"Thank you for the name, Master."
Nahida bowed again, her short hair falling gently with the movement, her expression full of respect.
"Now, I'm giving you a task."
Rudeus looked at her and spoke slowly.
"From this day forward, you will be responsible for protecting the kind-hearted races of this continent, until one among them emerges a strong enough to truly protect them."
"Yes, Master!"
Nahida nodded slightly, her tone firm.
The next moment, her figure transformed into a dazzling green streak of light, piercing through layers of rain and speeding towards the depths of the forest...
As he watched the light gradually disappear, he felt a sense of peace.
From this moment on, this continent has gained another guardian.
" Primordial God Impact, are you really not going to stay a few more days?"
Gyes looked at the departing crowd, his eyes filled with reluctance.
"We will never forget everything you have done for the village these past few days. I truly don't know... how to repay your kindness."
"Huh? Is it really that exaggerated?"
Rudeus smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"I feel like I didn't do anything special~"
"No, you're too modest."
Gyes shook his head, his expression extremely serious.
"From the moment you saved the Sacred Beast and rescued those children, this debt of gratitude has been as heavy as a mountain."
"Not to mention, your companions also helped us repair the house, allowing Minitona to discover her talent..."
His voice gradually choked up as he spoke.
"I really... don't know how to thank you enough."
Rudeus patted him gently on the shoulder.
There's no need to take it so seriously.
We just did what we could.
However, Gyes suddenly seemed to have thought of something and said seriously:
"If Primordial God Impact doesn't mind, I also have an older daughter Linia."
"I can unilaterally declare that she is betrothed to you!"
"Well..."
Rudeus paused for a moment, then laughed awkwardly.
"Hehe~ I'm almost embarrassed by what you said."
"Besides, it was Eris who taught Minitona, so it doesn't really have much to do with me."
" Eris...?"
Gyes looked surprised.
"To possess such terrifying strength at such a young age, was her swordsmanship also taught by Primordial God Genshin Impact?"
I guess so.
Rudeus thought for a moment, then answered with a smile.
"I'm practically her teacher."
"Half a teacher?"
Gyes looked puzzled.
What does this mean?
" Eris's real swordsmanship teacher is actually Ghislaine."
"What?!"
Gyes' eyes widened suddenly.
" Ghislaine?!"
"Is it that Ghislaine Dedoldia?"
"How... how could she possibly have taught such an outstanding student as Eris?"
Seeing his incredulous expression, Rudeus sighed softly.
"It seems the gap between you is deeper than I imagined."
"But, Gyes, I want to tell you something."
"Human beings are subject to change."
Whether things get better or worse... people never stay in the past.
Gyes remained silent for a long time.
"But..."
"It's still hard to believe."
"If you have the chance in the future, try to have a good talk with her."
Rudeus looked at him and said seriously.
"After all, you two are siblings."
"..."
Gyes lowered his head, then slowly nodded.
"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Primordial God Impact..."
Is everyone ready?
Rudeus turned to look at the crowd.
Roxy, Eris, Elinalise, and Talhand repacked their belongings and looked up.
"Ready!"
"Yoshi~"
The next moment.
A pitch-black spatial vortex slowly unfolded in front of me.
As space fluctuated, an enormous flying sword slowly emerged from the vortex.
The sword was as black as night, its surface engraved with countless mysterious patterns, radiating a chilling magical aura.
Rudeus, carrying Leona, stepped onto the sword first, then unleashed an invisible barrier that completely shut out the cold rain from the outside world.
"Everyone, mount your swords!"
"This flying sword can easily carry ten people."
Roxy, Elinalise, and Talhand stared in stunned silence at the giant sword floating in mid-air before them.
This was the first time they had ever seen such a massive sword detach from the ground and fly freely.
With curiosity, the group carefully touched the sword's blade before slowly stepping onto it.
"That's incredible..."
Talhand marveled.
Is this also a form of magic?
" Roxy."
Elinalise suddenly approached with a smile.
"If you win Rudeus over, you'll never have to worry about learning these amazing spells again!"
Don't talk nonsense!
Roxy's cheeks flushed instantly.
Rujierd, however, remained as calm as ever.
He was already used to Rudeus's endless stream of amazing tricks, so he simply jumped onto the sword and found a spot in the corner to sit down.
Eris followed closely behind.
Without the slightest hesitation, she naturally sat down next to Rudeus.
The next moment.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the giant sword slowly rose into the air.
With a single rotation, the sword transformed into a black shadow and sped away into the distance.
Outside the barrier, the wind howled and the rain poured down.
And inside the barrier—
The hot pot bubbled and steam rose into the air, accompanied by constant laughter and cheerful conversation.
" Rudeus."
As he spoke, Talhand used a slotted spoon to scoop the abalone from the pot.
"The cooking methods in your hometown are truly amazing."
"And these seafood items..."
He stared at the ingredients in the pot, his eyes filled with astonishment.
"I have never seen anything so delicious."
"Haha, if it's delicious, eat more."
Rudeus said with a smile.
"I have an unlimited supply of these things."
After saying that, he took out plates of fresh seafood from his Magic Pocket.
Roxy looked around, her face still showing some unease.
" Rudeus..."
"Does this flying sword really not need to be controlled?"
"Of course not."
Rudeus patted the sword.
"This sword has thousands of intricate magic arrays engraved inside."
"It represents the pinnacle of flying sword technology, comparable to the Tesla of the sports car world."
Tesla?
Roxy blinked in confusion.
What is it?
It means "very powerful".
Rudeus offered a casual explanation.
"..."
Roxy was skeptical.
"Is that so..."
"Don't worry, teacher."
Rudeus picked up a piece of sea cucumber and put it in her bowl.
"With me here, what do you have to worry about?"
"Come on, eat more, this is very nutritious."
"Rude... Rudeus, I want one too!"
Eris hadn't even swallowed the food in her mouth when she immediately raised her hand and spoke.
Eat slowly.
Rudeus looked at her helplessly.
Nobody's going to take it from you.
In the midst of the lively atmosphere, only one person remained unusually quiet.
That was Rujierd, sitting in the corner.
He silently ate a piece of squid, then slowly spoke:
Rudeus.
What are your plans for the rest of the trip?
The words had barely left his mouth.
The previously noisy atmosphere gradually quieted down.
All eyes were on me.
"What are your plans...?"
Rudeus pondered for a moment.
"Um."
"In order to prepare for the final battle with Laplace, we must build up our strength in advance."
"Therefore, we need to proactively reach out to some reliable forces."
"Now that we've arrived in the Great Forest..."
Rudeus gazed into the distance.
"Then let's pay a visit to the Long-Ear Race on the way."
"A settlement of the Long-Ear Race...?"
Rujierd nodded.
"That's definitely a good choice."
I disagree!!!
Sudden.
Elinalise suddenly stood up and shouted.
Everyone was stunned.
"What's wrong?"
Roxy looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Why such a strong reaction?
Elinalise took a deep breath.
In short...
"If you're going, leave me here."
I will live temporarily in another nearby settlement.
Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Rudeus frowned.
" Elinalise ".
"Now we're all on the same side."
"If there's anything you're having trouble saying, just tell me."
"If anyone bullies you, I'll stand up for you."
She shook her head.
"This matter... is very complicated."
"It can't be explained in just a few words."
"This isn't a problem that can be solved by force."
She lowered her head, her voice becoming low.
"I have already..."
"I'm too ashamed to go back."
This sentence silenced everyone.
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
No one expected that the usually carefree Elinalise would show such a forlorn expression.
"It's okay."
Rudeus said softly.
"Tell us. Maybe we can help you?"
"Yes."
Roxy nodded as well.
"No matter what difficulties we encounter, if we work together, we'll always find a solution."
Talhand also spoke up:
"We've known each other for a while now."
"If you encounter any problems, just tell me, and I can help you analyze them."
Elinalise looked at the crowd before her and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, she sighed helplessly.
"Since you all want to know..."
"Then I'll tell you everything without reservation."
Anyway...
I've already come to terms with it.
She sat back down on the ground and crossed her legs.
His expression suggested he was about to recount a long-buried past.
And everyone fell silent, waiting for her story to continue...