Chapter 194: Getting Together
"Songstress... Songstress..., Songstress..."
At first it was just a few people, then the entire crowd in the Plaza boiled over. They were Shout, celebrating the reappearance of a Songstress in the Rogue Encampment after decades of absence. The Fanaticism voices soared straight to the clouds.
"What a remarkable girl..."
Alice sighed faintly. In my mind, it was the first time I had seen her reveal such a defeated Expression, truly convinced.
"..."
"What's wrong?"
She turned her Head back and gently smoothed away the confusion on my face with her small hand.
"I'm wondering if I'm truly worthy of her giving so much?"
I sighed slightly.
"Don't say such disheartening things, Little Fan, you are the best."
As if she saw something, Alice's Tone became even gentler.
I gave a wry Smile. Although Alice's Vision was indeed sharp, how could she know my true feelings right now?
As an Otaku from the Other World who was good for nothing, I suddenly gained Powerful Strength in the Diablo World. Yes, it wasn't accumulated little by little through my own efforts like other Warriors. The Strength came too easily, giving me a Feeling of unreality. What if one day, the guy who sent me here suddenly became unhappy and stripped me of my Strength? Without Strength, would my life still have Meaning? This thought would occasionally flash through the depths of my heart.
Just as I was sinking into boundless Fear, in the darkness, two warm lips suddenly pressed against mine. I abruptly widened my Eyes. What met my Gaze were Alice's incredibly gentle silver Eyes.
After gently kissing my lips for a while, she slowly pulled away, looking directly at me face-to-face.
"Look. A Man who can make the great Candidate Saintess willingly offer a kiss, would he still worry about not being worthy of a mere Maid?"
With one hand on her hip, her slender Jade fingers pointed at my nose, putting on an incredibly proud Appearance, but her Eyes were full of tender affection.
Thank you, Alice.
"Alright, let's Depart. The Divine Birth Day has just begun."
I swept away my previous gloom. Amidst Alice's cheers, I began wandering the lively street.
Speaking of which, the Divine Birth Day really looks more and more like New Year's Eve in my Original World the more I see it. Walking on the street, both sides were filled with surging Crowds. The Stalls mostly sold snacks, with fewer things to play with. After all, most people here are still in the stage of material needs; the so-called Spiritual needs are too ethereal for many. Being able to eat good things is already immense Happiness for them.
Under Alice's excited clamoring, I visited Stall after Stall with a wry Smile, buying several portions of each snack and putting them into my Inventory. I don't know what's going on; she's clearly just a Ghost, yet her Appetite is surprisingly good. Speaking of which, can she really digest it? I've never heard of Ghosts needing to use the Restroom!
However, the taste of these so-called snacks really wasn't great. They were either deathly sweet, or so sour they made my Teeth ache. Some had utterly bizarre tastes. I wisely stopped after trying just a few – the tastes of the children in this Other World are really quite strange, including the Little Ghost in the Necklace who never grows up...
Just as I was actively sweeping through the Stalls, large and small, my shoulder was suddenly slapped heavily from behind.
Without turning my Head, I could guess that in the entire Rogue Encampment, only 3 people could Approach silently and only be noticed when they slapped my shoulder: Kashya, Sister Sharna, and Old Man Fala. The latter two would never greet me with such Strength that could knock over a water buffalo. The person who came was obvious.
"I say, esteemed Lady Kashya, could you be a bit gentler next time?"
I turned my Head back with Helplessness, rubbing my aching shoulder. What met my Eyes left me speechless. This damned Old Hag had both hands full of strings of snacks. She was happily eating them one bite after another, her mouth covered in sticky jam.
Hey~~, everyone come and watch! We've found another treasure-grade Monster with a childlike heart! And she's the famous Elder of the Camp! Can such a person really be relied upon? Should everyone seriously consider leaving this cursed place before the Monsters take over?
I ruthlessly complained internally, then looked at Kashya's dirty fingers. Suddenly, my Expression changed, and I looked at my shoulder. Sure enough, it looked like it had been hit by a palm technique Expert using a heart-shattering palm, clearly leaving a black palm print.
"Yo, Wu, I didn't expect you to like these childish things, haha..."
Kashya pointed at me as I put the strings of unknown snacks I had just bought into my Inventory, her jam-covered mouth immediately splitting into a grin.
In the entire Rogue Encampment, you're the only one not qualified to say that to me. I patted the black print on my shoulder and glared fiercely at her.
Kashya seemed not to notice my annoyance, pretending to be an old friend and chatting with me.
"Oh my, this Divine Birth Day performance was truly spectacular. It's been so many years since I last saw one."
Although I really wanted to say something to Refute her and curb her arrogance, thinking of Velas's stunning performance, I honestly nodded.
"Sigh, why do all the good girls flock to you? Has God's Eyes become dim with age?"
My nodding Head immediately stiffened. Although Kashya's words were indeed annoying, thinking about it carefully, Sister Sharna goes without saying, Sarah also has a bit of Fame in the Rogue Encampment, and even the previously unknown Velas will probably become famous after today...
"Kid, don't get too smug. There's still one more person, one more person you haven't thought of."
Seeing me look thoughtful, Kashya narrowed her Eyes and Smiled.
"This year's performance is missing one person, otherwise it would be even more perfect."
"Who?"
"That little girl from the Edward Family named Lin Ya."
Kashya didn't keep me in suspense and straightforwardly said something that greatly surprised me.
"What does this performance have to do with her?"
"Sigh, you don't know? Speaking of the Edward Family, their History is long, tracing back tens of thousands of years. At that Time, the Edward Family was a huge Family known as the 'Ritual Shepherd'. 60% of the Clerics on the entire Sanctuary had intricate ties with this Family, and the Prayer Dance passed down through generations in the main Edward Family was like the Ritual itself, almost becoming a symbol of every festival..."
Kashya rattled on for a long time, immediately stunning me on the spot.
"Wait, isn't the Edward Family a Wizard Family?" I interrupted, completely confused.
"Because Clerics had no future. When the Hell Forces attacked, the Edward Family lost a large amount of valuable Cleric Data, and Clerics were even harder to survive on the crisis-ridden Sanctuary. So, in order to continue the Family, they could only abandon the Glory of Clerics and switch to the more Offensive Sorceress."
Kashya sighed.
"Actually, the Support Ability of Clerics is quite good. As long as they can find a suitable Party, the Strength they can exert is not much weaker than Class-Changed Ones. But at that Time, Sanctuary was stunned by the sudden arrival of the Hell Forces, and the current mode of forming Parties for Trials hadn't formed yet. Lacking the Ability to protect themselves, they could only be gradually eliminated by History. Until now, the path to becoming a Cleric can no longer be found..."
"What does that have to do with this performance?"
I didn't expect the Edward Family to have such History. I've certainly gained some Knowledge today.
"Because the Prayer Dance of the Edward Family hasn't been lost. Although it's not very complete now, it's definitely a unique skill on the entire Sanctuary. And this little girl, Lin Ya, is the inheritor of this generation!"
Kashya had an Appearance that said, "You idiot, you can't even figure this out?"
"I really want to see the Prayer Dance again. It's been decades since I last saw it. It's a pity that little girl didn't make it back for this Divine Birth Day, otherwise, the Songstress and Dancer that the Rogue Encampment has been missing for decades would all be here."
"By the way, let me tell you a little common Knowledge you definitely don't know..." Kashya suddenly leaned closer and said with Sarcasm.
"Decades ago, the previous Songstress and Dancer were both Lin Ya's grandmother, you know."
"Oh?" I was indeed shocked.
"Sigh, how boring." Kashya swept away the snacks in her hands, licking the jam off her fingers.
"Well then, let's get to the main point."
"..."
I was slowly becoming numb to her Deceive/Bluffing style.
"Regarding the handling Plan for the incident at the Rogue Tavern last Time..."
Kashya slowly said something that made Cold Sweat break out on me.
"Good, good, that's more like a Man. I'll be waiting for your good News."
Kashya looked at my pale Expression, my Appearance like I was about to collapse, her mouth almost splitting into a grin. Then she suddenly paused, revealing a strange Smile.
"Well then, I won't bother you anymore. I hope you still have enough Money. Hoho~~"
With a laugh that made my Teeth ache, Kashya's figure disappeared into the bustling Crowd.
Huh, you guys? I subconsciously turned my Head back in the direction Kashya was looking.
Two girls like celestial beings were standing gracefully behind me, silently watching me with Smiles.
Sarah had changed out of that pure white Robe and was now wearing a white dress adorned with flowers, looking even more lively and cute. Velas, on the other hand, was still in that exquisite snow-white Robe, making all the passersby look sideways.
"Big Brother, can Sarah play with you?"
Sarah completely disregarded the passersby's Gaze and boldly rushed forward, grabbing my hand tightly with her small hands and Act Spoiled.
Completely unable to resist Sarah's Act Spoiled Offensive, I obediently nodded my Head.
Velas also walked up, her face blushing, lowering her Head and constantly fiddling with the strands of hair on her chest. Then, as if she had decided something, she suddenly took my other hand. The Feeling of her cool little fingers holding my palm made my Heart tremble slightly.
What's wrong with this little girl today? Even when we walked together before, she would silently follow behind me, keeping a Distance of one or two steps.
I looked at Sarah on my left and found that she seemed to not mind at all, giving me an incredibly sweet Smile along with her Gaze.
Looking at the two beauties dragging me along, one sweet, one shy, I suddenly felt a sense of accomplishment. With soaring pride, I gripped the two small hands that had found their way into my palms, pulling them tightly as I strode down the street. My Heart was so delighted I almost burst into song with a few lines of "Younger Sister, you sit at the bow". If this were in my Original World, it would probably scare everyone on the entire street, men, women, old, and young, into paralysis.
Of course, I couldn't forget the Little Ghost. Every time we passed a small Stall, I would also pick up a portion to save. What I didn't expect was that while it was understandable for Sarah, even Velas seemed quite interested in these snacks. The shyness she had at the beginning had long since vanished without a trace, and our tightly linked hands also became natural. To outsiders, there was no Difference between us and a couple who had been together for many years.
Today was the happiest day I've had since coming to Sanctuary. My only regret was that Older Sister didn't come. She doesn't like this kind of Atmosphere. I guess while everyone else was losing themselves in Excitement, she was still alone on the Training Ground, shedding Sweat. Every time I thought of this, a sigh would well up in my Heart.
Time flowed by unnoticed. By the time we looked up, the Sunset had gradually sunk. Many tourists and merchants had already left; they had come from other Villages and needed to rush back before dark. The street, which had become slightly empty, occasionally echoed with the cries of children who didn't want to leave, adding a sense of loneliness to our hearts, accustomed to merriment.
After sending the reluctant Sarah home, night had fallen. I held Velas's small hand, which she hadn't let go of since the afternoon. We walked quietly on the empty street. The slightly cool evening Wind gave me an impulse to pull her into my embrace.
"It's rare for your Grandpa and Friends to visit, yet you've been with me the whole Time. Is that really okay?"
I looked at Velas, who had a serene Expression on her face.
"Mhm, it's fine. I already saw them before coming. They said..."
Not knowing what she thought of, Velas's pretty face suddenly turned red. Illuminated by the dim Magic Lamp, she was dazzlingly beautiful in her snow-white ceremonial Robe.
I couldn't help but gently pull her hand with a little Strength, pulling her whole Body into my embrace. Amidst her panicked and shy Expression, like a little Rabbit, I slowly lowered my Head and pressed my lips against hers.
"Mhm..."
A sweet Ending sound came from the Corner of her mouth. Aside from the initial panic and shyness, Velas showed no intention of resisting at all. Her soft Body slumped weakly into my embrace.
This must be her first kiss. Seeing Velas's Appearance of letting me do as I pleased, my kiss became increasingly gentle and lingering. On the empty, cold street, our Bodies were incredibly hot.
"Whoosh—"
Amidst Velas's startled cry, I suddenly pulled my lips away, held her, and leaped high. A snow-white figure flashed past beneath us, carrying us as we rapidly ran down the quiet street. Before Velas could react, I covered her cherry lips again. That sweet, honey-like Feeling made me reluctant to leave even for a second.
Under Light Snow 's Speed, we were back at our cozy Small Wooden Cabin in no Time. After stopping, I suddenly changed my previous impatience, jumped down first, and then Smiled, gently extending my right hand towards her.
"Please alight, my Princess."
Perhaps I can't give her much, but at least tonight, I should do my best to give her a perfect Memory.
As if she had sensed something, Velas, illuminated by the moonlight, had a layer of shy and happy Glow on her face. She didn't hesitate to place herself in my hands.
Carefully holding the soft hand in my palm, I gently pulled, bringing her down from Light Snow 's back. Before she could cry out in surprise, I stepped forward and tightly embraced her in a Princess carry.
Gazing at each other, I held her and walked step by step towards my bedroom, as solemnly as walking into a Wedding hall. Even though this was just a small Tent, with only a few simple Small Wooden Cabins inside.