Looking around, the outline of the port can already be seen in the distance.
Since that little incident, the rest of the voyage has been smooth sailing, and no further accidents have occurred.
A dozen minutes later, accompanied by a slight tremor, the giant ship slowly approached the dock, and the thick mooring lines were skillfully secured to the shore by the sailors.
"Phew—finally, I'm on solid ground!"
As soon as Eris stepped off the ship, she couldn't wait to start running forward a few steps, as if she wanted to shake off all the pent-up frustration she had accumulated over the past few days.
As Rudeus gazed at the bustling port before him, a sense of familiarity suddenly welled up within him.
Shops lined both sides of the street, the air was filled with the scent of sea breeze and spices, and merchants and adventurers came and went...
The overall style here is almost identical to that of Port Wind.
On the other side, after disembarking, Roxy stretched lazily, her slender and exquisite body relaxing, letting out a soft sigh of relief.
Rudeus's gaze involuntarily fell on her.
She seems to have become even more petite compared to a few years ago.
Of course, it wasn't that she actually shrank, but rather that she grew taller.
Now nearly 1.9 meters tall, Roxy, who was already petite, looked exceptionally delicate standing next to me.
He now felt that if he wanted to, he could easily hold Roxy in one hand, as easily as holding a cup.
Seemingly noticing my gaze, Roxy's pretty face flushed slightly, and she subconsciously pinched the hair by her ear.
This is one of her most common little gestures when she's shy.
Rudeus couldn't help but smile.
Just as they were about to gather everyone to discuss the next steps, Elinalise spoke first.
"Everyone, I'm going to take a walk around the neighborhood and gather some information. Excuse me for now~"
After speaking, she waved her hand, preparing to leave alone.
Seeing this, Roxy and Talhand both showed a helpless expression, as if they were used to it, and finally just sighed softly.
At that moment, Rudeus reached out and stopped her.
"Etc."
Elinalise stopped and turned around in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Now that we're companions, where do you plan to go alone?
"Didn't I tell you? To gather intelligence."
Even so, there's no reason for you, a woman, to wander around in unfamiliar places alone.
"Ara~ Ara~"
Elinalise covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her emerald green eyes curving slightly.
"He ignored me on the ship before, but now he's suddenly so concerned about me?"
Rudeus didn't respond to her words, but instead looked at her calmly.
" Elinalise, if I'm not mistaken, you're burdened with some kind of curse, aren't you?"
The smile on her face froze instantly.
"How... how did you figure that out?"
Before Rudeus could answer, Eris had already proudly puffed out her chest.
" Rudeus is very capable! Of course, he can't be kept in the dark about something like this!"
Rudeus ruffled Eris's hair and pulled her back to his side.
How I figured it out is not important.
"The important thing is --"
"I can lift this curse for you."
However, the expected shock did not occur.
Elinalise merely raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
"Ah, I see."
She drew out the last syllable and said with a light laugh:
"I thought only older men used this kind of old-fashioned pickup line. Looks like you're no different from other men."
Rudeus paused for a moment.
Are you misunderstanding something?
No, no~
She waved her hand and said with a smile:
"Let's go then, let's find a hotel and get a room."
"..."
Rudeus's forehead twitched slightly.
"Etc."
"Did you completely misunderstand what I meant?"
"I meant to lift the curse on you, not to ask you to come with me to a hotel room."
This time, it was Elinalise's turn to be stunned.
She blinked, looking at the other person with the same puzzled expression.
It wasn't until this moment that Rudeus finally realized what was happening.
This guy... completely misunderstood.
He sighed helplessly.
"Let's do it here."
"Your curse isn't troublesome; it will be resolved quickly."
W-what?"
Elinalise's eyes widened immediately.
"Right here?"
She looked around at the crowds coming and going, her expression growing increasingly strange.
"With so many people here, even if you really can't resist... you should at least go to the alley next door, right?"
"Rest assured."
Rudeus said calmly.
Nobody can see it.
After he finished speaking, he nodded to everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I will first lift the curse on Miss Elinalise. To avoid attracting unnecessary attention, please excuse me for a moment."
The next second.
A semi-transparent magical barrier suddenly unfolded, completely enveloping herself and Elinalise.
Those outside could only see a slightly distorted patch of air; they could neither glimpse what lay inside nor make contact with its interior.
Elinalise stood inside the barrier, her expression still full of doubt.
She had absolutely no idea what Rudeus was planning to do.
Is this yet another strange new tactic?
This was the first time she had encountered such a situation in all these years.
Rudeus slowly raised his right hand.
Magic rapidly gathered, and a soft, pure white holy light condensed in the palm of the hand, radiating a warm and sacred aura.
"Don't move around too much later."
As soon as he finished speaking, he slowly hovered his palm above Elinalise's head.
[ Saint Rank Purification Magic ]
In an instant, a dazzling holy light burst forth.
A pure white light instantly enveloped Elinalise, and her body slowly lifted off the ground, hovering lightly in mid-air.
Immediately afterwards, a solemn and holy angelic phantom slowly emerged from the light.
Holy wings slowly unfurled, casting a divine glow all around. The four pure white wings gently closed, tenderly enveloping Elinalise.
The next moment.
The angelic phantom transformed into countless streams of light, all merging into her body.
All the strange aura vanished completely in that instant.
A few seconds later.
The holy light slowly receded.
Elinalise landed back on the ground.
She stared blankly down at her hands, then gently moved her body a little.
An unprecedented sense of ease quickly spread throughout my body.
It was as if the heavy shackles that had weighed on the depths of the soul for many years had been completely severed.
Rudeus casually removed the barrier.
"It's over?"
Roxy looked puzzled.
"You can ask her yourself."
"But..."
Roxy looked at me, then at Elinalise.
"It took less than ten seconds in total."
" Elinalise, have you really recovered?"
Elinalise slowly clenched her fists, her eyes slightly reddening.
"I... I don't know how to describe it."
"But that urge that had been tormenting me... it's really gone."
"It felt like a shackle that had been weighing you down for decades had been suddenly removed."
Talhand couldn't stand still any longer. He quickly stepped forward and carefully examined her from head to toe.
"Really?"
"This is unbelievable!"
Roxy and Talhand were circling around Elinalise.
Rudeus knew very well that Elinalise was a pitiful woman who had suffered from the so-called curse since she became conscious.
That was her destiny as a " Cursed Child ".
The Purification Magic I just cast on her was rather special; it only dealt with the surface desires.
Although her body would still produce magic crystals due to the continuous accumulation of magic power, this Purification Magic greatly increased the efficiency of crystal formation.
Compared to previous situations, it's unlikely that excessive magic will cause a personality reset.
Rudeus chuckled and clapped his hands.
"The little incident is over."
"It's getting late. Let's find a tavern to fill our stomachs first, then we can discuss our plans."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and they quickly found a nice upscale tavern.
It must be said that the cuisine of the Millis Continent is indeed quite outstanding.
The fresh fruits and vegetables, in particular, are juicy, sweet, and refreshing, far more delicious than those on other continents. This is probably due to the unique flavor nurtured by the superior natural environment here.
Everyone sat around the dining table, enjoying the food while discussing the upcoming arrangements.
Roxy spoke first.
" Rudeus, you said before that you would stay on the Millis Continent for a while."
"That's right."
Rudeus nodded.
"Next, I'll have Yanli stay here to gather intelligence."
"As for us, we'll continue south tomorrow morning, heading towards the next port."
Talhand was somewhat surprised.
"Just relying on your familiar?"
That's enough.
Rudeus picked up his glass and smiled faintly.
"It is more reliable than most adventurers in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering."
Upon hearing this, Talhand couldn't help but sigh:
"Having a familiar like this is really convenient."