area51novel Page 71
Page 71
"Sigh." Raphs, who was standing with you as punishment at the entrance of the mage tower, also sighed.
"So you really are my dad?" she asked after a moment's hesitation, nudging your leg.
"Heh." You flicked her head with your middle finger and scoffed, "Don't get involved, you're my dad."
"Sigh." Lavus sighed, cupping her face in her hands. After a moment of silence, she hugged your legs and cried out in astonishment, "Red Bean, go me!"
You pick up the dejected-looking Laphs, your head buzzing as you think, "Damn it, how could my daughter take after me? Her life is over."
Suddenly, the gates of the mage tower opened, and a half-elf stepped out with a tense expression. He glanced at you two and said coldly, "Go inside and eat."
"Oh no, Arte's angry..." You clutched your head in despair and smashed the mage tower with your iron head.
"What are you doing?" The half-elf came out again, took a deep breath, and desperately suppressed the smirk on your face as she said, "If you don't finish your dinner tonight, I won't let you into bed."
While you were still staring blankly at the open door, Lavras had already reacted. She cheered and jumped onto your back, hugging your neck and shouting, "I've never seen Mom so happy! You're amazing, Dad!"
Suddenly, she shuddered, looking in terror at the murderous gaze of the half-elf inside. Then, trembling, she dismounted from your back and sheepishly entered the house.
That night, the initial awkwardness transformed into two little elves cradling your faces as they listened to your exciting adventures, and then into you holding your sleeping daughter as she listened to Art's experiences over the past year.
After a hearty meal, you glanced at Raphs, who was resting on a rocking bed, and then, gently led by the half-elf, walked up to the high platform atop the mage tower.
"I've searched for what happened back then." Just as you were about to enjoy a romantic moment together, the half-elf suddenly became serious and got down to business:
"There have been many personnel changes in Dragonhorn Territory, and I encountered many difficulties during my investigation, but I still found some clues. It's not just that lord who's targeting you; there are other people of higher rank as well. Unfortunately, just as I was about to continue investigating, I suddenly sensed Raphus's presence. For the safety of your bloodline, I had to abandon the investigation for now..."
Unable to speak, you could only hold her tightly. At that moment, all you wanted was to spend the rest of your life with her; the hatred of the past was now just a distant memory.
You spent a wonderful night on the rooftop, shrouded in vegetation, and as the daylight of Lundia dawned, a giant rose bloomed on the tallest mage tower in the outer city.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. Raphs is now the size of a human child of eight or nine years old. Watching your daughter's rapidly growing body, you suddenly realize that the elven bloodline within her provides her Titan bloodline with enough life energy, which is why she is growing so fast.
[You're considering sending her to Zhelis for her studies, but thinking about Zhelis's unreliable nature, you're afraid your daughter will be corrupted by him.]
Another year passed, and Raphs's height stabilized at around 1.4 meters. Arte explained that when a half-elf's elven bloodline concentration is insufficient, physical development is temporarily halted. Only after their strength increases and the bloodline concentration rises will their physical growth resume. Of course, some half-elves may simply stop growing at this stage.
[You quickly forgot about it. Children and grandchildren have their own lives; the Titans are the real bosses, all they do is eat and sleep all day!]
Of course, you weren't truly giving up. When you learned that Zerris felt he was nearing the end, you sent your daughter to him as his last disciple. However, before your daughter excitedly left, you pulled her into the house under Art's strange gaze and whispered, "Do you remember what I said before?"
"I remember, don't worry, Dad." Lavras patted his chest and said with a grin, "Take good care of Professor Zerris in his final moments, and while you're at it, remember where all his possessions are kept, and bring them back to help with the household expenses."
"This child is teachable." You nodded with satisfaction, but your face turned deathly pale when you saw the plant guard eavesdropping behind the door.
A year later, your mage rank reached Legendary, and a thought crept into your mind: to visit the Flower Castle. However, after you and Zerris repeatedly confirmed that Raphs was perfectly recovered, you still didn't go to the capital.
[That day, while strolling through Lundia, you suddenly felt like buying a few old newspapers. You hadn't read a newspaper in a long time, ever since you were disgusted by the "Giant Mushroom" headline.]
[You leisurely turn the pages, one by one, when suddenly, in the corner of a newspaper from six months ago, you see a sentence that jolts you awake: "Anecdotes from the Floating Island Today: Hines City Crashes."]
You suddenly remembered the crisis Jennifer's family faced in the previous simulation, and a sense of panic gripped you. After briefly explaining the situation to the half-elf, you rushed to the public island of the floating islands.
"Excuse me, after the fall of Hines City, where are its ruins located? Are there any survivors?" you asked a random guide.
[Upon seeing your face, the guide nodded in surprise and said, "So it's Master Maluo from Norard. It seems that the city of Hines has fallen towards the Twin Gorges Territory of the Norard Kingdom. As for survivors, I haven't heard of any."]
[You traveled tirelessly to Twin Gorges, spending several weeks there, and finally found the fragments of Hines City on a section of the chasm.]
You gaze down into the abyss, and a glimmer of light catches your eye. You then activate your magical telescope and look towards that light.
You see your old friend's golden armor stained with blood, a longsword piercing its center, yet in this rarely windy place, neither has decayed. Where she once mocked you about touching it again, her pale hands still weakly caress the hollow of the armor.
[Your old friend's expression relaxed with the passage of time, and you suddenly realize that in the days to come, you will never hear her complain about the hardships of her life as a homebody again.]
Chapter 86 Remarks on the launch
After all the twists and turns, it's finally going to be available for purchase! Hooray!
This book has had a tough journey. Some of my longtime readers might remember that when it was around 130,000 or 140,000 words, I hadn't even reached 500 favorites yet. Later, I changed the name, got smart recommendation, and tested the waters at 200,000 words before the number of readers gradually increased.
I'd like to give a special thank you to @鱼钩钩钩钩钩钩, @我的唇语为什么那么蠢, @丢人毛玉酱, and other readers. When there weren't many readers at the beginning, it was your monthly votes and comments that kept me going. Although some of you revealed your true, less sophisticated nature after joining the group, well, you're my fellow readers, so I'll indulge you a little.
Thank you all for reading this far. Many people criticized me at the beginning, and I know my writing is just average. Although I was not convinced, I didn't seem to have anything to say in my defense. However, I believe that with continuous learning, I will be able to write better and better.
Oh my god, I couldn't hold back anymore, I'm starting to abstract, wow!
Actually, some people have expressed concern about my mental state before, so I'll reply here: I'm in excellent mental condition. I haven't developed any dark thoughts from trying to be funny. Even if I write funny stories for another hundred years, I'll still be a sunny and cheerful guy, haha!
In short, thank you for liking it, and thank you for your time if you don't like it. I hope everyone has a bright future!
Regarding extra chapters: As someone who struggles with writing, this is really difficult. I've used all my limbs to type. Whether I can get a big update after the book goes on sale depends on fate... Anyway, if the first subscription reaches 500 or 400, I'll add an extra chapter, and for each new subscriber, I'll add 2 words (please don't think I'm lowering the standard for extra chapters, seniors)... I'll try to write as much as I can, and if I can't finish, I'll just crossdress as an apology.
over!
Chapter 87 The Daring Thing I've Ever Done
This isn't the first time you've experienced the death of a loved one in a simulation, but it still took you a long time to adjust your mindset.
After collecting your friend's body, you silently left Shuangxia Territory. Looking at the nearby Siyuanhua Fortress on the map, you thought, "Since I'm already here, I might as well go take a look. It'll be a good opportunity to play pranks on Zerris with my daughter and change my mood."
You quietly slipped through a side path into Siyuan Flower Castle. Looking at the still bustling streets, a sense of heaviness began to settle in your heart.
Instead of rashly revealing yourself on the street, you disguised yourself as a big-breasted, brainless warrior, and for the first time in a long time, you opened your collar and strolled around the shops in a nonchalant manner.
As you strolled along, your brow furrowed. Though the gaps in the crowd shifted, your keen sense of movement consistently pointed to a particular alley. You swallowed the skewer in your hand, wiped your mouth, and discreetly followed the gaps in the crowd towards that alley.
The alley was still packed with people, but when you looked back, the crowds on the street had returned to normal. You immediately realized that something was controlling everything. You braced yourself for battle and, using the gaps automatically made for you by the crowd, ventured deeper into the alley.
Finally, you arrived at a courtyard filled with fallen leaves. Looking at the withered, pale flowers on the branches and the small, grayish-brown bird fluttering its wings, you scratched your head, puzzled.
"You've finally arrived, Your Excellency." A familiar voice sounded from behind you. You turned around and were surprised to see Slinger, whom you hadn't seen in a long time. She was sitting in a wheelchair-like chair, rocking her wheels as she approached you.
Just as you were about to ask a question, she put a finger to her lips, gently shushed you, and looked serenely at the pale white flower you had just been gazing at, murmuring to herself, "Winter is almost here, and the morning glory flowers are almost all gone."
"Siyuan Flower Castle is too warm, and the atmosphere inside is too chaotic. Originally, in the wild, from south to north, from winter to summer, these lovely little flowers could bloom at any time, but now they have become so fragile."
You didn't quite understand the meaning behind Slinger's words, but seeing the slight sadness in her eyes, you gently patted her head and grinned:
"That's easy. I have a little elf at home, and it's incredibly powerful. If I plant this damn Morning Glory flower in my yard, it will bloom whenever I want, all year round."
Slinger looked up in surprise, her slightly pale blonde curls swaying gently in the breeze. She couldn't help but smile, shook her head, turned around, and waved, saying, "Sir, I wish you had said so sooner! I should go; a friend still wants to speak with you."
[Friend? You looked at Slink's retreating figure with a puzzled expression, then suddenly felt someone poke you in the back.]
You turn around and see a girl dressed in black looking up at you. Her long, grayish-brown hair sways at her waist, and her deep red scarf has darkened. She smiles at you and says softly, "Big brother, it's been a long time."
[Your memory instantly flashes back to a moment many years ago. Looking at the robin's beautiful face, seemingly unchanged from before, you open your arms in surprise and exclaim, "Little bird, it's wonderful that you're still alive!"]
The robin shook its head, not embracing you, but simply pressing its forehead against your chest as usual, and muttered, "Brother, I wish we could have reunited sooner..."
[Confused by these similar words, you grabbed the robin's shoulder and asked, "What happened? Why are you and Slinger saying the same thing?"]
The robin took a step back, freeing herself from your hands. She turned her head away and said softly, "Brother, I have to go. There are many people waiting for me..."
She paused, then added seriously, "And remember, don't let too many people see you."
You watch helplessly as the robin transforms into a small, grayish-brown bird, circles you three times, and then slowly flies away.
That night, you shook off your confused thoughts and went to Taupe Malo Zoo to find Lavras. When you saw Lavras's healthy biceps, one weight lifted from your heart, but another rose.
"Old Deng, what's wrong with my daughter? She looks like she could punch a tree through! What the hell have you been teaching her?" you asked, grabbing Zerris by the collar, angrily.
Zerris touched his thinning hair, sighed, and said:
"Why don't you reflect on your own bloodline issues first? I had three sets of robes custom-made for her, and they were all torn apart by her monstrous strength! Those were enchanted robes!"
You gasped, watching Raphs levitate on the sea surface, wielding Zerris's staff like a hammer, and muttered instinctively, "Is there any hope for this brat...?"
"I felt the same way when I looked at you back then," Zerris quipped casually. "But you proved to me that if you're strong enough, even the most abstract build can shine."
"Oh, is that so?"
You left Tauber Manor in a daze, heading towards the teleportation array, when you suddenly remembered the little bird's advice. After hesitating for a moment, you decided to return via the trade route.
Under the cover of night, you slipped out of the city and reached the outskirts. Looking back at the magnificent castle, you couldn't help but scoff, give it the middle finger, and shout, "When I arrive in reality, I will sweep you away!"
[The words had barely left your mouth when a sudden clap of thunder boomed across the sky. Startled, you clutched your head and screamed, "Don't strike me! I'm just a kid, I didn't know any better!"]
However, the thunder didn't stop as you hoped; instead, it grew denser and louder. You looked at the castle sky, thick with dark clouds, completely bewildered, wondering what had happened.
You stared intently at the flashing lightning, then suddenly your gaze froze, and you sprinted towards a corner of the castle.
Amidst the scattered fragments of morning light and fallen blossoms, you knelt in a daze beside the girl who had coughed up blood. Looking at her unusually haggard appearance, and her hair, eyebrows, and eyes that seemed faded, you couldn't help but say:
“Slinger, you didn’t tell me you’d be living this miserable life.”
A faint, weak red flush appeared on Slinger's pale face. She didn't refute, only managing a weak smile as she said, "The little bird has left safely, Your Excellency. You can rest assured."
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" You shook your head angrily, helped her up, and tried to use healing magic to save her fading life.
"Ah, what a beautiful wilderness." She didn't try to stop you; she just gazed into the distance, genuinely marveling at the sight.
You followed her gaze with a puzzled look, only to see a trade route planted with a few wildflowers, nestled close to the Siyuan Flower Fortress in the Mountain Wasteland and Twin Gorges Territories. The surrounding environment had always been this desolate.
"Where's the beauty..." Before you could finish speaking, you suddenly felt a chill on your cheek. A cold kiss landed there almost instantly. Your eyes widened as you looked down at Slinger, who had buried his head in your chest.
"Ah..." She gently inhaled your scent, weakly embracing you. A blush she had never shown before flashed in her eyes, and she whispered sadly:
"This is truly the most daring thing I've ever done in my life..."
You stood stiffly, instinctively stroking her flowing hair. After a long while, you glanced at her porcelain doll-like face, devoid of any life, and wiped away the tear tracks from the corners of her eyes.
You picked up her lost magic network key and silently left Siyuan Flower Castle amidst the clamor of the approaching guards.
You returned to Lundia exhausted and rested nonchalantly in the mage tower for several months. During this time, you heard about the large-scale search operation that had broken out near the capital of Norard, but you neither asked about it nor listened to it. You simply used your usual communication spell to inquire about Laphs's situation with Zerris. Zerris also tacitly avoided mentioning your visit that day.
Two years later, you returned to the Castle of the Flowery Flowers and, under the supervision of Laphus, held a funeral for Zerris.
After the funeral, you ask Raphse what her plans are for the future. Raphse thinks for a moment and tells you that she intends to travel the continent, exploring various ancient ruins or underground palaces. If there are none on the continent of Atlantis, she will go to sea, or wait until she becomes a Legendary to travel to other planes.
[Damn, so ambitious! No wonder you're Latis's daughter!] You thought to yourself, completely oblivious to how much of a slacker you've been, having never ventured into the stars in all these years.
Suddenly, you frowned, remembering a very important question: If Laphus wants to activate the Titan bloodline, how will she fill the Holy Grail? Is the condition still ten women?
Watching Laphs skip and hop away, you couldn't help but gasp. What?! Your daughter might have a congenital Lily Body? No way, you'd have to ask Old Man Pova about that later.
After your daughter began her travels, you, along with the half-elf, opened an academy in Lundia, named after her surname, intending to rekindle humanity's memory of elves in this land.
Five years have passed quickly. Initially, you recruited many students under the guise of Master Malor, but gradually they all discovered that Arte was the truly capable teacher. Word spread, and Lady Herold's reputation grew. You watched with considerable pride as the half-elf, overwhelmed with work, complained to you on her pillow about the students' stupidity, and you laughed as you began to boast to her.
During this time, you heard that a kingdom called Hades had been established in that mysterious region in the southeastern corner of the continent. You couldn't help but gasp and wonder, "I wonder if Hades ever made a third installment in my previous life..."
Two more years have passed, and the half-elf has finally reached legendary status amidst her busy schedule. She recruited several high-ranking mages as teaching assistants and freed herself from various affairs. You all have a plan, and decide to embark on your own interstellar journey.