"Aren't you afraid of me?" the white-haired girl asked, her silver eyes wide.
"Afraid of you? Because of the lines on your face?" Luciel blinked, his dark eyes calm.
Was there something special about the scarlet patterns? Something he should worry about?
"No… look closely. Are these real?" The girl stepped forward, urgently pointing at the crimson lines tracing her face.
"Don't tell me… they're… pretty?" Luciel stared carefully at the lines.
The scarlet patterns shimmered faintly, glowing in the firelight—it looked really cool.
"Pretty?" the white-haired girl muttered to herself, her eyes momentarily blank.
It was the first time someone had complimented the "Virtual Ghost infection" on her face.
Her gaze locked with Luciel's, searching for any hint of deceit—but all she saw was sincerity.
He wasn't lying, he wasn't disgusted, and he wasn't hiding anything.
"…" Riyue couldn't speak. For the first time, she felt recognized and even praised for her beauty.
This man in clean clothes… did he even know what the Virtual Ghost infection meant?
And yet… anyone with even a little strength would know how dangerous it was.
Perhaps his calm demeanor came from his own formidable power. Yes, maybe that was it.
Luciel felt slightly uneasy under her intense gaze and quickly changed the subject:
"I don't even know your name yet."
"I'm Riyue," she replied, lips pursed, her expression complicated. "And you? What's your name?"
"Luciel. Shepherd's shepherd, a good teacher, and a helpful friend," he said with a wry smile.
"Can I… see the flower with wings?" Riyue's voice trembled with eagerness.
"I can't show it yet," Luciel said helplessly.
"You lied to me?" Her expression darkened, and she shouted, "You promised! You said you'd show me the flowers!"
"Don't worry. I never said I wouldn't show you," Luciel replied calmly.
"It's just… the flowers aren't here anymore."
"Where are they?" she asked, anxious.
"I had my domesticated beast carry them home," he explained, tossing a table leg onto the fire.
"If you really want to see them, you'll have to follow me to my home."
Riyue's expression went blank. She remembered seeing the massive spider carrying bundles when she was at the foot of the hill.
So it had carried the flowers away.
But something puzzled her—was his home really so close to the thieves' base camp?
Wasn't that incredibly dangerous?
"Is your home nearby?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"Yes," Luciel nodded.
"You're really bold," Riyue muttered, piecing things together.
If his home was nearby, he must know the thieves' base intimately—no wonder he could infiltrate Bloodbeard's treasure so easily.
"I'm just courageous," Luciel thought, recalling the daring raids they'd carried out.
"It's really unlucky for Bloodbeard to meet me."
Riyue glanced around at the chaos surrounding them.
"Want some barbecue?" Luciel offered, holding out the skewers.
Riyue's mouth trembled at the sight of the sizzling meat.
"You're… not leaving yet?" she asked, a strange expression on her face.
"Not until my beast comes back with the rest of the stuff," Luciel said, telepathically sensing the tricolor lizard climbing the hill.
"Moving the beast again?" Riyue froze, pointing at Starscream carrying a white cocoon.
"Isn't it already carrying it?"
"Nope, that's not Xiao Hong," Luciel said, leaning close.
"The main mover is Xiao Cai. The red ghost spider only moves packed goods to the hill for temporary hiding. The real heavy lifting is done by the tricolor lizard."
"Xiaohong? Xiaocai?" Riyue was too stunned to speak.
She turned and saw the colorful lizard behind her. Shocked, she instinctively stepped back.
"When did it appear? It… made no sound at all!"
"Xiao Cai, come here," Luciel called, tying fifteen rolls of cloth onto the tricolor lizard, more than doubling its size.
"…" Riyue couldn't fathom why such a lizard was needed.
A fierce lizard handling all the hauling seemed excessive.
Bang, bang, bang!
To allow the tricolor lizard to exit safely, Luciel once again widened the dome gap.
"When Bloodbeard comes back, he shouldn't be pissed, right?" Riyue muttered, watching Luciel's bold demolition.
"I think… he'd faint with rage," she added under her breath.
"Let's go." Luciel slung a waterproof bag over his shoulder, ready to leave with Riyue.
He secured a small wooden barrel containing the crystal fish with spider silk and tied a bundle of swords to his waist.
"Come on…" Riyue's eyes widened at the sight of Luciel dangling with supplies.
She realized she couldn't leave empty-handed either.
The two stepped through the dome gap and began descending the hill.
"Wait for me!" Riyue called back, dashing to gather important items.
A short while later, she returned carrying a small bucket of water and a bag of dried meat.
"Not bad. You've got your style," Luciel said with a thumbs-up.
"I… I just didn't want to leave it behind," Riyue said, cheeks flushed, fiddling with her clothes.
"That's the right attitude," Luciel nodded appreciatively.
Though Riyue felt a little embarrassed by the praise, seeing the items dangling from Luciel's body—the lizard carrying bundles, the spider hanging white cocoons—she realized her own haul was insignificant in comparison.