Chapter 57 - 55: Gift

Chapter 57: Chapter 55: Gift

’Get a load of that. Did they really get together that fast?’

Lu Wei watched in surprise as Furen and Clara sat down in two empty seats not far away.

Actually, the day the three of them followed Zovir to the abandoned mill, he had already sensed something was up between those two.

But he hadn’t expected them to move so quickly.

’And why would Furen even like Clara?’

’In the "Hero’s tale" he’d imagined, shouldn’t the female lead logically be an Elf or a princess?’

’I don’t get it.’

After glancing at the pair a few times, Lu Wei hadn’t originally planned on going over to say hello.

A few seconds later, however, he suddenly noticed a problem.

’Wait a minute.’

’Where’s Bai Ya?’

"Furen’s here too. I’m going to go say a few words to him."

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Wei still felt a bit uneasy. He told Aryan he’d be back and squeezed his way over to Furen and Clara.

"Hey, Brother Lu Wei, you’re here too!"

Seeing him, Furen looked pleasantly surprised, not showing the slightest bit of embarrassment at being "caught on a date."

"Yeah."

Lu Wei nodded, greeted Clara as well, and then asked directly:

"Where’s Bai Ya?"

"Oh, her? She went back."

"Back where?"

"To your cabin, of course."

Furen answered truthfully, "We were planning to get something to eat after buying Armor, but she said she wasn’t hungry and went back to wait for you."

"..."

’Wait for me? What for?’

Lu Wei was a little confused, but he didn’t dwell on it.

’As long as she’s not missing, it’s fine.’

"Alright then... Clara, how do you have the time off today? Did the tavern go out of business?"

"Can’t I get a break? Even slaves get half a day off on weekends."

Clara rolled her eyes. "It’s slow today. Kaelin can handle it by herself."

"Kaelin?"

Lu Wei was puzzled. He didn’t remember a second barmaid at the Adventurer’s Tavern, and yet the name felt very familiar.

"She’s the receptionist who helped us this afternoon!"

Beside him, Furen added excitedly, "She sometimes works part-time at the tavern, too. I ran into her just now when I went to find Clara!"

"Oh, right, it’s her."

It wasn’t uncommon for people in Heitai Town to work several jobs, so Lu Wei just nodded, not thinking much of it.

’It’s just that Furen seems a little too excited.’

’I have to admit, Kaelin is gorgeous—much prettier than Clara, at least.’

’So is it really appropriate to act this worked up right in front of your date?’

Shooting Furen a sidelong glance, Lu Wei thought, ’I didn’t realize you were such a player, too.’

But then, a second later, another thought struck him.

’Wait, why did I think "too"...?’

...

...

Flickering in the gloom of an underground prison, a trial of freedom and order, survival and rebirth, martyrdom and devotion was unfolding.

"Do you hear it? That is not the wind, but the song of chains."

"They sing of Fear, they sing of obedience, they sing of a world on its knees."

"But in my hands, I cradle the last ember..."

The heavy clanking of chains echoed as an old man in white robes slowly raised his bound hands, as if lifting an invisible weight, murmuring to himself.

A Judge in pitch-black armor strode out from the shadows and came up behind him, his voice low and hypocritical.

"An ember? Selif, what you hold is nothing but ash. Look around you!"

The Judge swept his hand through the air. "Your followers have long since scattered! Admit it! Admit that your so-called light is but a mad delusion, and only then may you survive!"

"Survive? You think I am speaking of survival?"

The old man’s tone grew sonorous and Firm. "No! I speak of taking root! A single grain of wheat must die to be reborn! I am that grain, soon to die!"

The Judge roared in fury, "Then have it your way! Let your blood seep into the soil, and we shall see if it can water the flowers of your delusion!"

The old man: "Come! Burn! Let the inferno rise!"

The Judge: "Ah! I’m on fire! What is this Flame, that it burns with such Blazing Heat!"

The old man: "Listen well! This is the fire of Faith!"

The Judge: "Ah, it’s burning me to death! Put it out!"

"..."

An hour later, the man’s agonizing screams resounded from within the "flames" symbolized by red silk. Then, the curtain slowly closed, marking the end of the third act of *Poem of Compassion*.

"Yeah! Serves him right, burn him!"

"Now this is true art!"

"That was so powerful!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, where men and women, young and old, all wore looks of excitement.

Only Lu Wei looked completely baffled, standing out like a sore thumb.

’Seriously, is everyone’s artistic appreciation this sophisticated???’

’What the hell did I just watch???’

Shifting discreetly, Lu Wei felt as if he, too, had been thrown into a dungeon and was now being subjected to some form of mental torture.

The last time he’d felt this way was while watching *Fengshen 2*.

If he hadn’t come with Aryan, he probably would have left long ago.

’This is torture. I wonder how many acts are left...’

’Please end soon...’

Rubbing his forehead in agony, all Lu Wei wanted was to go home and sleep.

Just then, Aryan noticed his discomfort and asked softly, "Brother Lu Wei, are you not feeling well?"

"A little... but it’s okay."

"Oh, then let’s go. I have to go back and brew some medicine anyway. My teacher will get angry if I’m any later."

"Huh?"

Lu Wei paused, turning to look at Aryan’s earnest face. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if she really had to go back to work or was just trying to give him an out without making him feel bad.

If it was the latter, he could only say that this 15-year-old girl had remarkably high emotional intelligence.

’At least ten times higher than Bai Ya’s.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Wei said softly, "We should stay and finish it. I feel like you really want to see the end."

"Not at all. I don’t understand any of it, actually."

Aryan lowered her head, a little embarrassed. "Besides, I’m getting a bit cold."

"..."

’Ah, that I understand!’

"Here, wear my jacket for now."

Seeing how perceptive she was, Lu Wei returned the favor. He immediately offered her his jacket, and then the two of them squeezed with difficulty out of the stands and into the small clearing outside.

Because seating was limited, many people were standing outside to watch. Some of them were taking advantage of the intermission to gather around a horse-drawn carriage and buy "souvenirs."

It was probably the theater troupe’s own carriage. The merchandise included holy books of various sizes, as well as many ornaments like small Pendants and Brooches, most of which were swan-shaped, matching the troupe’s theme.

’Wow, they even have merch...’

Lu Wei watched for a moment, a little surprised.

Then he turned and saw Aryan also staring at the carriage, a look of longing on her face.

’She’s just a young girl, after all. They all like shiny little things.’

’Hmm...’

"Wait here a second."

Considering that getting on Aryan’s good side might get him a discount when stocking up at the clinic, Lu Wei hesitated for a moment before suddenly turning and walking over to the carriage.

When he returned a short while later, he was holding a small, swan-shaped Pendant.

It looked sparkly and silver, but it was really just coated in a thin layer of silver.

Even with the "brand premium," it was only 30 Copper Coins.

"This is for you. And if you could help spread the word about the general store, I’d appreciate it."

Handing the Pendant to the flustered Aryan, Lu Wei considered his investment well worth it.

He didn’t notice that Aryan’s face had already turned as red as an apple.

After a moment, she gently took the Pendant, cupping it in her hands as if holding a butterfly, and promised in a soft voice:

"I’ll treasure it forever..."

"Uh, you don’t have to be so serious. It’s not like it’s anything valuable."

"But to me, it’s the most precious thing in the world..."

"Huh?"

"Ah! I-I mean, it’s the first gift I’ve ever received, so..."

"Oh, I see."

"..."

Walking side-by-side out of the crowd, the kerosene lamps hanging around the clearing were still bright, stretching their two shadows, one tall and one short, long across the ground.

Meanwhile, Bai Ya was sitting on the threshold of the small cabin, hugging her knees. She watched over a small kerosene lamp, silently gazing at the empty path outside the yard.

"Why isn’t the Captain back yet..."