When Kaili woke up, it seemed to be the dead of night.
There was no sound outside.
She felt like someone abandoned in a silent corner.
The statue of the Goddess of War above her gazed down quietly.
The searing pain of fractured bones throughout her body still reminded her that her injuries were not yet healed.
She forced herself to stand and looked around.
The candle lamps had long since gone out.
The central brazier provided warmth and was the only source of light in the hall, casting a gentle, warm glow that illuminated the slender figure of the blonde Valkyrie.
She slowly walked to Li Qiuchen’s side.
He was fast asleep, face pale and haggard, clearly exhausted.
The gentle, restrained features of the boy from the northern border made people want to protect him.
He was still dreaming, perhaps caught in a long and sorrowful dream.
His pale lips were tightly pressed, brows furrowed.
“Li Qiuchen, thank you.”
She gently touched his brow, moving softly and slowly, as if trying to smooth out his frown.
Thank you for saving me.
Thank you for standing up for me.
Thank you for letting me stand here at such a high cost, almost at the price of your life.
There were so many things to thank for, but she could only murmur them in her heart.
When she was pinned to the ground by the Mankor beast in that deep pit, countless thoughts crossed her mind, memories of her life flickering like oil lamps lit one by one along a riverside at dusk.
There was the pain of her mother’s death.
The anxiety of learning the truth behind the political marriage.
The joy of first entering the Temple of the God of War.
The excitement of being chosen by the Goddess.
The satisfaction upon completing missions.
The flutter in her heart when meeting different people.
In that moment, she suddenly understood that a person’s life was not measured by years or months lived, but by a few true moments.
Yet none of those moments could compare to the feeling of salvation she experienced lying hopeless in the darkness, hearing the boy’s voice.
He didn’t leave.
He stayed.
He remained by her side.
Just thinking of this fact made her tremble with excitement, every pore on her body stirred by this conviction.
The Holy Words of the War God records: Those who act righteously and do good shall inspire Yiren to follow and not turn away.
Throughout her journey, she had done many good deeds, helped many people.
Yet only a few expressed gratitude.
More often, upon learning her status as a Valkyrie candidate, they made even greater demands.
They knew that without their approval, her cultivation could not continue.
Ironically, once they learned her true name and origin, they became humble and ceased their troubles.
Later, she hid her identity and continued traveling through the southern principalities.
Many enjoyed her grace, yet none wished to be inspired and become her Yiren.
When evil returned, those people still instinctively sought her help, rather than stand up and resist.
Only he… He didn’t even believe in gods.
He had never received the blessings of deities, yet he stood up against the strange Aescher priest.
He stood up again when it was time to enter the mine.
And finally, when facing the magical beast, he did not run.
He still stood.
He does not believe in gods, yet he truly is her “Yiren.”
She didn’t know how he defeated that Mankor beast, but it must have come at a tremendous cost—that itself was proof of a miracle.
She gently traced his tightly closed brow and eyes.
How should I thank you?
She raised her head to look at the compassionate statue of the Goddess of War, clasped her hands, and prayed softly with reverence.
“My goddess, if you would not let me respond to his love, why let him meet me? If you would not let me respond to his love, why let him fall for me?”
The goddess looked down at her with compassion, offering no reply.
She had always known—the wisdom of the goddess was not contained within the statue, but sincere prayers would surely receive the goddess’s response.
All she could do now was wait.
The girl turned to leave.
She saw roast meat and sheep’s milk placed at her bedside, with empty plates carelessly left by the boy’s bed.
This… Did Jo Co’er bring it for him?
After all, no one knew when she would wake up, yet he had thoughtfully left all the food and water for her.
A hot tear fell on Li Qiuchen’s forehead.
He frowned slightly but did not wake.
After all, in the dream, someone was holding him far too tightly.
***
Li Qiuchen didn’t truly wake up until the following evening.
His body was frail to begin with, and with the intense exertion of the recent days, he slept through the entire day.
“Master, you’re awake?”
Kairui fetched a cup of hot sheep’s milk warmed beside the brazier.
Li Qiuchen accepted it and drank it all in one go.
“How did things turn out?”
Li Qiuchen asked.
He had become used to the other’s respectful address.
Seeing that Li Qiuchen didn’t mind the title, Kairui’s face showed excitement.
“Master, everything has been handled. I’m temporarily staying at the Oak Barrel Tavern. The castle has been taken over by the City-State Court, but I managed to keep the mine. Kemel is staying with me. As for the other Retainer Knights, I’m planning to pay them to find new jobs—”
“—To protect the mine,”
Li Qiuchen interrupted gently, reminding him.
“The castle isn’t important. What matters is you kept the Baron title, and the mine’s wealth is enough to buy a hundred castles.”
Just having recovered from battle, Li Qiuchen spoke slowly.
“And when you formally swear loyalty to Count Lone Eagle and inherit the title, you’ll still need Retainer Knights. Finding and training new people later won’t match these seasoned men. Now that the mine is preparing to restart, they’ll be invaluable.”
Li Qiuchen spoke from the heart.
During the cleansing of the infected on the surface, these knights, clad in light armor, moved with the sharpness and speed of veterans hardened by fire and blood.
“Alright, I’ll have them garrison at the mine.”
Kairui nodded.
His respect for Li Qiuchen was not just for curing his demonic energy but for truly defeating the Mankor beast and saving the people of Blackwater Town from disaster.
In Li Qiuchen, he saw the wisdom and courage reminiscent of a father and thus chose to trust him.
His chief guard, Kemel, had made the same recommendation.
Kemel believed that Li Qiuchen’s willingness to stand up for Nairi from the start showed the spirit of a wandering knight, and his ability to match the false priest in magic at the banquet hall spoke to his exceptional skills.
With Nairi vouching for his character, Kemel considered it a rare fortune for Li Qiuchen to take Kairui as a student.
He even reminded Kairui to help care for Li Qiuchen while Jo Co’er was out drinking at the tavern.
“What are your plans next?”
Li Qiuchen put down the empty wooden cup.
“Count Lone Eagle hopes I can leave for Phoenix City-State tomorrow to complete the studies I left unfinished.”
Kairui answered honestly, then added his own thoughts.
“But now, I want more to study under you, Master.”
Li Qiuchen shook his head.
“Listen to the Count and go study at the Magic Academy as soon as possible. I can use magic, but it’s all self-taught—unsystematic and unreproducible. You need a good reputation. A Mage’s badge is far more useful than that of an apprentice. Then, the Count will also better accept your allegiance.”
“Master, then you…”
Kairui looked anxious.
Li Qiuchen patted his shoulder comfortingly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go to Phoenix City-State with you. I’ll help you with your demonic energy. Of course, if you run into any trouble with magic studies at the academy, I can guide you as well.”
Li Qiuchen was willing to take on the role of a tutor.
Kairui’s face lit up with excitement.
“Master, I really—I really don’t know what to say. Is there anything you want?”
This noble son still hadn’t forgotten his status, pacing back and forth.
“Should I prepare a gift for my master? My father has passed, so there’s no one to oversee these formalities. You can write down whatever you desire—I’ll have Kemel procure it!”
Hearing this, Li Qiuchen was momentarily stunned.
He had never expected any reward.
He…
This wasn’t his first time accepting a disciple.
He thought of the green-haired elf who always gave him headaches—she called him master, but constantly caused trouble, never letting him rest, and he always had to clean up after her.
A gift for apprenticeship?
Don’t be ridiculous.
He had never even heard Hestia mention such a thing.
“Master, this Stealth Technique is so hard to learn!”
“Master, why can that Monkey King learn all magic at once? Can you teach me that?”
“Master, were you once a Bard?”
“Master, what is a lover? Is it like you and Belinda?”