Collapse

Maya noticed that among the adventurers who had recently arrived at their guild, two of them hadn’t left their rooms yet.

It seemed the long journey had truly exhausted them, which was why they had been sleeping for so long.

This made Maya sigh inwardly—being an adventurer was really tough.

She wondered if she should prepare some food and bring it up to them.

But just as the thought crossed her mind, the two of them came downstairs.

"Ah, hello, Xia Lun."

Maya had remembered Xia Lun’s name instantly—after all, it was the same as that legendary hero.

"Hello, Miss Maya," Xia Lun greeted with a smile.

"Are you two heading out?" Maya asked, her gaze lingering with a hint of envy on Aina, who was holding Xia Lun’s arm. Why couldn’t she meet a man like that?

Well… then again, she didn’t have as much going for her as Miss Aina did. What an enviable couple… wait, were they already married?

"Yes, just taking a casual stroll," Xia Lun nodded.

Making sure Aina was well-fed before going out… that was already a routine.

Abandes was a massive city, but in truth, there weren’t many places worth visiting.

After walking down a few streets, Xia Lun had already passed three churches.

The atmosphere of devotion to the Goddess was overwhelming here. Even if you walked into a random restaurant, the menu would inevitably be filled with various types of sacred meals.

Abandes had plenty of tourists, so there were also many souvenir shops lining the streets, most of which sold statues of the Goddess… all depicting the same image—a breathtakingly beautiful young girl with pure white wings, hands clasped together as if bestowing blessings.

Xia Lun had met the Goddess before and knew her true appearance. The face was more or less the same as the statues… the Goddess had golden hair like sunlight, and her wings didn’t grow from her back but rather floated behind her like ornaments. According to her, they were a manifestation of her divine authority.

The Goddess statues sold on the streets were all carved from gray-white stone, the same material used for the city’s buildings, and left unpainted.

Xia Lun studied one of the statues in a shop window, lost in thought… the color tone made it look more like Aina than the Goddess.

"Like what you see, Xia Lun?" A cold voice came from beside him.

Aina was smiling—a smile so sweet it could melt steel—as she stared at her husband.

"Ah… no, Aina, you’ve got it wrong," Xia Lun hurriedly defended himself. "I was just thinking that this Goddess statue looks a bit like you."

"Oh? Xia Lun, do you even hear yourself?" Aina’s eyes narrowed into slits, her gaze growing increasingly dangerous. "Are you saying I resemble that shameless, wretched woman?"

Xia Lun knew that in this situation, no words could save him.

Actions would have to speak louder.

Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed Aina on the lips.

There were passersby on the street, but none of them seemed to notice, as if the two were invisible.

Aina lightly patted Xia Lun’s back, and only then did he reluctantly pull away—naturally, a silvery thread of saliva briefly connecting their lips before breaking.

"Sorry, Aina."

"No… it’s my fault, Xia Lun. You don’t need to apologize," Aina shook her head gently. "I was being petty. I shouldn’t have doubted your loyalty."

"Since it’s your fault, Aina, have you thought about how you’ll make it up to me?" Xia Lun continued where she left off.

Aina blinked, then puffed up her cheeks in indignation.

Xia Lun poked her cheek, producing a soft "pffft—" sound as the air escaped… and even Aina couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

"I’ll apologize properly when we get back, Xia Lun," Aina said, giving him a meaningful look.

Abandes was an incredibly tranquil and peaceful city. Even street vendors didn’t shout their wares, and most pedestrians kept their heads down as they walked, never stopping to chat… the city held no traces of clamor, only a soothing quiet that calmed the mind.

This place lacked the lively bustle of human activity.

Naturally, some would enjoy such an atmosphere, while others who preferred livelier places would feel stifled—most adventurers likely fell into the latter category.

Visiting for a short trip might help clear one’s thoughts, but staying here long-term? Xia Lun probably wouldn’t be up for it.

Aina, with her cool demeanor, might be able to tolerate it…

Wait, was Aina really that cool? In bed, she was practically ready to devour him whole.

"BOOM—"

Just as Xia Lun’s thoughts began to wander, a deafening explosion echoed through the city.

The sound was terrifying.

Xia Lun’s expression hardened, and he immediately grabbed Aina’s hand, rushing toward the source of the noise.

This was a bustling city! If something went wrong here, the casualties could be catastrophic!

Following the sound, they arrived at a wide plaza where a towering Goddess statue, over ten meters tall, stood.

But now, the statue wasn’t in good shape. With another violent tremor, it crashed heavily to the ground. Its wings had snapped, its arms broken, and fine cracks spiderwebbed across its once-pristine face.

The tremors continued… this wasn’t a normal earthquake. It was as if a giant lay trapped beneath the earth, ramming against the ground in an attempt to break free.

The plaza’s surface had caved in, leaving behind deep, circular craters.

Fortunately, it was daytime, and the plaza was empty—no casualties. It only got crowded in the evenings.

"What’s going on?"

Xia Lun frowned at the ravaged ground before him. "Why would the ground suddenly collapse? Is there something underground?"

"There’s a strong magical presence beneath us," Aina remarked calmly, glancing at the fissures spreading across the ground. "Feels like a powerful monster."

Xia Lun mused, "Could this be the work of the Twilight Apostles?"

Aina shrugged. "Can’t say for sure."

Well… they shouldn’t pin every disaster on the Twilight Apostles.

"Hey! Who are you two?"

"This area is dangerous—get away from the plaza, now!"

Soon, priests came rushing over, arriving just in time.

They didn’t suspect Xia Lun and Aina, assuming they were just curious onlookers drawn by the commotion… after all, the devastation before them didn’t look like something humans could cause.

Xia Lun and Aina exchanged a glance. Without causing trouble, they obediently left.

But once they were out of the priests’ sight, Aina erased their presence, and the two circled back unnoticed. The priests paid them no further attention.

There might be clues here—no way they were leaving without checking.