The five of them journeyed northwest, encountering various monsters along the way. So were local troublemakers lurking in the Jinghong Mountains, while others had received orders from the Demon King and were gathering at the Oasis of the Tomb of Kings in the northern part of the desert kingdom, preparing to confront Robb. However, they were wiped out by Robbs team halfway through their journey.
The five-person team couldnt possibly handle all the monsters that gathered, but they easily dispatched those they encountered. Robb believed that Elsie and the others were capable of dealing with a certain level of enemies. If they couldnt handle it, he would call for reinforcents.
The journey was not lonely for the five of them. Occasionally, they would co across other adventurer teams wandering in the Jinghong Mountains. So adventurers were on a quest to find certain herbs, while others had been commissioned to eliminate specific monsters for the sake of avenging townsn from a village below the mountain. There were even those who had co to help Robb search for minerals.
The Adventurers Guild had deployed a significant force around the Jinghong Mountains, consisting of high-level adventurers. This treacherous mountain range was not a place for novice adventurers to venture into.
One evening, the five of them arrived at the northwest part of the Jinghong Mountains, the most remote and secluded area.
Looking north, they could see a towering snow-capped mountain, the main peak of the Jinghong Mountains.
Xuelu pointed at the snowy mountain and whispered, The Black Dragon resides there, which is why its also called Black Dragon Peak. Its an absolute no-go area on the Fengmo Continent. Hundreds of years ago, brave adventurers attempted to climb up and slay the Black Dragon, but after countless failures, no one has dared to challenge the Black Dragon in recent centuries.
Robb nodded, Not going there is the right decision. Dealing with that thing requires thorough preparation, and its best for ordinary people not to play with fire.
Xuelu smiled and nodded, And the legendary Demon King City should be located sowhere beneath Black Dragon Peak, within the crevices. Its teeming with monsters, and despite the efforts of adventurers over hundreds of years, it remains unexplored. Heh, but this ti, we will finally uncover it in our hands, find the Demon King City, and defeat the Demon King. Its of great importance to .
Her excitent grew as she spoke, and a blush appeared on her face.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Robb asked, You often ntion the Demon King City. What makes you so fixated on it?
Well, its nothing, really, Xues gaze suddenly beca distant, as if she was recalling sothing that left her a bit absent-minded. She imdiately turned her attention away, no longer dwelling on the question.
Robb sensed sothing unusual; this was not the usual Xuelu.
He discreetly pulled Gorda to the side, who understood the situation. They pretended they needed to use the restroom and left the two girls, moving behind a nearby thicket.
Only then did Robb ask in a low voice, Whats going on with Xuelu?
Since I t her, she has been unusually obsessed with the Demon King City.
Gorda shrugged. The reasons adventurers go on adventures are nothing more than those things.
Robb asked, Oh? Were her parents killed by the Demon King? Is she seeking revenge?
Gorda shook her head. Youre thinking too much. Xuelu is an orphan and doesnt have such a clichd reason to avenge her parents. Her true reason
At this point, Gorda couldnt help but smile. Lets start from our childhood.
Robb beca very interested. Co on, take your ti and tell .
When we were children, Xuelu, Jike, and I were all children in an orphanage. Gorda chuckled and continued, You know, there were definitely more than just the three of us in the orphanage. There were many other children.
Robb nodded. Thats inevitable!
Gorda explained, The orphanage was funded by a noble. The real purpose of establishing the orphanage was not to save us orphans, but to train us as his private soldiers. So, he spent a lot of money to hire people to teach us combat skills and magic. Thats how the three of us learned these skills.
After a brief silence, Gorda seed to be reminiscing about the past before continuing, You must have noticed that the three of us were not academically gifted. Among the many children in the orphanage, the three of us were the most useless, the most worthless, and the biggest trash.
We were often bullied by a group of high-achieving children. There was a girl, a fire magician like Xuelu, who excelled in fire magic and often bullied Xuelu because of her poor grades.
Robb almost burst out laughing. I can sll the plot twist of a face-slapping competition in the academy. Did Xuelu make a bet with this person that whoever reaches the Demon King City first gets to slap the other persons face, step on them, make them lick their shoes, or even make them walk naked on the street?
Gorda sweated profusely. Godfather, where are you drifting off to? Although she often bullied Xuelu, their relationship wasnt that bad. After all, we all grew up in the sa orphanage, and no matter how much they bullied each other, we were still a family. There was no need to go to such extres. After bullying Xuelu for a while, they actually beca good friends and made a pact to explore the Demon King City together.
Robb was surprised. Really? Its not like that?
Thats how it usually goes in novels. So, what happened next?
Gorda said softly, Over a decade ago, the noble who raised us participated in a small operation to exterminate monsters.
Robb furrowed his brows.
Gorda continued, The outstanding orphans all followed the noble to the battlefield to kill the monsters, but the three of us useless ones were left behind. We were deed useless.
Xuelus good friend also went along with her. Before leaving, she told Xuelu that once she achieved great rit on the battlefield, gained the trust of the noble lord, and was allowed to go out, she would take Xuelu to explore the Demon King City.
Robb exclaid, Wow, shes setting a flag!
This ans they might not co back.
Gorda smiled wryly. Youre right about that. In that battle, not a single person who went to exterminate the monsters ca back. They all died, including the noble who raised us. With no sponsor for the orphanage, it had to close down. The three of us were driven out and beca street children. Fortunately, we had so skills by then, so we joined the Adventurers Guild and took on so simple and lousy little tasks to earn a ager living.
As for what happened next, you already know, Gorda said. We knew our abilities werent enough, and perhaps we would never have the chance to set foot in the Demon King City in this lifeti. But Xuelu always rembered the promise she made with her good friend. She just wanted to go there and have a look. Thats all. Its not so extraordinary wish.
Robb nodded and thought to himself, [Well!]
Actually, most peoples dreams are like this, right? They have small, inconspicuous reasons. Its not sothing earth-shattering. Its just a little scar left by past experiences in your heart.
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