Chapter 204: The Long-Lived Friend

Chapter 204: The Long-Lived Friend

The harsh winter had arrived, and the ground was covered in a thick blanket of snow.

In the mountains of the northern region of Kura, two figures cloaked in heavy robes trudged through the snow. The biting cold and the desolate landscape made travel perilous, yet the two moved at a leisurely pace, as if they were taking an afternoon stroll.

They did not speak or exchange any words, merely walking aimlessly through the snow until the heavy snowfall ceased and the sun rose high in the sky.

"This place looks familiar," one of them said, stopping to examine the footprints in the snow that had not yet been covered by new snow.

"Yes, you've circled around three times," the other replied.

"Why didn't you remind me?"

The other figure remained silent for a moment before lifting his head slightly. His horns, a symbol of his demonic heritage, traced a curve in the air. His face, strikingly handsome, remained expressionless.

"From what I understand, elves have a photographic memory."

"Having a photographic memory doesn't mean having a good sense of direction, especially in a place where everything looks white."

The first figure pulled back his hood, revealing long black hair, fair skin, and bright brown eyes. His elegant, handsome features and pointed ears clearly marked him as an elf.

"I let you follow me because I might need you at times, so try to be a bit more useful, Shura Hart."

Shura Hart obediently moved to the front, leading the way with a calm tone, "You can use your Future Sight yourself."

"Using it too much can make you emotionally detached. Only demons can use it freely."

Since Luk began his travels across the continent, he rarely used Future Sight. The magic gave a perspective close to that of a god, and while it was powerful, it also induced a sense of fear.

As for Shura Hart, he had started following Luk shortly after he set out. Although Luk had considered killing him at first, he knew that an all-knowing being would be prepared to escape. Moreover, killing him might have been part of his plan. So, Luk simply ignored the persistent follower, only engaging in brief conversations when necessary.

Following Shura Hart's lead, the monotonous snowscape gradually gave way to more signs of human presence. They approached the edge of a barrier, where Shura Hart stopped and vanished.

Looking at the familiar barrier, Luk's eyes softened with nostalgia. It had been over thirty years since he last visited. He wondered if his old friend was still alive.

...

During the recent wars that had swept across the continent, the villages in the Kura region were among the few that remained untouched by the conflict.

The village was protected by a powerful dwarf named Grandpa For, who had safeguarded the place for over a century. His immense strength and the barrier set by an unnamed mage had turned the village into a hidden paradise.

The dwarf guarding the village entrance appeared frail and weak, but this was a deceptive facade. Anyone with ill intentions would face a fatal blow from the powerful dwarf warrior.

"It's been a long time, For."

The dwarf's closed eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Who are you?"

"Still using that trick on me?"

In a blur, a swift kick shot towards the dwarf, but the elf had anticipated it and dodged.

Failing to land the first blow, the dwarf raised his heavy longsword and swung it with immense force at Luk's head, while simultaneously aiming a kick at his groin.

Crack!

A scale-like defensive magic appeared, intercepting the dwarf's attack at the last second. Though it cracked, it still protected its master.

Several magic arrays surrounded For, compressing to their limit, radiating dangerous energy.

After a few seconds of stalemate, For sheathed his weapon. "You haven't lost your touch, Luk. Any other mage would have been defeated at this range."

"Elves have physical potential that shouldn't be underestimated," Luk said, dispelling his magic with a hint of resignation in his eyes.

"I'm not criticizing your fighting style, but could you not use it on me?"

"Efficiency is key in battle. The head, throat, eyes, heart, and groin are all weak points. Do you expect your enemies to avoid them?"

"Even if you don't consider me a friend, you don't have to treat me like an enemy."

"You are a friend."

For lowered his sword and returned to his frail appearance. "But friends can become enemies in the future. It's wise to always be prepared for any countermeasures."

Luk nodded thoughtfully after a moment of reflection.

"You're right. Have you thought of any countermeasures against me?"

The stubborn dwarf fell silent for a moment before changing the subject.

"Isn't this an unusual time for you to return? What brings you here?"

Luk was known to pass through here every fifty years on his way to the central kingdoms, but it wasn't time yet—another twenty years or so.

"I have something I'm a bit concerned about, and I wanted to check it out. I also thought I'd visit you."

Luk glanced at the visibly aged dwarf and sighed inwardly.

Even among the long-lived, there were differences. Dwarves typically lived for only about three hundred years, and For had already surpassed that. Each additional day was a bonus.

However, judging by the vigor he displayed in attacking Luk, he could last much longer.

I'm glad to see you still have so much energy.

Fol closed his eyes, "It's not that simple. Lately, I haven't been feeling well. I might not be able to protect this place anymore."

"Could you help take care of the village?"

Guarding the village was Fol's promise to his wife. After she passed away, he sat at the village entrance day and night, rain or shine, for over a hundred years.

Being long-lived beings who chose human partners was the common ground and the beginning of their friendship.

Luk thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay in one place. That was your promise, not mine."

Fol snorted and turned his face away.

"Fair enough. I don't want anyone else to complete my promise anyway."

"Promise..."

Luk touched the small bottle around his neck.

The people he cared about always left with smiles, never giving him a long-term commitment to hold onto. So, after they were gone, he wandered aimlessly, like a rootless soul.

Over the years, he had almost traversed the entire continent, climbed mountains, crossed seas, visited the ruins of the unified empire, and descended into countless dungeons, but he never found a place to settle.

Luckily, he finally had something to do recently...

Luk's arrival made the village more lively than usual. After all, he was the mage who had cast a protective barrier around the village during the war, and there was even a statue of him here.

The older villagers showed great enthusiasm for their benefactor, offering free lodging and food, and always making sure the best dishes were on the table. They treated him with exceptional respect.

The children were particularly curious about their parents' unusual behavior and developed an interest in this guest. A few of the braver ones tried to approach Luk, only to be dragged back by their parents and beaten until they cried, which made the other children scatter like frightened animals.

There were some exceptions, though. Some villagers brought their children to Luk, hesitantly asking if he could teach them magic, but Luk politely declined.

He wouldn't stay long; he was just visiting to see an old friend and restock his supplies.

After a brief two or three months of chatting with Fol, he left the village to continue his journey.

"If you don't want to help guard the village, that's fine. If you ever feel like you don't have a place, there are empty houses in the village."

Fol bid his friend farewell, but Luk didn't turn around. He just waved without looking back.

...

Frylian never expected this to happen.

While investigating something, she found a human child lost in the forest. She just helped him out, but suddenly she was being accused of something.

She had clearly given him directions, but the boy insisted he didn't know the way and pitifully asked her to take him back.

Looking at the unusually well-behaved blue-haired boy, the thousand-year-old great mage felt a headache coming on.

"What's your name?"

"Simmel."

Frylian, expressionless, continued, "Where do you live?"

"Barum Orphanage."

Frylian paused, recalling the war that had even disturbed her secluded life as an elf. She pondered for a moment.

Barum...

She hadn't expected to end up back in Barum after all these years.

Thinking back to her life in the Campbell mansion, the exquisite food, the warm rooms, the endless magic books—ignoring the fact that she was always dragged into researching magic—it had been a happy time.

It had been a while since she last visited Luk and the others. Perhaps it was time for a visit.

Frylian took the boy's hand and led him to the place she remembered.

"I'll find someone to take you back."

The boy, blushing, followed her.

Ten minutes later, they stopped in front of a mansion so luxurious it took your breath away.

"It's become quite grand."

Frylian was stunned, her mind a bit fuzzy as she tried to remember the last time she had been here.

She knocked on the door, and a butler soon answered.

"Hello, miss. Can I help you with something?"

"I'm looking for Mrs. Roine."

"There's no one by that name."

Frylian blinked in confusion. "That's not right. She's the mistress of the Campbell family."

"There's no one by that name." The butler's eyes became wary. "Are you sure you know anyone here?"

"What about Amir?"

"I've never heard of him." The butler started to close the door.

"Wait! Trera, Charles, Luk, surely you know one of them!"

The butler looked at Frylian as if she were insane. "If you have a problem, you should see a cleric."

Frylian finally realized, "Ah... It's been almost two hundred years."

"Could it be that everyone except Luk has passed away?"

She was surprised and a bit saddened, then noticed her clothes being tugged.

The blue-haired boy looked a bit shy, holding out a few coins.

"Here, to help you get better."

Frylian: "..."

She wasn't sick; she just wasn't very sensitive to time.

"Frylian, are you looking for me?"

A familiar voice called out, and Frylian turned to see her long-absent, calm student.

"It's been a while, Luk."

"You're looking more and more like an elf."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end