Faintly sensing the man's strength at the peak of Tier 8, Xia Jin rose from her seat and stepped into the aisle, giving him a slight smile. "I was just stopping by to take a look."
The man immediately bowed to her in a formal greeting.
Seeing this, Xia Jin lightly lifted the hem of her skirt and returned the gesture with a graceful curtsy.
Regardless of the war, since she was appearing in this form, she had to maintain the proper outward appearances.
As expected, the man was somewhat surprised to see the girl perform such flawless etiquette.
A girl who was impeccable in every way, possessing a truly aristocratic air.
"My lady, the Zerg are coming. Most people are busy fleeing right now. Are you not afraid?" the man asked softly.
"I was just preparing to leave," Xia Jin said with a faint smile, her expression appearing quite adorable.
It wasn't that she was intentionally acting cute; she simply couldn't help it—it was her natural state.
"Then would you be willing to travel with me? I am an architect from the Dawn Empire. I designed this church myself. I was just helping to evacuate the last of the citizens when I happened to see you here."
Hearing his words, Xia Jin's eyes flickered slightly.
Well, well. The empire.
And he built this place?
Judging by his appearance, there wasn't much difference between his race and those of the kingdom.
"Thank you very much. If you don't mind, I would be honored to accompany you."
Xia Jin didn't stand on ceremony; she wanted to fish for some information regarding the empire from him.
"Please, follow me."
The man extended his hand in an inviting gesture.
Following him outside, Xia Jin saw a carriage. She lightly stepped up and took a seat, while the man walked toward another carriage in front.
"Let's go."
The driver began to move.
The interior of this carriage was fitted with magic crystals and enchanted with the wind element, making it stable and fast. Even the horses had been enhanced to a certain degree.
Since the Swarm was still concentrating its forces to deal with the kingdom's remaining legions, only a few locusts had penetrated the surrounding area.
Xia Jin sensed the surroundings and found dozens of them lying in ambush in the nearby countryside.
Commanding these insects not to approach her, she calmly settled in to admire the scenery.
A few hours later, the vehicles came to a stop in front of a manor.
"My lady, it has been a long journey. Please, rest here."
"Thank you."
Stepping down from the carriage, she glanced at the manor before her.
It must have belonged to a minor noble once, but it was currently abandoned.
Following him into the hall, the two of them found chairs and sat down.
"The kingdom is in chaos. You must be a noble from around here, my lady? In the midst of this crisis, have you considered living elsewhere? For instance, our Dawn Empire. A great transformation is taking place there. If you go, you will surely be deeply moved."
"Could you explain? I'm quite curious," Xia Jin asked softly.
"Magic industry—or rather, a type of technology based on magic and the power of the gods. We have used it to build powerful cannons and make life exceptionally convenient. Recently, mages have been researching devices that can fly in the sky, and they seem to have made progress. It's already becoming common in some places. Perhaps in the future, you will be able to experience the romance of the sky while sitting inside a metal contraption. Of course... the same applies to the land."
Xia Jin: "..."
An industrial revolution?
Planes?
Hearing his words, Xia Jin suddenly felt that her understanding of the empire was lagging behind.
However, judging from his description, it seemed that such technology had only just begun to develop and was still a long way from the level of Earth.
"It sounds wonderful. I would truly love to see it for myself."
"Haha, the empire is under the protection of the Goddess of Dawn. While I am an architect, I am also an honorary bishop of a certain parish. If you are willing to convert to the Goddess, I wouldn't mind being your guide."
What kind of guide? Looking at his expression, she felt he wasn't being entirely proper.
Xia Jin felt this fellow was definitely fantasizing about her in his head.
But it didn't matter. You're finished once the Zerg fully develop anyway.
"I am quite curious about the teachings of the Goddess of Dawn. Perhaps one day, when I truly encounter her and feel her beauty, I will take the initiative to believe."
"You certainly will... At the annual Goddess Festival, if you're lucky, you can witness miracles bestowed by the deity with your own eyes. Ten years ago, an angel even descended. If you could live in the City of Dawn, you would be able to deeply experience the Goddess's grace."
Xia Jin fell silent.
A goddess descending?
Miracles?
She had to admit, she was a little curious.
Recalling the psionic power she had sensed from the statue earlier, she suddenly felt that there might truly be a high-level existence... or even a civilization behind this Dawn Empire.
As they spoke, the man gradually revealed a hint of his intentions. He suddenly sat a bit closer, swallowing hard as his gaze wandered over Xia Jin. Finally, he reached out his hand.
"My lady, you are so beautiful. But in these times of war, a person alone is so helpless. Why not follow me to the empire? I have been completely captivated by your beauty. In all my life, this is the first time I have felt truly lost. This must be what they call love."
"I... I'm sorry, sir." Xia Jin suddenly clutched her chest. "I was attacked by a strange creature earlier, and ever since then, I've had this feeling like I'm going to burst. I'm so sorry, could you move back a bit? Oh no, I'm going to explode..."
BOOM—
The entire building was instantly filled with fire.
The aristocratic-style architecture was blown to fragments in an instant, the shockwave spreading in all directions.
When the explosion ended and the billowing thick smoke cleared, a bloody figure could be seen sitting there dazed.
Soon...
The figure stumbled to his feet, several shattered defense scrolls falling from his palm.
"Beautiful lady... Why? This was the first time in my life I found true love."
He wept in bitter grief.
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