"Wait! Teacher, look, there seems to be something else on the ground."
Roxy turned her head at the sound and saw something glittering at the bottom of the crater at the center of the explosion, faintly visible in the dust.
The two immediately moved closer.
Rudeus raised his hand and waved it, instantly lifting away the soil and stones covering the light.
"Another treasure chest?"
Looking at the familiar box in front of him, Rudeus couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"But... what if it's another mimic monster?"
Roxy subconsciously took a half step back, her face still showing lingering fear.
She still vividly remembers the last time she was entangled by those disgusting, slippery tentacles. Just thinking about it makes her feel uneasy.
"Don't worry, teacher."
Rudeus crouched down and examined the treasure chest carefully, then patted it.
"I've checked it very carefully this time; it's a genuine treasure chest, there's absolutely no problem."
Seeing his confident demeanor, Roxy hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to believe him.
She bent down and carefully lifted the lid of the treasure chest.
The next moment--
The dazzling golden light, like a spring that had been suppressed for a long time, slowly gushed out as the lid of the box was opened.
The moment the treasure chest was fully opened, a dazzling golden beam of light shot into the sky!
Three golden orbs of light rose slowly alongside the pillar of light.
Only after the light faded could the two of them see what was inside.
An ancient and simple magical book.
A shimmering, iridescent staff.
And a magnificent light blue robe.
Rudeus glanced around and first looked at the staff.
[ The Holy Wrath of the Tidal Spirit ]
Type: Staff
Level: Emperor Rank
Characteristics: Tidal Spirit Awakening, increases water element affinity by 70%, reduces water magic consumption by 50%, and increases water magic power by 550%.
Passive: Sea Spirit's Divine Wrath. When attacking a target, a mark can be applied, which stacks a certain number of times based on the opponent's strength. Once the conditions are met, mana can be consumed to freeze the target.
Next, there was the robe.
[ The Merciful Blessing of the Tidal Spirit ]
Type: Robe
Level: Emperor Rank
Special Features: Defense Boost by 600%, Speed Boost by 300%.
Passive: Sea Spirit's Blessing, blocks 60% of the damage received and reflects it back to the attacker.
"These two pieces of equipment are so beautiful!"
Roxy's eyes lit up as she carefully held the robe and staff in her hands, as if afraid of accidentally damaging them.
"These are all the results of the teacher's hard work."
"Huh? No, that's not right!"
Roxy quickly shook her head.
" Rudeus, you clearly did more work. These things look very valuable; I can't accept them."
"Just accept it."
Rudeus waved his hand dismissively.
"I already have a staff, and as for robes... I have an even better one."
"Well... okay then."
Roxy hesitated for a moment, but ultimately put away her staff and robe.
Oh, and this book too.
Rudeus picked up the ancient magic book and flipped through a few pages.
"It seems to contain many ancient, lost water elemental magic techniques."
"For you."
Is it really possible?
Roxy took the book and eagerly began to read it.
After reading only a few pages, her expression grew increasingly agitated.
Wow, that's amazing!
She couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"I've never even heard of any of these spells before! This trip has been incredibly fruitful!"
" Rudeus, you're amazing!"
"How could we find such a perfect maze!"
Looking at the excited Roxy in front of him, Rudeus couldn't help but smile.
That radiant smile was like a blooming flower.
In that instant, the emotions that had been building up in my heart for years seemed to be able to be suppressed no longer.
He knew he couldn't hesitate any longer.
" Rudeus... does this robe look good on you?"
Roxy's voice suddenly pulled him back from his thoughts.
Sometime during the night, she had changed into that magnificent light blue robe.
The fitted cut accentuated her slender figure, and the light blue fabric shimmered softly under the golden light, making her appear even more petite and charming.
Rudeus was momentarily lost in thought.
Roxy tilted her head.
" Rudeus? Why aren't you saying anything? Is it not pretty?"
"Uh... Oh!"
Rudeus snapped out of his daze and quickly said:
"So cute! The teacher is so adorable!"
"You idiot, Rudeus!"
Roxy blushed and said coquettishly:
I was asking if your clothes look good!
Seeing her embarrassed and annoyed expression, Rudeus was deeply moved.
"Teacher."
He suddenly stepped forward and reached out to grasp Roxy's hand.
Do you remember what I said to you ten years ago?
"Huh?"
Roxy was stunned.
"Ten years ago... that's such a long time ago, I should..."
She was speechless for a moment, but the blush on her cheeks deepened.
"Then I'll say it again."
Rudeus looked at her intently.
" Roxy."
"I like you."
Please marry me.
The words had barely left his mouth.
Roxy seemed to freeze completely.
The next moment, tears welled up in her eyes, and the glistening tears trembled slightly.
"Is someone like me... really okay?"
Rudeus did not hesitate at all.
In my heart, Roxy has no flaws.
Looking into the man's incredibly sincere eyes, Roxy finally nodded gently.
"Um..."
Then, as if she was extremely shy, she immediately lowered her head, her cheeks turning so red they looked like they were about to bleed.
"Teacher."
Rudeus spoke softly.
Can you look me in the eyes?
Roxy took a deep breath and mustered her courage to raise her head.
Their eyes met again.
In the empty valley, all around was so quiet that the only sound could be the increasingly heavy breathing of each other.
Roxy's heart was beating faster and faster.
His intense gaze caused a blush to spread from her cheeks all the way to her ears.
Finally, she simply closed her eyes and quietly waited for what would happen next.
However--
"Bang!!!"
A deafening explosion suddenly erupted!
The ambiguous atmosphere was instantly and completely shattered.
Both of them were startled and turned their heads sharply.
The cave entrance, which had been blocked by rubble, had been blasted open, revealing a crack.
Immediately afterwards.
Two figures slowly emerged from the billowing dust.
One big and one small.
They look like a father and daughter.
"So, the source of that unusual energy was here after all?"
The man spoke slowly, his tone flat and devoid of any emotion.
The masked girl beside him remained silent throughout.
As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the two people's faces were finally fully revealed to Rudeus and Roxy.
In an instant--
Roxy's pupils suddenly contracted.
As if she had seen some incomprehensible, terrifying being, her face instantly turned deathly pale, her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Rudeus's pupils also contracted.
Shocked, incredulous.
But in just a moment, he forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart.
The next second.
Rudeus stepped forward and stood in front of Roxy.
He stared at the man before him, his expression more solemn than ever before.
"Let's... talk."
" Dragon God - Orsted."