area51novel Page 80
Page 80
Artemis stood by the window, looking at the Crowned Stakes City, which had sunk into darkness and was only illuminated by a few lights.
"This is the first time I've experienced a journey like this. Before, I would just wander aimlessly between cities on my own."
“They say the flower market actually originated from an elven custom.” Latis walked to Artemis’s side and looked up at the floating island, hidden in the clouds with only the tip of its iceberg showing.
"Is that so?" The half-elf, still gazing at the flower-covered land, said with a smile:
"But I think people have an inherent pursuit of life and beauty. Regardless of whether the elves ever existed, they would love such beautiful scenery if they lived here."
“You’re right,” Latis said after a moment’s thought.
"After all, flowers can express a lot of human emotions... I'm so impressed!"
He was suddenly terrified and, to the astonishment of the half-elf, began rummaging through his belongings.
"I was thinking of... giving you flowers..."
Latis pulled out the rose that had been wilted in the earlier melee, his face immediately fell, and he sighed:
"I... I'll just buy another bouquet next time..."
“No need.” The half-elf opened her bright eyes and took the rose from Latis’s hand.
"It's a gift!" She gently sniffed the fragrance of the roses, pressed her face against the wilted rose petals, and asked with a soft smile:
"Does it look good?"
"Beautiful." Latis suddenly felt as if a clear stream was gently flowing through his heart. He watched the half-elf happily place the roses into the vase and subconsciously asked:
"Arte, don't you think it's ugly?"
"How could it be ugly?" she chuckled and said.
"Big brother, it's a hundred times prettier than the flowers I conjure with magic!"
Latis scratched his head in confusion, walked over to the half-elf who was fiddling with a vase, and said somewhat awkwardly:
"But I think the flowers you conjured up are really beautiful, and I often wish I could see that scene again..."
"Big brother, honestly, you clearly want to see me like that again! But thinking about how I tried to win you over with those little tricks back then makes me feel ashamed and embarrassed..."
Artemis twirled the vase haphazardly in her hands, unsure how to answer, so she rubbed her cheek against Latis's shoulder.
"I'm such a naughty little devil. I haven't even done anything for you yet, but I've already won your favor. I'm so ashamed to admit that I feel genuinely fortunate and happy about it..."
She snapped out of her reverie, looked at the roses that had taken on a bluish hue in the moonlight, and said earnestly to Latis:
"When it grows new bouquets, those will be the most beautiful roses I can give you."
Artemis looked at Latis's even more confused expression and felt a strange sense of joy.
So she coughed lightly and asked:
"Brother, you said you needed my help with something, what is it?"
Chapter 94 I'm hesitant and submissive when faced with pure love
"Is that so, brother?"
The half-elf knelt obediently beside the dragon egg, looking up at Latis.
Latis was silent for a moment, then suddenly covered his face with his hand.
"Latis, you're a morally corrupt person! What the hell are you doing?!"
"I think..." He let out a long sigh, swallowed hard, and said with difficulty:
"Or maybe we should just forget about it? Serfar has so many dragon eggs anyway, one less won't make a difference, right? That's enough to make at least dozens of kilograms of scrambled eggs..."
Artemis opened her eyes wide and asked blankly:
"Big brother, can you beat Serfal?"
Latis and the half-elf stared at each other for a moment, then sat down sullenly.
"But I don't necessarily have to help her with this, do I? This is too much..."
"She said if the dragon egg successfully hatches, she'll go to the dragon's nest and dig up some specialties for you!" The half-elf interrupted the conflicted Latis, saying with a smile:
"That's dragon crystal. I've heard it's very beneficial for cultivation. It's a treasure that's only seen once in a hundred years in human society."
Latis's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty, and finally he sighed dejectedly:
"She gave so much..."
"Then what should I do?" the half-elf asked curiously as he approached Latis, who was sitting cross-legged.
"Uh...uh..." Latis awkwardly looked away and whispered:
"Anyway, you should extend your hand first..."
The half-elf removed his leather gloves, extended his fair hands in front of Latis, and tilted his head: "Like this?"
"...Yes, then put it down."
"Ah!" the half-elf cried out in surprise, saying nervously:
"Yes, is that so?"
“It’s like this…” Latis took a few deep breaths and said in a low voice:
"Next, you just do this..."
……
After half an hour.
Latis walked to the panoramic window with a dejected look on his face and sighed softly.
"How could someone as innocent as me have turned my first love into this... It's all Serfal's fault."
"But it seems we can't blame her alone... It's all Momo-sensei's fault, it's all Aizawa-sensei's fault, it's all Hata-sensei's fault..."
The half-elf remained kneeling, his hands slightly raised, observing the gradually fading luster on the surface of the dragon egg.
My hands are so hot... and so sore...
She looked down at her reddened palms, stole a glance at Latis's back, and raised her hand to take a light sniff.
"It smells like that from the hot spring last time... Ah, so it was my brother's back then...?"
She subconsciously curled her fingers and gently pressed them against her face.
"My brother is really something, he didn't even tell me... He seemed to really like it just now, does he want to have sex with me? ...Wait, I'll ask him later..."
“Ate…”
The half-elf was startled and quickly withdrew his hand, looking at Latis by the window.
“It’s like this,” Latis coughed, his eyes darting around as he spoke:
"Remember to keep this a secret from everyone else..."
“Okay.” Artemis got up and walked to Latis’s side, leaning against the window frame. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, feigning composure:
"Then, big brother, if you want more secrets, remember to tell me, okay..."
“What…” Latis was stunned for a moment, then took a step back in shock and quickly explained:
"I didn't, I didn't! I, Latis, am an upright and honest man. How could my mind be filled with such despicable thoughts!"
The half-elf burst out laughing, poked Latis's cheek, and said:
"But last time at the hot springs..."
Latis's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat immediately broke out. He quickly said:
"Oh! I just remembered I have something to do... Um, I'll be going now!"
He flipped over and jumped out of the window, clinging to the window frame, shaking the sweat from his brow in the cool night breeze.
"Oh no, how did Art suddenly figure out what happened before?! Oh no, oh no, oh no, my image as the eldest brother is going to plummet instantly!"
He glanced at a building in the city with a cross-shaped dome made of crooked trees and sighed.
"I think I'll go wait at the teleportation array first. Hopefully, I'll be able to get away with it when I see Arte again in a few days... But I don't think I had a chance to say goodbye to her just now, that's not good..."
Latis hesitated for a moment, then turned around to greet the half-elf before leaving. However, as soon as he turned around, he was surprised to find the half-elf smiling at him from the window, his face cupped in his hands.
"Are you leaving, brother?"
"...Yes, the teleportation array will open around five or six in the morning. I'll go and queue up first, so that I don't get taken by shameless scalpers."
"Okay." The half-elf nodded with a smile. Although she didn't know what a yellow ox was, it didn't stop her from liking Latis's confident and eloquent expression. So she thought for a moment, stood up, leaned out, and kissed his lips.
"Keep going in Londia, we'll be there soon."
Latis gasped in disbelief, then realized he'd been ambushed. He pointed angrily at the half-elf and cried out:
"You wretched little sprite, you're attacking me!!!"
He flailed his arms and fell off the roof.
A few seconds later, Latis jumped out of the pit and ran away embarrassedly.
The half-elf stared at Latis's retreating figure until he disappeared behind the city gate, then lowered his head and touched his burning cheek.
“Arterifus, you’re getting bolder and bolder…”
……
"Latis, you're getting more and more of a coward!"
Latis muttered under his breath.
"Aren't you supposed to be a Casanova who's seen countless films? Can't you be a little more emotionally stable? It's hilarious, one kiss and you're defeated?"
He glanced at the scattered passersby waiting for the teleportation array to activate, and suddenly sighed.
"Am I getting old after all? I strike hard against erotic music, but I cower before pure love..."
hum...
A buzzing sound drew Latis's attention. He looked up at the teleportation array that was gradually lighting up amidst the resonance of magic energy.
The mage guarding the teleportation array emerged from the tree structure with its cross-shaped arch, yawned, and placed his hand on a tree, instantly unleashing a torrent of magic.