Chapter 226: 010: A Wonderful Life

Lilith looked at Lynch curiously. She had a deep impression of this strange knight who appeared out of nowhere at her aunt’s wedding years ago. He looked young back then, and strangely enough, he still looked exactly the same now.

Lynch smiled, “It’s nothing, I just don’t show my age easily. In fact, I’m actually quite old.”

“Is that so?”

Lilith didn’t dwell on this too much and quickly returned to the topic at hand, questioning him, “Hey, you still haven’t answered my question. Why would you show up at my grandparents’ grave, stranger? What secrets are you hiding?”

“Aha!”

“I’ve figured it out. You must’ve been sent by some evil wizard, planning to steal my parents’ remains for dark magic, right?”

“I won’t let you succeed!”

“Do you want to experience the power of the Valen Family’s swordsmanship? The Rose Sword will make sure your death is an ugly one!”

She skillfully twirled the tree branch she held in her hands, performing a standard sword flourish.

Lynch: “…”

Watching Lilith engrossed in her own dramatic imagination, Lynch was speechless. What’s wrong with his niece? Has she been reading too many knight novels?

He explained gently, “Mr. and Mrs. Valen helped me in the past. So whenever I pass through Frost Cold Town, I always come to pay my respects.”

“My grandparents helped you?”

Lilith had a doubtful look on her face. She responded incredulously, “How is that possible? You seem almost my age. When my grandparents were alive, I suspect you were just a baby. What could they have helped you with? Changing diapers?”

Hm…

That did seem like a valid point.

Lynch spread his hands, indicating he hadn’t done anything unusual. “As you can see, I come with only sincerity and nothing else.”

Lilith stared at Lynch for a while, and indeed, she couldn’t detect any suspicious behavior from him. So she didn’t continue to press the matter.

“Fine, I’ll believe you for now.”

With that, she stopped paying attention to Lynch, walked over to her parents’ grave marker, knelt down, clasped her hands together, and held them to her chest, whispering softly.

It’s not polite to eavesdrop on someone’s private words, but Lynch couldn’t help being curious, so he deliberately amplified his hearing to listen.

“Grandparents, please, I beg you…”

“My father doesn’t care about me at all—not as much as Uncle Lynch, who’s off who-knows-where…”

“I don’t want to get married so young…”

“Why should I marry a knight I’ve never met…”

“This isn’t the life I want at all…”

“And it’s definitely not the love I desire…”

Lynch raised his eyebrows slightly. It seemed his young niece was facing some troubles in her life.

Well then,

Let this uncle ease your burdens a bit.

Lynch quietly summoned a trace of spiritual power into his voice—a subtle application of a Spiritual Magic technique called “Trust.” It belonged to the hypnosis category and could lower someone’s defenses, making them instinctively trust the caster.

He said, “It seems like you’re troubled. What is it? Tell me about it.”

“Why should I…”

Lilith intended to retort instinctively, but her words faltered halfway. She didn’t know why, but the stranger’s voice sounded particularly soothing, compelling a sense of trust she couldn’t resist.

She gazed at Lynch curiously, “Are you someone who can listen?”

Lynch replied, “I’m all ears.”

After hesitating for a moment, Lilith sighed dejectedly.

“Sigh…”

She began, “I’m deeply troubled by my marriage.”

“My father demands that I must marry this year—and he’s already selected a spouse for me.”

“But I’m so young, having just turned 14. I utterly refuse to tie the knot so early… especially with someone I haven’t even met. How old is he? What does he look like? What kind of person is he? I know nothing about him, yet I’m expected to marry him…”

Lynch said, “Perhaps he’s an excellent young man?”

The match was indeed arranged by Baron Acate in advance. Lynch had been informed of this back at the castle. It was a careful selection from the family’s younger generation—a young man whose lineage wasn’t the most noble, but whose character was impeccable.

Over the past few days, the young man had been staying in the castle. Lynch had met him once and found him to be a polite and upright lad.

Lilith retorted, “How would you know?”

She countered, “And who says that just because he’s outstanding, I’m obligated to marry him? He is he, and I am me—we’re independent individuals! I have my own dreams and pursuits, thank you very much!”

Lynch asked, “Then what is it that you desire?”

“Obviously—”

Lilith leapt up, grabbed the tree branch she’d left on the ground, and swung it rapidly while exclaiming, “To be like those valiant knights, roaming the world, upholding justice, fighting evil, and spreading the fame of the Rose Knight far and wide!”

Lynch: “….”

He had to admit, his niece’s personality was indeed unconventional for a young girl her age. In this world, girls her age ought to be dreaming of banquets, dresses, and dashing men—not such nonsensical fantasies.

Has she been reading too many knight novels?

Lynch asked, “Are you sure this is what you desire?”

Lilith declared, “Absolutely!”

At this point, she stood up and casually brushed the dust off her skirt as she continued, “Come to think of it, why am I telling you, a stranger, any of this? People like you won’t understand. A plain and ordinary life spent abiding by the rules simply isn’t what I’m looking for.”

“Life is short, and if everything’s predetermined and lived passively, what’s the point? You’ve got to pursue what you truly love and yearn for.”

Lynch paused, slightly stunned.

He hadn’t expected his niece to say something so philosophically profound.

“All right, enough talk.”

“Farewell, stranger.”

She waved her hand and swiftly disappeared from sight.

Lynch watched her leave, deep in thought.

Well, that’s certainly a troublesome aspiration…

…

A few days later, Frost Cold Territory, late night, outside the castle walls.

“Thud!” A heavy sound echoed.

A large bundle flew out from inside the walls, landing on the ground. Following it were a Cross Sword, leather armor, protective equipment, and other items.

Shortly after, a graceful figure climbed over the outer wall, leaping down with a nimble landing.

“Woof woof woof!”

Despite her careful movements, she still caught the attention of the watchdogs within the castle walls. Loud barking ensued as a Shar-Pei dog charged out of the castle.

Lilith’s body tensed. She quickly lowered her voice, “Quiet down, Oliver!”

The watchdog, recognizing its owner’s scent and voice, instantly calmed down. The Shar-Pei obediently stuck out its wide tongue, licking the girl’s cheeks.

“All right, all right!”

Lilith soothed the dog and hurriedly stuffed the items on the ground into the bundle. Carrying the package and accompanied by the watchdog, she set off, heading away from the town.

Yet she hadn’t gone far when, stepping over a haystack, she accidentally trod on something.

“Ah!” A scream pierced the night, followed by a figure tumbling out from the haystack.

It was a young man, about the same age as her.

Lilith was startled as well. She immediately became alert, clutching her sword and glaring at him. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

The young man replied innocently, “I was sleeping here. You stepped on me for no reason, and now you’re asking me why I’m here…”

Lilith didn’t want to waste any time on him. She muttered an apology, then turned to leave.

However, the young man didn’t seem willing to let her go that easily. He quickly chased after her. “Hey, what’s your deal? You stepped on me and then just left without saying anything?”

Lilith replied, “Didn’t I already apologize?”

The young man retorted, “An apology and that’s it? Isn’t that a bit cheap?”

Lilith snapped, “Don’t push me, or I’ll teach you a lesson!”

The young man quickly replied, “Huh? You’re being unreasonable. Then I guess I’ll just have to shout for help!”

Lilith froze. “Let’s talk somewhere else, outside the town.”

The young man agreed, “All right!”

Thus, the two of them raced out of town, one ahead of the other.

Meanwhile, inside the castle, in the study.

Baron Jorashi, newly entrusted with the scepter of power, stepped into the study and bowed to Lynch, who was seated by the desk. “Master Wizard, as per your instructions, Harak and Lilith have just left the castle.”

Lynch set down the book he was reading and turned to glance out the window. Despite the distance, his extraordinary eyesight allowed him to spot the two figures leaving into the night.

“Understood.”

He nodded briefly before retrieving two alchemy spheres from his pocket. The metallic spheres unfurled naturally, transforming into two tiny alchemy spiders. Accompanied by clicking sounds, the small creatures quickly climbed out of the window and vanished into the darkness.

An exciting life?

Troublesome, but not entirely impossible…

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