Wrong, my props refresh every day

Xingjian blinked, and the sleepiness dissipated a little:

Liu rubbed his fingers unnaturally, his eyes shifting slightly as he said, "I want to go to Zolingen... I've asked Mia's mother for a week's leave. If possible, I hope to go with you."

Solingen...

Sword City!?

Xingjian woke up instantly.

----

Chapter 77 Aisi: Why did you... elope?

Sword City. Zolingen, most people may not know about this place. After all, the whole story of Dicuo revolves around the core stage of Orario, and there is very little description of cities outside the labyrinth city.

The sword-making city of Zollingen is located in the heart of the western military power, the Kingdom of Lakia. It is known as the "World Holy Land of Sword Forging". It gathers the top forging masters and inherits the ancient sword-making skills. Even some of the forging techniques of the Orario Hephaestus family originated here.

The reason why Xingjian had an impression of this place was entirely because of the existence of that adult.

The moonlight cast tiny shadows on Liu's eyelashes. Liu said cautiously, "I want to take you to see the goddess...I wonder if that's possible?"

Three years ago, which was also five years before the original story, 16-year-old Liu encountered a conspiracy by a dark faction in the dungeon and encountered Zagnath. All the members of his family except Liu were killed. In order to force Zagnath to retreat, Liu had to use magic to shoot at Alishe who helped Liu delay time. While killing his best friend, he also killed the "justice" in his heart.

In order to seek revenge, the surviving Liu asked Astraea to leave Orario. Liu misunderstood the meaning of the Lord God's words "abandon justice" and believed that he was abandoned by the Lord God.

Afterwards, Liu used all means to kill almost all the people who were related to the incident, and anyone who had rumors would become his target of revenge, regardless of whether there was evidence or not.

Because the assassination targets included guild members, he was blacklisted by the guild and a reward of 8000 million Faris was offered.

However, considering Riku's achievements, the guild issued a wanted notice but did not actively take action, merely issuing a veiled warrant. Ultimately, she was able to capture all the Dark Faction collaborators lurking within the guild, ending Orario's dark period (the Dark Faction's main force had been largely wiped out by Finn and his group several years prior; she only eliminated the remaining remnants).

Therefore, "Jifeng Liang" has also become a hero in the hearts of ordinary people.

But even after the flames of revenge were extinguished, Liu could never muster the courage to face the goddess Astraea.

The honorable name of "Goddess of Justice" was disgraced by her own actions. This guilt was like a heavy shackle, making her unable to face the god she once believed in.

Until Xingjian appeared.

The young man's figure was like sunshine that penetrated the haze, allowing Liu to find the meaning of life again.

Liu always remembered how Xingjian comforted her:

"Goddess Astraea's 'abandonment of justice' does not mean abandoning you, but allowing you to put down your shackles and live."

After Xingjian's guidance, Liu finally realized that the goddess had never abandoned her. This realization made her frozen heart begin to melt, and she wanted to face the goddess she once was.

Of course, more importantly, Liu is eager to break through the status quo and complete the upgrade.

As the brightest rising star of the Hephaestus family, Hoshimi's frequent visits to the dungeon tugs at Ryu's heartstrings. With remnants of the dark faction still lurking in the shadows, she must protect this young man.

However, the Black Goliath attack on the seventeenth floor nearly wiped out the entire Loki clan's second team and the people like Hoshimi who were in the team at the time.

Whenever he recalled that critical moment, Liu would clench his fists. If he had been a Level 5 adventurer at that time...

The idea of ​​meeting the goddess Astraea had already sprouted in his mind when he laid flowers in front of Alyssa's tomb. At the speed at which Xingjian was breaking Orario's upgrade record, he would be able to reach LV4 within two years and even reach the level of a first-level adventurer.

If I stand still, I will eventually be surpassed by the young man and even lose the qualification to protect him.

Therefore, in the few days since returning to the [Mistress of Abundance] Tavern from the Dean Kate clan, the elf girl finally made up her mind. She would go face the goddess Astraea directly, and she would bring Xingjian with her...

Go meet the god who has always tolerated her.

Facing Liu's expectant gaze, Xingjian smiled slightly.

"Sure." Xingjian responded with a smile, a gentle light in her eyes, "I am willing to go with Liu to see the goddess Astraea... Let's face it together."

Of course, Hoshimi also admires Lady Astraea.

Xingjian is also fascinated by her broad mind...

"Really? Thanks, Xingjian!"

Liu's eyes instantly lit up with a bright light, and the uneasiness in his heart was swept away by joy. He nodded vigorously, then turned around to pack his luggage, his movements light and brisk as if he had unloaded a long-standing burden.

Xingjian looked at her busy back, and a doting smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.

It was late at night. He stretched, lay down on the bed, and soon fell asleep.

As soon as the sky was getting light, the two of them were ready to go.

Liu showed a rare joy as he and Xingjian greeted Mia's mother. Mia put her hands on her hips and gave a few harsh instructions, but her eyes showed relief.

After leaving the "Mistress of Plenty", they walked through the bustling streets of Orario and came to the towering city walls.

"Hey~ Isn't this the rising star of the Hephaestus family? Are you leaving the city?"

A rough voice came from the city wall.

Guarding the city gate was a burly adventurer from the Ganesha clan.

His brown skin shone with a metallic luster in the morning light, and his thick beard was as unkempt and unruly as a lion's mane, but it did not diminish his hearty smile at all.

Xingjian looked up and recognized this member of the Ganesha clan, the Elephant-headed God—[Steel Fist Fighter] Hassana Dorlia, a Level 3 second-level adventurer.

"Well, please open the city gate." Xingjian handed over the pass with a smile.

Hassan narrowed his single eye and looked at the two of them. His gaze lingered on Liu's pointed ear for a moment, and he suddenly grinned, "Then register your identities."

Registration complete, the heavy city gate creaked open on its hinges. The rising sun poured down like molten gold, casting a warm shadow over the two people.

The elf girl unconsciously took a deep breath, and the morning breeze mixed with grass and dew rushed into her chest, as if even her soul was cleansed.

Xingjian glanced sideways and found that the elf girl's fingertips were trembling slightly, not with fear, but with some more complicated emotion.

"Let's go."

Xingjian said softly, taking the first step.

Liu stared at the boy's back stretched by the sunlight, and suddenly realized: this is no longer a journey of escape, but a return to "justice".

The goddess' heart, as broad as the sea, will eventually embrace all lost souls.

The morning breeze lifted her green hair, and the elf girl finally raised her feet and walked firmly towards the sun-drenched path outside the city.

This time, she didn't run away.

………………

The morning light was just beginning to rise, and the streets of Orario had not yet fully awakened.

The blonde swordswoman stood quietly in front of the "Hostes of Abundance" tavern. The morning light cast a light golden halo on her outline. She lowered her head slightly, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hilt of the sword at her waist, and a rare hesitation flashed in her amber eyes.

"jingle--"

The door to the tavern was pushed open, and the cat girl Anya rubbed her sleepy eyes, her ears pricked up in surprise:

"[Sword Princess?] Why are you here? The tavern isn't open yet."

Anya blinked her big amber eyes and asked with her head tilted.

Ai Si raised her face, and a barely perceptible fluctuation flashed across her golden eyes.

"...Xingjian, are you there?" Ai Si's voice was soft, but it was filled with persistence that could not be ignored. "We agreed...to train today."

Anya's tail flicked slightly, revealing a regretful expression. "Hoshimi-kun isn't here, meow~ He went out with Ryu last night. He said he was going to the Sword City, Zolingen. He won't be back for about a week."

Aisi's fingertips paused slightly.

The morning breeze blew by, picking up a few fallen leaves.

Ai Si stood there, and the memory of last night suddenly flashed back in her mind——

"Starting tomorrow, the three of us will have special training together."

The image of the young man smiling and waving goodbye was still vivid in my mind, but in the blink of an eye, he and Liu disappeared together.

A week…?

An unfamiliar emotion quietly spread in her chest. Ais remembered that Hoshimi had always been with Hayate, even teaming up to go to the dungeon together. Then she remembered their tacit eye contact, and the gentle expression that Ryu occasionally showed, a stark contrast to the cold expression she had shown a few years ago...

"Two people... left Orario together..." Ai Si's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible. She tilted her head and looked at the cat girl, and said slowly: "Are they... eloping?"

"puff--!!"

Anya spurted out the milk she had just drunk, waving her paws in panic: "Wait wait! [Sword Princess] Where did you learn words like that, meow?! You're only fourteen years old! Hoshimi and Ryu-chan didn't elope, they'll be back, meow!!"

Although this possibility cannot be completely ruled out...

The cat girl's ears twitched, and an outrageous image suddenly flashed through her mind—

A useless elf suddenly awakens, drags Xingjian straight to the secret forest of the elves, and swears eternal love under the bright moonlight... Then they grow old together and give birth to a bunch of lovely half-elves.

Thinking of this, Anya shook her head again and threw away all the thoughts in her mind.

This kind of thing will never happen. If that useless elf had such courage, he would have rushed forward long ago. Why would he hesitate all day long?

"Um……"

Ais herself didn't understand why such a thought suddenly came to her mind, but when she thought that Xingjian was alone with the green-haired elf at this moment, perhaps walking side by side in the morning light, or perhaps talking quietly by the campfire... an inexplicable sourness arose in her chest, as if something was gently gripping her heart.

Ai Si subconsciously pursed her lips, letting the morning breeze blow her long golden hair, covering her slightly furrowed brows.

"【Sword Princess】? Are you okay, meow?" Anya tilted her head, her cat ears turning in confusion.

"It's okay... I'm leaving." Ai Si said in a low voice, turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait a minute, meow!" Anya suddenly remembered something and rushed back to the store. She then rushed out again with an oil-paper bag in her hand. "Xingjian said she has something for you, meow!"

Anya handed over the bag of hot potato balls like she was offering a treasure, and the aroma instantly filled the morning air.

"Before leaving, Xingjian specifically told me: 'Miss Ais always gets hungry after morning exercise, and these are her favorite flavors.' Meow."

Anya blinked and continued:

"Someone has memorized every flavor! He even has Chloe buy the freshest ones from the third stall on East Street every morning! As long as you come over, you can always enjoy freshly fried potato balls, meow~"

Ais was stunned.

Ai Si slowly took the paper bag, and the moment her fingertips touched the warmth, an indescribable emotion surged in her chest.

(…He remembers it all.)

Honey caramel, cinnamon apple, cheese cream, cheese red bean... each flavor precisely corresponds to the preference she once mentioned inadvertently.

The morning light shines through the oil paper, casting mottled shadows on Ai Si's palm, as if she is holding a small piece of warm starry sky.

Aisi's fingertips tightened slightly, and the paper bag made a slight rustling sound.

"...Thank you. I'll come every day."

Ai Si's voice was soft, but it contained a touch more warmth than usual.

Anya blinked, and couldn't help but laugh as she watched Aisi leave with the fried potato balls.

"Oh my, this is going to be fun, meow~ Oh no, isn't this making it more difficult for Ryu-chan?"

"Ryuu... what about that~ It's all Seele's fault, I don't know anything meow~"

"Huh? What did I do?"

A gentle voice came from behind. Xier had been standing by the bar without her knowing when. The glass she was wiping in her hand reflected her meaningful smile.

Anya's fur exploded instantly: "Woooo! Xi, Xier, when did you get there, meow?!"

Xier chuckled and looked out the window.

There, the blonde swordswoman was standing on the street corner, staring down at the fried potato balls in her hands, the sunlight casting a soft outline on her profile.

"It's great... everyone is so energetic." Xier murmured, then she smiled gently, and an elusive light flashed in her gray eyes.

at the same time--

Outside the gate of Orario, Xingjian suddenly sneezed.

"Caught a cold?" Liu looked at him worriedly.

"No, I just suddenly have a feeling... that someone is keeping an eye on me." Xingjian rubbed his nose and smiled bitterly.

The tips of Liu's ears twitched slightly, and her green hair fluttered gently in the wind.

"Then let's get started."

Liu neatly put on his bag and glanced towards the end of the street, where several horse-drawn carriages heading to Solingen were parked, and the coachmen were lazily smoking their pipes.

Just as he was about to take a step, Xingjian grabbed him.

"What era is this? Are you still using a horse-drawn carriage? Use this."