Chapter 117: The enthusiastic Commander Ximu has met an old acquaintance yet again...

Shu Li had previously worried that this journey would take too long and that he would not return to the Elven Kingdom in time to purify the Mother Tree. Who could have known that, through a strange twist of fate, the low-rank magic staff he bought would unexpectedly allow him to contact her?

“Eunomisia, I don’t know how many more days it will take me to return to the Elven Kingdom. I’m afraid the purification will have to wait,” Shu Li said apologetically.

“That’s all right, Little Sperien. Break your curse first. It won’t be too late to purify me afterward,” the Mother Tree replied.

“But I won’t be able to deliver Efit’s medicinal herbs on time. What if he thinks I’m a fraud?” Shu Li asked anxiously.

They had reached an agreement, and he had accepted the deposit, yet he had broken his promise just as their partnership began.

He had not wanted to break his word, but circumstances beyond his control had forced him to leave the Faerie Forest and enter the Human World ahead of schedule.

“Don’t worry. I’ll explain the situation to Efit for you,” the Mother Tree said gently.

“What? Really?” Shu Li was surprised. “You can appear before Efit?”

The Mother Tree did not approve of Dark Elves. She even hated the Dark Elf king for persecuting her. When Shu Li first met her, she had remembered, despite her confused state of mind, that a wicked person had cut off one of her branches and planted it in a polluted place, causing her to be corrupted by dark power.

After recovering her senses, the Mother Tree had cared only about relocating her fruit. She had completely ignored the Dark Elves who had already been born and corrupted by darkness.

Those Dark Elves were violent by nature and committed evil deeds. They had become wholehearted followers of the God of Darkness.

Efit, however, was different.

The scent of blood on him was faint. He did not want the unborn Dark Elf cubs to follow in his footsteps, become corrupted by darkness, and lead miserable lives.

“Yes. Efit is a good child.”

The Mother Tree’s praise meant that Efit had gained her approval.

Shu Li finally relaxed.

As long as the Mother Tree explained everything to Efit, he would no longer have to worry.

“Thank you, Eunomisia,” Shu Li said with heartfelt gratitude.

“Grow quickly, Little Sperien! Once all my roots have been purified, I’ll be able to take you anywhere on the continent.”

“All right, Eunomisia. I’ll do my best!”

He made his promise.

Purifying the Mother Tree’s entire root system would be an enormous undertaking. He feared that even ten years might not be enough to complete it.

“Good night, Sperien,” the Mother Tree said in farewell.

“Good night, Eunomisia.”

Once their conversation ended, Shu Li could no longer resist his overwhelming drowsiness. His mind grew hazy in an instant, and he soon began breathing with the soft, steady rhythm of deep sleep.

After lying down, Ilio had not immediately fallen asleep.

Having reached the level of a Mage Sovereign, his body required very little sleep. Closing his eyes and resting briefly was enough to restore his energy.

That was why he clearly noticed that the Little Fairy, who had been in such a hurry to announce that he was going to sleep, had remained awake for more than ten minutes before finally drifting off.

Hearing the little fellow’s even breathing, Ilio opened his eyes, tucked the covers securely around him, then propped up his head and studied his innocent sleeping face.

Had everything that happened today dealt such an enormous blow to the child’s young mind that he had been unable to fall asleep?

Sure enough, entering the Human World too early could interfere with a Little Fairy’s healthy development.

Still, Sperien had performed exceptionally well throughout the journey. Any other Little Fairy would probably have burst into tears long ago because they could not stomach human food.

After all, when Ilio had set out to explore the continent upon reaching adulthood and eaten bread porridge for the first time, he had vomited on the spot.

Little Sperien was much easier to care for. He had obediently finished an entire bowl of bread porridge at breakfast without a single complaint.

Ilio watched him for a while. Once he was certain the child was not having nightmares, he lay back down and resumed sleeping.

Clop, clop, clop...

The faint sound of horses’ hooves came from outside the window.

Ilio rolled over.

Anyone venturing out in the middle of the night was almost certainly up to no good.

Still, it had nothing to do with him.

Early the next morning, Shu Li was awakened by Ilio. He sat up groggily, his eyes still firmly closed and refusing to open.

He had gone to bed in the middle of the night and then spent some time talking to the Mother Tree. He had gotten nowhere near enough sleep.

“Little Amo, wake up. If we’re late, we’ll miss the song and dance troupe’s carriage.” Ilio lightly patted the little fellow’s cheek.

“Mm... I’m awake... I’m awake...” Shu Li claimed, even as his eyes remained tightly shut and his body swayed unsteadily.

Ilio had no choice. As his “older brother,” he would simply have to put in a little more effort.

He went into the bathroom, wrung out a damp towel, and wiped the Little Fairy’s face and hands. Then he found the magic robe they had bought the day before and dressed him in it.

Once Shu Li was ready, Ilio effortlessly picked him up with one arm. Carrying the bag and magic staff in his other hand, he headed downstairs.

On the inn’s ground floor, the members of the song and dance troupe were seated at the dining tables, eating breakfast.

When Ximu saw the black-haired young man carrying Little Amo downstairs, she immediately came forward to meet them. “Mr. Al, how are you feeling?”

“I drank some medicinal herbs and rested for the night. I’m fine now.” Ilio put down the bag and magic staff, then placed the half-asleep Little Fairy on a chair.

“Is that so? That’s wonderful.” Ximu carefully studied the young man’s complexion. Although he was still somewhat pale, he no longer looked as weak and bloodless as he had the day before. “Has Little Amo still not woken up?”

She looked down at the child sitting there with his eyes closed and noticed that he was wearing... a magic robe?

Hm?

A magic robe!

“Little Amo is a Mage Apprentice?” she asked in astonishment.

“Yes. He went to the Magic Association last night, passed the assessment without any trouble, and received his Mage Apprentice badge.” Ilio took a heavy pouch of gold coins from the bag and handed it to Ximu.

Ximu stared at the proffered pouch and frowned. “What is the meaning of this, Mr. Al?”

She had given him the entire payment last night. Why was he returning it today?

Ilio said, “The song and dance troupe performed the first half of the show. You shouldn’t receive nothing for it. Besides, the box Hobner gave me is enough to compensate for my losses.”

Ximu hesitated.

A faint smile touched Ilio’s lips. “There are five hundred gold coins in the pouch.”

He knew Ximu would not accept all the money, so he had separated half of it in advance.

Sure enough, Ximu accepted the pouch and said solemnly, “Mr. Al, I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything, you need only say the word. Every member of the Milia Song and Dance Troupe, myself included, will be at your disposal.”

Ilio nodded without ceremony. “All right.”

He doubted he would ever need their help, but if he refused, this seemingly frivolous yet deeply loyal woman would be tormented by guilt and lose sleep over it.

Once Ximu received his answer, she gave him a captivating smile. Her usual languid air returned as she called to the innkeeper, “Old Sam, hurry up and bring food to this table! It’s my treat!”

“Of course, Leader Ximu. Please wait a moment,” Old Sam called back.

The aroma of food roused Shu Li from his slumber.

He opened his eyes and discovered himself seated at a dining table laden with fragrant dishes.

There were freshly baked, steaming wheat cakes, warm milk, sweet honey jam, fresh fruit, and boiled eggs.

Everything looked delicious.

He rubbed his stomach and eagerly licked his lips.

“Well, our little Mage Apprentice has finally woken up?” Ximu teased.

“Huh?” Shu Li looked down at the magic robe he was wearing and the magic badge pinned to his chest. Then he glanced at Ilio, who was eating with unhurried elegance, and more or less understood what had happened.

Embarrassed, he touched his hair—and encountered a long braid.

Shu Li fell silent.

Ilio had actually braided his hair?

“Eat quickly. We’ll leave as soon as you’re finished.” Ilio thrust a wheat cake into his hand.

“Oh.” Shu Li opened his mouth and took a bite. The freshly baked wheat cake was soft and tasted wonderful with warm milk.

He was still growing, so he devoured his breakfast in large mouthfuls.

Seated beside him, Ximu watched the child eat with great interest.

He truly was a young master from a wealthy family. A mere change of clothes had completely transformed his bearing. Both he and that little brat Bun wolfed down their food, but Bun ate coarsely, while Little Amo somehow remained refined, every movement carrying a hint of elegance.

No matter how hard he tried to imitate an ordinary commoner child, he could not conceal the refinement ingrained in him.

Once Shu Li had eaten enough to feel half full, he raised his head and met Ximu’s bright, intent gaze. His mind filled with question marks.

Ximu considerately peeled an egg for him. “Eat more eggs. They’ll help you grow.”

“Th-thank you,” Shu Li stammered.

Having the formidable, big-sister-like Leader Ximu personally peel an egg for him left him thoroughly overwhelmed by the attention.

As he nibbled on the egg, Shu Li sent Ilio an imploring look.

Why was Leader Ximu sitting at their table?

Ilio calmly drank his milk, unable—or unwilling—to rescue the Little Fairy.

The meal was an ordeal, but Shu Li finally ate his fill and refused Ximu’s attempts to feed him anything else.

Ximu regretfully set down her knife and fork. She had wanted to cut some steak for the child!

After breakfast, the song and dance troupe assembled and prepared to depart.

Six carriages stood neatly in a row along the street outside the inn. The first five belonged to the song and dance troupe. The final carriage was enormous and luxurious, drawn by four horses abreast, with a neatly dressed driver. It looked completely out of place.

Whose carriage was that?

Parked beside the song and dance troupe’s carriages, it made for a bizarre sight.

Holding his magic staff, Shu Li followed Ilio toward the carriage loaded with sundries.

He would have to endure that awful stench for another entire day. His poor nose had his deepest sympathy.

“Mr. Al, Little Amo, please wait.” Ximu stopped them and smilingly pointed toward the luxurious carriage. “Please board this one.”

Ilio was surprised. “Leader Ximu, there was no need to go to such expense.”

One look was enough to tell that the carriage was immensely valuable. On the road, it would resemble a moving bar of gold specifically designed to attract bandits.

Ximu sighed inwardly, but her smile did not fade. “I would have gladly spent the money, but unfortunately, I never had the chance. Get in first. I’ll explain in a moment.”

Shu Li tugged at Ilio’s sleeve and looked up at him questioningly.

Should they get in?

From its appearance alone, this carriage was clearly ten times better than the one carrying the sundries. It had to be extremely comfortable.

Ilio lowered his gaze and met Shu Li’s hopeful eyes, the corner of his mouth curling upward.

What a delicate Little Fairy.

“Let’s get in.” He led Shu Li aboard with Ximu.

The instant they entered the carriage, someone’s gaze landed on them.

When Shu Li saw the familiar faces inside, his eyes {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} widened and his mouth fell open.

What was going on?

Why did they keep running into people they knew?

Great Swordsman Senluo, the young princess of the Kingdom of Pedam, and... that insufferable young master Most.

Senluo sat upright on one of the carriage’s cushioned benches and greeted them solemnly. “Mr. Al, we meet again.”

Nasha sat rigidly with a tense expression, refusing to speak.

Senluo lightly nudged her arm. She pursed her lips before finally saying, “Good morning, Mr. Al.”

Ilio smiled pleasantly. “Good morning to you both.”

He pulled Shu Li down onto the seat opposite Most.

Most snorted and declared arrogantly, “This carriage belongs to the Hobner Family. You should consider it an honor that we’re allowing you to ride in it.”

Shu Li clenched his fists and glared furiously at Most. “Your Hobner Family cost my brother years of his life! I refuse to ride in a bad person’s carriage!”

With that, he grabbed Ilio’s hand and tried to pull him toward the door. “Al, let’s go!”

Most curled his lip disdainfully. “A commoner will always be a commoner—”

Before he could finish, a fist slammed down on his head.

“Ow!” Tears sprang to his eyes from the pain.

Ximu withdrew her fist and blew across her knuckles.

Most seethed but did not dare complain, his expression still showing lingering fear.

Shu Li was utterly bewildered.

Were they supposed to keep acting or not?