Chương 115: You Can't Win a Wet Nurse If You Can't Lose the Child

under the moonlight.

Shane and Frilian walked side by side.

Philon packed up the food and went back to the inn to feed Xiutark.

Only the two of them remained on the street.

The villages in the northern countries are quite different from those in other places; almost every household here has high courtyard walls.

That enclosed little world.

For many ordinary people, it's just a mundane and orderly life.

The evening breeze stirred a plum blossom that peeked out from the top of the wall, its pink petals fluttering and falling at the feet of Shane and Frilian.

Why do you think Zain won't accept our invitation?

Frillie reached out and caught a petal, then looked up at the plum tree trapped inside the courtyard wall.

"I just feel that Zain now is very similar to me when I was hiding in the forest back then."

"After Vlamé died, I traveled alone for many years, trying to recapture the feeling of traveling with my teacher, but the more I traveled, the more bored I became. Nothing in this world is ever permanent, especially for human beings. In just 50 or 188 years, everything changes."

"What I'm trying to find is long gone. Like you humans often say, 'Now that things have come to this...'"

"So, I can understand Zain's feelings. [What's the point of embarking on a journey now?] He probably thinks the same way."

Upon hearing Frilian's explanation, Shane recalled the scene when he first met Frilian, when the elven girl stood in front of the [Hero Squad] statue.

Her companions who once fought alongside her against the Demon King—the hero and the monk—have all passed away, and the dwarves have gone into seclusion. Only Frilian remains, wandering the world alone. At that time, she stood before the statues of her companions, expressionless, as if she were still in some deep mountain, even though she was in a bustling street.

That feeling of loneliness when your companions leave and you are the only one left in the world.

That kind of hesitation and trepidation, stuck in place, afraid to take a step forward.

How similar Zain is now to Frilian back then.

"Then let me give him a push! I was able to successfully invite you back then, so I'm quite confident in my eloquence."

"Didn't I agree because you promised to cover the travel expenses?"

Upon hearing this, Xia En waved his hand dismissively, "That's not important."

"The important thing is that if an old elf over a thousand years old can bravely embark on a new journey, a mere thirty-year-old young man certainly doesn't lack the same courage."

"The Old Elf—" Frillie identified the key words.

Shane quickly chuckled and said, "Uh, little elf, little elf, didn't Kraft say you're still a little elf baby?"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to pat Frilian's head.

But Frilian slapped him away without any mercy.

"You old hag—you old elf—you and Shutark, don't think I'll forget.""'

Xia En was speechless.

The old man's resentful gaze is starting to resemble Philon's more and more — Midday on the moon.

The hotel was quiet.

The lights in the next room were already off. After confirming that Frillian and Philen were fast asleep, Shane quietly slipped out of the hotel.

"ah" As soon as I stepped outside, I bumped into a furtive figure.

Looking at the enormous battle axe in front of him, he grimaced and rubbed his sore shoulder, looking utterly helpless.

"Shutark, what are you doing sneaking around in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

"Shh—don't be so loud, or Frilian and Philon will find out and I'll get a lecture."

"I've heard about it. Monks are a very rare profession, so we have to find a way to invite Zain to join the team." Shutark's eyes were full of a warrior's longing for a healer.

"I've already found out. He spends every night in the tavern, so I plan to go find him directly."

"You're not an adult yet, you can't go to the tavern," Shane reminded him.

"I'm not going to drink, I'm going to see Zain."

As he spoke, Shutark glanced at Shane, "But you, going out drinking in the middle of the night, aren't you afraid of Philon and Frilian's displeasure?"

Xia En smiled smugly.

"You don't understand. Philon's tolerance for alcohol is surprisingly high. When she was with Haita before, Haita taught her that alcohol is the best medicine. That's why she doesn't get angry."

"—Are you kidding me? How could a monk possibly educate others like that?"

Shutark looked incredulous.

The two chatted as they arrived at the tavern.

"" This is a very ordinary country tavern.

There weren't many people inside.

Shane spotted Zain behind the card table at a glance.

Zain also saw Shane and Shutark. He had a cigarette in his mouth and raised his glass to Shane.

"What a coincidence, you two [lifesavers], how about a game of cards?"

Shutark was shocked.

"Alcohol, cigarettes, playing cards—is this what a monk should look like?"

Xia En, however, was very friendly.

He sat down directly at the table where Zain was.

After all, he had lived with Haita for several years, so this was nothing.

"OK."

Zain: "————" Shane's calm demeanor surprised Zain somewhat.

"Aren't you surprised??"

"What's so surprising? Your former Archbishop of Haita was just like you."

"what?"

This time, it was Zain who was surprised.

"You must be joking. Archbishop Haita is a very kind man. He funded the establishment of the village orphanage, and he used to come here every few years. How could such a devout monk be like me—"

"If you're trying to use that as an excuse to invite me to become an adventurer, then you're kidding. I already know from my brother that my answer is the same as it was ten years ago: I will not leave this village."

So defensive!

Xia En raised an eyebrow, casually picked up a card, and held it in his hand: "Who said I'm here to recruit teammates? I'm just here to play cards."

Shutark wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Shane.

If the timing is wrong, nothing you say will make a difference.

Why not try to improve our relationship level first?

The atmosphere in the tavern gradually became lively.

With his "strong luck," Shane swept the field, winning every hand and leaving Zain utterly humiliated, almost forcing him to quit gambling on the spot.

"A deck of cards only has four flushes and two jokers, and you have them all in your hand. Is that reasonable?"

"Another straight, and a pure straight!"

"How come you have a perfect record even when it comes to comparing sizes!"

Amid Zain's wails, the men's friendship quietly blossomed—of course, you don't need to worry about whose perspective this "friendship" is from.

noon the next day.

Shane led Shutalla into the room.

Based on last night's battle, he came up with a new idea to quickly increase Zain's favorability.

No wet nurse can resist the temptation of being left with residual blood, so sacrifice the child to find a wet nurse!

Shutark: "————"

"Don't worry, it's just a small sacrifice."

As she spoke, Shane brought out a large pot of steaming cream of mushroom soup.

Shutark immediately understood what Shane meant.

"You want me poisoned, so let Zain treat me—"

"Child, you've become smarter."

"I don't want to!"

"Listen to me, nothing will happen."

"I don't believe it!"

"Good girl, you can't keep a wet nurse if you don't want to lose your child."

"Why me?!"

Philon stood outside Shane's room, about to raise his hand to knock, when he was stopped by the sound from inside.

What's going on?

Are they arguing?

Seeing her stop there, Frillie looked puzzled.

"What's wrong? Weren't you going to call Shane out for dinner?"

As he spoke, he was about to walk past Philon to push open the door.

Just then.

Behind them came hurried footsteps; Zain was rushing over anxiously.

"Something's happened in the village!"

>