After dinner, Caili was getting ready to rest inside the tent with Sylvia, while Ortlands was still relaxing by the campfire.
Sylvia skillfully laid out the blanket and bedding, arranged the pillows, and even placed a body pillow. The more Sylvia thought about it, the more she felt that bringing Caili along had been the right choice.
Caili’s hairpin was so convenient to use here, and hugging her was incredibly comfortable!
While Sylvia was tidying up the bedding, Caili noticed that Ortlands had been unusually quiet and reserved since the afternoon.
Curious, Caili quietly walked over to Ortlands to see what he was up to.
At this moment, Ortlands had completely shed the image of a refined magician with profound mastery.
He was lying on the grass, hands clasped behind his head, legs crossed, and a thin blade of grass—wherever he had gotten it—dangling from his mouth.
Egg.
Ortlands was lazily lying on the grass, gazing at the starry sky, when suddenly his view was filled with a curious and adorable face.
Caili was bent over, hands resting on her knees, her clean golden hair nearly touching Ortlands’ face.
“Mr. Ortlands, what are you doing?”
“Stargazing.”
“Do you rarely look at the stars?”
“Not rarely, but the view here is broader and the atmosphere more comfortable.”
“That’s true.”
The two fell into silence for a while. This time, Ortlands broke the quiet.
He hesitated but, looking into Caili’s lively pupils reflecting his own face, he found himself moved.
“Miss Caili, how do you view your companion, Sylvia?”
“Sylvia is my best friend.”
Caili was puzzled by Ortlands’ sudden personal question. Could Sylvia have another identity?
“And me?”
“Mr. Ortlands, you’re also a good friend now, though we haven’t known each other long.”
“Miss Caili, if someone, due to interests, coercion, or other reasons, is forced to cooperate with a gang to lure their good friend into a trap, do you think such actions can be forgiven?”
Ortlands’ intense gaze pinned Caili down, making her somewhat uneasy. She hadn’t expected such a tricky question next.
But Caili, who was a pragmatist even in her previous life, knew that neither choice was entirely right, so she made a choice popular among the people of some country.
“It depends. If it’s for personal gain, then that person is guilty.”
“And if it’s under coercion?”
“That depends too. If it’s coercion over minor crimes, then I think it’s somewhat excusable; but if the gang’s intentions are malicious and widespread—like world destruction—then even if coerced, that person is a major accomplice. If it were me, I’d probably self-destruct to prevent them from succeeding.”
“Is that your answer?”
“More or less. Why are you asking, Mr. Ortlands?”
“Nothing much. After all, I’ve traveled through human kingdoms. People there are always engaged in these kinds of power games, aren’t they?”
“That’s true.”
“All right, back to rest now, Caili. Don’t disturb Mr. Ortlands.”
“I’m coming!”
“Well then, that’s it for tonight, Mr. Ortlands. I’m going to sleep! Call us if you need anything.”
“Go ahead, no issues.”
After saying goodbye, Caili happily bounced into the tent, dove into the bed Sylvia had prepared, and rolled up the quilt.
“Caili, don’t wrap all the covers around yourself! I want some too!”
The girl’s playful voice faded intermittently, while Ortlands was still savoring Caili’s earlier answers.
He had underestimated her—she looked a little silly and naive but had surprising depth of thought. Her answers seemed so right and fitting to him.
But the message had been sent. Now there was no turning back; he could only pray that Caili and Sylvia would stay safe tomorrow.
At night, Caili nestled in Sylvia’s arms, deep in thought. Sylvia had already fallen asleep, her breathing steady and calm.
Earlier, Sylvia had been teasing her—sometimes touching her thigh, sometimes tickling her armpits, even locking her in place with her legs, holding her tightly like a body pillow.
Not only that, Sylvia often rested her face on Caili’s shoulder, rubbing her cheek up and down, occasionally blowing on her soft flesh and pinching her belly fat. She treated Caili like a toy.
But perhaps because Sylvia had worked so hard today, she fell asleep early. Though she urged Caili to rest, Caili’s active mind often replayed past events at night.
Caili quietly opened her eyes and, after two seconds adjusting to the dark, saw Sylvia still breathing steadily. Her beautiful eyelashes fluttered subtly.
Hehe (*^^), Sylvia looks so pretty and cute when she’s asleep!
“Whoosh~”
Caili heard a noise outside the tent, as if someone was walking on the grass.
Could it be Ortlands doing something?
Clutching her curiosity, Caili slowly wriggled out, stuffing the body pillow into Sylvia’s arms to replace herself, then quietly slipped out of the tent.
She found that Ortlands was no longer by the campfire. So late, what could he be doing?
Looking around, she spotted a faint figure far away in one direction.
Something felt off. Ortlands’ questions today had been unusual, and why would he travel so far at this hour?
Caili decided to follow and see.
She tiptoed lightly at first, trying not to disturb the wild grass. Once a certain distance from the tent, she broke into a run. Ortlands seemed to be deliberately waiting for her to catch up.
When she reached him, she saw Ortlands admiring a flower that couldn’t possibly have grown here.
To avoid disturbing him, Caili lowered her voice and gently asked, “So late, Mr. Ortlands, what are you doing?”
“Admiring a flower.”
“You must have brought it yourself, right? This endless grassland has no flowers.”
“Indeed none. This flower holds a different meaning, so I carry it with me.”
“Special meaning? Could it be from your lover?”
“Ha ha, Miss Caili, you have quite the imagination. It’s from a family member.”
“Your family member… is no longer with us?”
Caili immediately regretted speaking so bluntly. Had she hurt Ortlands?
She hurriedly apologized.
“Ah, sorry, Mr. Ortlands, I didn’t mean to say that…”
“It’s all right. I’m no longer bothered by it. I should be going now.”
“Going? Now?”
“Yes.”
“So late, where are you headed?”
“Anywhere. I could continue to the Blood Spirit Empire or return to the Grey Human Kingdom.”
“But it’s so late, are you okay going alone?”
“Ha ha, Miss Caili, you’re worried about me now?”
Then there was silence.
For once, Caili didn’t reply, lowering her head and fidgeting, lost in thought.
***
Caili was an emotional person, and in her world, there was a saying:
Every encounter in life, every person we brush past, is a promise of fate.
Seeing the usually carefree and cheerful girl wear such a thoughtful expression, Ortlands sighed.
“Miss Caili, what kind of person do you think I am?”
“Well, I think Mr. Ortlands is an interesting person, decisive and efficient, honest and fun.”
Caili rattled off all the good qualities she could think of. Such a question was rare and usually serious when asked.
“I see. So this is how Miss Caili views me.”
“Mr. Ortlands, are you alright? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I was just thinking about the past—being forced to do things I didn’t want to do, and that might continue in the future.”
There was more meaning behind his words, which Caili caught on to. It seemed Ortlands had done some “bad things” before.
“Miss Caili, do you think I can be saved? Worthy of forgiveness or redemption?”
“Well, I think so. Mr. Ortlands must have his difficulties. You’re just following your choices. Of course, forgiveness and redemption are possible.”
Caili answered with the same bright smile she had shown during the day. That smile could melt any man’s heart, and she wanted to protect that beauty.
Not because Caili was naïvely saintly or brainless, but because Ortlands had made his situation clear. This was the right answer—to give him something to hold onto.
If she had said he was a sinner who deserved hell, that would be unrealistic. Ortlands might have gotten angry and attacked her—or worse, turned into a dark villain.
One must speak according to the situation; Caili understood this well.
“So this is how Miss Caili sees me? Unexpected, indeed,” Ortlands suddenly laughed heartily.
He then casually reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a strange round object, handing it to Caili.
“Take this, Miss Caili. This item is quite tricky.”
“Eh? What is it?”
“It’s a special retreat tool. Not just some smoke screen to block vision, but it can cut off others’ perception and tracking over a large area, so no one will know where you went. It’s very useful.”
“Why are you giving me this, Mr. Ortlands?”
“Better to have it. You might need it someday.”
“All right.”
Caili reluctantly accepted it and slipped it into her hairpin.
“All right, I must continue on. I believe we will meet again in the future.”
“Leaving so soon? Be safe and take care on the road.”
“Ha ha ha, your way of sending me off is quite rustic, but thanks for your kindness. I’m off.”
Ortlands waved and turned, walking away without looking back.
Caili wanted to watch him go a while longer, but he suddenly activated a strange skill and instantly teleported, disappearing from sight.
That made Caili give up. Though Ortlands was odd, the impression he left was still a good one.