When evil gods hold a meeting in my head

Richard stood in the room, looking at Rosalie's tear-streaked face, and felt a pang of sadness in his heart: "Alright, alright, I won't abandon you. Don't worry about these things that will never happen. And... don't cry so easily. You used to always show others your strongest side."

Upon hearing this, Rosalie slowly raised her head, loosened her clenched fingers, and whispered, "Then...then you'll keep your word..."

"Yeah." Richard smiled and withdrew his hand.

He glanced into the room and suddenly realized that someone was missing.

It seems like it's been a long time since we've seen Thales...

He asked hurriedly, "Where's Thales? I haven't seen him!"

Rosalie blinked, as if trying to recall something. She was still slow to react, taking a long time to think. Several seconds passed before she spoke, her voice still soft.

"He...he's gone..."

Richard frowned. "Gone? Where did they go?"

Rosalie thought for a moment, then slowly said, "He said... he said he's troubled you too much... he hasn't been of any help from the beginning until now... he's always been a burden..."

She paused, then continued, "He said Dansha's father was in danger... and he wanted to go with Dansha to help... to make amends..."

Richard paused, thinking:

Thales went with Danza? That old fisherman who followed him all the way from South Harbor, that timid old man who trembled at the slightest provocation, that man who said he "couldn't help with anything," actually went to help on his own initiative?

Rosalie added, "He also said... he saw many incredible things in you... but he won't tell anyone... he said you're a kind person... and wouldn't do anything immoral..."

Richard stood there, speechless for a long time.

He recalled Thales' behavior throughout the journey. From the South Harbor, he had followed him to hide from the church, followed him onto the ship, followed him to the North Harbor of Beth, followed him into that dangerous courtyard, and followed him all the way to the tavern. Each time danger arose, Thales trembled with fear, but each time he never actually ran away.

He recalled Thales' words when paying the fare: "My benefactor saved my life, and this is my way of repaying him. My son is gone, my boat is gone, and I have no idea where I'm going to go."

In the courtyard, Thales huddled in a corner, trembling, but still followed him.

An old man in his sixties, who had made a living by fishing all his life, suddenly encountered so many bizarre things; it was already a miracle he hadn't gone mad. He still wanted to help, and he didn't want to accept kindness for nothing.

Richard suddenly remembered his father from his previous life.

The man who spent his entire life working in a small county town had the same temperament. He never told his children about anything that happened at home, bearing it all himself. If they wanted to help, he would always wave them off, saying, "Don't worry about me, I can manage." It wasn't that he didn't want his children's help; he just couldn't bring himself to accept their help.

Thales was probably that kind of person too.

He spent his entire life as the breadwinner, supporting his family, and suddenly his son was gone, his boat was gone, and his home was gone. He was left to live on the charity of others. He couldn't bear it. He had to do something to prove he wasn't a burden, to prove he was still useful.

Richard sighed and said to Rosalie, "Let him be."

Rosalie looked at him with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Richard said, "He wasn't completely useless. At least..." He paused, "He paid our fare. Fifteen gold coins, no small sum."

Rosalie blinked and nodded, seemingly understanding.

Richard took her hand and helped her sit on the bed.

"Sit here and relax," he said. "I still have some things to take care of."

Rosalie obediently sat down, placing her hands on her knees and looking at him. She was still in a dazed state, only becoming somewhat alert when she heard "Mays" or "home." Richard looked at her, feeling a little anxious.

We need to speed things up.

He walked to the table, sat down, and silently called upon the presence within him.

"Hey, I have a question for you guys."

The voice in my mind quickly rang out, still that lazy tone.

What is it? Tell me.

Richard asked, "If I want to get to Luke's Abyss from here, will it be very difficult?"

The two voices were silent for a few seconds, then one of them spoke.

[Difficult? These are no ordinary difficulties.]

You're currently in North Port of Bis, while Luke's Abyss is in Metz. They're separated by almost half a country. How will you get there? On foot?

Richard frowned: "Then what should we do?"

The simplest way is to switch back to your body in Mays.

Is it absolutely necessary to use the clone Laurean...?

Richard thought for a moment, then asked, "What about this part of my body?"

Don't worry about it so much; it won't get lost, and no one will see it.

Besides, don't you have someone to watch over the Lunar New Year? Let him do it.

Although that child doesn't have any great abilities, he can still protect his body.

Richard looked down at the ring on his hand. A purple mist flowed slowly, and Xiao Nian's snoring could be heard faintly from within.

He thought for a moment, then called out in his mind, "Little New Year?"

The snoring stopped.

A few seconds later, a childish voice rang in my mind, sounding somewhat confused.

"Brother? What's wrong...?"

Richard said, "I need to go out for a while. Can you watch over this body for me?"

Xiao Nian paused for a moment, then said, "Okay... Brother, you can go without worry... I'll keep an eye on things for you..."

Richard nodded.

He stood up and walked over to Rosalie.

"I'm going out for a bit," he said. "I'll be right back. You wait here and don't wander off."

Rosalie looked up at him, her eyes showing that fear again.

Richard crouched down and looked into her eyes.

"Just a little while," he said. "Soon. I'll take you back to Mays when we get back."

Upon hearing the words "Mays City," a glint of light flashed in Rosalie's eyes.

It seemed she really missed home; even if she wasn't very bright, she still got excited when people mentioned her hometown. She nodded and whispered, "Then...then come back soon..."

Richard patted her head: "I will."

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the "ring" in his mind.

Each time Richard uses the power of a potion, he always needs to search his mind for the symbol of that magic...

at this time.

It hovered steadily in the center of Richard's mind, gleaming with a faint black light.

Richard let his consciousness sink down, drawn by that familiar suction.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already standing in his rented room on West Street.

The long-lost sewing machine reappeared in front of him, bringing him a sense of peace...

"Phew... I'm finally back! Laurin's body feels both strange and familiar."