Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 500 - 493: Separation

Chapter 500: Chapter 493: Separation

Leaving Luoya, Luo’er took a deep breath, his somewhat melancholic mood finally getting soothed. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to see Nina. After all, he hadn’t had many opportunities to spend time with his mother since waking up, and now that he was about to leave, he would have to see her at least once.

Since giving up on the Luo siblings, Nina had resumed her princess status and had been living in the palace these days. With the Advance Team’s victorious crowning, they could also freely enter and leave Divine Wood Down’s palace.

Thus, Tangmo and Baiyue, the two young girls, often went to the palace to curry favor with Nina. However, Nina, who had noticed their intentions, didn’t express much. It seemed like she wanted Luo’er to make his own choices.

When Luo’er arrived at the palace, ever since the airboat from headquarters landed in Divine Wood Down, the guards’ attitude towards him had changed significantly. No longer showing disdain as before, they were now filled with respect.

Leaving aside the fact that Luo’er was the queen’s grandson, merely his identity as the captain of the Advance Team was enough to earn their respect.

Upon arriving at the palace, with the help of the guards, Luo’er found Nina’s room. At that moment, the sound of a woman talking could be heard from inside the room. Without having to guess, he knew it was Tangmo and Baiyue.

Luo’er knocked on the door, and immediately heard the patter of footsteps inside, followed by the door opening. Tangmo popped her head out, and upon seeing Luo’er, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Luo’er, you’re here!" Tangmo jumped up excitedly, hugging his neck.

"Don’t do this..." Luo’er, with his face red, pulled her down. In front of Nina, he was not as open.

At that time, Nina in the room was playing cards with the two girls. When she saw Luo’er, she smiled, but a touch of sorrow involuntary surfaced in her eyes.

"Moumou, can you and Yue’er go out for a bit? I want to talk to mom." Luo’er pulled Tangmo down then addressed her.

"Okay, I got it!" Tangmo nodded, then called over Baiyue. As the two girls left the room reluctantly, they gave Luo’er and Nina lingering looks. However, it was clear that they wouldn’t immediately leave. No doubt, they were eavesdropping outside the door.

"Mom..." When the two girls left, the room immediately quieted down. Luo’er glanced at Nina, unable to resist his long-lost calling.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t spend time with you recently." Nina lowered her head guiltily and said.

Since learning of Luo Chuan’s death, Nina had been unwilling to meet with Luo’er. She just found out that the Advance Team was about to leave for a mission, and Luo’er was about to leave her. Thinking about her actions these past days, Nina began to regret.

"No, I understand you. Regarding father’s death, I indeed didn’t think about your ability to accept it." Luo’er said with a bit of apology.

Nina lifted her head, quietly gazing at Luo’er, her face filled with complex emotions. After a long silence, she gently waved over Luo’er with a tender voice "Luo’er, come here!"

"Okay." Luo’er nodded and walked over without hesitation. After coming to Nina, he naturally sat beside her, gently leaning his head on her shoulder.

Nina gently stroked his black hair, saying apologetically, "We’re supposed to be a family, but we acted so distant. I’m truly sorry."

"No, it’s my fault. Even though I think about mom every day, when we’re actually together, I’m scared to meet mom." Luo’er shook his head and softly said.

"Your father left you so early, you must have had a hard time living on Earth." Nina asked gently.

"No, I had my grandfather, so it wasn’t too hard. On the other hand, mom, you and Luoya had to endure life in the Otherworld, I feel guilty for it." Luo’er said.

"Every day, I was hoping for our family to reunite..." Nina began, her throat tightening, she sobbed, "but I didn’t expect that such a hope would remain a pipe dream."

"Though dad is no longer here, you still have Luoya and me, and we’ll still live happily together." Luo’er comforted her.

"And those two girls, we’ll all live happily together." Nina looked at him, a smile appearing on her tear-streaked face.

"About them..." The moment Tangmo and Baiyue were mentioned, Luo’er scratched his head bashfully.

"Mother knows that you fancy them, which is why I won’t help you choose or force you to make a decision. You youngsters can decide for yourselves. Mother would be happy with any choice you make." Nina said with a smile.

After a moment of silence in which Luo’er basked in her warmth, he hesitated and said, "Mother, if... if you are willing, I could stay by your side instead of being a captain of the Advance Team."

As he said this, he tilted his head back to look at Nina. She was smiling benignly at him, her expression inscrutable.

"You’re all grown up, and it’s time for you to do what you should do. As much as I hate to see you go, I can’t chain you down with affection. If you feel you have to go, then go. I will not be sad for that. Besides, you’re no longer the little boy you used to be. Now you are so responsible, and that brings me great comfort." Nina said, smiling.

"But..." Luo’er hesitated, his head bowed.

"Just go, go do whatever you want. Your mother will be here waiting for you. Whenever you miss home or miss me, just come back and visit." Nina spoke generously.

Tearing up, Luo’er embraced Nina and choked out, "But I will miss you, Mother."

"Look at you, all grown up, and yet you’re still so attached to your mother." Nina patted his back and smiled.

"There’s one more thing," Luo’er released Nina, then, with hesitation, asked, "Can... Can I take Luoya with me?"

"If you need her, take her with you," Nina’s gaze softened, and she spoke in a gentle voice. "Your mother knows you will protect your sister nicely, right?"

"Yes, I will definitely protect her well!" Touched by his mother’s generosity, Luo’er nodded firmly.

Ever since Nina reclaimed her status as a princess, it had become difficult for her to resume her once peaceful life. As the princess of Ilanadale and the wife of Luo Chuan, she had to shuttle between Ilanadale and the headquarters, bearing responsibilities no lighter than those of Luo’er.

After getting news of Luo Chuan’s death, the perfect and peaceful family life she envisioned shattered completely. The years she spent in that canyon are but an unattainable fantasy, for those times can never return.

Their family’s situation was a bit complex, with Luo’er having a poor relationship with his sister, Luoya, and Nina harboring some resentment towards her, bundling them all together would not lead to happiness but merely create more conflicts.

If Luo’er is willing to take Luoya with him, why not let him? Nina hoped Luo’er would teach Luoya well and mend her bad temper.

"Promise me that you will not let Luoya suffer, do not let your sister suffer." Nina looked at him and emphasized.

"Yes, I will protect her well." Luo’er nodded solemnly.

"And you, take good care of yourself. I’ve already lost Luo Chuan, I can’t afford to lose you too." Nina choked up as she spoke.

"I will take good care of myself." Luo’er wiped the tear trail of her face and nodded earnestly.

"Off you go," Having received Luo’er’s promises, Nina tenderly adjusted his collar and smilingly said, "Remember to come home and visit your mother whenever you miss home."

"Rest assured, I will come back once we complete the mission." Luo’er nodded in response.

After completing the mission, the airboat would return to Divine Wood for supplies, before heading to Yazhi City. This way, Luo’er would still have a chance to spend some time with Nina. Moreover, as the headquarters gradually cooperated with Ilanadale, such opportunities to meet would only increase.

As Luo’er reluctantly parted from Nina and opened the door, he found the two girls eavesdropping outside. Seeing their unabashed actions, Luo’er shook his head helplessly, "You two..."