This bonus chapter is a small gift—may it bring you a touch of tranquility.
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"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"Eula's earlier impatience vanished as she glared at Lou Qing, her grip tightening on the White Iron Greatsword she had just retrieved. Realizing she wasn't his match in strength, however, she reluctantly loosened her hold.
"Well, Miss Eula, are you going to agree or not?"
Lou Qing's slight smirk infuriated her. To Eula, he resembled nothing more than a shameless merchant.
"If you agree to three more tasks, you'll have this exquisitely perfect greatsword back in your hands~. Doesn't that sound tempting?"
"…"
[Frustration +1 from Eula]
In all her years, Eula had never met anyone so brazenly shameless!
If she agreed to three more tasks now, wouldn't that just lead to another three afterward?
Was this guy trying to play some kind of endless nesting doll scheme?!
"Typical. Snezhnayans truly live up to their reputation as swindlers."
Eula spoke with disdain, realizing she should've known better than to expect a fair deal with someone from Snezhnaya.
"Hey now, Miss Eula, there's no need for such regional prejudice."
Lou Qing feigned indignation. "Say another word of regional slander, and I might just take back that White Iron Greatsword of yours."
"…"
"And for the record, while I'm indeed from Snezhnaya, my bloodline traces back to Liyue!" Lou Qing added, striking a righteous pose. "My lineage carries the soul of the Geo Archon's contracts—built on fairness and honor!"
He patted the Song of Broken Pines in his hand and continued with a perfectly earnest expression.
"Miss Eula, if you think about it, the value of this greatsword is at least three times that of your White Iron Greatsword, right? Asking for three tasks in exchange is nothing short of fair."
"I'm even giving you a familiar discount! What's there to complain about?"
"…"
Lou Qing's reasoning was so convoluted that Eula was momentarily speechless.
Wait… so her greatsword was just a unit of measurement now?
One White Iron Greatsword equaled one favor?
Forget Snezhnayans… no, I can't say that. This guy specifically! Lou Qing! How can you be this shameless?!
"Hmph, and what's to stop you from asking for three more tasks after I finish these?"
Eula's voice was cold, her eyes narrowing. She wasn't falling for this trick again.
"Depends on my mood."
"…"
He didn't even try to deny it!
He was actually admitting that he planned to keep this game going indefinitely!
"Hmph, I'm not agreeing to anything."
Eula turned her head away, forcing herself not to look at the Song of Broken Pines in his hand. As long as she didn't look, she wouldn't feel tempted…
"Still, if you don't at least try, Miss Eula, I'm afraid your beloved sword might leave you forever~."
Lou Qing's voice turned teasing, dripping with temptation.
"I heard this sword holds great sentimental value for you, doesn't it? Such a shame… if you don't act, it might just become my plaything~."
"…"
"Enough!"
Eula snapped, unable to endure Lou Qing's incessant goading any longer.
Why, oh why, can't I just beat this guy?!
"Well then, for the first task…"
Seeing that his provocation had worked, Lou Qing spoke with a calm, deliberate tone.
"Miss Eula, you know where my residence is, don't you? Judging by the distance, it should take you about half a day to get there."
"So, by midnight tonight, please come find me there~."
With that, Lou Qing's figure vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of where he had gone.
He had said everything he needed to. The rest depended on Eula's resolve.
"This guy…"
Eula stood frozen in place for a long moment after Lou Qing's departure, her gaze subconsciously drifting toward the direction of Eagle's Gate Beach.
The first task was simply to meet him by midnight…
It didn't seem like too big of a deal, did it?
Should I…?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling out nearby, snapping her back to reality. Turning toward the sound, she saw the members of her guerrilla squad returning with reinforcements.
"Captain Eula, we're here to help… huh?"
The squad's leader, accompanied by Knights of Favonius reinforcements, had rushed over at full speed. From a distance, they had only seen their captain surrounded by Hilichurls. They hadn't noticed the giant rock spear impaling the creatures.
It wasn't until they reached Eula that they saw the peculiar Geo construct pinning the Hilichurls to the ground, long since lifeless.
"Captain Eula, what is this…?"
The squad leader seemed puzzled.
Eula's Vision was Cryo. How could these Geo spears have come from her?
"Someone intervened."
Eula's voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
"Someone helped you? Well, we have to thank them properly! Where are they now?"
The squad members looked around but saw no sign of anyone else.
"That person is already gone."
"Ah, I see… well, we'll thank them properly when we meet them next time."
The squad members held great respect for Eula, who had saved them from many dangerous situations in the past. They were immensely relieved to find her unharmed. They made a mental note to find the mysterious savior later and express their gratitude.
"Captain Eula, should we head back now to report what happened?"
"Hmm…"
Eula hesitated for a moment, seemingly coming to a decision. Finally, she spoke.
"You all go back and report. I'll return later."
"Captain, you…"
"I'm going to find that person."
"Oh, of course! It's only right to thank them personally."
The squad members exchanged understanding glances, assuming their captain intended to express her gratitude in person.
"Captain Eula, please convey our thanks to them as well! We'd really appreciate it."
"Yes, Captain!"
"…"
[Frustration +1 from Eula]
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Nightfall
The full moon rose over the sea, its gentle light blanketing the land in silver.
Lou Qing sat alone on a cliff overlooking Eagle's Gate Beach, humming softly as he gazed at the horizon.
Standing behind him was Natalia, holding a black-and-white outfit adorned with lace. The specific style was hard to discern.
"My lord…"
After a long silence, Natalia spoke, unable to suppress her curiosity. "She probably won't come, right? Should we just head back?"
The cold wind on the cliff was biting, and her thin outfit wasn't helping. She longed to retreat to the warmth of the tents below.
"Says who?"
Lou Qing smiled as he sensed movement in the distance.
"She's here."
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Ah, Reader. You've stayed for the bonus chapter—how delightful.
Even amidst the quiet of eternity, there's joy to be found in shared moments like this.
If you wish to offer your strength, step forward: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each effort helps to shape a world where such moments can thrive.
— Ei