"Mr. Warrior... Are you alright?" asked Cithria, noticing Li Lin's subtle change in expression. "You don't look so good."
Li Lin took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I'm fine, just suddenly thought of something."
"Something? Is it about the fire dragon?" Cithria blinked, her curiosity unwavering.
At this moment, Barant could no longer contain his irritation. He slammed the table and scolded, "Cithria! Behave yourself in front of our guest!"
"Oh..."
Seeing her father genuinely angry, Cithria lowered her eyes, pouting with a look of disappointment.
A father's love for his daughter knows no bounds. Seeing Cithria's forlorn expression, Barant' anger subsided a bit.
"Don't bother the warrior. Go to the kitchen and help your mother. She's already upset with me over the dragon issue."
He sighed, his tone much gentler. "Winter is coming. This one won't be easy... We must prepare."
"But the dra..."
Before Cithria could finish, she saw her father's expression darkening again and stopped.
"I understand."
"If you understand, then go."
With a hint of dissatisfaction, Cithria stuck her tongue out at Barant, made a face, and ran out of the council hall.
As she stepped over the threshold, she turned back and winked playfully at Li Lin.
"That child..." Barant turned his gaze back to Li Lin, offering an apologetic smile.
"She's been spoiled by me and Nicola since she was little. I hope you can forgive her if she has offended you. I apologize on behalf of her and my wife."
"There's no need to apologize. The dragon has troubled your family; it's not your fault."
As he spoke, Li Lin recalled Cithria's "protagonist's aura."
In fact, this "aura" wasn't what he had imagined. It was more akin to a boost in "luck" and "affinity."
Li Lin believed that, strictly speaking, the "system panel" in his mind was the true "protagonist's aura."
After all, according to Zoe, he represented Earth's last "hope," blessed by a world.
This [Mechanic System] might very well be Earth's final gift to him...
Li Lin's thoughts were scattered as he engaged in casual conversation with Barant. Most of the time, it was Barant speaking, especially about other warriors who had sought the title of "Dragon Slayer" and had briefly stayed in the village.
However, it had been nearly a week since the last warrior left for the frontier.
Still no news of the dragon.
Not just him, but none of the previous warriors had returned.
"Warrior, to be honest, with the current chaos at the frontier, those warriors might not have died from the dragon's flames."
Barant munched on some peanuts, speaking as he chewed. "The Noxians despise every Demacian."
"Forgive my bluntness, but even if you're not a soldier, they would still cut off your head and place it on a war banner if they found you, then take your ears as trophies..."
"Do you still want to find the dragon?"
Li Lin nodded without hesitation. "Of course, that dragon will fall by my hand."
Killing a dragon for the first time would surely yield substantial rewards from the system.
Moreover, he had already determined its location, far from the Demacia-Noxus border conflict.
"Alright... I understand."
Seeing the confidence and determination on Li Lin's face, Barant sighed.
He had seen over a dozen brave warriors, regardless of age, with the same confidence.
But...
None had returned.
Barant knew he couldn't dissuade Li Lin and understood that those who "practiced martial arts" were stubborn. He didn't push further, to avoid displeasing him.
After a moment of silence, he raised his cup. "Stay at my house tonight. Let me host you properly, and you can set off tomorrow."
"This..." Li Lin hesitated.
"Don't refuse. It's an honor to have a warrior in Cloud Village!" Barant beamed. "Let's drink tonight, just this once! Once you're at the frontier, such chances will be rare."
After a few seconds of contemplation, Li Lin smiled and clinked his cup with Barant'. "Thank you for your hospitality."
...
...
The night was deep, with the silver moonlight casting a thin veil over the Demacian plains, reflecting in the ever-flowing Milky Way.
After drinking with Barant, the village chief showed his guest around the village.
As the sun set, the young men of the village returned from their day's work.
Hearing that another dragon-seeking warrior had arrived, they gathered at the Cloudfield home for dinner, celebrating together.
After several rounds of drinking, Li Lin, with his enhanced physique, outdrank all the young men, leaving them under the table.
Cithria then went to notify their families to pick them up, ending the "bonfire party."
Li Lin hadn't planned to stay overnight. He wanted to solve the dragon problem quickly and return to Kiramman House.
He had left a stealth drone at the Gates of Mourning, ready to teleport and save Jarvan IV from the Grey Warden's ambush.
Tonight's gathering was unexpected.
In the guest room, Li Lin listened to Barant' thunderous snores and asked AI for the time, guessing Nicola and Cithria were asleep.
He quietly got up, found a not-so-clean piece of paper from the bedside table, and spent 1 blue essence in the system store to buy a pen, leaving a note explaining his departure.
Then, he slowly opened the window, climbed out, and headed out of the village to teleport to Everpeak and find the fire dragon.
Avoiding the village guards, Li Lin returned to the riverbank where he had arrived today.
He didn't change into his battle armor but stood still. "You've been following me for a while. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
No response.
Li Lin sighed and turned to a thick tree nearby. "Stop hiding, Cithria. I know it's you."
After a moment, a small figure emerged from behind the tree.
In the bright moonlight, Cithria's face showed slight embarrassment. "You found me... Seems my stealth skills need improvement."
She paused, then spoke before Li Lin could ask, "I can tell, you're not from Demacia."
(End of this chapter)
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