Chapter 29: Thief Enters the Room

"Don't mention it, this bit of hospitality for friends is certainly within our means~"

Olivia said, smiling and hands on her hips.

Inside the Windmill Mill, on the picnic mat spread out by the girl, an assorted array of food was neatly arranged.

Leon and his two companions looked at each other, somewhat flabbergasted by the honor.

They had gotten up early as planned that day and hadn't expected that, after only a short wait, Olivia arrived with two large baskets to find them. As soon as the girl entered, she started laying out a spread, bringing out a variety of homemade delicious dishes from the baskets.

White bread filled with the scent of milk.

Freshly baked egg pies.

Sliced smoked ham, cut into segments.

A fragrant stew of meat simmering in a clay pot.

And various pastries Leon couldn't even name...

For them, who had lived as wild men for so long, the rich and delicious food continuously tantalized their noses and taste buds.

"This is too much trouble, and it's all freshly made." Lokhak swallowed, a little embarrassed as he spoke.

"If you still consider me a friend, don't stand on ceremony; this is a farewell meal for you," the girl said, smoothing her skirt and sitting down cross-legged, gesturing to the three of them, "Come sit down, come sit down, let's eat together."

"Thank you for your kindness; it would be rude not to accept," Leon said gratefully, taking his seat first; his stomach had been complaining for a while.

Azeryan also pulled the dazed Lokhak down to sit cross-legged: "Thank you for the hospitality."

"Try this, this is Aunt Milia's handiwork, her pastries are the best in the village."

Olivia wrapped up her favorite dessert with a napkin for the three, and then she happily indulged herself.

Leon no longer held back, stuffing the pastries, which both looked and smelled incredibly inviting, into his mouth.

No wonder the golden-haired girl's face puffed up with joy, revealing an expression full of happiness as soon as she took a bite.

The mild sweetness accompanied by a hint of fruity fragrance, despite having tasted all kinds of delicacies in his previous life, Leon couldn't find a single fault with these local specialty pastries.

This meal was especially enjoyable, both the food and conversation.

Taking into account Olivia's curiosity and interest in the outside world, as a form of gratitude, Leon sifted through the memories of his predecessor during their journey and told the girl, who had long lived in the mountain village, about the curious tales and local customs of the Seryan Kingdom.

These topics, which could evoke a sense of homesickness, weighed too heavily on Lokhak and Azeryan, with their painful memories vividly in mind; naturally, it was only Leon, the foreign soul, who could talk and refer to it without much burden.

From the Holy Sol Church, which revered the sacred flame of the sun, to the salvation myths of the prophet Illaril, to the ancient temples of the Holy Sun Church towering majestically, and the countless pilgrim groups from the central mainland nations... Leon said whatever came to mind, fascinating Olivia, the country girl, with tale after tale from abroad, leaving her starry-eyed and astonished.

Without her realizing, she even edged closer to him.

Leon, slowing down the conversation, inadvertently glanced at the golden-haired girl beside him, engrossed in his tales.

He wasn't sure if it was the sweetness of the pastries or the pleasant fragrance of the girl, but he felt his cheeks grow slightly warm.

To be honest, neither in his previous life nor in the life of his predecessor had he experienced being looked at with such anticipation and excitement by a girl.

In his past life, he was fully immersed in hobbies like armor and weapons, horseback archery, card chess, animations, novels, myriad interests that filled his leisure time completely, leaving little experience with the opposite sex, not befitting of someone his nearing thirty years.

So now, being close to this beautiful girl, it was only natural that Leon felt a flicker of excitement.

It wasn't that he had any improper thoughts, but the thought of departing on a journey the next day and the likeliness of never seeing this kindly village girl again left him quietly regretful.

Who would refuse the company of such a pure and beautiful girl...

Of course, if one were to entertain such thoughts, the tough village lads accustomed to fisticuffs might have words to say.

But Leon felt that as long as one's behavior wasn't improper, this considerate girl wouldn't show the stern face of a formidable lioness.

After the fulfilling meal, they rested a bit, then once again made their way under the shade of the Windmill Tower, picking up long sticks to continue learning Martial Arts from the formidable genius girl.

This time, Olivia showed Leon and the others a technique she had recently created herself.

She called it "Cat Spinning."

Strictly speaking, it isn't even swordsmanship—it can be applied to any weapon combat.

According to the girl, the idea for this Body Technique came to her when she observed a frightened cat spin around quickly, leading her to create the movement.

Designed for rapid maneuvering and quick movement in the midst of fierce melee.

Hmm, although it sounds complicated.

But actually doing it is... even more damn complicated...

Leon was highly doubtful that they could grasp the fundamentals and practical applications of this skill in the short span of a single afternoon.

Time slipped by quietly during the explanation and practice, as happy moments are always fleeting.

It was time to part again.

Thinking of her entertaining friends leaving tomorrow, with Selva falling back into its peaceful, monotonous routine of farming life, Olivia's face couldn't help but show a hint of melancholy.

"Since we're leaving tomorrow, how about I go up and bring your blankets and quilts back to your place?" Leon offered.

"No, no, keep using them tonight. Just roll them up and leave them in the mill before you go tomorrow. I'll come to get them," the girl waved her hand dismissively.

After speaking, Olivia looked at them reluctantly: "If you ever pass by Selva again, remember to come to reminisce with me. I promise, next time I'll convince my father to truly host you at our home."

"Sure, once I've dealt with my own matters, I'll come back to visit you," Leon promised cheerfully.

"Me too, once I rescue my sister, I'll bring her along," Lokhak patted his chest and assured.

Azeryan nodded in agreement, "I hope we'll have the chance to invite you to our homeland someday. We'll treat you well when that time comes."

"Hehe, then it's a deal," the girl agreed lightheartedly.

Carrying an empty basket, Olivia stepped forward and bowed slightly, softly offering her friends a blessing: "May the gods bless you, and may your journey be safe."

...

... At midnight.

The entire Selva Village was quietly asleep, with only the occasional bark of a dog and chirp of insects adorning the tranquil countryside night.

The soft moonlight barely made the roads discernible, as a sneaky figure holding a dimly lit candle lantern stepped out of the village, making their way toward the northern hill.

Boris had arrived at the run-down, deserted Windmill Mill.

Cautiously, he approached the door and pressed his ear against the wood, listening for any sounds inside.

No luck; there were no snores of deep sleep, implying that the three might not be on the first floor.

He retrieved another key to the Windmill Mill from his pocket, gently inserted it into the keyhole, and carefully turned it, avoiding any noise as much as possible.

Perhaps due to having done such unscrupulous deeds more than once, Boris's movements seemed almost practiced.

With the door slightly ajar, he lifted the candle to peer inside, and as he expected, the first floor of the mill was empty.

He tiptoed inside.

With a thick, damp cloth prepared in advance, Boris covered his mouth and nose, then continued up the stairs to the second floor with his candle.

After scanning the area, there was no one on the second floor either.

Boris proceeded to ascend to the third floor.

Peeking out from the staircase entrance, he finally spotted the sleeping mats of the three young boys.

Feeling elated, Boris did not continue upward.

He resented Olivia's indifference toward him but did not completely discount the girl's warning.

Regardless, tonight, he was alone in his endeavor. If he woke those three runaway lads, indeed he would be outnumbered.

Fortunately, he only needed to outsmart them.

From his chest pocket, he took out the precious packet and poured the medicine cube into his personal incense burner, then used the candle to light it.

Mysterious sedative smoke rose quietly in the dim light of the flame, and Boris quickly held his breath.

He had already tested the potency of this sedative acquired from a mysterious person in town; even a wet cloth over the face was not foolproof, and he dared not test it again.

Pushing the incense burner as close as possible to where the boys lay, Boris retreated down the stairs to the lower floor, pressing the wet cloth to his face, suppressing a cunning smirk.

He waited silently for the sedative smoke to take effect in the upper floor...