Chapter 310 - 292: Lingering

Chapter 310: Chapter 292: Lingering

"So what if it takes a month or two?"

Bev was still being persistent, switching from headbutts to playfully pounding his chest with her little fists.

Each blow struck Zelir right in the heart.

"I know you want to get stronger... but can’t you still practice Magic?!"

"You can also do Meditation, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, you... you can even ask a tutor! Isn’t it great to just stay in Black Stone Town?!"

"Bev."

Watching Bev’s pouting act, Zelir’s hand that was stroking her cheek moved to gently pinch her delicate earlobe.

"Who was it just now who swore they would respect and understand everything I do? You looked like such a good and virtuous wife back then."

"I... I..."

Bev opened her mouth several times, but couldn’t think of a single thing to say in rebuttal.

’Ugh... honestly!’

Unable to win the argument with reason, Bev decided to just be unreasonable.

The hands that had been pounding on Zelir’s chest moved to wrap around his waist, holding him tight.

She hugged Zelir tightly, then let out a soft "Hmph."

"You bully... you just use my own words against me..."

Those things were easy to say, but much harder to do.

If Zelir really had to leave for a while... Bev was still quite unwilling.

Her heart was filled with reluctance to see him go.

"So..."

After a moment, Bev’s muffled voice came from Zelir’s chest.

"Are you still going with the same team members from before?"

"Yes, but there’s been a small change in personnel."

Zelir told her the truth. "Maki left, and a new member joined the team. Her name is Hill, and she’s an Assassin."

"An Assassin... and a woman?"

Hearing this profession, Bev immediately and unconsciously furrowed her pretty brows.

Her eyes showed undisguised suspicion and worry.

"Is this person reliable? Don’t you go and get tricked by her."

"Don’t worry. We’ve been on a mission together before. Lante knows her too."

Zelir ruffled Bev’s hair reassuringly. "I’m familiar with her style. She’s reliable enough."

"Anyway... you just have to be extra careful. Especially with a female Assassin... People who walk in that gray area are definitely bad news."

Bev mumbled.

"Also... how do you plan to get there? Sengu Town is pretty far from Black Stone Town, and there are no direct carriages."

"Well... that is indeed a problem."

Zelir shook his head helplessly.

"We’ll see when the time comes. If we have to, we’ll just transfer from town to town. It’ll be slower, but there’s no other way."

"Hmph... In that case, let me help you solve it."

Bev pursed her red lips, her face a mask of playful arrogance.

"Lately, my family has had quite a few merchant guild caravans. They’re all rushing to set out before the snow blocks the roads... and it just so happens one of them is heading to Sengu Town."

"You guys can travel with them as part of their Guard Team. No transfers, a direct route all the way. And they’ll even have to pay you a hefty fee."

"Really?"

Zelir blinked, a look of being overwhelmingly flattered on his face. "Won’t it be too much trouble?"

This world didn’t have high-speed rail or long-distance carriages on fixed routes. Bev was undoubtedly doing him a huge favor.

Plus, he could earn some money. It was the best of both worlds.

"You’re overdoing it."

Bev poked Zelir’s chest. "You can barely hide the smile on your face."

"Bev, you’re the best," Zelir said, leaning down to give her red lips another light peck.

"Mmph..."

But Bev didn’t shyly pull back as he expected.

He had intended it to be a fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water’s surface.

But she actively stood on her tiptoes to meet him, wrapping her hands around the back of Zelir’s neck and pulling him down.

Bev seemed to particularly enjoy this kind of intimate contact. In the quiet Lake Heart Pavilion, a few slightly indecent moans would occasionally drift out.

’She seems shy on the surface, but she’s actually the proactive type...’

Zelir couldn’t help but recall the scene in the rose chamber.

This intoxicating contrast, this alluring side she only revealed to her lover, made him feel completely captivated.

’That night... it was truly unforgettable...’

After quite some time, the two slowly separated.

Bev was still gazing lovingly at Zelir.

"I..."

Bev’s voice was a little hoarse, hurried as if spilling from her throat. "I’ll always support you... Zelir."

Zelir bent down slightly, pressing his forehead against Bev’s.

He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of her profound love, then smiled and replied.

"Thank you, Bev..."

...

The next day.

After several gloomy days, the sun had made a rare appearance over Black Stone Town.

The light snow had just stopped, and the long-absent sun hung in a sky as blue as if it had been washed clean.

The roads and rooftops were already covered in several centimeters of snow, which refracted a dazzling, blinding white light under the sun.

Zelir found Marcus in the backyard of the Blacksmith Shop.

Coincidentally, Gray was there too.

The air here steamed with heat, melting the snow and revealing the black earth beneath.

Gray was standing in front of a wooden frame, similar to one used for drawing water from a well, from which a large oak barrel was suspended horizontally.

Gray put the Chain Armor he usually wore into the barrel through an opening, then closed the lid.

"Hey... you’re here too."

Zelir waved a greeting. "What are you doing?"

"Washing my Chain Armor. Getting it ready before we leave."

Gray leaned against the wooden frame, turning a handle while yawning.

The barrel probably also had fine sand mixed inside. As it turned, it made a dense, rustling "SHH-SHH-SHH" sound.

Chain Armor is made of thousands of small interlinked iron rings. Cleaning it with a brush is time-consuming and laborious, and the results aren’t even that good.

But if you put it in a barrel and roll it with fine sand...

...you can use the friction to grind away all the rust, dried blood, and grime hidden in the gaps between the rings, making it as bright and shiny as new.