The sky was clear, and a gentle breeze swept across the surface of the sea.
By the shore, a man was fishing.
He had been fishing for quite a while, but not a single fish had bitten the hook.
For a true fisherman, though, half a day without catching anything was nothing to worry about.
"Uncle, I've been watching you fish for half the day, and it seems like you haven't caught a single fish."
A young boy's voice reached the man's ears, and he turned his gaze toward the sound.
"Fishing is about cultivating one's heart and mind. Whether I catch a fish or not doesn't matter. And by the way, do I really look that old? Don't call me 'uncle.'"
"Okay, 'uncle.'" The boy walked up to the man's side and both of them stared at the float on the water together.
"You came all the way to the shore by yourself? Came to fish too?"
"I'm just bored," the boy replied.
"Isn't watching me fish even more boring?" the man asked.
"It does seem that way, but I really have nothing else to do," the boy replied.
"If you've got nothing to do, you should spend more time with your family," the man suggested.
"I don't have a family. I don't have a home either."
The man hesitated.
When the boy said those words, his gaze was so calm, almost as if he had seen through the world. It didn't seem like the gaze of a young boy, but rather that of someone in their fifties or sixties.
"Where do you live? Do you have a job?" the man asked.
The boy pointed to the east.
"Over there, I set up a temporary shelter. I just came to Fontaine and haven't had the chance to find a job yet."
"You're still young, but it seems like things aren't easy for you."
"Uncle, do you really like fishing?"
"Of course I do. Otherwise, why would I be fishing for half the day?"
"Can you teach me?"
"You want to learn?"
"Mm." The boy nodded. "Anyway, I'm bored today."
Just as he finished speaking, a soft growling sound echoed from his stomach.
The boy reached down and rubbed his stomach.
"You're hungry, huh?" the man chuckled. "I'll catch a fish for you and roast it."
It was just at that moment that the fishing float sank beneath the water.
The man immediately raised the rod, which bent into a large arc as the fish pulled on the line.
Soon, the flames rose, and the mouthwatering aroma of roasted fish filled the air.
"Just wait a bit longer, it'll be ready soon." The man carefully tended to the fish, a confident smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"It looks really delicious, thank you, Uncle."
"Of course, my daughter loves the fish I make," the man said proudly, no longer minding the boy still calling him 'uncle.'
"You already have a daughter?"
"Yeah, she's about your age, maybe a little younger."
"That's nice."
The boy's tone was calm, as if there were no emotion behind his words.
The man felt that the boy was becoming more and more intriguing. There was something about him, a maturity that seemed unusual for his age.
"Young man, what's your name?"
"My name is Yu Xie. What about you, Uncle?"
"I'm Callas."
...
Yu Xie sat on the sofa in his office, reminiscing about the first time he had met Uncle Callas.
After that day, Kales had taken him back to Poisson Village.
He still vividly remembered the first time he met Navia and Clorinde.
From their initial unfamiliarity with each other, to gradually becoming close friends who shared everything.
Although he didn't know what he had been like in his past life, Yu Xie felt that this life was a lucky one.
In this life, starting at the age of seventeen, it didn't take long before he met Callas and gained a family.
In the blink of an eye, nearly ten years had passed, and Yu Xie had become a Champion Duelist.
As the final safeguard in the Judgment process, Yu Xie carried out his duties as a Champion Duelist, and his reputation gradually grew.
At some point, he had come to be known as the "Strongest Champion Duelist," a title that made those who sought to avoid their judgments shudder at the mere mention of his name.
— Check the panel.
[Name: Yu Xie]
[Age: 26]
[Physical Condition: Young]
[Skills: Mastery of Martial Arts (Epic), Ashura Flash (Epic), Pure Soul Of The Blessed Land (Epic)]
After checking his panel, just as Yu Xie exited the system, he heard a slightly hurried knock on the door.
"Yu Xie! Yu Xie!"
The clear voice calling his name echoed through the door.
Hearing the voice, Yu Xie already knew who was outside.
With a bit of resignation, he walked over to open the door.
Standing outside was a silver-haired young girl in a finely crafted dark blue dress—the Archon of Fontaine, Furina de Fontaine, known among the demons as Focalors.
Of course, Yu Xie knew that Furina was just an ordinary girl.
But right now, aside from Yu Xie, no one knew Furina's true identity. The prophetic crisis of Fontaine had not yet arrived.
"Yu Xie, come with me to a place," Furina stood at the door, arms crossed over her chest, her posture carrying an air of arrogance.
She always played this role, always acting proud, as though she were a goddess.
Thinking of all the things Furina had endured over the past five hundred years, Yu Xie couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, though he didn't show it.
"Where are we going?" Yu Xie asked.
"You'll know when we get there."
"Miss Furina, it's already after work hours. I was planning to head back."
"Is that so?" Furina paused for a moment, then waved it off. "Doesn't matter, come with me!"
"Then pay me overtime."
"...Deal!"
Furina led Yu Xie to the outskirts of Fontaine Court.
The sunset bathed the area in golden light, and the scenery was beautiful.
At the bottom of the hill stood a small house.
"What is this place?" Yu Xie surveyed the house, unable to help but ask.
"My 'secret base.' Don't tell anyone," Furina smiled and opened the door, stepping inside.
Immediately, the sound of meowing filled the house.
A few small cats rushed over to Furina, rubbing against her shoes.
Cats are very sensitive to smells. Even if they've been raised by the same owner for many years, if that owner has been absent for a while, the foreign scents they bring back can make the cats feel distant or unfamiliar.
But as soon as Furina stepped in, the cats gathered around her, showing just how much they trusted her.
"Is this where you keep your cats?" Yu Xie asked, following Furina inside.
The house might have been small for a person, but it was just perfect for the cats.
"Yeah." Furina stroked the little cat's head, a joyful smile on her face. "Hehe, let me pet you, little one..."
"Since you're here to pet cats, why did you need me to come along?" Yu Xie was a bit confused.
Cough... "Well, you see, Fontaine Court is quite a distance from here. If I came alone, what if I run into those Treasure Hoarders I don't know along the way? As a Archon, I can't just start fighting with some petty thief."
"Well, I suppose that makes sense..." Yu Xie nodded in agreement, "I don't mind. Just make sure you pay my overtime."
"I'll definitely pay you!"
"Then I'll wait outside. Go ahead and enjoy your cat petting session."
With that, Yu Xie stepped outside.
Under the eaves, there was a slightly weathered bench. Yu Xie pulled it over and sat down.
The view in the setting sun was beautiful, serene, and calming.
In the distance, a caravan passed by, heading toward Fontaine Court. Yu Xie watched the procession, noting the direction they were going.
The caravan's flag bore a complex and intricate design.
Though Yu Xie wasn't familiar with the specific details of the pattern, he immediately recognized it as the flag of the Fatui.
For a long time, the Fatui had not had a good reputation.
However, as a diplomatic delegation from the nation of Snezhnaya, Fontaine's official institutions still had to show them a certain level of respect, at least in public.
Judging by the scale of this caravan, it seemed likely that someone of high rank was traveling inside one of those carriages. Could it be an Harbinger?
Speaking of Fatui Harbinger with ties to Fontaine, Yu Xie naturally thought of "The Knave" — Arlecchino.
Could it be her?
If the opportunity arose, maybe he could meet her in person.
But for now, it was best to focus on his role as Miss Furina's bodyguard.
End of chapter
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