Sharon's Fans

Ninika eagerly handed over paper and a pen. Xia Lun's expression shifted from surprise to realization, then finally to resignation.

He'd been recognized.

After all, they had discussed those matters right in front of Ninika... and when he gave his name, it wasn’t strange for his identity to be exposed.

Still, Ninika was the first person who truly believed he was the Hero.

Seeing Xia Lun hesitate, Ninika reminded him, "You promised to help, Lord Xia Lun."

Under Ninika’s expectant gaze, Xia Lun carefully inspected the paper, ensuring it wasn’t some demonic contract, before finally signing his name.

"Wonderful!" Ninika cheered, carefully storing Xia Lun’s autograph before exclaiming, "Hero, you’re my idol—no, wait, I’m your fan! I grew up hearing stories about you!"

Xia Lun suddenly noticed that the books on Ninika’s shelves weren’t ancient tomes but rather biographies of the Hero...

Xia Lun coughed. "You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not the Hero."

Ninika: "The Hero in my heart would never lie."

Xia Lun: "..."

He instinctively averted his gaze.

"You are the Hero!" Ninika pointed at him excitedly, catching his evasive glance.

Aina gently tapped Xia Lun’s finger, a faint spiritual glow flickering in her palm—clearly asking if she should erase Ninika’s memories.

Xia Lun shook his head slightly and pressed Aina’s hand down.

Ninika: "Lord Hero... I never expected you to come to such a small place. What brings you here?"

Xia Lun: "Just passing through."

Ninika: "Lord Hero, it’s incredible that you’re still alive. Aren’t you human?"

Xia Lun: "I’d rather not say."

Ninika: "Lord Hero..."

Now fully embodying the role of an adoring fan, Ninika chattered away like an excited child. Xia Lun remained unfazed—he was used to this kind of attention.

Then Ninika turned to Aina.

If Xia Lun was the Hero, then this woman’s identity was obvious.

"You must be Aina, the mage from the Hero’s party, right? I heard you’re the Hero’s wife..."

Xia Lun’s lips parted slightly.

This girl had even guessed Aina’s identity—she wasn’t just an ordinary fan. She was a devoted fan.

Ninika retrieved the signed paper and pen again. "Could you give me your autograph too?"

Given Aina’s personality, she wouldn’t indulge in such trivialities, nor would she spare Ninika’s feelings... Xia Lun mused silently.

"No. Pointless," Aina said flatly.

Just as Xia Lun expected.

"Eh? Really? That’s such a shame." Ninika sighed. "I was hoping you’d sign next to Lord Hero’s name and draw a little heart between them..."

"Give me the pen," Aina extended her hand.

Ninika beamed and handed over the quill.

She actually managed to sway Aina? This girl’s impressive... Xia Lun shot Ninika a surprised glance.

Ninika then offered another quill dipped in pink watercolor. Aina took it and meticulously colored the tiny heart between the two names pink.

"Thank you so much, Lady Aina! I’ll treasure this forever!"

"Just a small favor." Aina gave a satisfied hum, as if she’d accomplished something meaningful.

Xia Lun suppressed a smile. Aina was adorable when she indulged in these childish moments...

"Hehehe..." Ninika hugged the autographs to her chest, giggling to herself.

"Aina, do you have a way to resolve Nameless Village’s situation?" Xia Lun asked his wife.

He thought that since Aina had solved Mida’s problem, she might also be able to break the village’s curse.

"Killing the Fabricated Truth would solve it," Aina said coolly. "But that thing is hiding far away now—it doesn’t dare show itself anymore. And I can’t leave this world to hunt it down."

"What about Mida—"

"Mida’s issue wasn’t truly resolved either." Aina shook her head. "I was merely her guardian, protecting her during the most dangerous period of her childhood. Now that she’s grown, the Fabricated Truth’s curse no longer threatens her."

Xia Lun clicked his tongue. Asking Aina to shield the entire village indefinitely was unrealistic.

They could never return to normal lives.

"You don’t need to worry so much about us, Lord Hero," Ninika said softly. "Honestly, the village isn’t so bad. It’s peaceful, everyone gets along... There’s no conflict, no schemes. Children born here have never even seen weapons."

Now that he thought about it, this place really was a hidden paradise.

Xia Lun nodded and said no more.

"Besides, I sneak out sometimes to buy the latest Hero biographies." Ninika sounded proud. "As long as no one catches me, it doesn’t affect my next reformation."

"You can leave?"

Ninika nodded. "Yes, it’s easy for us. Only outsiders have trouble entering."

Xia Lun stroked his chin.

He must have used his Eyes of Insight to reinforce his perception of the village, which was how he’d brought Liyana and the others inside.

They probably hadn’t noticed the village’s strangeness yet—otherwise, they might’ve been thrown into the lake like he had been.

"By the way, what’s the Village Spirit?"

"It’s the sentience born from the magic barrier enveloping Nameless Village over time," Ninika explained. "The barrier was left by our ancestors to repel outsiders, allowing us descendants of the cursed dragonblood to survive in this secluded corner of the world..."

She stretched, having not spoken this much in ages.

"Outside of here, only the Goddess Church knows we exist... We have an agreement with them. They send nuns periodically to act as anchors, maintaining our existence. But only the Church’s higher-ups know about this." Ninika added, "Ms. Landa is a wonderful person, staying here for so long... Most nuns can’t endure more than a few years."

"Miss Lessa might take her place," Xia Lun remarked offhandedly.

Ninika tilted her head. "Miss Lessa? Who’s that?"