Luo Wei's Will to Survive

Seeing Ophelia's agitated and murderous expression, Luo Wei quickly tried to calm her down.

"I never said I was going to see her! I didn’t say anything like that!"

That witch lady is always on the move, traveling all over the world, so finding her isn’t easy.

Besides, Chapter Two has just ended, and Chapter Three hasn’t even appeared yet.

It’s still too early to say, so why is she so sure the next mission will involve the witch?

Ophelia narrowed her eyes dangerously as she watched Luo Wei hastily explain himself.

"Really?"

Luo Wei suddenly felt a scrutinizing gaze enveloping him, and the pressure was immense—it was no less intense than being stared down by an evil god...

He wiped all traces of a smile from his face and nodded seriously.

"Really."

Ophelia stared unblinkingly into his eyes.

Luo Wei’s expression was flawless.

After a long moment, Ophelia finally relaxed her expression.

He wasn’t lying, she silently acknowledged.

But...

She asked sternly, "Do you miss her? Does she have a place in your heart?"

Luo Wei shook his head decisively. "No."

[Pollution Level +5]

Ophelia pressed on, "Do you think she’s stronger, or am I stronger?"

Luo Wei answered without hesitation, "You are."

[Pollution Level +5]

"If she were in danger and needed you to save her, would you go?"

"No."

[Pollulation Level +5]

The deadly three questions caused the pollution level to skyrocket.

Luo Wei could only feel helpless. A woman who can read expressions is terrifying...

It’s like she can see right through him, leaving no privacy at all...

Ophelia looked at him with a half-smile, and Luo Wei gradually forced an awkward grin.

Some things, she was clearly asking just to make a point...

The witch lady is ridiculously strong, almost to the point of being overpowered. She’s practically the only top-tier character in the first playthrough.

With her on the team, Luo Wei felt that even facing an evil god again wouldn’t be as nerve-wracking. They might even stand a chance...

Who doesn’t love a strong character?

Back in the first playthrough, the witch lady was Luo Wei’s sharpest blade. Every time they fought monsters, cultists, or explored ancient ruins, the best equipment they obtained went straight to her.

As for what exactly she got, Luo Wei couldn’t even remember clearly.

Countless Magic Crystal Stones, ancient wands, mysterious items that boosted damage, scrolls, orbs, spellbooks...

In the end, she was practically a humanoid mecha—a super-powerful spellcaster who could effortlessly dominate any level...

Well, that’s just how mages roll.

The game balance was so off. In this near-modern world, suddenly having a character with talent rivaling ancient magical legends made everything else feel like a joke...

(My lord! The times have gone backward again!)

So, to sum it up...

The reason Ophelia resented the witch lady so much wasn’t necessarily jealousy over the equipment. Given her status, acquiring good items wasn’t that hard...

What she really cared about was the feeling that the "damned evil witch" had stolen all his attention...

The memories ended.

The room’s atmosphere grew colder, yet Luo Wei felt his body heating up...

He silently watched as Ophelia’s smile grew more terrifying.

Even though she could read his micro-expressions and tell if he was lying,

he had to say it anyway!

Because she already knew these things and had her own answers in her heart.

But she just wanted to ask.

Sometimes, women just want an attitude!

After a long moment,

Ophelia seemed satisfied with Luo Wei’s desperate attempts to prove his innocence.

"Good, I believe you."

Her soft hand gently caressed Luo Wei’s cheek, and she chuckled,

"Look at you, sweating just from talking.

Is the room too hot?"

Her light-colored eyes were full of teasing.

"Yeah... it’s a bit hot..."

Luo Wei laughed awkwardly, then reminded her, "Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be late for the banquet? Let’s hurry up..."

Ophelia looked at him, her smile mocking, then turned to Caroline.

"Let’s get going."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Luo Wei breathed a sigh of relief.

Ophelia watched his back, her smile growing more sarcastic.

She knew Luo Wei too well. Of course, she knew he said those things just to keep her from getting angry.

But that wasn’t enough.

She had to take action.

Ophelia gently stroked the ring on her left hand, her gaze growing more inscrutable.

A touching reunion scene wouldn’t be complete without her, would it?

It’s going to be quite the "heartwarming" spectacle...

Just wait and see!

...

The royal carriage made its way to the banquet hall.

The palace grounds were so vast that they needed to take a carriage to reach their destination.

Inside the carriage, Ophelia was carefully tying Luo Wei’s bow tie.

Luo Wei’s evening attire wasn’t as flashy as the ladies’. It was simply a shirt, vest, and tailcoat, with minimal color.

However, the tailored suit perfectly accentuated his physique, and combined with his strikingly handsome face, when Ophelia finished adjusting his bow tie and looked him over, her eyes lit up.

"How do I look?" Luo Wei asked with a smile.

Ophelia nodded, "Handsome, as expected of my man."

Even Caroline smiled and chimed in, "When Your Highness and Mr. Luo Wei make your entrance, all the gentlemen and ladies at the banquet will pale in comparison. There’s no couple more dazzling than you two."

Ophelia happily linked arms with Luo Wei. "Caroline, you’re getting sweeter by the day."

Caroline shook her head earnestly, "Your Highness, I’m just telling the truth. You and Mr. Luo Wei are a perfect match."

Ophelia’s smile widened, her eyes curving into crescents.

Luo Wei shook his head with a wry smile. This head maid wasn’t just capable—she was also a master of words.

Four years ago, Ophelia didn’t have Caroline by her side. Back then, the head maid was that muscle-bound Barbie. Caroline had risen through the ranks to become Ophelia’s most trusted confidante.

But considering her noble background, it made sense. In many ways, Caroline was better suited as a strategist or advisor.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in the square in front of the banquet hall. Just then, everyone inside heard a loud commotion.

Luo Wei opened the window and looked out to see a well-dressed man shouting passionately, surrounded by several royal guards.

"You blind fools! I’m a member of the Imperial Council! Why won’t you let me in?!"

"Let me in! I must see His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty! You must repeal the 'Magic Crystal Stone Act'! It’s harmful to the empire in every way! I’m speaking for the greater good!"

"Your Majesty! You can’t do this! You’re cutting off our livelihood!"

"Your Majesty!!"