Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 288 - 281: A Little Interlude

Chapter 288: Chapter 281: A Little Interlude

In a sheer panic, Luo’er was about to let go of her hand, but Princess Melia pushed her hand more firmly into his. At the same time, her other hand gripped his wrist. She tilted her head and asked, "What’s wrong? Keep teaching me."

"Then, place your hand on the cylinder and pull it back," Luo’er spoke, feeling increasingly unsettled.

"Like this?" Princess Melia clumsily placed her hand on the cylinder and gently tried to pull back, but couldn’t.

"Safety’s not off!" Luo’er hastily flipped the safety on the handgun and covered Melia’s hand with his own, assisting her in pulling it back.

Melia’s hand was incredibly soft and smooth - Luo’er heart swayed as he made contact. Melia’s voice had softened, subtly contributing to the increasingly intimate atmosphere between them.

"Bang!"

The gunshot brought them back to reality, with Luo’er almost forgetting there was a live round in the chamber. Luckily, Melia had pointed the gun at the water, so no one was hurt.

The soldiers on the ship were startled by the gunshot and hoisted their rifles, surveying the scene. Seeing Luo’er and Melia in such close proximity, they wore expressions of embarrassment.

Feeling numerous pairs of eyes on him, Luo’er’s scalp tingled. Swiftly, he took the gun from Melia, took a step back, unloaded it, and placed it back in its case.

"Next time, be careful not to misfire," Luo’er mumbled guiltily while looking down.

"Okay," Melia replied softly, also looking down.

She always maintained a commanding presence in front of the soldiers, appearing serious and dignified. However, Luo’er’s rare visit brought out a different side of her. Surrounded by prying eyes, she too felt embarrassed.

"Uh, once we finish checking the weapons, let’s go to the banquet hall," Luo’er suggested, realizing he didn’t dare to be alone with Melia anymore.

"Okay," Melia responded, still appearing as the young girl Luo’er knew.

On the way to the banquet hall, Melia finally regained her composure and started to chat with Luo’er in a relaxed manner.

"You went to Helros in Ronisca after leaving Masya, right?" Melia asked.

"How did you know?" Luo’er asked instinctively.

"My subordinates told me about the uprising in Helros caused by foreigners, which ended with all foreigners being eliminated," Melia explained.

Luo’er nodded in understanding. They had been sent to Helros based on intel provided by Melia. The incident in Helros was, therefore, expected.

"I was worried then and even sent someone to inquire about you," Melia admitted unabashedly.

"Thank you for your concern," Luo’er sincerely responded.

"Then, did you go to Saint Basaya?" Melia continued.

Luo’er didn’t answer, unsure whether he could reveal their mission to Melia.

Upon seeing Luo’er’s hesitation, Melia smiled, then speculated, "I heard that Saint Basaya offered Arya’s Blade in exchange for freedom of trade with the Church Court, but a rebellion broke out in Saint Bawa, the capital of Saint Basaya. Furthermore, the Church Court’s army mysteriously appeared in Yazhi City. I suspect you had something to do with these events."

"Your deductive skills are impressive," Luo’er sincerely complimented.

"Thank you," Melia responded with a smile. She then probed, "So, did you get Arya’s Blade?"

"Sorry, I can’t disclose that information," Luo’er answered after briefly hesitating.

"No matter, it’s none of my business," Melia replied generously. "The rebellion in Masya is escalating and my father doesn’t have the time to meddle in our affairs. It’s a good chance to expand."

"Right, what did you mean about Masya joining forces with Odelanqi?" Luo’er suddenly remembered this matter and questioned.

Melia didn’t reply. Instead, she turned to look at Luo’er with a teasing smile and said, "I’ll tell you, but first, you’ll have to keep me company for a while longer."

Luo’er was taken aback. His face reddened and he couldn’t maintain eye contact with Melia. Coughing lightly, he looked down and whispered, "Alright."

Seeing Luo’er’s blushing face, Melia felt victorious. She continued to walk forward and nonchalantly asked, "Last time we met, your captain was the young girl. What about now?"

"Now it’s me," Luo’er, trailing behind her, responded.

"As I thought!" Melia nodded in agreement.

"Thought what?" asked Luo’er.

"Someone like you, so rule-oriented, would hardly take the initiative to negotiate with me, instead of sending that little girl; this means the power distribution in your team has changed." Melia voiced her speculation.

"The one who’s been negotiating with you has always been me." Luo’er said with a bitter smile.

"No," Melia turned her head and looked at him, "the little girl is so jealous that if she were still the captain, she wouldn’t allow you to be alone with me."

"Don’t call her a little girl, she’s older than you." Luo’er coughed and pointed out.

"Really?" Melia hesitated.

"Moumou is a half-dwarf, she just looks like her mother, that’s why you think she’s young." Luo’er explained.

"And how about you, how old are you this year?" Melia tilted her head and asked him interestedly.

"I’m afraid I might scare you." Luo’er said with a dry laugh.

"That’s okay, in my eyes, your actual age won’t affect my perception of you." Melia said with a beaming smile.

"I, I’m over thirty this year." Luo’er hesitated before stammering out.

Melia looked at him somewhat taken aback, then a sweet smile spread across her face, making her eyes curve into beautiful arcs.

"Do you find it funny, me being a half-elf?" Luo’er inquired.

"No," Melia shook her head, then looked at him and earnestly said, "Thanks to you, I’ve started liking older men in their thirties."

Luo’er understood what Melia was trying to express and cleared his throat lightly, then lowered his head without uttering another word. Melia also ceased speaking and the two silently proceeded toward the banquet hall.

Melia’s residence was in a small town by the river, where the town’s nobles were loyal followers of Melia, hence they willingly lend their estate to Melia to use as base. The banquet hall was situated within the estate’s courtyard, attracting not just officers, but also plenty of elegant and gracefuI nobles. Young ladies in formal gowns were strolling around, which Hu Daoke watched with wide eyes.

"Wow, lots of ladies, all dressed so beautifully." Hu Daoke, holding a wine glass, exclaimed to Cheng Ziang, earning him many rolls of the eyes.

"Hey, isn’t that the captain of the knights? He seems to have abandoned his traditional knightly ways too." Hu Daoke loudly pointed out to not too distant knight captain.

His voice was so loud that the knight captain overheard him and unwillingly he turned to glare at him menacingly.

He was still dressed in the exquisite rune armor. A young attendant was on his side, laboriously carrying his helmet, lance, and longsword.

Cheng Ziang gave a cold humph as he observed the knight captain’s armor. Although his armor was impressive, the runes etched to it were simple, only providing protection against physical attacks. The knight captain was no match for the Judgment Legion. Now that Cheng Ziang had a divine artifact that could break methods and armor, he feared no suit of armor. Even if it were a tank, he was confident that he could cleave it in one strike.

"You think they’ve been gone for so long, something must’ve happened?" After scouting the place, Hu Daoke asked while lowering his voice.

Cheng Ziang gave him a cold glance and said nothing. From his past experience, he knew better than to trust this guy. Last time, because he went to spew rumors, Tangmo’s personality changed; he still had a clear memory of this.

"After all, they have committed adultery within marriage. They’ve already reached that point with Sister Moumou. We may disregard his unclear relationship with Yue’er, but Princess Melia, when did they hook up?" Hu Daoke said, furrowing his eyebrows and wearing a look of curiosity on his face.

"Why are you so nosy when you are such a big and strong man, was it not you who went to say nonsense to Moumou, making her become what she is now? If it’s not your business, don’t meddle in it, look at all the things you’ve stirred up." Cheng Ziang raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help rebuking him.

"Can this be my fault? You guys weren’t willing to explain the situation to Sister Moumou. I just couldn’t bear to see her being ostracized, so I..." Daoke stopped, his lips pouty, looking upset.

"Luo’er is not currently interested in any girl so you can stop dreaming about becoming godfather. Moumou in her current state, I’m afraid sooner or later something will happen. After all, Luo’er never addressed her feelings directly. Please, stop getting involved with such matters. Joking around is fine, but don’t go stirring up couples for no reason. A perfectly harmonious relationship was about to get torn apart by you." Cheng Ziang lectured.

"How would I know what’s on their mind, I’ve never been in love before." Hu Daoke said in a hurtful voice.

"If you have no experience, then talk less nonsense. Acting as if you’re very experienced." Cheng Ziang rolled his eyes at him and put on a disappointed look.

"You’re acting all righteous, but don’t you also enjoy gossiping in your free time?" Hu Daoke grumbled under his breath.

"I enjoy gossiping, but I don’t blabber nonsense. Unlike you, who can’t shut his big mouth!" Cheng Ziang retorted without any hesitation.