Chapter 873: The Maiden's Homeland
Chapter 873: The Maiden's Homeland
"So this is... your hometown?"
Looking down at the town below, Lindsey couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
He spread out the map, revealing a small town hidden amidst the mountains, where most of the human inhabitants were marked in green, indicating a friendly attitude towards outsiders.
In a time of chaos, this was a rare and precious situation.
"Alice, your hometown is indeed a wonderful place."
Alice thought for a moment, nodding first and then shaking her head.
"My hometown is indeed great."
"But strictly speaking, I was born in the City of Law, but I've been here ever since I can remember."
Lindsey noticed the subtle implication in her words:
"Since you've been here ever since you can remember, you must rarely leave these mountains."
Alice nodded in agreement.
"Before the Fifth Stage, I never ventured outside."
"Law Guardians can go to the City of Law to participate in the Oath Ceremony, but as a Righteous One, it's different in many ways."
As they talked, Lindsey also observed the surrounding mountains.
In the two months since he arrived at the City of Law, he had experienced a calamity that passed overhead.
The nearby mountains showed similar signs of destruction caused by Essence Skills.
However, the peaks surrounding the village had few such exaggerated remnants of war. Especially since Lindsey's Golden Rye had also found a place nearby.
The super crop's adaptability was evident even in the mountains.
At that moment, Alice noticed Lindsey's gaze.
Misinterpreting his attention, she generously offered an explanation:
"The surrounding mountains have been infused with defensive Essence Skills by my teacher, allowing the people here to live in long-lasting peace."
With Alice's explanation, Lindsey didn't need to scrutinize the area further.
A white light automatically appeared on the surrounding mountains.
[Domain of Sovereign Land - The Law Guardian's Essence Skill is engraved on the mountain, dividing this area into a safe zone, and thus, the fighting ceased.]
"..."
"Law's protection."
As Alice had already descended the mountain, Lindsey followed her down.
The Essence Skills in the mountains were primarily for the town's defense, and any incoming attack would undoubtedly activate them, so there was little point in keeping it a secret.
As for the small town, the residents' resources were relatively easy to obtain. Their food came from hunting and the surrounding wheat fields, and their water source was the fresh stream flowing through the mountains, supplemented by wells created using Essence Skills.
The two gradually approached the town.
Lindsey's Atmospheric Sense kicked in, allowing him to hear the sounds of children and adults moving about in the village from a distance.
While the villagers couldn't be considered wealthy, their lives were significantly better than the food-scarce, survival-focused existence in the City of Law.
In Lindsey's imagination, today was supposed to be Alice's homecoming.
However, the reality differed from his expectations.
Before they even reached the village, the sentries inside spotted them, and a murmur of discussion followed:
"Attention, someone's coming down from the mountain."
"Who's seeking refuge with us?"
"No! Wait! Look closely at that figure!"
"Is that... Sister Alice?"
As the words landed, several robust adult guards rushed over, ignoring Lindsey and surrounding Alice.
Their eyes shone with admiration, as if they were looking at a victorious war hero returning home.
"Sister Alice, you've finally returned!"
"Where have you been all these years? We thought you had stayed in the City of Law."
Alice was surrounded by a throng of people, all eager to catch up with her after her long absence. The former Righteous One, now a young woman, was momentarily stunned as she recognized the familiar yet unfamiliar faces around her.
"Xiao Yi, Also, Smir?" she exclaimed. "You... it's you! You've all grown so much."
Lindsey, standing outside the crowd, also realized the situation.
A decade had passed. For high-level Awakened, this might not seem like a long time. But for ordinary people or lower-stage Awakened, especially those who were children ten years ago, it was enough time for them to grow into adults.
So, when Alice returned to the camp, the children she had once taught and protected had also become the town's pillars. Although they couldn't do anything too outrageous now that they were adults, the lingering trust and admiration in their eyes showed that some things remained unchanged and were still cherished in people's hearts.
"I... I've encountered some problems," Alice explained briefly. "I've been through a lot, and it's only now that I've finally returned."
Then, turning to Lindsey behind her, she said, "Lindsey, wait here for a moment."
"I'll go into the village first and tell everyone about your situation, so we don't cause any misunderstandings."
In the friends' channel, a message from Alice appeared:
Alice: [Lindsey, there are quite a few Law Guardians in the town. I'll go in first and inform them, which will save us a lot of trouble.]
Lindsey: [No problem. It's rare for you to return to your hometown, so take this opportunity to reunite with everyone.]
In reality, Lindsey watched as Alice was escorted into the camp by the villagers.
The townsfolk were incredibly friendly. Their trust, affection, and genuine reverence all conveyed one fact—Alice was the heart of the entire town.
Their eyes and hopes were fixed on the maiden. This admiration wasn't due to her power as a Righteous One or her status as a leader's student; it was because of her past actions in the town that they genuinely supported her.
"Righteous One," someone said.
"When they're stubborn, they're both a nuisance and evil," another added.
"But if this persistence can be channeled for good, it's the best thing that can happen."
As Lindsey reflected on this, Alice was escorted back into the town by the crowd.
News of her return spread throughout the town. Whether they were Awakened or ordinary people, anyone who had exchanged a few words with Alice came to meet her again.
Among them was a Law Guardian whom Alice recognized, who had advanced to the Sixth Stage.
"Xiao Bei, congratulations!" Alice exclaimed.
"Alice, I'm so glad you're back," Xiao Bei replied. "By the way, Alice, I need to tell you something. Lindsey, the person outside, is my companion, and he..."
Alice naturally informed everyone about Lindsey's situation.
Most of the Law Guardians in the town nodded in understanding after hearing this, with no objections.
After settling these matters, Alice hesitantly asked about her concern:
"By the way, what about the teacher?"
"I can't sense his essence signal. Is he not here?"
An awkward silence fell over the group. After a few seconds, someone spoke up, "Alice, you don't know where the teacher is either?"
"Since ten years ago, when you left together, he hasn't returned!"
(End of Chapter)
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