The golden afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the gaps between the trees, laying a dappled carpet of light across the forest path.
Shi Hanfeng walked steadily.
The girl on his back let out a faint moan, her body stirring slightly as she slowly regained consciousness.
“Awake?”
“How do you feel?”
Shi Hanfeng’s tone was gentle, his footsteps unhurried.
He could feel the body on his back tense slightly, then relax again.
“I’m… I’m alright.”
The girl’s voice was husky from sleep, but grew clearer as she spoke.
“Thank you for saving me. Did you heal my wounds?”
“Are you also a Priest?”
Shi Hanfeng chuckled softly, his armor vibrating faintly with his laughter.
“Mm, I know a bit about healing too. As for my identity, just think of me as a Priest.”
He deliberately left out the details, neither confirming nor denying.
His fondness for the Sword Saintess from his previous life made him more willing to interact, but he knew this girl shouldn’t know too much—especially after angering a petty god.
The girl clearly didn’t notice the reservation in his words, only responding softly:
“My name is Ailysdis Arkuoru. May God bless you.”
“Rochet.”
Shi Hanfeng used the alias he went by in this world.
God’s blessing?
Forget it. He didn’t hold much affection for the gods of this world.
“Um… Ailysdis is a bit too long. If you don’t mind, you can call me Aili.”
Her voice suddenly grew lighter, tinged with a hopeful anticipation unique to girls.
The Sword Saintess at this age was unexpectedly cute.
“Alright, Aili. But my name doesn’t have a shorter version.”
“That’s fine. Rochet is a nice name.”
Aili spoke softly, a trace of shyness in her voice.
Ailysdis—no, Aili now—felt the cold touch of armor beneath her, but for the first time, it made her feel truly safe.
The “hero saves the damsel” trope might be cliché, but experiencing it firsthand made the sense of thrill and security all the more real.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Unconsciously, she pressed herself more tightly against Shi Hanfeng’s back, feeling the warmth through his solid armor.
“His back is so broad… His voice is gentle, so reliable…”
Aili’s mind raced with wild thoughts, her heart pounding.
She had never been this close to a man before, let alone a knight who had just saved her from mortal danger.
After a moment of silence, Aili hesitated and spoke.
“Um, Mister Rochet, did you see my teammates? Are they… still alive?”
Shi Hanfeng didn’t pause his steps, but his voice grew softer.
“When I arrived, you were the only one still fighting in the Nest. The others showed no signs of life.”
“If your will hadn’t been strong enough to hold on until I got there, the outcome would likely have been the same.”
Aili’s heart sank.
She wasn’t surprised by the answer, but it still brought a stab of pain and sorrow.
Fragments of memory flashed through her mind.
Teammates from a hastily formed party charging recklessly into the cave, their screams as they were ambushed, realizing too late that Goblins had blocked the escape route—her desperate struggle against despair…
“If only I’d noticed the danger sooner…”
“If only I’d been stronger…”
Guilt surged through her like a tide, making her breath quicken.
Shi Hanfeng couldn’t see Aili’s face, but her breathing and slight bodily changes told him all he needed to know about her emotional state.
He spoke gently.
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“As a beginner, you already did well to last until the end against the Goblins.”
“Don’t put the sins caused by the Goblins onto your own shoulders.”
According to the original story, this girl was meant to endure much worse.
Both physical and mental torment would become shadows haunting her for life, never fading even in dreams.
Given that, this outcome was already a blessing.
Thinking of that, he felt a little dazed.
Had he just reenacted the experience of the Goblin Slayer?
An armored loner, comrades slaughtered, only one Priest left alive.
Was this the hand of fate?
Aili didn’t answer, but Shi Hanfeng could feel her tension easing.
A silence fell, broken only by their footsteps and birdsong in the forest.
The sun continued to set, its light fading, and the woods grew dim and hazy.
For a while, Aili’s breathing became so steady that Shi Hanfeng almost thought she’d fallen asleep again.
But then he felt her let out a barely audible sigh, a sound filled with complex emotions.
Relief at surviving, grief for lost companions, and uncertainty about the future.
Shi Hanfeng didn’t disturb her thoughts.
He merely adjusted his stance, making her sit more comfortably on his back.
This small gesture earned him a barely heard “thank you,” and a closer lean from Aili.
She glanced secretly at Shi Hanfeng’s fully enclosed helmet and armor.
Somehow, the cold metal made her feel oddly at peace.
The forest path gradually widened, and the outline of Ximu Town appeared in the distance.
Shi Hanfeng sensed the breath on his back quicken suddenly—Aili seemed nervous, shifting slightly.
“We’re almost at Ximu Town.”
Shi Hanfeng said, breaking the long silence.
“Mm…”
Aili’s voice was soft and hesitant.
“Mister Rochet, are you an Adventurer from Ximu Town?”
“Sort of. Just registered recently.”
Shi Hanfeng answered simply, giving no further details.
He sensed that Aili wanted to ask more, but in the end, she only gave a faint “oh.”
Aili suddenly wished time would freeze at this moment—that they could walk this forest path forever, far from all danger and pain, accompanied only by this strong and reliable figure.
But every journey had its end.
As the wooden palisades of Ximu Town came into view, Aili felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
The outline of the town gate grew clearer, and Shi Hanfeng felt the body on his back tense up again.
“Relax. You’re safe now.”
He murmured reassuringly.
“I’m not scared…”
Aili’s voice was almost a whisper, barely more than a mutter to herself.
“It’s just a bit… embarrassing.”
Shi Hanfeng understood immediately.
A Nun being carried into town by an unfamiliar man would certainly draw some attention and gossip.
But he had no intention of putting her down.
She was just embarrassed, not unwilling to stay on his back, and he didn’t care about the stares.
As they passed through the town gates, they indeed attracted plenty of looks.
Shi Hanfeng was already gaining a bit of fame for his efficient clearing of Goblin Nests.
Combined with the eye-catching Pope of the Pure Court’s Paladin armor, he was easily recognizable.
Several passersby whispered to each other, their gazes moving back and forth between him and the Nun on his back.
“That’s the ‘Demon Paladin,’ right? Who’s the Nun he’s carrying?”
“Never seen her. Maybe he rescued her from a Nest somewhere?”
“I heard he specializes in clearing Goblin Nests—crazy efficient. Could that Nun be…?”
Murmurs drifted on the wind.
Shi Hanfeng’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
But he could feel Aili’s body stiffen, her breathing rapid—clearly bothered by the rumors.
“Ignore them.”
Shi Hanfeng said softly.
“We’ll be at the guild soon.”
Aili gave a faint “mm,” but stayed tense.
Shi Hanfeng sensed her trying to bury her face deeper, hiding from the curious eyes.
The gesture struck him as oddly cute—and a little irritating.
He could accept both tragedy and comedy, but he hated malice born solely from sick amusement at others’ expense.
Just endure it for a few more days.
The buildings on either side of the street became more familiar, and the outline of the Adventurers’ Guild appeared at the end of his view.
Shi Hanfeng felt the rhythm of the breath on his back change—Aili seemed to be bracing herself.
A few Adventurers sat on benches outside the entrance, looking up curiously as Shi Hanfeng approached with the Nun on his back.
Shi Hanfeng sensed Aili take a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice trembling just enough to be noticed.
“Mister Rochet, um… I…”
“We’re here.”
Shi Hanfeng cut her off gently, stopping at the guild’s entrance and adjusting her on his back as he prepared to enter.
For a moment, he felt the body behind him freeze, then heard a soft, embarrassed sigh.
“Ah… Mm… We’re here…”
Shi Hanfeng could almost imagine her expression, but he didn’t say anything.
He simply lifted her slightly and walked through the guild doors.
“Welcome to the Adventurers’—oh, isn’t this Mister Rochet?”
The receptionist behind the counter looked up, surprised to see the Nun on Shi Hanfeng’s back, but quickly recovered her professional smile.
“Do you need any assistance?”
The guild’s interior was dimmer than outside, filled with the scents of ale and food.
A few Adventurers glanced over from the corners, but soon returned to their own conversations.
Shi Hanfeng set Aili down on a bench against the wall.
“Wait here for a moment. I’ll explain the situation.”
His voice came out low and reliable from inside his helmet.
Aili nodded, cheeks still tinged with red.
Her fingers twisted nervously at the corner of her Nun’s robe, her eyes following Shi Hanfeng with a mix of gratitude, reliance, and a feeling just starting to blossom.
Shi Hanfeng turned toward the counter, his armor clinking softly with each step.
He could feel her gaze following him, so intense it almost felt physical.
He sighed inwardly.
Emotions in this world seemed so much more complicated than in a game.
The receptionist glanced at Aili sitting by the wall, her expression turning heavy.
“Mister Rochet, is this girl the only survivor from that Adventurer party?”
Shi Hanfeng nodded slightly—it was a common occurrence in this world.
Adventure was never safe.
Without risking your life, why would Adventurers earn more than ordinary people?
Unfortunately, beginners only saw the glory, never the cruelty.
“Their Ceramic Plates are all here. I’ve cleared most of the Goblins in the Nest, so the rest is up to you.”
“No, thank you for your hard work, Sir Rochet.”
When he looked back, he saw Aili sitting as she had been, her eyes never leaving him.
A complex light flickered within them, as if she were weighing an important decision.
Shi Hanfeng walked toward her, his armor reflecting the faint guild lights.
“Everything’s settled. What do you plan to do next?”
He tried to keep his tone neutral.
Aili looked up, her golden hair flowing like honey under the lamps.
Her eyes shone brightly in the dimness, holding both a determination beyond her years and a youthful unease.
“I…”
She took a deep breath, clenching the edge of her robe so tightly her knuckles turned white.
“I want to become stronger, so I won’t drag anyone down, so I won’t have to watch my companions…”
Her voice caught, but quickly turned firm again.
“Mister Rochet, I know this is a bold request, but… if possible, could I learn from you?”
“I know you might not need any burdens, but I’ll do my best not to slow you down. I…”
Her words spilled out like a flood, as if fearing that pausing would rob her of the courage to continue.
Shi Hanfeng listened quietly, not interrupting.
He could see the light in Aili’s eyes—a longing for strength, a hope for change, and a yearning for the future.
The guild’s background noise seemed to fade, leaving only the Nun’s hurried breaths and unwavering gaze.
Looking at this girl who had yet to become the “Sword Saintess,” Shi Hanfeng felt a swirl of emotions.
He knew that in this world, gods never let anyone go so easily.
And now, Aili stood at the crossroads of fate, reaching out to him for help.
Shi Hanfeng fell silent for a moment, his expression hidden beneath his helmet.
Then, he spoke, voice as calm as water.
“It’s a dangerous choice, Aili. The road ahead won’t be easy.”
A glimmer of hope and determination flashed in Aili’s eyes.
“I’m not afraid, Mister Rochet. I’ve already experienced despair, and now I see the possibility of change.”
Her voice trembled slightly, but held no hesitation.
Shi Hanfeng could sense the strength of her will—as if he could see the future Sword Saintess gradually taking shape.
Shi Hanfeng paused for a moment, expression unseen under his helmet.
“I can’t take you with me.”
Aili’s light faded instantly, her lips trembling.
“Why? Am I too weak? I can become stronger—I really can…”
“It’s not your fault.”
Shi Hanfeng interrupted, still calm.
“It’s because I’ll be leaving in three days. Before I go, I’ll tell you the reason. But for now, I can’t accept your request.”
Tears welled in Aili’s eyes, but stubbornly refused to fall.
“Can’t you even give me a chance?”
Shi Hanfeng’s sigh was soft—it wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but that he lacked the strength to keep such a promise.
Targeted by the Goblin God, he couldn’t bear to rescue someone only to drag her back into danger again.
“Three days from now, you’ll understand.”
He repeated.
“Until then, rest and regain your strength.”
Aili lowered her head, golden hair hiding her face.
Shi Hanfeng saw her clenched fists trembling—the disappointment nearly tangible.
The guild lights seemed to grow even brighter, casting long shadows on the wall behind them.
He knew his choice hurt her, but compared to the dangers ahead, perhaps this pain was trivial.
“Rest well.”
He said at last, turning to leave.
Just as he turned, Aili suddenly looked up, eyes burning with determination.
“Then for these three days, can I stay by your side?”
“At least let me learn from you during that time?”
Shi Hanfeng stopped, looking back into her pleading gaze.
Three days might be enough to teach her a few tricks for self-defense—and enough to make preparations for his own departure.
“Fine.”
He relented at last.
“I’ll teach you a few things in these three days, but that’s all.”
Aili finally smiled through her tears—a smile filled with hope.
“Thank you, Mister Rochet. I’ll cherish every moment of these three days.”
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