“Who's there?”
A guarded voice came from ahead, accompanied by faint ripples of magic pulsing in the air.
“It's me, Shiruya.”
A crisp, youthful voice called out as the half-elf girl stepped from behind a tree.
The owner of the voice let out a sigh of relief. A middle-aged man clad in grayish-blue mage robes emerged from the shadows and teased, “Ahem, so it's you, little Shiruya. Off visiting your mermaid friend again?”
“Yes, Uncle Levinel,” Shiruya replied with a smile, her delicate, pointed ears twitching slightly in an endearing manner.
“You're as vigilant as ever, Uncle Levinel.”
“Can't help it, it's my duty.” Levinel shrugged helplessly.
Just as the words left his mouth, his eyes locked onto the girl's hands.
Shiruya was holding two items brimming with mana in her fair palms, their power perceptible even through the defensive barrier.
“Are those...?” Curiosity glinted in Levinel's eyes.
Shiruya instantly straightened her expression and said in a solemn tone, “These are gifts from my mermaid friend—deep-sea pearls. I'm sure you know just how precious they are, Uncle.”
“Deep-sea pearls?!” Levinel's pupils shrank, his face instantly filled with shock.
Having studied magic for many years, he knew all too well that deep-sea pearls were not only top-tier magical materials containing pure water-element mana, but also extraordinary components for reinforcing, repairing, and maintaining barrier spells. They were priceless and extremely rare!
He grew instantly excited. Just as he was about to speak, Shiruya interrupted him, crossing her hands defensively.
“Uncle Levinel, I know what you're thinking. These are crucial materials meant to reinforce the town's defensive barrier. I can't give them to you.”
Called out on his hidden intentions, Levinel blushed. Coughing awkwardly, the eagerness in his demeanor vanished in an instant. “Alright, alright, I was just taking a look...”
Setting his teasing aside, his fingers danced through the air as he silently chanted an obscure, low magic spell.
Soft light surged in the void. The normally invisible, colorless barrier materialized, casting a clear, light-golden curtain of light over the town's entrance.
The curtain rippled gently, opening a precise gap just wide enough for one person to pass through.
“Come in.”
Shiruya smiled, nodded, and nimbly stepped through the opening in the barrier.
Just as she was about to turn and head deeper inside, Levinel called out to stop her: “By the way, Shiruya, that fellow Selby is back.”
Shiruya froze mid-step.
Her slender frame trembled slightly, and an intense look of delight rushed into her eyes. The words tumbled out of her mouth, her voice laced with eager urgency: “What about Her Highness Lilith? Is she back too?”
As if expecting the question, Levinel gently shook his head in resignation.
Shiruya's heart sank instantly. A troubling thought seemed to cross her mind; her eyes turned red as though she were on the verge of tears.
But before she could react further, Levinel shifted his tone, chuckling lazily, “Relax, the Saintess is fine. And...”
“And what?! Uncle, can't you just finish your sentence all at once?!”
The emotion Shiruya had been building up instantly froze. Her cheeks puffed out in frustration, feeling both anxious and annoyed.
Levinel let out a hearty laugh, deliberately keeping her in suspense before changing the topic: “I won't tease you anymore. Selby brought back huge, wonderful news this time!”
Curiosity flickered across Shiruya's face. “What news?”
“You'll find out when you get back.” Levinel shrugged, putting on a mysterious front.
Shiruya was rendered speechless. She suspected Levinel didn't actually know either.
After all, this wasn't the first time. Whenever this uncle caught wind of a rumor, he loved acting secretive. Nine times out of ten he didn't even understand the situation himself, yet he loved keeping people hanging.
Without wasting any more time asking, she turned and left.
Walking two to three hundred meters ahead, the narrow forest path suddenly opened up.
A small human town capable of housing a thousand residents came fully into view.
Well-arranged stone houses were scattered across the area, the streets were wide and smooth, and busy townspeople could be seen bustling about everywhere.
A faint magic barrier surrounded the town, shimmering with a soft glow that steadily guarded this peaceful land.
At the very center of town, a solemn Temple of Light rose high, serving as the core structure of the entire settlement.
Meticulously carved onto the stone walls of the temple were familiar angelic emblems and patterns of light, executed with fine, neat lines.
Though it lacked the majestic grandiosity and exquisite beauty of the main temple in Starfall Forest, it was still crafted with great skill, every carving radiating devotion and care.
Centered around the temple, several mage towers of varying heights stood nearby, their spires piercing the sky while a faint magical haze enveloped their structures—the heart of the town's defense and arcane power.
Gazing at the familiar sight of the town, the disappointment in Shiruya's heart gradually faded away.
But then, Levinel's words echoed in her ears once more: Uncle Selby was back.
What good news did Uncle Selby bring?
Was Her Highness Lilith still in Starfall Forest?
She had to hurry back and find out for sure.
Far behind her, Levinel watched her hurried departure, slowly pulling out his staff as he re-entered a state of alertness.
“Ah, young people... always so impatient.”
He muttered under his breath, though a gratified smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Still... what good news did that fellow Selby actually bring?”
“...I honestly have no idea. I made all of that up just now.”
“I hope Shiruya doesn't come back to settle the score with me.”
“Mm... she probably won't.”
Levinel pulled his neck back guiltily.
Rate on N.U.
