Chapter 139: Departure (End)
Several days have passed since inspecting the Village. I think these past few days were probably the most lively and absurd days Vita Village has ever seen. Leaving aside the other Adventurers, just take Ai'lula and her mischievous Younger Brothers, for example; almost every mealtime featured scenes of chasing and playing, a "display of Family Love," making them one of the indispensable sources of joy for everyone. "Flat-chested Ai'lula" had already spread among the Adventurers. Perhaps even Ai'lula didn't expect that she would become a somewhat famous Adventurer in Rogue Encampment in such an unexpected way. Of course, this kind of popularity is something no woman would want. It's estimated that from now on, anyone who hears her Name will involuntarily look a little below her face. Ah, the poor little girl.
However, Ai'lula and her group only added a bit of humor to Vita Village. The truly dangerous ones were the two Lady Witches who refused to leave—Sister Sharna and Kashya. These two were the humanoid atomic bombs in a Rampage State that left the entire Vita Village in a state of fearful confusion. More than half of the incidents in the entire Village were caused by the two of them. Intense clashes were a given, practically becoming their daily routine. Kashya, that old woman, was very deceptive. After suppressing her Strength/Power to a very low level, every time she achieved Victory, she created the illusion that "her Strength/Power was inferior to Sharna's, but she won by relying on unparalleled Experience and Technique," successfully deceiving those ignorant and pitiful Adventurers.
After Sharna consecutively broke two Wine Bottles on the first day, Kashya, being without Inn and without Money, was like a Middle-aged Obasan experiencing premature menopause and dissatisfaction. She looked at everyone with a fierce gaze, as if everyone in the Village was an accomplice in breaking her Wine Bottles. In particular, she never tired of teaching Sharna a lesson and teasing her during Battles. Furthermore, using the excuse that I was Sharna's Younger Brother, she secretly extorted Gold Coins from me under the pretense of a sister's debt being paid by the brother, fully exposing her rogue-like nature.
Considering that I also had a hand in breaking her spare Wine Bottles, I could only Helplessly spend Money to avoid trouble. However, she didn't demand much each time, seemingly having a tendency to treat me as a long-term ATM. So, I am now actively trying to find something to hold against her to stop her bullying behavior, which harms the entire Image of Rogue Encampment.
As for my Body. *Cough, cough*. Sorry, after watching Ai'lula's antics these past few days, it seems I've caught her "prevalent Virus of referring to oneself in the third person."
Velas seemed to have completely given up her work at the Tavern. These past few days, she had been following me, taking care of me, constantly saying "Lord" before and after. Almost as soon as I thought of something, this understanding girl would grasp it and immediately prepare it for me. Ah, this considerate little girl will definitely be a good Wife in the future.
*Sob*~~ What a pity, what a waste...
Under Velas's meticulous care, my Body had recovered a lot. As for exactly how much I've recovered, let's put it this way: I still can't Summon Light Snow and Poison Creeper, but I can use other abilities. However, I'm limited to only one Summon. Werebear Transformation is usable, but I can't maintain it for too long; it's not a lack of Mana, but my Stamina can't keep up.
As for Magic, I can Barely cast one Molten Boulder and one Firestorm, also due to the limitation of my Mental Power. In summary, outwardly, I seem completely fine, but inwardly, my two Stats—Mental Power and Stamina—are far from recovered. According to Kashya, this kind of severe Overdraw will take at least several dozen days to fully recover.
But regardless, outwardly, I seem completely fine now. And in fact, there really isn't much of a problem. Aside from being unable to engage in prolonged Battles, even if ten or eight Fallen came, I could Hack them down without changing my expression. And the Quests in Vita Village that needed doing were already done. Therefore, I seemed to have no reason to stay here any longer. Even if I needed to recuperate, it would be more suitable to return to Rogue Encampment. Moreover, Kashya and Fara seemed to have some Matter/Thing to discuss with me, so I had to go back.
Especially one Matter/Thing—although I already knew for sure that Sha La was fine, I still urgently wanted to go back and see her. Only then could I feel at ease. So, on the fifth day after I fully woke up, when Lars and the others suggested returning to Rogue Encampment, I agreed immediately, almost without thinking.
"Hmm... hmm... hmm hmm..."
Velas was also present at the time. I originally thought she would be sad about my departure. To be honest, I was also very reluctant to leave this considerate little girl.
I just didn't expect that she seemed not to have heard at all. She was still humming that clear and transparent Song, like a mountain spring, while folding Clothes nearby. No, it wasn't the same as usual. At the moment she bent over to fold Clothes, her perky, taut little backside was facing me, and a fluffy Tail, virtually created in my Brain, seemed to be wagging proudly, looking very happy. It left me completely confused.
In any case, on a bright morning the next day, I packed away the bundle Velas had prepared for me, put it into my Inventory, and then said goodbye to everyone one by one.
Vita Village Entrance.
All the Villagers of Vita Village seemed to have come out to see us off. This small spot wasn't enough space to stand, so many people stood on high places—on large rocks, on Roofs, on Large Trees—watching us from afar. Many children even sat astride adults' shoulders. The countless fervent and sincere Gazes made everyone's noses sting a little. Thinking back now, being able to participate in this Battle, being able to provide Protection for these kind and simple Villagers, it was worth it—in a word, "worth it"!
Druv and the others left the day before yesterday. Sister Sharna and Kashya, for some unknown reason, suddenly decided to go back yesterday. Besides Lars and the Barbarian Brothers, there were also a few Adventurers with me. Seeing that I was leaving, they seemed too embarrassed to continue fooling around here, so they all followed behind me. With the departure of our last group of Warriors, the entire Vita Village would completely return to its previous state, except for a few Soldiers and Mercenaries responsible for Guarding.
In these past few days, our Warriors had formed deep friendships with the Villagers. Seeing them all leave, not knowing when they would meet again, perhaps never having the chance again, the Villagers were extremely reluctant to part. Everyone silently patted each other's shoulders or hugged. At this moment, the Atmosphere of the entire scene was like a funeral procession, making people feel incredibly sad.
My eyes shifted, and I saw Ai'lula and her mischievous Younger Brothers, as well as her Relatives who seemed to be her parents and Grandpa and grandma.
"Older Sister, don't go. We won't be picky eaters anymore, and we won't say Older Sister's Chest is flat anymore." Several mischievous Younger Brothers cried and sniffled, holding Velas's hand and refusing to let go.
"Be good, you must be obedient at home..." Ai'lula stroked their heads, her eyes also red-rimmed.
My eyes scanned around again, but I still couldn't see Velas. My heart couldn't help but feel extremely disappointed. I sighed softly. Perhaps it was for the best; if she had come, I wouldn't have known what to say anyway. This thing called parting... it's hard to see them go, and hard not to see them go. Ah...
Just as I was Dejected and lost in thought, a path opened up in the Crowd. A familiar figure slowly walked out.
It was the Elder of Vita Village, Velas's Grandpa, Butu.
He slowly walked In Front of me, leaning on his Cane, and then handed me a bundle.
"Lord Fan, we have no way to repay everything you have done for us. So, at least we hope you can accept this gift, which contains a small token of the Intent of all the Villagers of our entire Vita Village."
"Not at all. This is everyone's Merit/Contribution. If it were just me alone..." I looked around at the Warriors with difficulty, only to find them all smiling at me.
"Lord, please accept it!" A sincere Voice came over.
"Lord, please accept it! This is what you deserve."
"Lord, please be sure to accept it, otherwise we won't have the face to go back and boast."
"Wu, accept it! This is everyone's Intent." Lars patted my shoulder from the side.
Ah. You people. Why do you always make the Atmosphere so sad for me?
Amidst the cheers of the Crowd, I slowly accepted the bundle.
"Oh!! This is..." Lars, with sharp eyes, reached out and opened the bundle.
A very beautiful Wool Sweater.
"Could this be a Wool Sweater woven from the underarm fur of a Layin Beast?" Everyone exclaimed.
After Lars's explanation from the side, I understood. Layin Beasts are a type of Livestock raised by Herdsmen. Because they are extremely picky eaters and have a long growth cycle, not many Herdsmen raise them. The so-called underarm Precious Fur refers to a layer of sparse, soft short fur that Layin Beasts temporarily grow when shedding fur during the transition between spring and summer. The part under the armpit is especially soft and comfortable. Therefore, this Precious Fur is extremely rare, priced almost by the strand, and not necessarily available even with Money. Generally, this Precious Fur is mostly woven into small Items like Gloves. A large Wool Sweater like this was a first.
"This truly is everyone's Intent. It's estimated that the combined reserves of all the Villagers were only enough to weave one," Lars said enviously.
Butu nodded proudly. "This is the shared Intent of all the Villagers. And then, my Granddaughter Velas, worked on it for several nights. So, Lord, please be sure to accept it."
Velas, ah, that little girl. No wonder she looked a bit tired these past few days. Taking care of me during the day and weaving the Wool Sweater at night, how could she not be tired? I stroked the soft Wool Sweater with a bit of heartache. How could I bear to wear such a valuable Item?
As the saying goes, "Even if you send a friend a thousand miles, you must eventually part." The Villagers saw us off for several miles. Under their reluctant gaze, we finally set off on the road back to Rogue Encampment. Would we have a chance to meet again in the future? Maybe the next Trial would cost us our Life. The uncertainty about the path ahead, life or death, filled this farewell with a sense of sorrow. Along the way, the Warriors all seemed a bit listless.
However, when we saw the somewhat strange yet familiar Door of Rogue Encampment, everyone was simultaneously invigorated. Yes, we had won this Battle, we had successfully survived, and now we were back home. For a moment, everyone started cheering again.
As for the few of us, we didn't join the cheering with the Crowd. We were discussing a very serious problem. That's right, a very serious problem. By the way, I was just listening in.
"Doug, Gus, you guys aren't young anymore. Isn't it time you settled down and started a family?" Lars, as the leader, fired at the two Barbarian Brothers with the Air of a married man.
"My lovely Beloved Daughter, Sha La, is already fourteen. Look at Wu; he's more than ten years younger than you, and he already has a Fiancée. *Cough*, although he still has to wait at least 4 years..." Lars coughed.
Eighteen years old, huh? It seems Lars isn't completely rigid. I wanted to raise my hand and ask if premarital sex was allowed, but seeing his appearance as a loving father, I obediently dismissed the idea. Even if I were to 'take down' Sha La, I'd have to do it quietly, absolutely not letting him find out.
"So, you should also find some partners and live a regular, disciplined life. Stop always messing around in shady places."
He glared sternly at the two cowering Barbarians. He was using the Authority of a Paladin entirely for the purpose of 'forcing marriage'.
"Boss. It's not that we don't want to, we just haven't found anyone yet," Doug said, shrinking his head and raising his hand to speak.
"Then tell me, what kind of partner would be suitable?"
"Hmm..." The two of them pondered deeply. For Barbarians, romance was indeed a significant problem.
"Someone like Charsi?"
I offered them a suggestion, and my mind couldn't help but recall that face, radiant with youth and beauty under the Sweat. To be honest, if Charsi weren't so tall and large in Figure, I would definitely have an Ulterior Motive. Such a beautiful and healthy Barbarian must be the dream lover of all male Barbarians.
Unexpectedly, Gus immediately shook his head. "Miss Charsi? Well, although she is respectable, she's too..."
"Too thin. Not strong enough..." Doug added, shaking his head from the side. It almost made me collapse with laughter.
"Wu, you don't understand. Although most people prefer handsome Appearance, Barbarians are an exception. They seem to care more about physique," Lars whispered beside me.
In other words, Charsi, whose beauty is not much inferior to Sister Sharna's in the eyes of us Humans, is quite unpopular in the eyes of Barbarians? *Sweat*...
"Besides Barbarians, there are also the Elf Race. It is said that they also don't have much feeling for Appearance. What they rely on to distinguish is Aura, mind, and Soul." Lars continued spreading his little Gossip News.
Hmm, just looking at Sister Sharna's Appearance, you know that the Elf Race must have handsome men and beautiful women. It's not surprising that they don't have much feeling for Appearance. It's just that the mind is understandable, but what exactly are that Aura and Soul? Who can tell me? How do you distinguish them?
Between different Races, there really is an insurmountable gap! At this moment, my fantasy of 'hooking up' with an Elf girl was completely shattered.
"If it's a woman as Powerful as Lady Sharna, even if her Figure is a bit lacking, she's still..." While I was feeling incredibly dejected, Doug muttered on, drooling.
I'll kick you to death! How dare you fantasize about Sister Sharna! I watched him sinisterly from the side.
"I will tell Older Sister exactly what you just said..." Should I use Exploding Arrow to 'blow up his chrysanthemum', or use a Spear for an enema? It's truly worth the Expectation.
"Lord Fan, I was wrong! Please be sure to Spare/Forgive my lowly Life!"
Hearing my chilling tone, Doug instantly shivered, waking up from his fantasy. Only then did he remember that someone with my Status existed. His Body, as tall as a small mountain, went limp, and he cried loudly, hugging my thigh in a very undignified manner.
"You guys..." Lars had a terrible headache over our ability to go off-topic.
"Boss, anyway, we're still young. It's not too late to talk about it even after returning to Harrogath. I think there will definitely be more suitable partners for us there," Gus analyzed calmly. At their Speed, advancing to Harrogath would probably take over twenty years. For a Barbarian Class Changer who has a Lifespan of at least 0+ years, it's indeed not very late.
"Ah, forget it, I won't bother with you anymore." Lars turned his head back as if sulking and said angrily.
"Boss, anyway, thank you..."
The two Barbarian Brothers said sincerely. The Path of Training was not easy to walk. Who could guarantee that they would reach Harrogath safely? Lars was worried about them and hoped they would have a good bond, so they would have one more concern, one more Expectation and Hope in Battle.
"Hahaha... we're finally back at Rogue Encampment..."
Not long after walking, Doug reverted to his old ways again. He and Gus linked arms and started singing loudly with their booming voices.
"After fighting for so long, it's time to properly vent, right? Oh, right, Wu, come with us." Doug looked at me with a look that all men would understand.
"No." I refused immediately without thinking.
"Generally speaking, Adventurers who have experienced Battle need to vent in this way after returning. But speaking of which, I don't think I've ever seen Wu go..." Doug looked at me thoughtfully.
"Could it be that you're not capable in that regard..."
"Wh... what?" This concerned a Man's dignity, so I had to retaliate, but no matter how I thought about it, I couldn't find a good way to retort. Comparing myself to a Barbarian in that regard? I'd be a fool.
"I just don't want to go to that kind of place."
I said sullenly. Actually, after a long period of brutal Slaughter and the stimulation of Blood, saying I didn't want to vent was a complete lie. But based on that little bit of traditional Viewpoint, I had been restraining myself, not wanting to have my first time in that kind of place.
"Could it be that it's your first time?"
Seeing my face turn bright red, Doug looked at me Incredulous, as if seeing an alien. At this, even Gus and Lars pricked up their ears.
"Joke! I... I am, in that regard, very skilled... Uh, that's not right either. Anyway, it's not what you imagine."
I originally wanted to boast, but seeing Lars's expression change, I remembered that my Lord Father-in-law was still present, so I quickly changed my Statement.
"Then what are you hesitating for?"
Seeing me say this, Doug's eyes lit up, and he immediately grabbed my shoulder without question and started dragging me. Not to mention I haven't recovered yet, even if I had, I wouldn't be his Opponent/Rival. So I could only be dragged along by him.
"Lars, aren't you going to say something?" I turned my Expectant Gaze towards Lars. As my future Father-in-law, are you just going to watch your son-in-law go to a brothel?
"Hmm?" Lars, who was about to go home, turned back and looked at me in surprise. Then, as if struck by a sudden Realization, he immediately went into a Rampage State.
"D-don't tell me, you want to vent all that accumulated lust on my Beloved Daughter's innocent Body? — 'Ah, lovely Little Shara, come, lie obediently on the bed and let Big Brother teach you some very comfortable Matter/Thing.' Is that what you plan to do? You bastard, I won't Spare/Forgive you!"
Lars's habit of over-Protection towards his Family flared up again.