The first rays of morning sunlight fell on Luo Ge's face through the window.
Then, with a slap, Nanahoshi's hand landed on his face.
Luo Ge opened his eyes and saw a blank white ceiling and someone else's hand resting on the bridge of his nose.
He glanced at Nanahoshi beside him; she was still completely drunk.
She sprawled out on her back, taking up most of the bed, the blanket rolled up in her arms, her sleeping posture as terrible as could be.
Luo Ge couldn't help but show a wry smile.
The scene shifts to last night.
Nanahoshi had boasted that he could drink a thousand cups and take on everyone here, but after just three cups of ale, he quickly became drunk and passed out.
She lay on the table and mumbled something incomprehensible to everyone, then tilted her head and fell straight into the plate in front of her.
When the party finally ended, it was Luo Ge who helped the tipsy Nanahoshi to the next room to rest.
As a result, Nanahoshi got drunk and clung to his leg, refusing to let go, mumbling something like, "I want to go home."
Having no other choice, Luo Ge dragged her to the edge of the bed.
In the middle of the night, this drunkard climbed into his bed and, taking advantage of his inattention, stole the blanket.
"Hateful!"
"That despicable woman!"
Although they had shared a bed for one night, Luo Ge was wide awake because Nanahoshi kept trying to steal the blanket from him.
Even though a beautiful girl was sleeping right next to him, Luo Ge's face was full of disgust.
The blanket was quickly snatched away again, Luo Ge snatched it back, and then Nanahoshi snatched it away again, back and forth.
This has happened countless times last night.
Luo Ge's brows furrowed completely. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and kicked Nanahoshi off the bed with a look of disgust.
Fortunately, Nanahoshi was fast asleep and did not wake up.
After kicking Nanahoshi away, Luo Ge was wide awake.
He got up and left the hotel to find Rudeus at the hotel next door.
It was Rujierd who opened the door for him.
Luo Ge greeted the other person in a friendly manner, then noticed that Rudeus was also in the room, looking like he had just gotten up.
"Good morning!"
The two brothers greeted each other with "Good morning," and then Luo Ge suddenly moved closer to Rudeus.
"Hello!"
" Rudeus, come with me."
Rudeus, though curious, followed them.
The two arrived outside the hotel, where Luo Ge stopped, his tone serious.
"Tell me, Rudeus, what are you planning to do next?"
"What do we do?"
"For example, what are your plans for the future? After all... we can't stay in Winnport forever, can we?"
"A plan?"
Rudeus thought for a moment before saying, "... Next, I plan to make some money here, and then escort Eris home with Rujierd."
"Yeah?"
Upon hearing this answer, Luo Ge's expression clearly showed a hint of disappointment, as this was not the answer he wanted at all.
Luo Ge's sudden punch stunned Rudeus.
"Huh? No! What's wrong with you, drunk and acting crazy so early in the morning?"
"Why did you hit me again for no reason?"
" Rudeus, do you know? I'm very disappointed in you now, very disappointed!"
" Zenith is currently missing, her fate unknown. In your heart, is Zenith less important than a woman? Rudeus, hmm! Answer me!"
"That's not it! That's not what I meant... I just promised Eris I would take her home."
"So, this is your choice, Rudeus... Instead of going to Zenith, you're choosing to escort some random woman?"
" Eris is not a casual woman! She is a very... important person to me."
"I promised Eris, and I always keep my word..."
"Say it again, is this your choice?"
"Oh!..."
Rudeus lowered his head in shame, completely unable to look Luo Ge in the eye.
He was terrified of seeing disdain in the other person's eyes, and he was prepared to be beaten up.
He didn't even want to fight back. Although he knew this answer might displease Luo Ge, he would still say it because he had promised Eris.
Eris's family is gone, and if he were to abandon her Eris has been destroyed, he couldn't imagine how much harm it would cause Eris.
Abandoning Eris would torment his conscience.
Rudeus had expected to be beaten even more severely by Luo Ge after saying those words, but to his surprise, Luo Ge's eyes revealed a hint of approval.
"Very good."
Unexpectedly, Luo Ge put his hand on Rudeus's shoulder and whispered in his ear, " Rudeus... you've grown a lot. You even have someone you want to protect now. You're gradually becoming a real man."
"I'm glad you have something you want to protect... Although your attitude towards Zenith bothers me a little, I still respect your choice."
"Huh?"
Rudeus's heart skipped a beat, and his expression showed surprise.
After all, he had prepared himself to be beaten up by Luo Ge, but he didn't expect him to let him off so easily.
Something's not right, something's really not right.
"Really? Luo Ge, are you still Luo Ge?"
Luo Ge looked at Rudeus as if he were an idiot, and his tone suddenly turned somber.
"Hey, Rudeus, do you remember?" When we were little... I once told you something like this: no matter what you carried in your past life, even if you experienced despair and pain... now that you've come to this other world, you'd better show your true abilities and survive."
Rudeus felt a warmth in his heart as his memories were stirred.
Then Luo Ge continued, "In that case... go do what you need to do. As long as it's not something illegal or despicable, I'll support you."
"As for protecting your family, leave that to me. Take care, Rudeus."
Luo Ge's magnanimity deeply moved Rudeus; he realized that compared to Luo Ge, he was indeed far inferior.
If it were Luo Ge, he would definitely have done a better job than Rudeus.
Just as Rudeus was sighing, Luo Ge suddenly removed his hand from his shoulder and clenched his fist.
Rudeus was startled and instinctively covered his face with his hands.
"Rest assured."
I'll let you off the hook this time.
"Um, Luo Ge, thank you..."
Rudeus then noticed Luo Ge's movement, and almost instantly understood, he extended his fist.
On this street in Winneport, the two brothers, separated for many years, finally clashed fists together once again.
At that moment, Luo Ge and Rudeus exchanged a smile.
But the next second, just when Rudeus thought he had escaped, his Demon Eye of Foresight had already seen what would happen in the future, and it was too late to dodge.
Luo Ge's fist still landed squarely on his face, and Rudeus was instantly sent spiraling upwards into the air.
"Holy shit!"
" Luo Ge, you have no sportsmanship... you attacked me!"
When Rudeus returned, he was covered in bruises and swelling.
Eris had just gotten up and was stretching.
When she saw Rudeus return, her eyes lit up. She wanted to rush over and say something, but then she saw his miserable state.
" Rudeus... who did this? I'll get revenge for you!"
Rudeus grabbed Eris's arm, and before he could explain, Rujierd, who was leaning against the door, spoke up.
" Eris, before that, Rudeus went out with Luo Ge."
Although no names were mentioned, the meaning was self-evident.
"Hey, Luo Ge?"
Eris's expression changed instantly, as if her inner code had been triggered.
She had been so aggressive, but the moment she heard the name Luo Ge, she fell silent.
She snorted, then sat down on the edge of Rudeus's bed. "Um, Rudeus... I'll become stronger to protect you, okay? Don't worry! I'll never let Luo Ge bully you again."
"When I get stronger, I'll beat him up for you."
Rudeus shook his head. " Eris, Luo Ge did nothing wrong, it's all because of me... Never mind."
"Let's get down to business."
" Eris, we're not short of money anymore."
"As expected of Rudeus... truly impressive. Where did you get all this money?"
"Given by Luo Ge..."
"I didn't get beaten up for nothing. As compensation, Luo Ge gave me two hundred green ore coins for medical expenses."
"Oh, does that mean we can leave the Demon Continent soon?" Eris's eyes lit up.
"Yes, that's right. And... Mr. Rujierd can also join us on the boat trip."
"Oh, right! There's one more thing, Eris. I must tell you. I've already discussed it with Luo Ge. He will stay on the Demon Continent to search for the Demon Emperor's whereabouts, while I will escort you back to your hometown with Rujierd."
"After I've done all this, I might personally set out to find my lost family members..."
Rujierd, who was eavesdropping by the door, nodded slightly in agreement upon hearing this.
Meanwhile, Luo Ge and Nanahoshi had already packed their bags and left Winnport.
Since this was already the southernmost region of the Demon Continent, after purchasing supplies, he planned to travel north from Wen'en Port with Nanahoshi, venturing deep into the Demon Continent... to search extensively for the whereabouts of the Demon Emperor.
Although the brothers Luo Ge and Rudeus had only reunited in Wynneport for less than a day, they had already sailed in different directions.