After everything, I turned to Yin Xie, exasperated. "Kill me, I'm bored."
She raised an eyebrow at my dramatics, unfazed as always. "That Kitsune Robe of yours might save you, but do you really want to risk testing its limits out of boredom?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "The auction is dull now. The suspense is gone, the thrill of the bidding wars… predictable. I need something else to break the monotony."
Yin Xie set her teacup down with a delicate clink, her eyes thoughtful for a moment.
"Why not take a tour around Sunrise Hollow City? It's beautiful, full of life, and far removed from the chaos of power-hungry bidders."
I paused, mulling it over. A change of pace did sound appealing, especially after days of dealing with dragons, lords, and endless intrigue.
A vacation might actually do me some good.
"Alright," I decided, stretching as I got to my feet. "Let's do it. But you'll have to drop me off from the floating island. And make sure the Grandmaster Dwarf gets escorted back safely. He's your responsibility now."
Yin Xie rolled her eyes but nodded in agreement. "Fine. But don't complain if something interesting happens while you're gone."
As I packed a small bag for the journey, I couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity of it.
No plotting, no schemes—just a tour of a vibrant city. Of course, I wasn't naïve enough to believe it would stay that simple.
The auction winnings were safely secured in my advanced storage ring, a reminder of the wealth and power I'd accumulated.
The Grandmaster Dwarf, my prize craftsman, was under Yin Xie's protection until I returned.
With her pragmatism and the dragon entourage, I doubted anything would happen to him.
Before leaving, I checked my inventory one last time:
Dragon Hearts: 1,019,655 units
Advanced Storage Rings: 4 units
Phoenix Feathers: 4 units
Titan cores: 1 units
Boundless Wealth:
Slot 1: Phoenix Blood Vials (1,227 units | +613 tomorrow)
Slot 2: Globe of Existence (3 units | +3 tomorrow)
Satisfied that everything was in order, I stepped out onto the floating island's platform, ready to descend into the lively world of Sunrise Hollow.
---
Sunrise Hollow was breathtaking. The city sprawled along the edge of a shimmering lake, its buildings a mix of rustic charm and magical elegance.
Cobblestone streets wove through colorful markets, and the air was filled with the scent of spices, roasted meats, and blooming flowers.
The city's charm lay in its diversity. Elves, dwarves, humans, and beastfolk mingled freely, their laughter and chatter creating a lively symphony.
Even the occasional magic-driven contraption whizzing by added to the wonder of it all.
I strolled through the streets, my Kitsune Robe shifting subtly to blend with the festive atmosphere.
For once, I wasn't a ruler, an auction bidder, or a wielder of immense power—I was just a traveler enjoying the sights.
The ordinary hustle and bustle of city life, free from the weight of responsibility, felt like a rare breath of fresh air.
After leaving the auction, I ended up in a peaceful corner of the town. I wandered from shop to shop, tasting every bit of food I could find, savoring the flavors without a care in the world.
But then, my eyes caught sight of something—more accurately, someone.
Miranda.
I didn't believe it at first, but there she was, standing in front of a vendor's stall with her family.
Lily was browsing for a necklace, and Kyle, ever the mischievous spirit, was bargaining fiercely with the shopkeeper. Then, as if by fate, his eyes landed on me.
His face lit up, and in a burst of energy, he dropped his haggle and ran toward me, tugging at his mother's arm.
"Mom! It's Uncle Ace!" he shouted, his enthusiasm unmistakable.
Miranda turned toward him, her expression shifting from mild surprise to a smile as she followed Kyle's excited lead.
She recognized me. And unlike the scorn or hatred I'd braced myself for, she greeted me with warmth.
"Ace?" she said softly, her voice full of wonder. "Is that really you?"
I was frozen, unsure of how to respond. The last time I had seen her, the weight of guilt had nearly consumed me.
Yet now, in the peaceful bustle of Sunrise Hollow, she looked at me not with anger, but with a kind of cautious hope.
"I—" I stuttered, the words catching in my throat. "I don't know what to say."
Kyle, ever the curious one, chimed in, his eyes wide with excitement. "Mom, I knew it! He looks like the portrait we have of him!"
Miranda's smile faltered slightly, and she looked down at her son, then back at me. "Portrait?" I asked, suddenly feeling a sense of unease.
Miranda's voice softened, almost lost in the crowd. "It was a reminder. A reminder of what I failed to do in the past… to save the soul of the one I loved and to not make the same mistake in this life."
Her words struck me like a punch to the gut. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come.
A weight settled over me as I tried to reconcile the person she was now with the pain of what had happened in the past.
Before I could collect my thoughts, a figure approached.
Cale Lionheart, the renowned Grade 4 warrior, stepped forward with an unreadable expression.
His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary, and I could sense the edge of something—jealousy, perhaps, or wariness.
But despite the tension, there was also an undeniable trust in the way he stood beside Miranda.
"Lord Ace," Cale greeted me with an extended hand, his voice measured. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person."
I accepted the handshake with a nod. "The pleasure is mine, Lord Cale."
Miranda, sensing the weight of the moment, smiled warmly. "Come, Ace, visit us. I'd love to hear more about you, about what's changed you."
Her words hung in the air, an invitation that felt like an offer of both healing and reconciliation.
I was unsure if I was truly ready to face the past, but for the first time, the thought of it didn't seem as terrifying.
Perhaps it was time to learn what had changed in this life—and what could still be mended.
I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. The invitation hung in the air like a fragile thread, and for a fleeting moment, I almost let the opportunity slip away.
But then, my thoughts sharpened, and with an effort, I mustered the courage to speak.
"Lord Cale," I began, my voice steady, "may I join you and your family on this vacation?"
Before Cale could respond, Kyle, ever the mischievous one, grabbed my hand and tugged it eagerly.
"Uncle, come on!" he urged. "I want this one, let's buy it!"
His enthusiasm was contagious, and before I knew it, I was swept into the rhythm of the family's playful banter.
I followed Kyle as he led me toward a stall, the merchant beaming at the unexpected attention.
Lily, too, joined in, her eyes twinkling with excitement as she pointed out all the trinkets she wanted.
And so, it began—I found myself buying whatever they asked for, indulging their whims without hesitation.
A part of me wondered if this was my way of repaying Miranda, a way of easing the guilt I carried for the past.
The weight of what I owed her, what I had failed to protect, it all seemed to fuel my desire to spoil them, to offer them the happiness they deserved.
Cale, who had been watching with a quiet intensity, seemed about to speak, perhaps to intervene, but he was cut off by Miranda, who placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Let him," she said, her voice calm and warm. "It's fine."
Cale hesitated, his expression unreadable, but he nodded and stepped back, watching as I indulged the children.
I couldn't help but observe the dynamic between Miranda and Cale.
Their relationship wasn't one of ownership or control, but of mutual respect and affection. It was clear that their bond was something deep and genuine.
Not the kind of loyalty you'd see from a guard to a lord, but a connection based on trust and love.
It was beautiful, in its own way, and it stirred something in me—a longing for something I had never allowed myself to seek before.
I had always been consumed by my responsibilities, by the weight of power and greed.
But here, in this simple moment, I realized I longed for something different. Something pure.
Maybe it wasn't too late to rebuild—maybe not everything was beyond repair.