novelraw Chapter 284
Chapter 284
Chapter 284: Former Teammates
Year 83 of the Lachlan Calendar.
Winter.
This year’s winter was exceptionally harsh, crops were covered in heavy snow, and traveling merchants stayed indoors, refusing to venture out.
To stimulate the economy, the Lachlan Kingdom reduced taxes for merchants by 20%, opened its long-sealed granaries, and took these measures to overcome the difficulties together.
Today, the north gate of the Lachlan Kingdom, which had been closed for several years, was fully opened for the first time.
The last time it was opened was when King Lachlan I returned from his travels, and the current King Lachlan II personally went to welcome his father, only then was the gate fully opened.
Usually, even envoys sent by the empire could only enter through the small gate.
This shows how grand the welcoming ceremony today is.
Petals mixed with snowflakes fell from the sky. Because it happened so suddenly, most of the commoners who came to watch didn’t know what was going on. Everyone looked bewildered until someone in the crowd shouted the word ‘Brave Hero,’ and then the confused crowd understood, followed by expressions of shock.
The waves of sound grew louder and louder.
More and more people came to watch, filling the entire central avenue.
Xia Li didn’t usually consider himself socially anxious.
But this time, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Lucia beside him even took a piece of clothing and draped it over her head like an ostrich.
Xia Li couldn’t be an ostrich, so he could only sit there with the Demon Repelling Sword on his back, forcing a stiff smile on his face, waving from time to time to greet the enthusiastic citizens.
He had already told Uni to enter the city discreetly…
But this problem girl wouldn’t listen.
Uni, with a wave of her hand, arranged everything for Xia Li.
She even alerted the royal family.
This made it impossible for Xia Li to be a black-hearted… to be a money-making merchant in the future.
A renowned human hero, actually selling fashionable classic little junk at high prices in the black market…
Even if Xia Li was thick-skinned, he couldn’t do it.
The procession of carriages welcoming him moved majestically through the main road, pausing deliberately as they passed the central fountain.
“Captain, look over here… your statue!”
Uni patted Xia Li, who was sitting upright beside her, and pointed to the sculpture standing in the center of the fountain.
The human statue sculpted from stone had stood for over twenty years. The hard rock, unafraid of wind and rain, would stand here forever, just as the hero would be immortal.
The pool was surrounded by a circle of water jets, with magic circuits carved inside them. A steady stream of clear water sprayed from the spring, forming rainbows around the sculpture.
Xia Li only glanced at it and broke out in a cold sweat.
This sculpture… wasn’t it him?
It was the image he left behind when he was still that young and frivolous teenager three years ago.
Drawing the Demon Repelling Sword, invincible, inspiring, unstoppable! No, no, no.
He was old now, and his blood no longer boiled like that.
Xia Li was so embarrassed that his toes were about to poke through the soles of his shoes. Fortunately, Uni didn’t say much, and with a smile, she told the coachman to continue.
The road was covered with red carpets and flowers, and Xia Li finally reached the castle at the innermost part of Lachlan Royal City.
He had been here twice before.
The first time was when he was summoned, and the second time was fifty years ago, when this place was still the City Lord’s Mansion.
Unlike the palace in his memory, the palace where King Lachlan resided now was larger, grander, and more magnificent, even the plaster lines on the exterior were much more elaborate.
“It’s developing quite well…”
Xia Li sighed.
Downstairs in the palace, the person who came to welcome Xia Li was the current king of the Lachlan Kingdom.
Xia Li heard that he was the eldest son of King Lachlan I, and he inherited the throne from his father not long after Xia Li ‘disappeared.’
Judging from the people’s adoration for him, he should be a wise ruler.
Today, King Lachlan II was clearly not prepared to welcome the Brave Hero. Xia Li’s sudden appearance was too unexpected for him.
He should have been wearing an exquisite and luxurious coronation robe, but because of the lack of time, he only came out wearing a red velvet robe.
A white bathrobe could vaguely be seen inside the shawl, and his golden hair, combed back, was still dripping water.
It was obvious that he was soaking in a hot spring with a beauty one second, and was pulled out the next.
This king was really suffering.
“I’m very glad you could return to this land, hero of the Lachlan Kingdom, Brave Hero Xia Li…”
What followed was a long welcome speech.
King Lachlan II was like a student who had been called upon by the teacher to recite a text during school, reciting the memorized page of the textbook word for word.
Praising the Brave Hero, singing the praises of the Brave Hero…
The whole scene was like a church choir, with background music.
Not to mention the king being nervous.
Even Xia Li himself was quite nervous.
Once this process was over, Xia Li immediately slipped away.
Xia Li was not familiar with the current king and had nothing to talk about. He directly told the king that he was tired from his journey and wanted to get together with his friends. The king nodded in understanding, waved his hand, and arranged a delicate afternoon tea for them. He also dismissed all the maids, letting this Brave Hero Squad, who had once saved the Lachlan Kingdom, sit in the magnificent side hall and reminisce.
Before leaving, King Lachlan II did not forget to bestow upon Xia Li the glory he deserved.
A status second only to the king, no less than a prince.
A blue robe studded with crystal gems, which could blind people’s eyes in the sunlight, was placed in Xia Li’s hands.
Because the main color of Xia Li’s Demon Repelling Sword was blue and gold, the default color representing the Brave Hero was also defined as blue and gold.
Xia Li stared at the robe, feeling both amused and helpless.
There were too many gems and gold trim on it, which gave it a rather cheap feeling.
It was truly tacky.
But it was also truly valuable.
Just removing a gem could probably be sold for thousands of gold coins.
However, King Lachlan II was indeed much more generous than the old king Xia Li knew.
The things the old king gave Xia Li before were always empty titles and honors, nothing of real substance.
The nobles said that the Brave Hero could not be tarnished with something as vulgar as money, so they could not directly give him money. Because of this, the three years Xia Li spent in the other world were not extravagant at all, and his daily life was entirely dependent on his teammates.
Now it was better, the current King Lachlan II was a practical person.
Xia Li accepted the robe and crown that symbolized honor.
The evil dragon beside him was drooling, so he gave these things to the evil dragon for safekeeping.
The evil dragon hurriedly put the things away, storing them in her big burlap sack, along with her favorite beautiful clothes.
“Will there be afternoon tea later…”
After the tedious ceremony was over, only Lucia and Xia Li were left in the side hall.
Uni had gone to gather people in the city, saying she would be back within half an hour and told Xia Li not to leave.
“Yes.”
Xia Li nodded. He and Lucia sat on two golden chairs, looking at each other.
They didn’t know whether to sit or stand.
As long as they went out of that stone door, there would be a large crowd watching, and Xia Li would rather stay here.
“The development of magic in this world is not bad, so I guess the food should have improved too…”
Xia Li said, “You can try this afternoon tea. If it’s delicious, we’ll eat more. If it’s not, we’ll find an excuse to leave.”
Lucia hummed in agreement.
She seemed to have other things on her mind besides what to eat for afternoon tea.
Looking around the golden palace, Lucia resisted the urge to melt it with flames and pack it up to take back home. She looked up at Xia Li beside her and asked.
“…Is there a toilet here?”
“There should be.”
Xia Li also looked around for a bit, then his eyes locked onto the door opposite their seats.
The toilet signs in both worlds were similar, so Xia Li recognized it at a glance.
“Go ahead, I’ll wait for you here.”
Xia Li pointed in the direction. Lucia looked back and saw two small triangles, one upright and one inverted.
The upright triangle △ was for women, and the inverted triangle ▽ was for men.
She understood this!
She quickly left, draped in a snow-white cloak. After Lucia had gone some distance, she came back, shouldered the bag containing her clothes, and left again.
Xia Li silently stared at her.
What was she doing?
Was she going to the bathroom to change clothes?
After waiting for about ten minutes, the heavy stone door was pushed open.
All sorts of maids in black and white dresses dazzled Xia Li’s eyes.
However, Xia Li was a married man after all, and he had to maintain his glamorous Brave Hero image on the surface.
Xia Li rested one hand on the Demon Repelling Sword, his legs slightly apart, sitting upright.
After the maids had neatly arranged the fragrant food on the long table, the servants retreated through the same door they had come from. Only Xia Li was left sitting alone in the vast side hall. Xia Li breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed his straight back.
It was better to lie down.
It would be a pity not to lie down on such a soft silk chair.
“Creak—”
Just as he relaxed, Xia Li heard the sound of the door opening again.
Just as he was about to sit up, Xia Li suddenly felt his eyes covered by a pair of warm hands.
“Cap~tain!”
The person had a natural forest fragrance, and their voice was uniquely sweet.
Their soft tone was like a freshly baked apple pie, the kind of delicate girl whose voice alone could arouse a protective instinct.
None other than the only healer on the team, an elf-human hybrid.
Pointed ears, pink and white cheeks, and slender, delicate white wrists that looked like they would break with the slightest touch.
And, a size that perfectly matched the ‘healer’ physique.
Her position on the team was indeed the one that needed the most protection.
The Healing Mage, Viola.
If the reckless Uni was a difficulty increaser for their adventures, then Viola was definitely a difficulty reducer.
The two directly neutralized each other.
Xia Li saved Uni, Viola saved Xia Li.
Xia Li’s numerous injuries in the past were all healed by Viola.
“Captain~ guess who I am~~”
◈◈◈
Viola said in a soft voice.
“I forgot.”
Xia Li snapped back to reality and shook his head.
“╭（╯^╰）╮”
Viola let out a soft cry, her cheeks puffed up slightly, and she unceremoniously sat down beside Xia Li.
Besides Viola, a tall and slender woman stood at the door.
The woman carried an emerald green longbow on her back, and her flaxen ponytail was tied high.
Facing Xia Li’s gaze, she looked back at him.
“Irene, come and sit.”
The woman’s expression was somewhat cold, but when Xia Li correctly called out her name, the coldness on her face melted a bit.
Nodding, Irene walked over and took a seat.
Archer, Irene.
She possessed precise long-range physical attack capabilities and was also a reliable partner on the team.
“Hey, Captain, there are two people traveling outside, and I can’t contact them.”
Uni deactivated her magic circle and rubbed her witch’s hat in frustration.
The Captain had come back alive, such a big event, and those two didn’t know where they had run off to. Their communication magic tools didn’t respond.
“It’s okay, it’s good to see you guys.”
Xia Li smiled, not feeling too disappointed.
He had originally come with the mentality of ‘seeing one is enough,’ and now he saw three, which was a good deal.
There were six people in the Brave Hero Squad. Besides Xia Li, the Brave Hero, and the mage, healer, and archer in front of him, there was also a shield-wielding tank and a blunt weapon-wielding semi-tank.
The latter two were both men.
Thirty or forty years old was the prime time for men to go on adventures, so it was normal for them to be restless and running around during this time.
“Wow, King Charles is really generous, worthy of someone who has been educated by the ‘Great Brave Hero’ since childhood…”
Before she could even sit down, Uni was stunned by the long row of buffet tables in the center of the side hall.
She took off her witch’s hat and walked over, casually picking up a candied cherry and popping it into her mouth, continuing to speak vaguely.
“Speaking of which, King Charles met the Captain when he was a child. You are his most admired figure… After he took office, he started making that sapphire cloak, saying he would give it to you in the future. If you really couldn’t come back, he would hang the cloak on that stone statue.”
As Uni spoke, she walked over with two pieces of cake.
After thinking for a moment, she judged that Irene, the ice queen, wouldn’t eat her cake, so she handed the cake to Xia Li and Viola.
Viola took the cake, her expression still sulky.
She dipped her finger in some cream and smeared it directly on Xia Li’s face.
“…??” Xia Li abruptly turned his head.
“That’s for not remembering my name.”
Viola snorted softly and licked her finger.
“Uni, you said the Captain came back safe and sound… Clearly, he’s damaged, his brain is damaged, otherwise he couldn’t have forgotten me.”
“Haha.”
Uni burst into laughter.
It had been a long time since she had seen Viola with such a sulky expression.
The only one who could move Viola at this stage was their Captain.
Well… it felt like going back in time, back to when they were young and adventuring together.
“Isn’t it, Viola van Elruf Brownjones Garcia Hernandez?”
Xia Li wiped off the cream and said.
“I didn’t forget!”
The characteristic of elf-human hybrids.
Their names were so long that if they were written in web novels, people would suspect they were deliberately padding the word count.
“Hmph… I knew why you didn’t say it just now.”
Viola frowned slightly and this time dipped four fingers in cream, then swiped them across Xia Li’s face.
Xia Li: “…”
Viola had indeed changed a lot compared to before.
Compared to her former composure and prudence, Viola now had the feeling of a lovestruck, mischievous girl.
But it made sense.
The lifespan of elf-human hybrids was longer than that of ordinary people. Maybe this was Viola’s true youth?
“Time flies…”
Viola stretched and said with emotion.
“When I first met the Captain, he was in his early twenties…”
“It’s been twenty-two years, and the Captain is still in his early twenties, it’s not fair.”
“That’s right!” Uni echoed.
“I was less than eighteen when I started following the Captain, followed him for three years, and was just over twenty when he left, and now…”
Uni trailed off.
Time was relentless.
But, for them, being able to see the Captain again while they were still alive was already a lifelong wish fulfilled.
“Sob,”
Uni whimpered and said again.
“Captain, don’t die.”
“No matter how you think about it, we’ll die before the Captain, right?” Viola chimed in.
“Waaah…” Uni cried even harder this time.
The two of them were making a racket. Xia Li was about to get up and walk around, wanting to see where Lucia had gone in the bathroom.
But before he could get up, a cup of steaming hot tea was brought to him.
The teacup was delicate and small, and the fragrant steam from the tea curled upwards.
Xia Li looked up and saw that the person who brought the tea was actually Irene.
This ice queen always killed silently. She had practiced archery all her life, and her archery skills and perception were far superior to Xia Li’s. Often, before Xia Li even noticed the enemy, she had already shot an arrow.
She was the kind of person who could kill without blinking, who could slip sleeping powder into your tea without you noticing.
“Thank you.”
Xia Li politely took the tea and took a sip.
Just as he tasted a hint of fragrance, he heard Irene beside him ask another question.
“Captain, are you married?”
“Pfft…”
Xia Li choked.
Then he nodded without hesitation.
“Soon,” he replied.
Now not only Uni and Viola were stunned, but even Irene, who always had a blank expression, was momentarily dazed.
“Huh?”
“Huh??”
What followed were the simultaneous screams of the healer and the mage.
“Gone too soon!!!”
“It’s called ‘marrying young,’ what does it have to do with ‘gone too soon’???”
“The Captain getting married and the Captain dying are equally heartbreaking to me!!”
Xia Li: “?????”
Uni and Viola cracked a joke, then calmly sat back down on the soft silk chairs.
Viola lowered her head to eat her cake, and Uni blew bubbles into her milk tea.
“Viola, you’ve lost your chance.”
“Think about it, Uni, we’re both over forty… The Captain only likes eighteen-year-olds.”
“When did I say that?”
The two girls were chatting, but spreading rumors about Xia Li, he had to correct them.
However, they weren’t listening to what Xia Li was saying, but were immersed in their own sadness, adding.
“Actually, I only admire the Captain.”
“Me too.”
“Sob…”
After Xia Li disappeared, Uni and Viola had embraced each other and cried many times.
Only this time, their tears carried a hint of joy.
“Captain, how… how old is your wife?”
Irene sat back down with her tea, still a little concerned and asked.
When she said the word ‘wife,’ she paused for a moment.
“One hundred…”
Xia Li hesitated, mentally calculating a number.
“One hundred and three years old.”
“Huh?”
Σ（⊙▽⊙
Viola’s expression was one of shock.
A ten thousand word plot automatically formed in her mind: ‘The Captain, after traveling across the ocean, was destitute and on the verge of starving to death on the streets. In order to survive, he had no choice but to compromise with a hundred-year-old rich woman, selling his body to gain the patronage of the noble and wealthy woman’…
“Actually, I’m quite rich too.”
Viola said, not wanting to be outdone.
Xia Li didn’t follow her train of thought and continued:
“She’s a dragon.”
“A dragon?!”
“Yes, a silver dragon.”
“Wait, Captain, it couldn’t be the one who disappeared with you…”
Uni and Viola’s mouths formed a big ‘O’ shape. Even Irene, who usually showed no emotion, parted her lips in surprise.
“Yes, she’s Lucia Sivana.”