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Chapter 402: The Most Familiar Stranger
🕑 Added 2024-10-27 16:32:51 +0000 UTCAt this moment, Rhett suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.
It turned out that some things in novels were true... Breaking through bottlenecks wasn't always a smooth process; it could indeed involve life-and-death situations. Moreover, the stronger one’s power, the more exponentially difficult it became to progress.
Shaking his head with a soft laugh.
Rhett’s thoughts shifted back to the terrifying power generated by elemental fusion. From an objective standpoint, the power system of this path of elemental transcendence was smooth and reasonable.
Even though the journey became increasingly perilous and difficult, the effort and reward were certainly proportional...
As for himself, he was simply an exception, not something that could be measured by common standards.
Five days later.
Rhett arrived at Conch Village, under the jurisdiction of Twilight City.
Following him were Tucker, Ryley, and Tyrus.
The four of them hid in a golden wheat field.
"Tucker, I think what you did yesterday was too reckless. Hurting someone like that will definitely raise Mother's suspicions!" Tyrus whispered from behind his father, hiding behind a scarecrow and quietly watching a female knight chopping wood in the golden wheat field.
"Serves him right! He was harassing Mother, and I wasn't about to let that slide. Mother belongs to Father, and no one else is allowed to covet her!" Tucker said angrily, showing more boldness this time.
Hearing this, Rhett crushed a small stone in his hand, his expression turning cold. "How exactly was that man harassing Nicole?"
Ryley sighed softly, "He just gave Mother some jerky, that’s all. Although it was clear he had feelings for her, Mother didn't accept it."
The brief surge of jealousy in Rhett's heart quickly faded.
With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he said, "I see. I knew the riffraff in Conch Village would never be worthy of Nicole..."
A hundred meters ahead, Nicole, dressed in her knight's armor, was completely unaware that she was being watched—by none other than her husband and sons.
Though this might sound strange, Rhett was unwavering in his belief!
Half an hour later, after finishing her work, Nicole stretched lazily and left the field.
"Let's go. Normally, Mother would head home after finishing her chores," Ryley suggested.
Rhett nodded in agreement, leading his three sons out of Conch Village, instructing them to return to Twilight City, claiming he had important matters to attend to.
In truth, Rhett slipped back into the village alone.
Concealing his presence, Rhett found Nicole’s house, intending to steal a few more glances at her.
By chance, he saw Nicole bidding farewell to her parents, holding a longsword and a small round shield, her face filled with reluctance.
This scene made Rhett pause in shock, recalling how Nicole had worn armor while working in the fields today, which was quite different from her usual appearance.
Suppressing his growing curiosity, he continued to observe.
In the courtyard, Nicole's parents looked slightly more aged than they had ten years ago. Her father, sitting on a bamboo chair, looked at Nicole with a complex expression and sighed. "Ah, indeed, daughters can't be kept at home forever. She’s barely grown up and already eager to go out and explore the world..."
Her mother, with a tender expression, handed Nicole a bundle. "What’s wrong with that? Seeing the world is a good thing. In this life, one must add color to their days. Otherwise, in old age, they’ll have no beautiful memories to cherish..."
She turned to Nicole and added, "But remember to beware of those who want to 'taint' your vibrant colors..."
Nicole laughed, nodding eagerly and agreeing to her mother's advice.
Her father, seeing her carefree reaction, knew his daughter didn’t fully grasp the depth of their words. Having gone through his youth himself, he understood Nicole was probably driven only by the desire for adventure and couldn’t comprehend their wisdom.
People often don’t learn from advice but from experience.
Though this was true, her father didn’t want his daughter to endure terrible experiences she might later regret.
After a moment of contemplation, he asked, “Nicole, have you decided where you’re going?”
Nicole, swinging her small round shield, replied enthusiastically, "Of course! I've already thought about it. First, I want to visit a place I've always heard about but never been to, and then I plan to travel to the distant East Blue Coast to see the vast blue ocean."
At first, her parents nodded as they listened, but when Nicole mentioned the East Blue Coast, her mother’s face showed concern, and her father’s expression darkened. “The East Blue Coast? That far? I don’t agree!”
“Huh? Why?” Nicole stamped her foot in frustration.
“Because I’m worried about your safety. That’s a prosperous area of the kingdom, close to the sea and full of all sorts of people. How could you possibly distinguish between friend and foe? There are also many strong individuals there. The chances of you encountering danger are too high…” Her father firmly rejected her plan, though he softened slightly. “However... if you want to go somewhere far, I do have a recommendation for you.”
Nicole raised her head, looking dissatisfied. “Where?”
“Golden King City!” Her father declared resolutely.
Her mother, standing beside him, glanced at him in surprise, a flash of realization crossing her eyes.
“Huh? Golden King City?” Nicole tilted her head, tapping her chin with her finger. “I’ve heard the architecture there is unique, and it’s the most prosperous place in the entire kingdom, with all kinds of cultural features from across the country.”
Seeing Nicole’s interest, her father smiled and continued, telling her the story of what had happened the night she was born.
Nicole listened in awe as her father pulled out a badge from his pocket, a look of nostalgia crossing his face. "At the time, I didn’t realize the person was from the royal family. It wasn’t until later that I connected the dots. This badge was left with me by that powerful individual, hidden among the coins they gave me. I believe it was a gesture of protection. If you ever find yourself in danger in the royal city, this badge will be your safeguard."
Holding the cool badge in her hand, Nicole understood her father’s intent. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded solemnly. “I understand, Father. I won’t go to the East Blue Coast this time.”
Hearing this, her parents smiled with relief.
"Go on, then. It’s time for this fledgling to experience the wider world and grow her wings. Who knows, maybe when you return, you'll bring back a companion who has shared in your hardships," her father teased, squinting with a grin.
“Oh, Father! What are you saying?” Nicole blushed, stamping her foot, her face turning red.
“Haha, fate is in the heavens, but effort is in our hands…” Her father laughed heartily and waved her off. “Go, Nicole. Your mother and I will be here waiting for your return, and we expect stories of your adventures.”
“Alright!”
With a touch of emotion, Nicole slung her bag over her shoulder and waved goodbye, looking back at her home every few steps as she temporarily left her hometown.
As she exited the village, she cast one final glance at the sign of Conch Village, her heart tinged with reluctance.
Gazing out at the endless wilderness, she resolutely set off down a small path.
The sun moved from noon to dusk.
Nicole had been walking for half a day and was starting to feel tired, deciding to take a short rest.
To make her journey more convenient, she had cut her hair short half a month ago. Her jet-black hair now framed her face neatly, making her look bold and energetic. The light armor she wore gleamed under the setting sun, and the beads of sweat on her forehead only added to her lively beauty.
Leaning against an ancient tree, she opened her waterskin and took small sips of the refreshing water.
For the first time, water tasted so sweet and satisfying!
The sparse forest was peaceful and serene, and after a long day of walking, her brief rest filled her with a sense of joy.
Stretching her supple body, she hummed softly, finally savoring the pleasure of traveling...
She was increasingly confident in her decision and had no regrets!
Pulling out some jerky from her pack, she prepared to replenish her energy.
Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes behind her, followed by a cheerful male voice.
“Hey, traveler! I lost my pack on the way here. Could you share some food with me?”
Nicole blinked, slightly surprised by the unfamiliar voice. Remembering her parents' warnings, she instinctively grew cautious.
Turning her head with a hint of wariness, she saw a young man with a clean face approaching her with a gentle expression. He wore a black cloak and carried nothing else.
His aura was weak, matching her own strength.
Nicole subtly relaxed, tilting her head. “Oh? It seems you really have lost everything. Which direction did you come from? You must have been quite unlucky!”
Rhett casually pointed in a direction.
Nicole nodded, “In that case, I should avoid going that way. Better take a longer route.”
At this time, Rhett had transformed his appearance to resemble his younger self, even his clothes matching what he wore the first time he met Nicole.
Although the trajectory of events had shifted slightly, altering the timing and location of their meeting, the overall situation was still the same.
Thankfully, he had managed to capture this moment at dusk.
Rhett glanced at the sunset, its beauty reminiscent of the past, and smiled. "My beautiful lady, may I know your name?"
“Oh, I’m Nicole. And you? You don’t look much older than me. Do you live nearby?”
For some reason, as Nicole looked at this young man, sensing his aura, a strange sense of familiarity and fondness arose in her heart, and her earlier wariness faded, replaced by curiosity.
“Hmm, I don’t live nearby. In fact, I come from quite far away. I’m a traveler, an adventurer! I’m exploring the southwestern frontier, seeking the wonders of the world!”
Rhett raised his fist to his chest and repeated the line he had once said when they first met.
“Wow, you’re traveling too?” Nicole’s eyes lit up in surprise, thrilled to meet a fellow traveler.
“Hehe, that’s right. Are you also on a journey?” Rhett smiled brightly, asking warmly.
Without hesitation, Nicole nodded in agreement.
She quickly pulled out some jerky from her pack and handed it to Rhett. “Here, since you lost your pack, you must be starving. Go ahead and eat!”
A flash of complex emotion crossed Rhett’s eyes, but he accepted the jerky with a smile.
Chewing on the simple beef jerky, he found it surprisingly flavorful.
“By the way, I know an interesting place. There's a valley where rainbows appear every day. Would you like to come with me and take a look?” Rhett suggested, his face full of anticipation.
“Wow, really?” Nicole exclaimed, before hesitating for a moment. After some thought, she stammered, “Maybe… I have other places I want to visit first…”
Rhett scratched his head and smiled carelessly. “Haha, no worries, no worries. We’ll surely meet again if fate allows it!”
“Mm!”
Nicole nodded, and the two chatted for a few more minutes. After finishing his food and resting for a while, Rhett bid her farewell.
Watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance, Nicole, having just left home for the first time, felt a vague sense of loss.
Recalling the beautiful places Rhett had mentioned, she felt a stir of excitement…
Rhett walked through the sparse forest, his mind replaying the scene of his encounter with Nicole, feeling a similar sense of loss.
Before the meeting, his excitement had been overwhelming. But when they finally spoke, everything felt smooth and natural…
Huh?
Before he could reflect further, Rhett suddenly noticed the faint sound of stealthy footsteps behind him. Sensing who it was, a smile crept onto his face.
"This lively girl..."
Rhett couldn’t help but smile brightly, deciding not to expose her right away and instead continued walking at a leisurely pace.
A few minutes later, a soft “ouch” reached his ears, followed by rustling from the bushes.
Alarmed, Rhett immediately understood what had happened. It turned out Nicole had fallen while trying to follow him.
But outwardly, he pretended to be puzzled, glancing back and pretending to search the area. Then, with a surprised look, he ran toward a large tree.
Behind the tree, Nicole stood up awkwardly, her pants covered in dust. She stuck out her tongue, feeling embarrassed as she saw Rhett rushing toward her.
“I-I’m sorry… You caught me, but I swear I didn’t mean any harm!”
Bending down, Rhett kindly brushed the dust off her clothes. This act of warmth left Nicole feeling overwhelmed, her eyes showing a trace of confusion.
After helping her straighten up, Rhett teased, “Is this your first time traveling? You’re a knight now, and yet you still tripped over a rock! Haha, how careless!”
“I-I…” Nicole instinctively wanted to protest but couldn’t find the words. Even she thought she had been clumsy, mumbling, “It is my first time out…”
“Haha, someone like you wouldn’t survive out here. Why don’t you travel with me for a while? Once you’ve gained some experience in surviving in the wild, you can go on your own. What do you think?” Rhett offered with a smile.
At first, Nicole wanted to reject the idea, but for some reason, she found herself agreeing instead.
On one hand, she had taken a liking to this person after their initial interaction.
On the other hand, being out in the world for the first time and traveling alone, having a companion did seem like a safer option.
And so, the two of them agreed to travel together temporarily.
For the next two months, Rhett seemed to forget everything else, reliving his youth by taking Nicole on a journey of exploration.
Following the route they had once traveled when they first met, they toured the beautiful landscapes of the southwestern frontier.
They admired the crystal-clear lakes, the breathtaking rainbows, the unique charm of the desert, and the endless grasslands...
Eventually, they arrived at the main city of the southwestern frontier—Twilight City.
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