Chapter 35 : In our place, this is called a couple
Even if unwilling to accept it, winter was steadily closing in.
The temperature in Turg at night plummeted sharply, and the howling wind roared as if it wanted to uproot the entire house.
When Nia entered the room, the fire in the fireplace had already died out, the remaining embers emitting a faint glow. El lay on the chair, seemingly asleep.
She walked over and rekindled the fire in the fireplace.
Perhaps sensing her movement, El woke up, his pupils reflecting the flickering flames.
His vision was still somewhat blurred; the image of the fire lingered before his eyes, making it hard for El to determine if he was truly awake. After a while, the world gradually came into focus.
“Nia, why did you come over?”
Nia stepped on the soft woolen carpet and walked toward him. “Your legs are inconvenient; I thought you might need some care.”
“If I need anything, I’ll call for you.”
El had just woken up, his voice still lazy.
“The wind outside is strong. If I hadn’t heard anything…” Nia chuckled softly, “I wouldn’t want to wake up tomorrow morning to find you frozen to death outside.”
“……”
Nia said this and then sat down on the cushion in front of El’s chair.
“I’ve already discussed with the Lady about you wanting to come with us.”
El didn’t reply, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Nia, waiting for her to continue.
“The Lady agreed too.”
“How did you persuade Meira?”
El was curious.
“After telling her about what happened in the forest during the day, we both agreed that your joining would greatly help us navigate the human world.”
The day’s encounter gave Nia a deeper understanding of communicating with humans.
To go to Starlight Forest, they would inevitably have to deal with all sorts of people along the way.
If they met someone weaker, force could suppress them; but if it was someone equally strong, force would only backfire.
Like today’s situation.
She could escape on her own, but carrying a prince who had lost most of his magic power left no good options.
Having a companion skilled in interpersonal matters should solve many unnecessary troubles and also address identity issues.
Rather than spending energy searching for an untrustworthy companion, it was better to bring El along.
Based on her observations, he had an extraordinary talent for socializing.
“Although the Prince also agreed, I must remind you again that our journey will be dangerous.” The firelight flickered across Nia’s face, casting shadows and light, “You’re human; there’s no reason for you to wade into the Elven Race’s mess.”
“Don’t worry, Nia. Saving the Elven Race from their dire straits might just be my main mission. Besides, I have my reasons.”
El was speaking his strange words again.
Used to it by now, Nia automatically ignored the nonsense she couldn’t understand.
“What reasons?”
“Don’t forget, we’re friends.” El’s gaze burned steadily at her. “When friends are in trouble, I’ll definitely help.”
His solemn expression made Nia a bit stunned.
After a moment, she shook her head with a complex look.
“Ael, you really are a strange guy.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Kind of.”
“Nia, you’re a strange one too.”
“……”
Nia laughed at his words.
“So when do we leave?” El asked.
“After winter passes.” Nia said, “By then, my wounds should be mostly healed.”
“Speaking of which, Nia, what kind of injury do you have that still hasn’t healed after so long?”
“Hmm… it’s a kind of chronic curse.”
Nia said this as she took off her jacket.
El was startled by her sudden action but then realized how ridiculous it was for a strong man to be afraid of a woman undressing.
So he calmed down and fixed his eyes on Nia, curious to see what she intended.
The room was quiet except for the crackling of burning wood in the fireplace; the flames flickered unevenly, casting shadows that traced their outlines.
Nia turned her shoulder toward El.
A scar matching the one on El ran across her left shoulder, but unlike his, half of Nia’s was black, the other half green.
“This is the Rune Sealing Technique of the Lut Empire. When someone is cursed, their power is sealed.”
“But you can still use magic, right?” El interrupted.
“Of course, Lady Meira has lifted part of it for me.” Nia pointed to the green ring on her shoulder. “As long as the green circle completely covers the black one, the curse is nullified. Because of this curse, I can only use less than twenty percent of my strength now.”
El stared at her scar for a while, then suddenly looked at the one on his own shoulder.
Not bad, they were quite symmetrical, one on the left, one on the right.
“Wow, I guess we’re a pair now.”
Nia looked at him, puzzled.
“Guess otherworlders don’t get this.” El teased her, “Being a pair means two good friends who fought side by side and bled together. It’s a saying from my hometown.”
“Oh.”
Nia’s expression showed she understood.
“Then we definitely count as a pair.”
Nia said seriously, making it impossible for El to hold back a smile.
“Ha ha ha.”
Suddenly laughing aloud, El caught Nia off guard.
She thought carefully and realized she hadn’t said anything wrong.
“What are you laughing at?” she asked, confused.
“Nothing, I just thought of something happy.”
“What happy thing?”
“My dog can do backflips.”