Chapter 57: Favors

Since when did the ice block ever ask others for favors?

Liana sat down at the stone table. She habitually poured tea. Her cool and detached expression carried a tinge of hesitation.

She cleared her throat. "Come closer and listen."

"..." This felt weird.

She asked for help but sounded like a superior lecturing a subordinate. Who knew how she developed such an authoritative aura? Well, he guessed it was just the natural bearing of a sovereign.

"What is so important that you are being this formal?"

"You don’t usually care about much."

Theo sat opposite her. He picked up the teacup for a sip.

He didn’t even notice.

It was the exact same cup Liana had just drunk from.

"Are you taking a sect mission that will take you to the Provincial Capital?"

Liana’s gaze flickered slightly. She acted as if she hadn’t seen his action.

"I haven’t accepted any yet."

"But I do plan to pick one in the capital."

Theo leaned back. He put his hands behind his head and grinned.

"Since coming to the province, I haven’t had the chance to explore properly. Consider this my excuse to slack off a little."

"This trip won’t be too busy. If you have some errands, just say it outright."

The sect mission was secondary.

Contribution points meant little to him. Just picking an easy task to fulfill the requirement would do.

"I want you to find someone for me."

"She is probably... a beggar now."

As memories surfaced, the frost in Liana’s expression seemed to thaw slightly.

Back in her past life, she hadn’t been able to join the sect initially. She ended up squatting in an abandoned temple in the Provincial Capital.

That was where she met Elara. Elara also had nowhere to go. They survived the harsh winter together.

In this life, it was Theo’s investment that unlocked her meridians and revealed her talent. She joined the sect early.

But in her past life, without Elara’s mutual support, she wouldn’t have succeeded either.

Now that she was in the sect, Elara was left alone, still struggling to survive those harsh days on the streets.

"I want you to find her. Arrange food, clothing, and shelter for her."

Huh?

Theo blinked at her words.

The ice block was worrying about someone’s basic needs?

Was this even the same person he knew?

Could it be a relative?

Her hometown county had been ravaged by beast tides. Her family should have all perished. Maybe she got news that a lone survivor ended up in the capital?

That would make sense. Theo naturally arrived at this conclusion.

So he replied earnestly.

"Do not worry. The capital isn’t small, but finding someone isn’t too hard."

"If you remember what they look like, maybe sketch it out?"

As he spoke, he pulled out ink, brush, and paper.

Helping the ice block? He was all for it. Anything related to her always brought great system rewards.

Besides, searching for family? Even without compensation, he would gladly help.

"Drawing..."

Liana took the brush calmly.

...

Half an hour later.

Theo stared at the masterpiece on the table. His expression was grave.

"Liana."

"Hm?"

"Tell me... do people actually look like this?"

Looking at the abstract, disjointed portrait, Theo had to ask.

Seriously.

If you want me to find someone, could we at least aim for realism?

This avant-garde mess. If he hadn’t seen modern art in his past life, he wouldn’t even recognize it as a person.

"The features are clear."

"Female. Large eyes. Small lips."

Liana’s gaze drifted elsewhere.

Theo: "...Any more obvious traits?"

Liana seemed to search her memories before adding.

"Yes."

"She has a horrific chest scar. She stutters when speaking. And... if cleaned up, she is quite beautiful."

"Uh... how beautiful?"

"Comparable to me, in different ways."

"...Fair enough."