Chương 165: A Comfort from Frilline

dong dong dong.

dong dong dong.

Philon stood outside Shane's door and politely knocked twice.

I waited in place for a while, but received no response.

"Not coming out today either?!"

She muttered a couple of words, sighed, and placed the breakfast tray in her hand at the doorway.

She turned around and walked back to her and Frilian's room.

Push open the door.

Frillie was fast asleep on the floor.

She sighed again.

She had just dragged the person back to bed when she went downstairs, but only a short while later, she fell down again.

"Lady Frilian, it's time to get up."

On the floor, the crumpled blanket seemed to murmur incoherently, "Sleep for another three hours—"

"Then you'll have to sleep until noon."

Philon forcibly pulled the person out of the blanket.

"Then let's do it at noon—" Frillie hugged the blanket and refused to cooperate.

"You said the same thing yesterday, but you kept putting it off and ended up sleeping all day."

Philon refused to tolerate it.

Frillie struggled in her death throes.

After a brief exchange, Philon sighed helplessly, "You too, and Mr. Shane too—they haven't left their rooms for two days now—"

"After watching the fireworks that night, I felt that Mr. Shane was a little depressed. Did you two talk about something?"

Is something bothering him?

The room was silent for a few seconds.

Frillie wrapped herself up in the blanket like a cocoon.

"Don't worry, anyone can get depressed because of troubles, but he won't."

Why?

Frillie mumbled with her eyes closed, "Because he is Shane."

These words were spoken softly, yet they carried a deep sense of certainty.

Philon wanted to ask more questions.

But Frillie had already turned over in her blanket and gone back to sleep.

She could only sigh, leave the lazy elf behind, and go downstairs by herself.

Frillie, lying on the floor, vaguely heard the sound of the door opening and closing.

She smiled, the corners of her mouth curving upwards.

Philon's worries were really unnecessary.

That night.

Seeing that Xia En remained silent, she assumed that Xia En was frustrated.

result----

"Are you grieving over what happened to Viabeiru?"

Frillie took a bite of pudding and asked Shane.

Xia En shook his head.

"You said that the northern plateau directly faced the invasion of the demon race, and I can imagine the hardships that the people there went through."

Moreover—I will not grieve for a brave warrior; he needs no extra sympathy.

"I was just thinking—"

"What's the difference between Volame, who didn't hesitate to use the [Court Magician] to eliminate dissidents in order to promote the development of human magic, and the mad sage Charles, who didn't hesitate to conduct those crazy experiments in order for humanity to defeat the demon race?"

Xia En gazed at the deep, boundless night sky.

Human nature sometimes cannot withstand scrutiny.

But human nature is sometimes worth examining.

Frillie listened silently.

Looking into Xia En's eyes, she could clearly sense his confusion.

One for humanity.

The other one is also for humanity.

When the leader's "knife" cuts someone else, you can understand all of that person's decisions.

But what would you feel if that knife cut you?

"You're angry."

"No."

Xia En withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the campfire.

The crackling firewood emitted a warm red glow, illuminating the smiling faces of those around them.

"I'm thinking—if I were in that position, what choice would I make?"

Frillie stopped eating the pudding.

She looked at Xia En very seriously, trying to understand his current feelings.

From the first time we met.

She felt that Xia En was different from others.

At that time, the two had just met, and she only regarded him as a reliable partner.

later.

The two of them went through many ups and downs together.

As they spent time together day after day, she gradually grew accustomed to this reliability.

now.

Faced with Vlamé and Charles's reflections, she thought he would be troubled by the fact that he was the one who was "sacrificed," and would be angry and furious.

But Shane didn't.

He was thinking about the future of humanity.

Think about what you can do for this future.

In a daze.

She seemed to see the shadow of Vlame, and also the shadow of the Southern Hero, as well as Simmel, Haita, and Aize— These figures intertwined before her eyes, finally settling into Xia En's gaze.

In the boy's clear eyes, there was confusion, courage, worry, and compassion.

There are emotions that Frilian can understand.

There were also emotions that Frilian couldn't understand.

But that sense of reliability remains, just as it always has.

Frilian pushed the crystal pudding in front of her towards Shane.

She handed him the spoon she was holding as well.

"I have never understood human emotions and choices. I often feel that humans are sometimes very awkward. Choices, stances, methods, results—humans are always obsessed with these things and repeatedly consider them."

"I usually think that if you can't figure something out, just leave it there and don't rush to solve it."

"In a hundred, two hundred, or five hundred years, when we think about it again someday, perhaps the answer will come naturally. Why rush it?"

"But Vlame said that human time is very short, and there is no such thing as 'one day in the future'."

"7

"So she has always been very decisive and can always make a choice in the shortest amount of time."

"Sometimes she doesn't know if the choice she's making is right, but she doesn't care; she just does it."

She said, "You only know if something is right or wrong after you do it."

"You only know if something is right or wrong after you do it —" Shaun repeated Frilian's words.

This sentence felt strangely familiar to him. He thought of someone, someone who had been like a guiding light in his past life, illuminating him and countless other young people.

Yes, you only know if you're right or wrong after you've done it.

First, we need to do it.

He smiled with a sense of relief.

Holding the spoon that Frilian handed him, he looked at the plate in front of him.

The pink crystal pudding, with a refreshing strawberry flavor, is topped with two bright green mint leaves. It's round, soft, and ready to be enjoyed.

"What if my choice is wrong?"

Xia En teased.

"Then that's wrong."

Frillie casually agreed.

Xia En looked up.

"Humanity may lose its only chance as a result —"

"When we were fighting the Demon King, we only received 10 copper coins as initial funding—because there were countless hero teams, and no one knew which team would ultimately succeed."

Xia En's smile widened.

He reached out with his spoon and scooped out a large spoonful of pudding.

The cool strawberry pudding slid smoothly into my mouth.

It has a refreshing sweetness that lingers on the palate.

It immediately calmed his inner anxiety.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

A new round of fireworks burst into the sky.

Tonight's revelry is destined to last a long time — Frillie looked at the table full of desserts in front of the two of them, her eyes sparkling. She pointed at the desserts and picked out a pudding of a different color, then dragged the plate in front of her.

As a result, just as she was about to eat, she realized that she didn't have a spoon in her hand. She looked around and naturally took another one from the cutlery holder.

Xia En watched her series of actions.

Pause.

He looked down at his hands.

"This spoon is yours, isn't it?

"Oh, I handed it to the wrong person."

, "

"Should we change it?"

"No.

""

"It's very sweet."

Frillie slept in.

Xia En hid inside the house and wouldn't come out.

The team members all started doing their own things— Shutark resumed his daily routine, helping an old lady repair her roof one minute and retrieving a child's kite the next.

They're so busy all day long they're practically invisible.

Whenever he appears, he is always greeted with enthusiastic cheers.

"Shutark, what are we playing today?"

"Shutark, have you had breakfast?"

"Shutalk, try this."

This surprised Yubel greatly.

"Are warriors really that charismatic?"

Philon's rant.

"It must be because their energy level is relatively high."

Unlike Shutark, who wandered around aimlessly, Zain seemed to be living in a tavern.

He spends all his time dragging Viabeiru out drinking and playing cards.

The two of them have practically become regulars at the tavern.

He and Viabiru were about the same age and got along very well.

In Zain's words, "Adults should do things that only adults can do."

This arrogant tone immediately drew Viabel's agreement.

But he also earned the contempt of Philon and Yubel.

Because it was during the festival, the streets of the entire city of [Kel City] were filled with a dazzling array of goods.

This made Yubel fall in love with shopping.

Whenever she has time, she drags Philon out to pick out clothes, and each time she tries on a different style.

Some styles were so bold that they startled the well-behaved Philon.

"The slit on this skirt is way too high!"

Philon sat on the bench, staring at Yubel with eyes as wide as saucers.

Yubel circled around in front of her, deliberately placing his foot next to Philen, looking down at the girl with a provocative expression, "I think it's alright~" Philon's hands, which were originally folded on her knees, clenched instantly.

"No!"

But it's strange.

The more Philon tried to dissuade him, the more enthusiastic Yubel became.

If Philon thinks something looks good, he won't buy it.

Anyone that Philon felt was "too improper" was taken away— Do it completely the opposite way.

This malicious act infuriated Philon.

On the other hand, Yubel seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

She even dragged Philon to try on new clothes.

"Your purple floral dress is so outdated. Who bought it for you? They have no taste. Get a new one."

Philon refused very firmly.

The two little hands were arranged like a rattle drum.

"Achoo!"

in the room.

Xia En, who was inexplicably called out, sneezed.

"Is someone insulting me?"

He rubbed his nose and refocused his attention on the beans in front of him.

These two days.

He hid in the room, repeatedly draining his mental energy, and the originally abundant pad entries were rapidly consumed.

We've finally found a term that's perfect for commercialization.

【Mad Scientist (Purple Epic)】: Specify an affix to obtain 3 original copies of it, or 1 evolved version of it. (Each affix can only be specified once; copies or evolved versions cannot be specified again.) This entry exists.

He basically has no shortage of raw materials.

Those entries that don't have any special function can be used as a "pad" for "copying" to obtain more entries.

Each copy means that the entry can be remade once.

Don't be too cool.

Furthermore, he can also obtain upgraded versions of certain powerful keywords.

Thinking of this, he immediately turned his gaze to the backpack.

The backpack's entry for "Space Expansion (Blue)" expands the internal volume of an object and reduces the weight of its contents without altering its appearance. The maximum space expansion is 50 times (must be a closed container).

He had long felt that it wasn't enough, and now he could finally upgrade.

Of course, there's no rush.

His gaze shifted to another bean.

The above is the entry he prepared to deliver to the Port of Neutoral.

【Artificial Shield (Blue Excellent)】: Targets with this attribute can charge their magic. When attacked, a magic shield will be automatically activated and will last until it is broken or the energy is exhausted.

【Wind Whisperer's Blessing (Blue Excellent)】: Gain wind speed adaptation. This may not help you speed up, but it can protect you from the negative effects of wind speed. The stronger the wind speed, the better the effect.

With these two terms, a ship's ability to withstand risks at sea will undergo a qualitative leap.

Xia En concentrated his mental energy and used the ability of the "Mad Scientist" entry to copy the two blue entries three times each.

share.

It was mounted on three steering wheels.

After doing all this, he couldn't help but rub his temples.

We can't continue like this.

The exertion over the past few days has left him with a slight migraine, and if this continues, it may cause irreversible damage to his health.

"Let's deliver three first."

"Anyway, it's a blue-level item, so it's relatively easy to synthesize. As long as you have a lot of padding materials, you can always get more later."

a few days later.

The celebration has ended.

【Kel City】has gradually returned to its former tranquility.

Although the shops and stalls along the street are still there, the colorful ribbons and balloons on the street are being gradually removed.

People from surrounding areas who had come to participate in the celebration gradually left.

The bustling streets have returned to quiet.

Xia En and the others are also leaving.

"Then let's meet in [Oisast]."

Viabel bid farewell to everyone.

Xia En nodded.

Viabel is the captain of the Northern Magic Team. He came to Oisaster not only to take the Level 1 Magician exam, but also to find the hometown of his former comrades.

My comrades have all sacrificed their lives.

He wanted to fulfill their wish and return their belongings to their hometown.

How much compensation will their families receive?

"Shane asked."

"pension----" Viabel remained silent for a moment.

"Everyone who fought against the demons on the Northern Plateau did so voluntarily; no one paid them."

Upon hearing this, Xia En frowned.

"However, occasionally there will be merchants, or supply points sponsored by the Continental Magic Association, that can provide daily necessities for everyone free of charge."

"Just daily necessities? —" Xia En's brows furrowed more and more tightly.

In such harsh conditions, were they only provided with basic necessities, without any post-war support? Even if they themselves didn't need it, what about their families?

Viabelu's gaze turned northward.

His voice was deep, but lacked variation.

"The fight against the demons is not a matter of a day or two, or even a month or two, but a matter of ten, twenty, or a hundred years—year after year."

"The empire's money is all used to maintain the defense of city-states and keep up with fortifications. There's no surplus to support the people's livelihood."

"Didn't you know that the hero's party that went to defeat the Demon King only received 10 copper coins as a reward when they set off?"

"The availability of free daily necessities now is much better than before."

As he spoke, Viabel pulled out a small cloth bag.

I weighed it in my hand.

"But don't worry."

"I will give all the gold coins I receive from these two commissions to the children of my comrades. It's not much, but it should be enough to support them until they grow up, at least until they are old enough to work."

Xia En sighed silently to herself, "And what about you?"

He hadn't forgotten that when he first met Viabel, only a few copper coins came out of his purse.

What if all the money earned from completing these commissions was given to someone else?

What should he do?

Viabel grinned and smiled nonchalantly.

"What's the big deal? I'll just go take on other jobs."

Xia En gave him a look of disappointment.

I don't know whether to say he's carefree or just easygoing.

Then, he reached into his pocket, pulled something out, and put it into Viabelu's hand.

"Take it."

Viabel looked at his palm with a puzzled expression. It was a golden ginkgo leaf, its golden color shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

"This is the first time I've ever seen a gold coin this shape—can I buy it at a store?"

"Furthermore—I sense a strange magical aura emanating from this gold coin—which city-state minted this coin?"

Xia En rolled her eyes.

"This isn't gold coins; it's a withdrawal slip from the Adventurers' Guild."

"From now on, wherever the Adventurers' Guild is located, you can use this leaf token to collect money, with a maximum of 5 gold coins each time."

During this reforging process, Shane obtained some life-related affixes, which he then crafted into [Magic Gadgets] and sold to [Kyle].

The city's guild.

A total of more than 200 gold coins.

Meanwhile, through the contact of the branch leader of [Kyle], the required entries for the port have been delivered, and a cooperation agreement has been established with the port and the Adventurers' Guild.

Shane will be a long-term supplier of entries.

But he didn't want to pay each time, nor did he want any extra compensation. He wanted the port and the adventurers' guild to set up a small treasury for him, and one-thousandth of the daily trade profits of all ships equipped with his signature would go to him.

The 200 gold coins that were just sold will be used as the deposit for the slush fund.

He uses the "golden tree leaf" as the sole voucher for withdrawals; anyone holding the "golden leaf" can withdraw money from the vault.

These leaves possess a unique magical aura; they cannot be artificially created and are natural keys.

As port trade continues, his treasury will accumulate more and more gold coins.

just now.

He planned to set aside a portion of the money for Viaberu to manage.