could never reach that direction; he was always just a little short.
Suddenly.
He woke up with a start.
Luo Ge sat on the bed, his chest rising and falling slightly. He raised his hand to wipe his face, still shaken.
Was it a dream?
But why would he have such a strange dream? And where exactly was that place in his dream where Zenith was...?
That real feeling weighed on his heart, lingering and making him inexplicably uneasy.
Luo Ge looked down at his hands and clenched his fist.
Although he was genuinely happy during his time in Millis.
Here you'll find Paul, Lilia, and two adorable little sisters Aisha and Norn.
Having family by his side was a warmth he hadn't experienced since he was five years old.
He liked it very much and wanted to stay.
But when Luo Ge recalled the moment in his dream when Zenith was in danger, his heart skipped a beat.
Is this the kind of life he truly wants?
No!
Absolutely not.
Luo Ge knew he couldn't stay here any longer; here, though he felt warmth and comfort from his family.
But without Zenith, this family would never be complete, and would never be truly happy.
therefore.
He had to do something.
Following the advice of the Hitogami, he went to the Demon Continent, where he could find the legendary Demon Emperor who possessed twelve demonic eyes, capable of seeing everything in the world, and who had once dyed the entire continent's sky purple.
Kishirika.
They got the information about Zenith's whereabouts from her.
Speaking of which, the Demon Continent is actually a very remote place, a place where demons live.
From a young age, Roxy had told him about the Demon Continent, where the demons were powerful, the country was poor and backward, and food was scarce.
Even when Teacher Roxy was a child, she went hungry for two meals every three days and was as thin as a bamboo pole.
Despite the dangers of the Demon Continent, the journey requires crossing oceans and is long, and it is very likely that it will be a wasted trip.
But Luo Ge did not waver in the slightest. His conviction was stronger than ever.
He has made up his mind.
We must bring Zenith back.
In the room of the Adventurers' Guild Inn, the family sat neatly around the dining table, and Nanahoshi, as always, chose to listen in.
As the candlelight flickered, Paul sat in the main seat, flanked by Luo Ge and Lilia, Aisha and Norn on his left and right.
As for the Nanahoshi, they remained standing in the corner without showing any intention of joining in.
The room was completely silent.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat somber, and no one took the initiative to speak.
Time passed slowly, and the room became so quiet that only the sound of Paul's fingers gently tapping on the table could be heard.
one time.
one time.
Another one.
Finally, Paul spoke.
"So, you intend to travel to the Demon Continent alone... to find your mother?"
"Yes, Father."
Luo Ge's voice was steady; he wasn't just speaking to Paul, but to everyone present.
To Luo Ge's slight surprise, Paul didn't hesitate for long before agreeing.
"Okay, I have no objection."
"Yeah?"
Luo Ge raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I thought you'd jump in like you always do, to stop me, like... let me defeat you."
"Huh?"
Paul pointed to himself, giving a wry smile, "Me, fight the Sword King? Really... really can I win?"
"Uh, it seems not."
That's more like it.
Paul shrugged, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice, "Well, Luo Ge, I don't want to stand up for you and then get beaten up by you. That's not a pleasant feeling at all."
"Don't feel so wronged. You should actually be more proud of your son's abilities."
"That's true."
Paul took a deep breath, having adjusted his mindset, and suddenly stood up, walked up to Luo Ge, and said earnestly.
" Luo Ge..."
"I'm so proud of you for going to such lengths to find your family and your mother."
He paused, then his voice suddenly turned self-deprecating. "Back then, I failed to reach this level, which is why I have so many regrets. If only I had been as good as you back then."
"That way your grandmother wouldn't have died. I'm really grateful that you took the initiative to look for Zenith."
"As the head of the family, these are my responsibilities, yet you're being forced to shoulder so much alone."
"I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry..."
As he spoke, his voice began to choke, and then his eyes suddenly reddened.
suddenly.
He knelt down slightly in front of Luo Ge and reached out to hug him.
"Ugh... I'm such a useless father."
Seeing Paul crying like a child, she took the initiative to vent her inner emotions.
Luo Ge didn't say much.
Instead, he took the initiative to put his hand on Paul's back and pat him on the back. Although he didn't say anything, it felt kind of cool.
But to see someone injured and not offer comfort is clearly not in Luo Ge's style.
So Luo Ge comforted Paul.
"Yes, Father is indeed very useless. He only knows how to run away from problems. He's an incompetent good-for-nothing."
"..."
Paul's body stiffened; those words weren't just a little hurtful, they were incredibly hurtful.
However, the next second, Luo Ge suddenly changed his tone, his voice becoming serious. "But it's okay."
"What the father cannot do, the son will do; what the father cannot accomplish, the son will accomplish."
Please believe me.
He put his hand on Paul's shoulder, pulled away slightly, looked into his eyes, and said, word by word, "Leave everything to me."
Although Luo Ge was only eleven years old, the tone of his voice carried an undeniable authority.
Paul stared at him blankly, suddenly realizing that this child had gone far, far away from the little boy he remembered.
It was so far that even he, as the father, could hardly keep up.
Paul released Luo Ge, laughing and scolding, "Hmm... what a brat! Becoming Sword King at such a young age, truly remarkable."
"Yes."
"I'm already Sword King, while someone else Advanced Swordsman."
Luo Ge nodded, his expression calm. "... By the way, surely no one can practice swordsmanship for over twenty years and still not become Sword King?"
Paul: "..."
Although no names were specifically mentioned, Paul strongly suspected that the words were a veiled reference to himself.
He was immediately at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.
That guy Luo Ge is always like that; during any heartwarming moment, he always says something irrelevant yet incredibly hurtful.
Although it made Paul feel terrible, he didn't seem to dislike the feeling.
Gradually, Paul completely released Luo Ge.
He suddenly had a strange feeling.
When Luo Ge and Rudeus were born, he always wanted to protect his children from the wind and rain and let them grow up happily.
But I don't know when it started?
The person Paul relied on was never his father, but his two children became Paul greatest support.
So,
He's not even thirty years old yet, which is the prime of a man's life. While most men have sons who live off their parents, in his case, it's all the other way around.
But this is a son I gave birth to myself, through my own abilities.
Paul's lips curled into a smile, then he suddenly looked at Luo Ge and asked a question that everyone was concerned about.
"Since the decision has already been made, Luo Ge..."
When do you and Miss Nanahoshi plan to depart?
Tomorrow morning.
These words were spoken.
Paul was stunned.
Lilia also raised her head.
Luo Ge looked around at everyone, his gaze sweeping over each face. "I know what you're thinking, you seem to be in a hurry, right? But... every day we delay is another day wasted."
" Zenith would be in greater danger then, and I don't want to miss out on too much and have regrets in my life."
" Luo Ge, I understand."
Paul, who had been through all of this, showed unprecedented compassion at this moment.
Paul understands this all too well.
Back then, he wasted his time and lost his loving mother forever. One reason he left that family was because he had a big fight with his father and didn't want to be controlled by his family.
But in reality...
Paul's real reason is that he can't forgive himself for the mistakes he made in the past.
Paul's satisfied gaze fell on Luo Ge; he couldn't be more pleased.
Luo Ge's excellence forced Paul to acknowledge a fact.
If all of this were left to Luo Ge, he would certainly do a better job than his father.
"You've grown up and are capable of making decisions for your own life. All Dad can do is support you."
"You must live..."
"Hey, old Deng! You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth."
Luo Ge interrupted him with a punch, "I'm just going out to find someone, not to challenge the Demon King. What danger could I possibly encounter?"
"Oh, right."
"Have you forgotten that I am now the Sword King? As long as I don't encounter the Demon King, how many people in the world can be my match?"
Paul paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, I was confused. I take back what I said earlier; my son is the Sword King."
Luo Ge gave Paul a disapproving look, then turned to look at Norn, who was standing to the side.
These past few days, Aisha has been constantly pestering him, but he hasn't had a proper chat with his other sister, who is closer to him by blood.
When Luo Ge looked at her, Norn's reaction wasn't as enthusiastic as Aisha's; instead, she would be quite timid.
She really wanted to get closer.
But because of her shy and timid nature, she was hesitant and awkward.
Seeing this, Paul reached out and patted Norn's head, signaling her to tell the truth, "Brother is leaving soon."
" Norn, say goodbye to your brother properly."
Encouraged by his father, Norn finally mustered the courage to step forward, looking up at Luo Ge with his little face. "Brother... are you going to find Mom?"
"Mmm."
"Brother promises you, he will definitely find Mom."
As he spoke, Luo Ge squatted down in front of Norn, extending his hand, "... Norn, let's pinky swear, okay? Pinky swear, never to change for a hundred years."
Norn closed his eyes, his face slightly flushed, a little embarrassed, but he still reached out his hand.
Just as the brother and sister made their agreement.
Luo Ge suddenly noticed another gaze.
It's Aisha.
She stared at him without any attempt to hide it, her small mouth slightly pouting, clearly looking somewhat unhappy.
Luo Ge, feeling helpless, also waved to her.
Aisha's eyes lit up instantly, revealing two small fangs, and she charged forward like a little cannonball.
Not only that, she also pushed Norn aside with a thud, because she Aisha and didn't want to share her with anyone else; she only wanted to enjoy her brother's exclusive affection.
Norn stumbled from the jostling, pouted in grievance, and almost got into a fight with Aisha.
In the end, Luo Ge pulled them apart, one in each hand.
Luo Ge looked down at Aisha, his voice tinged with a headache. "Even though you're the younger sister, don't always bully Norn."
" Norn is so silly, I didn't bully her," Aisha muttered softly.
Then, she quickly looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Brother, since you've already brought Sister Nanahoshi, what's the difference if you bring Aisha along? Why don't you take Aisha on the trip with you? Aisha wants to follow you, Brother, for the rest of her life."
"No, that won't work."
"Why?"
"You're still too young. You're not even four years old yet, are you?"
Luo Ge reached out and ruffled her hair. "Next... I'm going to the Demon Continent. If we don't count the time spent searching for people, this journey alone will take at least a year to go round trip."
Does that mean... Aisha might not see her brother for several years?
That's not the point.
Luo Ge looked at her earnestly, "The important thing is that Aisha grows up quickly too. When you're all grown up, your brother will take you on adventures everywhere, okay?"
"Brother, you mustn't lie."
Aisha held up her little finger, "Right, let's pinky swear! What Norn has, Aisha too!"
Having no other choice, Luo Ge had to make another pinky promise with Aisha, and they reached an agreement.
Paul and Lilia watched this scene from the sidelines and couldn't help but exchange a glance, a faint warmth floating in their eyes.
The sibling relationship... is so good.
As Nanahoshi stood in the corner packing her luggage, she couldn't help but sigh as she watched the happy family scene.
It's so cozy, isn't it?
But what does this have to do with her Nanahoshi?
She was an outsider, and every time she stayed here, she saw these heartwarming scenes of a family getting along.
She was the only outsider in the family.
Regardless, it felt a little awkward.
Although no one here wanted to drive her away, Paul, Lilia, Aisha Noren, and everyone else treated her very well.
But the Nanahoshi do not belong here, or rather, they do not belong to this world, whether in terms of dietary habits or other aspects...
Ultimately...
She was just a stranger whom Luo Ge picked up on the street.
The only consolation was that Luo Ge came from the same world as him, so they could talk to each other and discuss topics about modern people.
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