Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1045 - 1038: Expedient Measure

Chapter 1045: Chapter 1038: Expedient Measure

Luo’er had somewhat forgotten the first time he encountered Feng. In his memories, Feng was cold and aloof, exuding an unwelcoming and dangerous air about her, speaking in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner.

Just a year after she had joined the Advance Team, she had already changed so much. Once icy, she now could even cry like a little girl. But that wasn’t right; she was a little girl, yet her murderous aura hid her true self.

Luo’er felt that the event that most likely changed Feng’s personality was the death of the Prophet. At the time, she appeared calm, but Luo’er knew very well that the death of someone who had been by her side day and night, who had been her support, couldn’t possibly leave her heart untouched.

After the Prophet’s passing, Feng had lost her most important support, and thus she had to choose a new one. And since the Prophet had entrusted her to Luo’er just before dying, he had taken over that role and become her new source of reliance.

So this meant that Feng’s feelings for Luo’er were not romantic, but that he had become her support, the pillar that allowed her to survive in this world.

If one day the Advance Team were to be completely wiped out, leaving her the only survivor, Luo’er believed that Feng would most likely not choose to live on her own as her support would have crumbled, the so-called home she cherished in her heart would have become but a shattered dream – what point would there be in living in such a world?

That was also why when she heard Luo’er suggesting she go back to base, the invincible her felt fear rising from deep within for the first time; she thought Luo’er was planning to abandon her, solely because she could no longer wield magic.

In such a state, she repeatedly tried to break through her limits, each attempt excruciatingly painful. If it hadn’t been for Tangmo’s timely intervention, she might well have already been tortured to death by her own efforts.

Luo’er ran his hands through her soft, smooth hair; Feng’s hair seemed to have grown longer. When he first met Feng, her hair had barely reached her shoulders, but now it could fall in front of her chest.

As her guardian, Tangmo fulfilled her sisterly duties to the fullest, taking good care of Feng, and her hair was well-maintained, feeling almost no resistance; fingers could easily glide from root to tip.

After a slight consolation, Luo’er softly asked, "Have you been worrying all along that I don’t want you anymore?"

"Mhm!" Feng nodded, her head down and her voice tinged with tears.

"Why do you always think in such a strange direction," Luo’er helplessly shook his head, then seriously said, "I never said I didn’t want you, nor that I was going to abandon you."

"I don’t want to go back..." Feng said, sniffling.

"I am worried about your injuries, so it’s best if you go back and recuperate." Luo’er tried to reassure her.

Hearing his words, Feng abruptly looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears, and said with a tremble, "So you still don’t want me..."

"That’s not it," Luo’er said with a helpless, wry smile as he wiped the tears from her eyes and continued to comfort her, "We are heading south to Xia Yue Island and we don’t know what troubles we’ll meet. You can’t use magic right now, and it’s dangerous for you to follow us, so it’s better if you go back first..."

"I, I, I can use magic, just need to try harder, to break the barrier..." Feng suddenly became agitated and then began to channel her magic, soon her face changed drastically, and her entire body shook uncontrollably.

"Okay, okay, don’t force your magic, it’s bad for your health!" Luo’er quickly intervened.

"Feng!" Luo’er sighed deeply, then took her shoulders in his hands, looking earnestly into her eyes as he said, "I have not given up on you, and I won’t. When the Prophet entrusted you to me, it became my duty to take care of you until you no longer needed me. I wouldn’t abandon you just because you are of no use, I wouldn’t just discard you..."

"But, we are the Advance Team, always on dangerous missions, and no one knows what might happen tomorrow. You can’t use magic now, and it’s dangerous to stick with us; we don’t want you to get hurt, understand?"

"So I am a burden, right?" Feng asked, sounding crestfallen.

"No, that’s not it," Luo’er felt himself getting irritable, took a deep breath, and tried to speak calmly, "I care about you all very much, I don’t want any of you to get hurt. You can’t use magic right now and we can’t guarantee your protection or prevent you from coming into harm’s way. So we have no choice but to have you go back first, we will deal with things here, then come back, meet up with you, and help you with your difficulties."

"If, if my illness doesn’t get better, does that mean I might never have the chance to go out with you again?" Feng asked softly, her head lowered.

"Uh..." Her questions had indeed stumped Luo’er because if Feng’s illness was incurable, there indeed might be no more opportunities to join the Advance Team on missions. After all, the Advance Team always faced dangers, and bringing along someone who lacked combat ability would only be a burden.

Of course, those words weren’t meant to be spoken out loud. Although Luo’er knew it to be the truth, he still wanted to give Feng some hope. Even if he had to tell the harsh truth, it should be done tactfully.

"Don’t worry. If your illness doesn’t improve, just stay put at the base. Our Advance Team might not have many missions left to undertake anyway. By that time, we will stay at the base to accompany you, rest assured?" Luo’er consoled her.

"Really?" Feng lifted her head, looking at Luo’er with a moved expression, obviously believing Luo’er was giving up the chance to go on missions for her sake.

The main reason was quite simple. Luo’er had decided to enter the headquarters’ decision-making body. Plus, considering his and Cheng Ziang’s special status, they might not be running around the world as they were now. By then, even if Feng, who lacked fighting ability, was by their side, it wouldn’t be a problem.

"Yeah, if your sickness persists, then we’ll consider not going out anymore." Luo’er nodded gently, intending to keep up the lie.

He wasn’t good at lying; his lies were usually half-truths, which is why he could confidently face the other’s questioning.

"For me? I’m sorry, I’ve been a drag on you all..." Feng said, her head bowed in shame.

"What are you talking about? Do you have any idea how many times you’ve helped the Advance Team? Without you, who knows how many times we would have died by now," Luo’er said as he gently grabbed her small hand and held it, clearing his throat before continuing, "In any case, focus on getting better. When we return, and when the airboat arrives, you’ll join the air drop back. We will come back to see you."

"Mm..." Feng lowered her head, emitting a reluctant sound, her hand gripping Luo’er’s palm tightly. Undeniably, although she couldn’t use magic, being a Swordsman, her grip was remarkably strong, making Luo’er grin in discomfort.

"All right," Luo’er said through gritted teeth, pulling his hand away from her grip subtly before addressing her, "Listen to Moumou, get better, and no more wild thoughts, okay?"

"Yeah!" Feng looked up at Luo’er and nodded again.

"Ah, this is really troublesome..." Luo’er, shaking his hand, mumbled as he walked towards the door.

Opening the door, he saw Tangmo talking with Axia. Seeing him come out, she hurried over.

"Is it settled?" Tangmo asked.

"It’s settled. You girls really are sensitive..." Luo’er shook his head.

"You didn’t take any liberties with her, did you?" Tangmo scrutinized him with a suspicious look.

"What kind of person do you think I am in your eyes?" Luo’er asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Of course not," sensing Luo’er’s mood, Tangmo reached out and pinched his cheek, saying with a plaintive tone, "Just keeping you in check as usual."

"So you really don’t trust me, huh?" Luo’er asked with a wry smile.

"I always thought you were entirely one of us, but in the end, it seems you are only human after all, with your own feelings and desires, capable of liking people other than us, right?" Tangmo quietly asked.

"Uh, well..." Luo’er blinked, trying to find an excuse.

"There’s no need to explain. I understand. I’m going to check on her," Tangmo said, then turned and walked back into the room.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.