“I-I didn't mean anything by it!” Bruce looked innocent. “I was just asking out of curiosity!”
Lilith still didn't lower her guard.
Seeing this, Bruce immediately put on a heartbroken expression, clutching his chest with one hand as if he had suffered a great injustice. “Miss Lilith, how can you not trust me? We've known each other for so long. This is really breaking my heart.”
Lilith said flatly, “Oh.”
Bruce: “...”
The expression on his face instantly froze.
Nan Cheng almost burst out laughing watching from the side. He stepped forward at the right moment to smooth things over:
“Miss Lilith, please don't misunderstand. Bruce really didn't mean any harm. It's just that we recently heard some news about Windhaven Town and became very curious about it, especially the ocean—”
He paused here, his tone carrying a hint of genuine yearning:
“It must be beautiful there.”
“So that's how it is.” Hearing this, Lilith's expression softened, and a gentle smile returned to her face. “It is indeed very beautiful there.”
“Then, can we go to Windhaven Town to take a look?”
Nan Cheng asked, seizing the opportunity.
The large teleportation array built on Temple Square was different from the temporary, short-distance ones from before. It required magic stones to activate, and since only NPCs had access to such things, they had to ask for Lilith's permission.
“Of course you can,” Lilith nodded. “However, the remaining magic stones are only enough for a few round trips. If you want to keep using the teleportation array, we have to find a way to replenish them.”
“There is a magic ore vein near Windhaven Town, but mining it is quite difficult. And...” She paused. “Deep within the vein, some magical beasts that feed on ore occasionally nest there.”
Nan Cheng's eyes instantly lit up.
A magic ore vein! Here comes their source of magic stones!
“Miss Lilith,” his tone was full of earnestness, “leave the mining of the magic ore to us. We guarantee that the supply of magic stones for the teleportation array won't run dry.”
Lilith looking at his confident display, nodded slightly and added a warning:
“Although those magical beasts aren't too strong, they have lived in the vein year-round after all, so they are far more familiar with the terrain than you. If you go to mine it, you must be careful.”
She wasn't worried about the safety of the God-Chosen Ones, since they were immortal.
“Alright, Miss Lilith, I'll keep that in mind.”
Nan Cheng nodded solemnly, already calculating in his mind how large of a team he should organize for mining.
Standing nearby, Bruce watched the warm and considerate way Lilith spoke with Nan Cheng, and he was completely petrified.
Miss Lilith, you weren't like this to me just now!
To me, it was just “Oh”! You brushed me off with a single word! But when it's Brother Cheng's turn, you smile, nod, and even give warnings! The double standard is too much!
His mouth hung open in grief and indignation, looking utterly deflated.
Bing Lin and Energetic Foxfox stood behind them, looking at each other and simultaneously stifling their laughter.
“Since you all want to go,”
Lilith's gaze swept over everyone before finally landing on Nan Cheng. “Then come with me. I happen to be planning a trip back to visit a good friend of mine.”
A good friend?
Connecting this to Lilith's guarded reaction when she heard the word “mermaid” earlier, Nan Cheng already had a guess.
Could it be a mermaid?
He silently filed this information away in his mind.
...
Temple Square.
Next to the teleportation array, a dense, dark crowd of players had already surrounded Levinel and Phelin.
“Mage Uncle! Let me massage your shoulders! Can you let me go to Windhaven Town?!”
A burly Knight player started massaging without another word, his force so strong that Levinel almost stumbled forward.
“Gentle! You call this a massage?!”
“Ah, I'm just excited—”
“I've never seen the ocean in my life! Uncle, just let me take one look!”
“Yeah, yeah! If I can see the ocean, my life will be complete!”
“Uh... guys,” a player chimed in, “aren't we here to see mermaids? Even if we're going to die happy, we have to see a mermaid first.”
“You're right! Change of plans—if I can see a mermaid, my life will be complete!”
Levinel's mouth twitched uncontrollably. Pressing his aching shoulder with one hand, he waved his other hand. “No, no, without permission, you absolutely cannot teleport randomly!”
Standing nearby, Phelin felt a bit embarrassed by the players' pleas and almost gave in several times. However, catching his mentor's “don't you dare agree” glare, he silently swallowed his words.
Right then, the temple gates slowly opened, and Lilith's group walked out.
The crowd instantly turned their attention.
“Look! Miss Lilith is here!”
“Hehehe! Miss Lilith! Do you need any help? I'm super strong!”
“Miss Lilith! I heard Windhaven Town is by the sea! I've never seen the ocean in my life! Could we please—”
“I want to go too! Take me along! I promise I won't cause trouble!”
“Oh? The elf lady is here too. By the way, we're absolutely going to see the ocean, not the mermaids. Seriously!”
The players swarmed forward in a rush, their faces practically begging, “Please let us go!”
Shiruya was startled by the massive crowd, her pointed ears instantly drooping. Memories of her previous social death—where players crowded around her and showered her with endless compliments—flooded back. Her small body instinctively shrank behind Lilith. The experience of “being stared at and called cute by dozens of people at the same time” was not something she wanted to experience again anytime soon.
Looking at this group of highly expectant, energetic God-Chosen Ones, Lilith couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Rate on N.U.
