A Calculated Hope and a Warm Welcome

“I apologize, sir,” Bo Aibiyi said humbly, maintaining his polite demeanor despite his weakness, “but I was merely curious. I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl carrying two swords nearly as long as herself, and I couldn’t help but glance a few extra times. By the way, I still don’t know your name, benefactor.”

Hake remained silent, his stern expression fixed on Bo Aibiyi’s eyes for a moment. Then, he turned to pour another glass of water, placing it beside him.

“Hahaha, you’ve got good taste, lad! Jing is undoubtedly the most beautiful girl in our village. And, uh, you can just call me Hake. You should rest up for a bit, my boy. Jing will bring some food over soon, so you’re in for a treat.”

Hake’s stern face abruptly transformed into a jovial grin. He clapped Bo Aibiyi on the shoulder before returning to his own bed, intending to lie down for a while longer.

As Hake retreated into his room, Bo Aibiyi’s pale face, which had held a gentle smile moments before, slowly hardened into a chilling mask. His gaze fell upon his bandaged leg, his brow furrowing deeply, and a faint, unnatural twitch played at the corner of his lips.

He had never anticipated encountering a horde of Laughing Bears in the Velsen Forest. These magical creatures, known to emerge only at night, should never have attacked in broad daylight, especially with the forest’s overlord, the Balyaas Rabbit, present.

During this unforeseen assault, Bo Aibiyi had been forced to abandon his companions as sacrificial pawns, fleeing alone. Yet, even then, a Laughing Bear had clawed his leg.

After expending all his magical energy, he had barely managed to escape from the heart of the Velsen Forest to its periphery. Thankfully, a naive young girl had come to his rescue. However… one of the companions he had abandoned was General Baro’s son.

He couldn’t fathom why General Baro would send his own son to personally investigate the recent magical fluctuations within the Velsen Forest, or why a peak-level Archmage like himself, typically hidden behind the scenes, was tasked with accompaniment.

Yet, the mere thought of General Baro’s only son dying in the Velsen Forest due to his negligence filled Bo Aibiyi with dread. Knowing General Baro, he understood that he would never be forgiven. Even a peaceful death would likely be the most lenient punishment.

The mere prospect of returning to Morgan City and facing General Baro’s wrath sent an uncontrollable shiver through Bo Aibiyi’s body.

However, a glimmer of hope appeared. Bo Aibiyi had stumbled upon an opportunity to atone for his failure. At this realization, a strange, eerie smile crept onto his face, and his trembling ceased.

His luck, it seemed, was not entirely gone. Not only had he saved his life, but if he reported this matter, he might not be punished. Instead, he might even be rewarded. Though physically weak, Bo Aibiyi indulged in blissful fantasies.

Bo Aibiyi possessed a unique talent, one exceedingly rare on the Klaham Continent: Identification.

His identification skill, however, paled in comparison to Chancellor Parobia’s ‘Omni-Perception’ in the Norachi Kingdom, and it couldn’t even rival Soronna’s ‘Discernment.’

Bo Aibiyi could only perceive the aura colors of items based on their grade: white for ordinary artifacts, green for combat gear, blue for military-grade weapons, purple for renowned treasures, and red for sacred artifacts. It was this very ability that had earned him General Baro’s favor.

Just moments ago, by the side of the girl named Jing, Bo Aibiyi had witnessed a color on her two long swords unlike any he had ever seen before: a dazzling, infinitely close to golden radiance.

While Bo Aibiyi didn’t fully comprehend its exact meaning, his intuition screamed that this near-golden glow was certainly no less potent than a sacred artifact.

He understood what a sacred artifact represented: it could transform a commoner into a powerhouse, or elevate a fledgling nation into a formidable empire. Bo Aibiyi himself had only glimpsed a sacred artifact once, purely by chance.

The red light it emitted had been so profoundly awe-inspiring that he had found it difficult to tear his eyes away. Yet, the golden radiance emanating from those two long swords just now had almost compelled him to kneel in worship.

Thus, for Bo Aibiyi in his current predicament, those two long swords represented his ultimate hope—a chance to survive and secure a life of boundless prosperity.

If only he could… if only he could present these two long swords to General Baro, then his remaining life would undoubtedly be spent amidst endless riches and honor.

Though General Baro appeared to be merely a city lord, Bo Aibiyi, having served under him for a considerable time, was acutely aware of the immense hidden power the General wielded.

It wasn’t that Bo Aibiyi hadn’t considered claiming the two long swords for himself. However, his current injuries required extensive recovery time.

While the beautiful girl named Jing seemed incredibly naive, Bo Aibiyi would never underestimate someone possessing such powerful artifacts. Moreover, as a mage, he wouldn’t even know how to wield long swords.

Therefore, the optimal course of action was to relay this information to General Baro, thereby securing his own future of wealth and glory.

Before all else, however, Bo Aibiyi intended to use his recovery period to cultivate a good relationship with the girl named Jing, thoroughly investigating her identity to ensure his plan was foolproof.

****

Unbeknownst to Jing, she had already become the target of the very person she had rescued. She was currently on her way to the lake.

The segment of her long skirt that had been torn away now made it much easier for her to run.

“Oh no, oh no… we’ve been delayed for so long… Grandma Ila must be worried sick,” Jing panted, speaking to Umi as she ran.

“Hmph… hmph... It’s… it’s alright, Jing. We saved a life today!” Umi, also breathless, comforted Jing.

Just as Jing was about to speak to Umi again, she spotted an old man on the opposite side of the path, slowly approaching her.

He was slightly hunched, with a long, grizzled beard, and wore a fisherman’s hat.

“Grandpa Joseph~ Grandpa Joseph~” Jing exclaimed, recognizing the approaching figure. She eagerly raised her hands, waving them happily as she ran towards him.

“Oh, isn’t that Jing? Why are you coming to meet Grandpa so early in the morning? What a good child you are! By the way, guess what Grandpa caught? Hehehe, it’s a big, fat Gag!”

Grandpa Joseph, one hand holding a fish basket and the other a fishing rod, watched the girl running towards him with wide eyes. Due to his age, he only recognized her as Jing when she was right in front of him.

A smile spread across his face as he greeted her, then, like a child showing off a treasure, he presented the fish basket to Jing.

“Grandpa Joseph~ Grandma Ila already made breakfast and is waiting for us! She sent me to fetch you!” Jing’s face flushed slightly as she looked at the plump, white-eyed Gag lying in the fish basket. Grandpa Joseph’s words had reminded her of Grandma Ila’s morning instructions.

“Uh… you mean Ila made breakfast and is waiting for us? My goodness, I thought I’d already eaten before I left today! We need to go back… quickly, or your Grandma Ila will nag me all day!”

Grandpa Joseph exclaimed, covering his fisherman’s hat with a look of utter astonishment, as if suddenly enlightened by Jing’s words.

“Grandpa Joseph, your forgetfulness is getting worse and worse!” Umi chimed in from the side, a hint of playful exasperation in her voice.

“Jing, hehe, is your skirt new? I remember the last one you wore wasn’t so short, nor did it have so many red patterns. Look, these patterns are embroidered as if stained with blood.”

Grandpa Joseph quickly jogged towards home, speaking to Jing as he went.

“Ah… this… this happened when I was coming to find you. We encountered a mage who had been attacked by magical beasts… That’s why we were delayed.”

Jing recounted the recent events to Grandpa Joseph, adding, “I wonder if Grandma Ila will be angry…”

“I see, that’s wonderful, Jing! People from Balyaas Village should always be kind and help others like that.”

“Don’t worry about Grandma Ila. Our Jing saved a life today! If your Grandma Ila knew, she would surely praise you,” Grandpa Joseph said with deep contentment, having heard Jing’s story.

“Mm~ Umi thinks Jing did a fantastic job too! Let’s hurry back and tell Grandma Ila, so she can praise Jing!” Umi chirped, beaming with pride for Jing after hearing Grandpa Joseph’s commendation.

Jing and Grandpa Joseph returned home to find Grandma Ila still patiently seated at the dining table, showing no sign of impatience.

“Hey~ dear, we’re back~” Grandpa Joseph announced as he stepped through the door, removing his fisherman’s hat with one hand and spreading his arms wide, ready for an embrace. He greeted Grandma Ila with a robust, cheerful voice.

“You’re a bit late today, Joseph. But for Jing’s sake, I won’t fuss.”

“I’ll go warm up the porridge again. You two go wash your hands first.” Grandma Ila said, not a hint of anger in her voice. Instead, she offered a kind smile to her playful husband.

“Grandma Ila~ Grandma Ila~ I have to tell you! Jing and I saved someone today when we went to find Grandpa Joseph! That’s why we were a bit late!” Umi suddenly interjected, her voice brimming with an eager anticipation for praise.

“Saved someone? Jing, what happened to you? Your skirt is torn, and there’s blood all over it. Has someone been bothering you?”

Upon hearing Umi’s words, Grandma Ila looked at Jing as she entered the house, noticing her skirt was torn short, revealing her fair legs. The simple fabric was stained with numerous dark red bloodstains.

She rushed over, grasping Jing’s hands firmly, and asked with deep concern.

“Grandma Ila… I’m fine… I’m just so… so sorry for ruining the clothes you gave me…”

Seeing Grandma Ila’s worried expression, Jing’s heart filled with guilt. Although she had torn the dress while saving someone, ruining the first gift she had received in this world still made her incredibly sad.

“Silly child, what are you talking about? Clothes can be remade if they’re ruined. All that matters is that you’re safe.”

“Look at you now! Quickly, take off those clothes; I’ll get you something new to wear. In truth, it’s we who should apologize. A beautiful child like Jing deserves an even more exquisite dress.”

Grandma Ila gently pulled Jing, examining her from left to right. Only after confirming she was unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief. She lovingly embraced Jing, stroking her smooth, black hair, a hint of remorse in her voice.

“No, no, that’s not it at all… Grandma Ila and Grandpa Joseph, and all the villagers of Balyaas Village, everyone here is so incredibly kind.”

“You not only provided me with a place to live but also gave me clothes to wear. I truly, truly, truly love it here. Meeting all of you has been wonderful!”

Jing hugged Grandma Ila back, her eyes now red-rimmed, tears ceaselessly welling up.

“Go quickly and change your clothes, then come down for dinner. Today’s Uli Pork Rib Porridge won’t disappoint you~” Grandma Ila patted Jing’s back, then turned away, discreetly wiping her moist eyes.

“Ah… this kind of scene makes Umi want to cry too…” Umi’s voice suddenly cut in, instantly transforming the slightly melancholic atmosphere into something amusing.

“Haha~ Hahahaha~” Not just Jing, but even Grandma Ila and Grandpa Joseph burst into laughter upon hearing Umi’s words. Their joyful laughter filled the simple wooden cottage with a profound sense of happiness.