"You can just call me Satella," She said.
As these words escaped the lips of the beautiful silver-haired girl, even Subaru Natsuki, who was often oblivious to subtle cues, could unmistakably sense it.
At that moment, an unprecedented sense of distance and unfamiliarity emanated from the body of the girl who identified herself as Satella, affecting the air around her and stiffening the atmosphere.
Undoubtedly, it was an aura of rejecting others from getting too close.
Though Subaru Natsuki didn't know what significance the name 'Satella' held, he could still discern that the other person was reluctant to utter it.
Yet, she still uttered that name.
The meaning behind it was unknown to Subaru Natsuki.
However, Subaru Natsuki didn't wish to be shut out by her like this.
So, with a bit of effort, Subaru Natsuki let out a forced chuckle and responded, "That's a lovely name, it reminds me of a cat I used to have at home, named— Wuo!"
Before he could finish his sentence, a foot forcefully stomped on Subaru Natsuki's back, almost knocking the breath out of him and swallowing his words.
Fang Li stood there, exerting pressure on Subaru Natsuki as if oblivious to the uncouth youth lying on the ground, shrugged, and uttered a line.
"Having a name is already a good thing. Some people can't even have that; they end up having one given by others."
With that said, Fang Li turned around and continued walking.
Left behind was Subaru Natsuki, groaning on the ground, and a silver-haired girl who looked somewhat guilty after a while.
In this world, indeed, there were many people without names.
Like some impoverished people struggling to survive or orphans.
Compared to those without even a name, having a name was indeed fortunate.
Yet, this name was false.
Thinking of those who struggled to survive without even a name, and then realizing that she deliberately gave a false name just to avoid entanglements, the girl couldn't help but feel guilty.
Perhaps it was because she was overly kind?
"Hey, Pack." The girl suddenly looked at the gray kitten beside her with a pleading expression and said, "Have I done something really wrong?"
"Well, I can understand your feelings." The gray kitten, called Pack by the girl, rubbed its little head and spread out its paws, saying, "But using this name does seem a bit in bad taste, Lia."
Lia.
That was the girl's name.
But it was only an affectionate nickname from Pack.
The girl's real name was Emilia Lia.
So, Pack called her Lia.
As for Satella, that was a taboo name.
A name so forbidden that it was not allowed to be mentioned, and everyone considered it taboo.
Since that was the case, Emilia Lia uttering such a name was indeed in bad taste.
Thinking until here, Emilia Lia couldn't help but whisper.
"It seems like I'll have to find an opportunity to apologize to him later."
With those words, Emilia Lia immediately picked up her pace, eager to catch up.
However, she accidentally stepped hard on the body of a certain corpse lying on the ground.
"Wuo!"
The boy's wailing echoed.
"I'm... I'm sorry!"
The girl's panicked voice followed suit.
Listening to the commotion from behind, Fang Li, walking ahead, couldn't help but chuckle.
"In the days to come, things will probably never be boring."
...
This area was just a street away from the main road leading to the Royal Capital.
However, compared to the hustle and bustle within the Royal Capital, this place presented a completely different scenery.
There were no rows of medieval buildings here, only scattered and rundown houses.
The ground was not paved with stone bricks; it was just exposed dirt roads.
As for the air, it carried a turbid feeling, devoid of the liveliness found elsewhere, making one wonder if it was the quiet of some impoverished countryside.
And this place was precisely a slum.
When Fang Li, Subaru Natsuki, and Emilia Lia arrived here, the residents, each wearing similarly tattered clothes, discreetly cast their eyes in their direction from the dilapidated houses around.
Feeling the gaze from all around, Subaru Natsuki hugged his arms, looking pensive. "The way people around here look at me feels very familiar. I wonder why?"
Indeed.
Subaru Natsuki, clad in uncouth sportswear, looked nothing like a rich kid and more like a resident of the slum, so the surrounding gazes held no hostility toward him.
Emilia Lia's attire, on the other hand, clearly marked her as a noble, causing the slum dwellers to regard her with caution.
From this perspective, one could see the vast difference in treatment brought about by differences in wealth.
As for Fang Li, he only received puzzled looks.
Because Fang Li's casual attire, though strange, didn't resemble Subaru Natsuki's uncouth style. He didn't look like a rich kid, nor did he resemble a resident of the slum, leaving the slum dwellers still speculating about his identity.
In this situation, only the gazes towards Subaru Natsuki were exceptionally gentle, prompting him to ponder.
So, Fang Li casually remarked, "Perhaps the person who summoned you here is among them. Why not go and find out?"
Hearing this, Subaru Natsuki couldn't help but stare around, taking in all the people around.
There was a burly man with a fierce look in his eyes.
There was a sniffling child with a runny nose.
There was a young man wielding a hoe.
There was a plump middle-aged woman.
People like these cast friendly gazes at Subaru Natsuki one after another. Combined with Fang Li's words, the thought of being summoned to Another World by such people made Subaru Natsuki's stomach churn, almost causing him to vomit last night's dinner.
Immediately, Subaru Natsuki turned his head to look at Emilia Lia.
Her silver hair fluttered in the wind.
Her purple eyes sparkled.
Her noble aura was enchanting.
Her exquisite charming face was unparalleled.
"Hmm?"
Emilia Lia seemed to sense Subaru Natsuki's gaze and tilted her head, looking somewhat puzzled.
However, this incredibly cute gesture immediately captured Subaru Natsuki's heart.
"Ah..."
Subaru Natsuki let out an incoherent groan.
"I feel healed..."
At this moment, everyone fell silent.
Pack couldn't help but say, "Please don't walk with us."
After all, it was too embarrassing.
...
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