บท 150: Chapter 150: Clearing the Mist, Revealing the Truth
In the dim room, invisible dust slowly floated in the air.
In the center of the room, an old oil lamp flickered with a weak light, the flame wavering as if it might go out at any moment, yet tenaciously illuminating everything around it.
The flame on the wick was sometimes bright, sometimes dim, accompanied by a slight crackling sound, like the deep and distant breath of the night.
Under the oil lamp, Ino held a delicate straw ring in his hand.
"...That's how the story goes. The nameless young man in the back alleys of Hendon Myre still died in the end. Love ultimately lost to material wealth, and the straw ring lost to luxurious jewels."
"Before his death, the young man left these words: If she truly loved me, she would gladly accept this straw ring, wouldn't she?"
"No one knew the young man's name, and no one remembered his existence. The only proof of his time in this world might be this straw ring."
As the last word fell, Ino placed the ring back on the table, and the room fell silent once more.
For a long while.
Caitlyn lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears.
"If she didn't love him, why didn't she tell him? Why be so cruel?"
Why? Even with his vast experience, Ino couldn't find a standard answer to this question.
"Perhaps, that's the complexity of fate."
...
Caitlyn left.
She came in high spirits and left in tears.
In the room, Ino sat in his chair, gently stroking the ancient oil lamp on the table.
Although he had a feeling that this lamp would be interesting when he was in the sanctuary, he didn't expect it to bring such a great surprise—clearing the mist.
In the real world of Arad, there was no concept of experience levels, nor any data bonuses.
But... this place never lacked stories. Every object might hide an unknown story behind it.
And this oil lamp could reveal the stories hidden behind these objects, like clearing the mist and seeing the truth.
It seemed, as Aunt Julia said: I fear you might not find your way back.
Ordinary yet extraordinary! This phrase flashed through his mind like lightning.
At this moment, Ino suddenly relaxed.
Loton, the decomposition machine—none of it seemed so important anymore. Even the excitement of coming to the world of Arad had faded considerably.
"Let it be..." A sigh echoed in the silent room.
After letting go of his utilitarian mindset, he opened his briefcase, took out an automatic writing feather pen, and a stack of loose parchment.
As if sensing its owner's mood, the feather pen floated in mid-air, then drifted toward the parchment on the table, writing swiftly:
"In Ino's story, the young man in the back alleys of Hendon Myre has a name, Azra, meaning pure blue sky, representing his love, pure and faithful!"
...
The night was always short, and dawn would eventually arrive.
On the horizon, the first light of dawn spread out like delicate silk.
The morning light penetrated the clouds, casting golden rays that intertwined with the ancient bricks of the Elvenguard.
Shops along the street began to open one after another, the wooden doors creaking softly, like the prelude to the morning.
"Good luck, adventurers!"
"It's another energetic day!"
Seria, wearing a light pink dress, stood at the counter. Because of her height, from a distance, only a small head could be seen above the counter.
Even so, Seria still stood on tiptoe, giving her daily blessings to the adventurers as they left the inn.
Time passed slowly.
In the inn's lobby, near a window.
Ino sat by the window, watching the bustling crowd on the street, some carrying shotguns, some wielding giant swords, and others carrying large crosses...
Despite their different weapons, their goal was the same: to exterminate the troublesome goblins in the eastern part of the Elvenguard, in the Grand Flores.
Before he knew it, it was late morning.
The streets gradually became deserted, probably because all the adventurers had entered the forest.
After finishing his breakfast, Ino stood up and walked toward the counter.
"Good morning, Ino. Aren't you going on an adventure today?" Seria greeted softly from behind the counter.
"I'm not planning to adventure here. I'm looking for Caitlyn. Why haven't I seen her this morning?"
Ino looked around in confusion. Since he got up this morning, he hadn't seen the female gunner.
"Caitlyn left for the forest early. She's always the first to go."
Seemingly tired of standing, Seria lowered her head, looking listless.
Not seeing Caitlyn, Ino didn't mind. After all, her primary identity was an adventurer, and it was normal for her to head to the Grand Flores early.
"By the way, Seria, do you know how to get to Hendon Myre? Or where I can buy a map?"
...
In the sky above the Elvenguard.
In the stratosphere, over ten thousand meters above the ground, a graceful black swan was flying leisurely.
Using Animagus for travel was a last resort. Although there was the Apparition spell, it required the user to have been to the destination before.
In the morning, with Seria's help, Ino obtained a route map to Hendon Myre and confirmed the timeline: Arad Year 993.
It was the time when adventurers had successfully purified the complex sewer system of Hendon Myre.
Now was the most prosperous time for Hendon Myre.
...
In the sky, Ino flew with all his might, pushing the swan's long-distance travel capabilities to the limit.
After flying nonstop for several days at a maximum speed of ninety kilometers per hour, he finally saw in the distant horizon a large city encircled by white walls.
The Principality of Bel Myre, a free city that revered magical civilization—Hendon Myre.
As he got closer, he could clearly see the towering buildings and countless magical devices within the city.
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