Yexi’s Gift 

Two days later, a fully recovered Ard was finally ready to depart. This time, however, it was not a lonely journey. A beautiful, sharp-tongued maid—a pleasure to the eyes, but prickly as a rose—was accompanying him.

The farewell was a boisterous affair, though the crowd was not there for Ard. Although his warning had saved the entire city, that was an honor he could not afford to bear. If the heretical cult found out, the powerless and unconnected Ard would be finished. He had insisted on converting the credit into more practical rewards of money and supplies, an act that had earned him the admiration of both the Marquis and Thomas. In this day and age, few could resist the temptation of fame with such clear-headed reason.

“Xi-chan, you must take care of yourself. Wear more clothes when it gets cold…”

The Marchioness, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, fussed over Yexi like a mother sending her daughter off into the world, her words a stream of trivial, everyday concerns. Though the advice was mostly unimportant, the affection woven into it was a palpable warmth.

Yexi showed no impatience, nodding seriously. “I know, my Lady.”

Elienla was heartbroken. “Xi-chan, you have to come back and visit often! I’ll miss you, sob~” Unable to control her emotions, she threw her arms around Yexi, her sobs muffled in her friend’s shoulder.

Yexi comforted her in a soft voice. “This isn’t a final farewell. Don’t worry. Perhaps a certain someone’s life isn’t that long, and I’ll be back before you know it.”

Ard: “…”

Elienla, still buried in Yexi’s embrace, mumbled, “Mm, okay, you have to take care.”

Ard: “…”

She even agreed! Ard didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He knew the sweet, simple-minded Elienla hadn’t processed the meaning behind Yexi’s words at all.

Yexi gently lifted Elienla’s face. “Don’t worry, I will definitely come back. I still have to attend Elienla’s wedding, after all. Don’t forget about me then.”

Elienla nodded earnestly. “Mm, I’ll be sure to tell you in advance.”

Yexi took Elienla’s hand and led her to Klieg, placing her hand in his. She said with great solemnity, “Take care of her.”

Klieg’s gaze was firm as he nodded heavily. “I will. You take care too, Xi-chan.”

“Take care, Yexi!”

“Xi-chan, remember to wear more clothes when it gets cold!”

“Xi-chan, here are some freshly picked fruits for the road.”

“These are the finest vegetables I could find…”

“This is…”

The townspeople vied with each other to give Yexi farewell gifts. Soon, the pile of items in her hands was taller than she was.

Ard stood beside the Marquis, marveling at the scene. “Yexi is really popular.”

The Marquis laughed. “Of course she is. Pekoin is a border town, not very developed, and doesn’t attract many newcomers. Many of the residents have lived here for generations. Everyone watched Xi-chan grow up. Though she has a sharp tongue, she’s always there to help, and she does it perfectly.”

Ard scratched his head. “It seems I’m the one stealing her away. I’m filled with guilt.”

“Haha, it’s good that you know.” The Marquis smiled, then his expression turned serious. He said to Ard, “I always knew this day would come. Yexi’s family background… sigh. Take good care of her. Although the child is strong, strength alone is not enough to find happiness in this world.”

Ard was still curious about the identity the Marquis had mentioned, but he didn’t press the matter. His relationship with Yexi wasn’t at that stage yet. He simply gave his solemn promise. “I will take good care of her.”

“Good.” The Marquis clapped Ard heavily on the shoulder, as if entrusting him with a great responsibility. “You two should get going. Otherwise, you’ll be here all day.”

“Mm.” Ard nodded and called out to the maid, “Yexi, let’s go!”

Yexi nodded, stuffing the two-meter-high pile of gifts into the saddlebags of a drake. The Marquis had prepared two of the city’s best drakes for them, chosen for their endurance. Even so, Ard couldn’t help but sweat when he saw the heavy-laden packs on the two beasts.

But he didn’t know that the heaviest item was not in the bulging saddlebags, but in the seemingly light backpack Yexi carried.

After they had traveled some distance from Pekoin City, Yexi, who was walking behind Ard, suddenly spoke. “Let’s begin.”

Ard took a deep breath, steeling himself. His eyes were as firm as a man walking to his execution. “My training?”

“Mm.” Yexi casually tossed her backpack to the ground. The force of its descent alone was enough to gouge a small crater in the earth, a testament to the weight of its contents.

Ard’s jaw dropped. He stared in astonishment. He never would have guessed that Yexi had been carrying something so heavy. From her appearance, she had shown no sign of strain, as if she were carrying nothing at all.

At Yexi’s gesture, Ard opened the backpack. Inside was a pair of leather boots, four weighted rings, and a unisex wool sweater and trousers. They didn’t look particularly heavy, but when Ard tried to lift the sweater, he found that the seemingly light garment was rooted to the bag. It took all his strength just to lift it.

“W-What is this?”

Yexi said calmly, “Have you heard of the Moreian Behemoth?”

Ard nodded. “I have. They’re the heaviest creatures known to exist in this world. Don’t tell me…”

“That’s right. All of this gear is made from the materials of a Moreian Behemoth. The sweater, trousers, and boots are made from their thick wool, and the four weighted rings are made from their sinews.”

Ard looked at Yexi in amazement. “I remember the Moreian Behemoths are incredibly strong and difficult to hunt. This set must have cost a fortune.”

“Although your actions were driven by selfish desires, you still ended up saving the Lord’s family and the residents of the city. Thank you.” Yexi’s voice was sincere. “This thanks has been delayed for various reasons. This set of equipment is your reward.” She paused, then added, “And it wasn’t custom-made for you. Years ago, I was looking for good training materials and found that the Behemoth’s hide was very suitable. There’s a population of them on a high mountain deep in the Beast Forest. I assassinated one, dragged it back, and had the Marquis help me craft this.”

Ard never expected Yexi to thank him so directly. He was taken aback. “To think I’d live to see the day I’m thanked by Yexi,” he teased. “I feel like my life is complete.”

Yexi said, exasperated, “I’m capable of distinguishing between favors and grudges. And your life is certainly cheap. Since you feel it’s complete, why don’t you fulfill our contract now, and I’ll send you to your final resting place?”

“That won’t do. This life is complete, but I still want to earn my next one. And if I have the chance to be thanked by you more often, I’ll be smiling in my dreams,” Ard laughed. Suddenly, a crucial question occurred to him. “You said this was made for you? You…”

Yexi nodded, thinking he was worried about the size. “Don’t worry. Although the Moreian Behemoth’s materials are incredibly heavy, they are also very flexible. Once you put it on, it will quickly stretch to fit you. And despite their appearance, they are very breathable and can even adjust to the outside temperature. You won’t feel stuffy wearing them, no matter the season.”

Ard suddenly asked, “Did you… wear this for a time?”

“Mm.” Yexi nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world, even speaking of the clothes with a hint of praise. “Because the material is so excellent, for a while, I just wore this set with my maid uniform over it. Besides being a bit heavy, it was very comfortable. I…”

Yexi finally realized what was wrong. Seeing Ard’s strange gaze, her expression darkened. Although she had worn it as an underlayer for a time, she had cleaned it thoroughly and stored it away when she no longer needed it. It was only because of Ard’s suggestion that she had remembered it. She had thought that since it was just gathering dust, she might as well give it to him as a thank-you gift. From her perspective as a man, she hadn’t thought anything of it—it was just a valuable piece of old clothing. But now, seeing it from her current female identity…

Yexi gritted her teeth and said coldly to Ard, “What are you thinking, you human-shaped autocannon?”

“Huh?” Seeing that Yexi had sensed his sordid thoughts, Ard immediately turned his head and pretended not to understand. “What are you talking about? I was just surprised that you wore such heavy clothes for a time. Yexi, even for training, you can’t be so reckless! Straining your body like that when you were young could have affected your development! Look at your height now… ouch, ouch, ouch!!”

Yexi employed the physical “shut-up” technique: a sharp stomp on the toes.

Ard immediately clutched his foot, hopping in pain.

Yexi felt she had been getting a bit too irritable lately, to be bothered by such a small thing. He’s lucky this time. Although she knew Ard was thinking more than just that, she had no proof. No, wait, why do I need proof?

Yexi gave Ard a cold smile. You’ll get what’s coming to you.

“Well then, esteemed Mr. Ard, since you are fully developed in all areas except your brain, you surely don’t have to worry about your body. Now, put it on!”

Ard looked at the full set of clothes with a pained expression. “Do I have to wear all of it?”

“No more nonsense! Put it all on!”

For the first time in his life, Ard found dressing to be such a strenuous activity. It took all his strength just to lift the clothes. It was clear this set was not meant to be worn on the outside. Ard dragged the several-thousand-pound equipment behind a tree by the side of the road.

Then he found that Yexi had followed him.

Ard coughed twice. “Ahem, I’m changing.”

“…” Yexi gave him a cold look and snorted with contempt. “So pretentious. It’s not like I haven’t seen it before. Fine, I won’t look.”

Ard: “…”

Then, as he was about to change, he discovered a serious problem.