Chapter 16 Grandma Lucia and her granddaughter
15th March 11AE.
The Azure Building near the suburbs of Asma City.
With the impending beast tide threat looming ever so closer, the area around Azure Building had long been empty and quiet.
The first rays of sunlight sliced through the dusty haze, painting the Azure Building in a brilliant glow.
Ceid emerged from his room, feeling refreshed after a night's of cultivation. As he walked into the corridor facing the brightly lit hall, his eyes slowly adjusted to the light in the unfinished hall.
As he descended the steps,...a soft rustle from the ground floor drew his attention.
He saw the girl from yesterday perched on a plush sofa like a wary bird near the counter.
The exhaustion clinging to her yesterday had been replaced by a newfound spark in her eyes. Her face scrubbed clean, and a hint of color returned to her cheeks. Her dark red hair was still damp from a quick wash.
"Good morning, Ayda," Ceid greeted a hint of amusement in his voice. "You're up early."
Ayda, startled, jumped slightly. "Sir! You surprised me."
"I apologize," he chuckled.
"Please, call me Ceid," he said, a faint smile on his lips. "Where are you headed this fine morning?"
"You are not planning to haunt the empty corridors or hide in some corner, are you?" he joked to lighten the mood.
Ayda's lips twitched into a hesitant smile. "Honestly, I hadn't planned much. It's not exactly there's much to do, is there? With the building under construction and everywhere else empty."
Ceid surveyed the deserted lobby.
The echoes of their voices bouncing off the bare walls.
"Indeed," he agreed. "Most shops are closed, unfortunately. But I was about to head out myself. Perhaps we could find breakfast together?
Ayda's eyes lit up, the weariness briefly eclipsed by a flicker of hunger. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the offer struck her ears. "That sounds… wonderful. Thank you, Ceid."
After he had a quick wash-up, they stepped out into the cool morning air. The once bustling streets were eerily quiet, the familiar sounds replaced by the mournful sigh of windblown debris and the distant sound of the army mobilizing.
It felt like the city held its breath, waiting for the storm to hit.
"It's strange, isn't it?" Ayda commented, her voice barely audible above the wind. "As if everyone's vanished into thin air."
Ceid nodded. "The beast tide has driven many to seek temporary refuge elsewhere."
The mention of the looming threat momentarily dimmed the spark in Ayda's eyes. "Beast tide," she murmured with a heavy apprehension. "I've heard about it and seen its footage. But, I never thought I'd be here when it came."
"Never thought you'd live to see one?" Ceid asked her in doubt. His voice was gentle.
Though he asked that, he was surprised to hear about it.
According to Wyd's previous reports, this world has been facing constant threats from beast attacks since the world's Aura Qi recovered. It could be said the attacks were so frequent that almost everyone had supposedly experienced at least one beast tide.
It has been eleven years since then. And yet, this girl said she had never encountered a beast tide. He wondered where this girl came from.
"You seem young," Ceid observed, his gaze soft. "How old are you?"
"Almost 29," she replied, her voice taking on a mature edge.
"But life out here in the wilderness aged you differently," she continued while looking self-depreciatingly.
Ceid remained silent.
Generally, when a 29-year-old woman could retain her 21-year-old girl's look, she would be ecstatic. But he knew better.
Ceid knew that those with elven race bloodline in any world in the universe typically had long lifespans.
This was because they had an extreme affinity with nature.
They could adapt to various environments and the changing world without diluting their bloodline. Thus, with a higher purity of bloodline, they retain many of the characteristics of their ancestors. The most prominent one was having a long lifespan.
They are called the blessed race for a reason. So her appearance, like a girl despite her age, was not surprising.
What's surprising to Ceid was that, for elven, given her age, she should have the appearance of a 16-year-old teenage girl.
It seemed there was more to her story. He could sense it, a hidden depth beneath the surface.
As expected of our protagonist. She had been thrown into chaos and crisis at such a young age.
Ceid nodded secretly in his heart.
<...>
As if to avoid talking about such a depressing topic, Ayda immediately changed the subject.
"You bought this building, didn't you?" Ayda asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "With the impending danger, most wouldn't think it wise."
Ceid shrugged, his expression enigmatic. "It has potential, and the price was right. Besides, I believe things will settle down soon enough."
"As long as the walls hold against the beasts, I suppose," she said, a flicker of fear crossing her eyes.
Although Ceid detected a hint of worry and fear in Ayda's eyes, he was not too worried.
His cultivation achievement was placed there. He might have to recultivate now, but he still had his physical body. His body, having tempered to a high degree, could effortlessly kill those beasts with his bare hands.
A G3 rank physical body was not fond of jokes. A mere bullet shot could not penetrate his skin.
But he didn't explain anything to Ayda nor comfort her. He merely smiled and continued to walk forward in silence.
Soon, they reached the intersection where the road leads toward another residential community.
-
Separated by a wide ditch, this new community was called the Sharl Community, named after the original land owner's name. It was a much older community, built when the Asma City was first constructed.
Compared to their community, the Brickstone Community, the Sharl Community had many people who stayed behind. This is because its location was just beside the city's main road.
The main road connects from the city's entrance to the city center. Given its strategic location, a military camp had been built between the city wall, the main road, the Sharl community, and the wide ditch.
Moreover, this camp outside the Sharl Community was considered the best logistics location near the city wall to reinforce the city's defense on this side.
With such heavy fortification and battle formation in the camp, many residents felt assured and secure at heart to stay behind.
-
As they walked around a corner, the scent of freshly baked bread hit them like a wave.
Several pedestrians were seen walking around while some shops were open for business on the lonely street.
An old lady stood outside a small bakery. Her weathered face was etched with worry yet resolute. A small girl was seen sitting by her side.
"You look lost, children," she called out, her voice hoarse but kind.
"Are you looking for a place to eat?"
Hearing her call, Ceid gave her a courteous smile and nodded. "Yes, we were walking to find a breakfast place. Our place was deserted, and there was no place to eat."
Hearing that, the grandmother nodded in understanding. "Yes, those children had long evacuated to the city center."
"Normally, they would only return after the beast tide is over."
It seemed that the old lady was not surprised by their arrival. She had probably understood their condition after seeing them walking out from that road.
While Ceid wondered whether to ask where they could dine for breakfast, he heard her calling them, "Come. We may not have much, but please have some bread. It's on the house. Today, we share what we have."
Ceid hesitated for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Thank you, kind lady. This is truly appreciated."
The two approached the bakery and sat on an outdoor bench and table. The long seat gave ample space for them to sit on.
The sturdy table with a smooth surface and creative designs provided comfort and a feast for the eyes.
The grandmother sat together with the two of them. She always had a warm smile with a caring gaze on her face.
She doesn't open her mouth much. She didn't ask anything about them but talked about the daily life there and her own life.
From her words, they knew her as Grandmother Lucia. She had brown hair with traces of gray hair. It seemed that she was around late 50 years old. Probably early 60s. Her body was still straight and healthy.
Her son and daughter-in-law were in another province and couldn't return due to the beast tide. She was now staying with her granddaughter Stacy, the four-year-old sensible girl they saw earlier.
Ceid felt comfortable with the way she carried the conversation. Not intrusive, nosy, or gossipy. She was merely there to entertain her guest. She reminded him of a typical experienced hostess of a tavern.
Soon, the little girl brought a tray of warm bread and jam. There were also two glasses of warm milk and several packets of instant tea and instant coffee on the side.
Looking at her thoughtful preparation, Ceid gave her a kind smile while taking the milk.
Drinking a glass of warm milk on such a cold morning warmed his body. After several sips of milk, he began to savor the delicious bread. The taste was similar to the croissants he ate on Earth. Although the shape was different, it reminded him of Earth.
The old lady spoke of the city's resilience, of past attacks they had overcome.
Every time she finished her story of a beast tide, her voice was laced with fear and hope.
Her unwavering faith in the city's defense's strength offered a sliver of comfort for Ayda in the face of impending danger. Unlike her, Ceid was calm during the whole conversation.
As they departed, Ayda looked at Ceid, a newfound spark of determination in her eyes. "Maybe this beast tide won't be so bad after all. Maybe, together, we can help defend the city."
Ceid smiled, a hint of respect for the fiery spirit burning within her.
He saw echoes of his resolve in her, a determination to face the unknown head-on.
"Perhaps," he said.
"But for now, let's focus on staying alive and well-fed. There will be time for heroics later."
Ayda grinned, her eyes twinkling. "I like the sound of that. Then where are we going next?"
-