Frilian: The Adventure of the Hero

"Tell me the truth, do you remember the way or not?"

Shane plopped down on the ground, glaring at Frillie with a resentful look.

Frillie stood at the crossroads, hesitant. She clearly remembered this was the place, so why was there an extra crossroads?

"That's strange. I clearly remember that not long ago, there wasn't a crossroads here..."

"How long ago did you mean by 'not long ago'?"

"About 20 years ago."

"..."

Xia En sighed deeply.

Twenty years—that's not long ago for elves, but half a human's life.

It's impossible to have a proper conversation with you immortal beings.

Well, at crucial moments, we still need to rely on his [Strong Luck] to make a move.

He picked up a stick from the ground, carved a mark on one end, walked to the center of the intersection, and threw the stick forcefully into the air.

Silently praying, "Goddess of Fortune, please show us the right path."

Snapped.

The stick landed on the ground, and the marked end pointed to the road on the right.

Xia En dusted off his backside and started walking away.

Frillie's eyes were full of doubt. "Isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"No, you don't understand. This is called the guidance of 'strong luck.' Let's go, this is the right path."

After half an hour.

They were still circling in the woods...

Xia En leaned against a withered, crooked tree, panting heavily from exhaustion.

Frillie, who was standing next to him, handed him a wooden stick that was similar to the one he had just used and said, "Want to try again?"

"..."

He was completely out of options this time.

Wait, what happened to the promised "strong luck"?! This attribute's effect seems diluted!

Just as the two were feeling lost, a timid voice came from behind them:

"...Are you looking for something?"

Xia En turned around.

A little girl appeared behind them.

The little girl has short purple hair with a red bow tied on the right side of her head. She has big eyes that match her hair color and wears a black coat and black boots, with a white dress underneath.

His eyes were somewhat timid, and he looked very cowardly.

Xia En immediately recognized the other person.

It's Philon from when he was a child!

Little Philon was carrying a full basket of freshly picked mushrooms and was looking at them with some curiosity.

saved!

"We're looking for the Archbishop of Haita's house. Little sister, could you lead the way?"

"Oh, you're a guest. Please follow me."

With Philen leading the way, the once maze-like forest suddenly became clear.

In a short while, they arrived at a small purple wooden cabin.

Xia En glanced at the color of the wooden house, then at Philon's hair color, and couldn't help but smile to himself. This Haita really dotes on Philon.

Besides this place, who else would paint their house purple...?

Pushing open the door, the interior furnishings were very simple.

Heita was very old. He sat in a chair in front of the fireplace, a thin blanket covering his knees, and was dozing with his eyes closed.

Hearing the door open, he smiled and greeted Philon.

"How was your day? Did you meet any cute little animals?"

The voice was soft and kind.

Philon tiptoed, placed the mushroom basket on the table next to him, and walked over to Haita's side.

"I picked some mushrooms today."

"Also, Mr. Haita, two guests have come to visit you."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing Philen's words, Haita opened his eyes, put on the glasses he was holding, and slowly turned his head.

He was very happy after recognizing the person as Frilian.

"Ah, it's Frillian. I thought I'd never see her again..."

As he said this, Haita's expression was full of vicissitudes.

Frillie, however, seemed unfazed and uttered a startling statement: "You're still alive, you drunkard."

Xia En was surprised.

Is this how your hero squad communicates?

Hearing this by the fireplace, Haita laughed heartily, "Dying a dashing death isn't an easy thing."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Shane, who was standing next to Frilian, and asked with a smile, "You must be Mr. Shane."

!!!

Xia En was quite surprised by these words.

"Do you know me?"

"Haha, I heard about you from a great ascetic monk. He said you were traveling with Frilian."

Ascetic monks...

Xia En frowned. Who was this? Where did he know any ascetic monks?

and many more!

Could it be...?

"That's right, it's Mr. Belial, whom you met in the forest outside [Gostan City]. Alas, when I received his letter, he had probably already gone to the land of the goddess. He was a great monk, and his interpretation of the Holy Scriptures is a precious treasure for mankind."

Haita slowly walked to the table and invited Shane and Frilian to sit down.

"He is very grateful for your help."

Upon hearing this, Xia En felt ashamed and somewhat embarrassed.

"I merely delivered a manuscript for Mr. Belial; it was hardly any help."

Haita shook his head.

"Sometimes, being there for someone is a form of help."

"In the final moments of his life, you listened to his voice; for him, your companionship was a precious treasure."

Xia En recalled the scene of copying annotations and organizing manuscripts with that old monk in the study. He remembered that the old man was indeed very happy at that time, with a smile always on his face.

It turns out that my companionship back then helped the other person.

That's great.

At that moment, Frillie took two bottles of wine out of her suitcase.

It was Shane who found this magical cocktail made with the [Gloomy Mushroom].

"I found two bottles of fine wine in the southern kingdoms. I heard that drinking them will grant you access to the goddess. I was originally planning to place them at your grave. How about a drink now?"

"Will I be able to see the goddess after drinking this?"

Upon hearing Frilian's words, Haita's eyes suddenly lit up.

But then he waved his hand and said, "Never mind, I've already quit drinking."

Even as he said this, his gaze still involuntarily drifted towards the bottle of wine in Frilian's hand.

Xia En could tell that these two bottles of fine wine were very tempting to Haita.

But he held back.

"Give up alcohol?"

Frillie didn't quite believe it.

"You're the kind of 'wine-loving monk' who drinks wherever you go, and it's common for you to be burping while holding the 'Holy Scripture.' Now you're trying to act innocent? Isn't it a bit late? The goddess won't forgive you for that."

"Hahaha……"

Haita smiled happily.

Then, he looked back at little Philon, who was busy in the kitchen, his eyes full of affection.

"Things are different now, Frilian."

"I'm not alone anymore; I have to take responsibility for my own body."

Following his gaze, Frilian also looked at the small purple figure in the kitchen.