Chapter 403. Ah, This...

Char's mind was filled with question marks when he answered the question.

There were also exclamation marks mixed within.

That's Evelyn we're talking about!

What is she doing down here?

She should be staying in Elfheim, instead of venturing into this dangerous underground at such a timing!

Does she have a death wish or something!?

Thank god she appeared at our brief moment of respite though. I could only imagine how huge of a mess it would be if she were to appear at a critical moment...

Even though ... It was troublesome enough as it is now.

Although Char had managed to force Lucius to apologize and explain everything to Evelyn, it was only a verbal agreement. There were still some kinks to work out, especially when it came to changing Lucius' mind towards Evelyn.

Being a peacemaker and truly "resolving the knot" was incredibly complex. At times, Char even questioned whether he was simply creating more problems for himself.

When did the "explanation" segments usually occur in other loops?

It would either happen in the ruins of Sursee, where he would recount on the wrongdoings of Lucius or the past with Evelyn.

Or, it would happen as he pointed at the great flames ravaging Sursee and sigh to her, "Actually, what you did back then wasn't just that, it was like this," before proceeding to explain it in detail...

Compared to his task this time, the difficulty of his previous experiences was as simple as bending over to pick up toilet paper and then throwing it into the bin!

But then again, the difficulty of a task was directly proportional to the sense of achievement gained afterwards.

Char had no regrets.

After all, in this new round, the light he saw from Evelyn had surpassed everything in the past. Better still, the Elf considers him as her only light and even accepts the existence of other women...

Is there any better reward than this?

No, there isn't!

...

Lucius squinted her eyes upon receiving the near-affirmative answer.

It looked as if she had trouble understanding Char's words.

"Oh, so you knew she was coming beforehand, and that's why you said that to me!?" she exclaimed, her anger escalating.

Oh dear, she's angrier than I expected.

"I really didn't expect her to show up here."

"Believe it or not, it's just a coincidence. If it were up to me, I wouldn't let her step into such a dangerous place to begin with."

Lucius did not ask any further, as if she had accepted this explanation.

As an Elf, her excellent night vision allowed her to notice from afar that Evelyn was different from before.

"She seems to have changed."

"That's right, she's undergone a complete change from the inside out."

A smile appeared on Char's face, as if he was recalling his experience in the Court of the Holy tree.

The plump buttocks of the Drows and spirits flashed in front of him.

What a pleasant memory.

"Her curse has been lifted, and the poison related to it has also disappeared."

After some pause, Char continued, "This is part of the 'cooperation' I mentioned before. The curse distorts one's mind and eats away at your body. I've spoken to Esylian regarding this matter, and we have plans to set up purification devices in all corners of Elfheim..."

"Oh, you've even thought of how to assimilate and absorb us?" Lucius responded sarcastically.

"Haha... Don't worry, your iconic wheat-colored skin will be preserved. You don't have to worry about your 'icon' being erased and then 'assimilated' by your own kind."

Char raised an eyebrow as he continued, "I'm just a Half-Elf, and I'm not interested in topics like cultural integration or group identity. My only goal is to make sure that you won't be be tempted by the United Holy Kingdom with small gains and become a lingering ghost on the battlefield... Don't worry, I'm not that interested in Andaheim. There are far more important things in this world than this place smaller than a booger."

Char knew how sensitive and cautious Lucius was at that moment. She was like a child holding onto a candy, afraid that the candy would be snatched away if she had a lapse in attention.

Char could not dispel her worries, nor could he tell her directly that "What I seek is much more than what you are eyeing."

Under normal circumstances, without considering the consequences, he would use a condescending and sarcastic tone to remind the other party, but he was dealing with the prideful Lucius. This would only produce the opposite effect. After all, she was one who always thought highly of herself, and if he were to employ such tactics, it was doubtful that Lucius would work together with him...

For her, the candy in her hand was everything. As such, she could not possibly think that there was anything else more important. Saying otherwise would only stoke her ire instead.

Once a rebellious notion was triggered, it would be even more difficult to get her to open up again.

After asking the question, Lucius went silent and attempted to maintain a neutral expression.

However, the closer they got, the more Char sensed Lucius' body tensing up. By the time Evelyn's fragrance could be perceived, her tension had reached its peak.

All of a sudden —

Lucius suddenly hugged Char's arm tightly.

What!?

Char was dumbfounded, and so was Evelyn.

The sweet smile on the latter's face still hung on her face, but at the same time, a trace of confusion could be seen as well...

"Hey, hey, what are you doing?"

Char tried very hard to pull his arm out, but Lucius had a bear's grip on him. She even looked like she would rather be dragged to the ground by Char than to let go...

"Let go of me..."

Char reached out to push Lucius' face away, causing the latter's soft cheeks to deform as a result. In spite of this, she did not let go. Instead, she continued to stay quiet, and suddenly, she opened her mouth to bite Char's hand!

"I f*cking..."

Char was at his wit's end and looked at Evelyn, whose expression had become playful. She crossed her arms and took half a step back, showing an expression that said "I'll wait for your explanation".

"My dear, I know it's hard to explain..."

"It's okay, there's no need to."

Evelyn stated with a cheeky grin.

I'm done for!

Char felt a chill run down his spine, but Evelyn's next move was beyond his expectations.

The elf suddenly took a step forward and leaned over to hug Lucius.

Then, she whispered in her ear in a warm tone, "It's great seeing you're fine."

Char was stunned.

The cold air of the night was evaporated by the warmth and kindness radiating from Evelyn.

He could clearly feel that not only did Lucius loosen her mouth and grip, her entire tense body also suddenly relaxed. As if she had completely lost her strength, she almost fell into Evelyn's arms.

This is great!

Char smiled.

Evelyn was like the sun, dazzling but also warm.

After a brief moment of helplessness, Lucius came back to her senses.

She was completely different from the usual arrogant Queen, and all her boring pretense had been torn off...

She pushed Evelyn away in a panic and ran back to her troops with a tense face.

"I'm sorry, please excuse me."

After messily apologizing, Lucius' figure then disappeared into the distance, and not even Char could bear to witness the unsightly display.

"Tsk tsk..."

He really did not think that things would end up like this. Lucius had lost thoroughly in every sense of the word.

But on second thought, if this was intentional on Evelyn's part...

Hiss-

The cold air from before suddenly returned, and it was even stronger!

What refined technique!

Char was in disbelief.

He really hoped that it was not the case.

"My dear, why did you..."

He scratched his head, seemingly unsure of how to start the question.

"I've figured it out. Regardless of whether her past actions were true or false, she prevented me from completely falling into the abyss. Besides, I'm already an outsider who doesn't fit in with the group, so it's already lucky enough for me to have a 'friend' in Andaheim. Why care so much about other things?" Evelyn shrugged, unconcerned. "Besides, all of that is in the past."

"Is that why?" Char chuckled. "But I still feel that it's not quite fair to you..."

"What's fairness?" Evelyn smiled at him, pointing a slender finger at his chest before continuing, "If I can live in your heart, can't she too?"

Her smile was like a spring breeze, and even the darkness underground was dispelled by her smile.

She was the sun.

Praise the sun.

Char could not help but hug Evelyn tightly and stroke her hair.

"Long time no see, don't you have something to say to me?" He asked.

"Well... There are indeed many things to say."

"Then say it."

"Aren't you going to introduce me to my other 'sisters' besides Lucius?"

"Ah, this..."