Bai Shi and Melina returned to the Site of Grace at the Gatefront.
Bai Shi took out the map fragment. Unlike in the game, this map had been buried underground by a stone monument.
Perhaps it was to prevent it from being blown away by the wind, or perhaps it was to keep it from being discovered by soldiers.
In any case, this predecessor had left behind this tattered map fragment and a line of text on the back.
"If you find this map, I hope it helps you. If you can, I hope you will leave a copy behind to help the next person."
He didn't know how old the map was. Although the edges were tattered, the drawings and writing on it were still clear.
This map didn't have any magical properties. The Sites of Grace he had touched did not appear on the map like they did in the game.
Bai Shi handed the map to Melina.
He pointed at the rough location of the Church of Elleh on the map.
"I want to go there. I've touched a Site of Grace there. Can we do that?"
Melina took the map and examined it for a moment.
"I can help you draw this map onto a magical scroll and then bind it to you. That way, the Sites of Grace you've touched will show up on the map."
"Oh? That's a thing? Please, I'd appreciate that."
Melina pulled a large parchment scroll out of the satchel on Torrent's back and spread it on the ground.
She then took out various tools inscribed with arcane runes and knelt to start drawing on the parchment.
Watching Melina's focused profile, Bai Shi hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Shouldn't we find a more comfortable place? Somewhere with a table and chairs? You must be tired."
Melina shook her head.
"There's no need. Since I said I would take on the role of a Maiden, I will do my best. I am not that delicate."
"Besides, you're the one who is tired from fighting. This is nothing."
Bai Shi didn't say anything more. He had already seen her persistence in the game.
He simply watched Melina's profile in silence.
'I wish you could live for yourself...'
Bai Shi couldn't help but think.
"Bai Shi..."
Melina's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Could you please stop staring at me?"
Melina glanced at Bai Shi.
"Ah, sorry. I'll be mindful."
Bai Shi thought about it. She was right. From Melina's perspective, they had just met, and it was a bit creepy to be staring at her.
Melina lowered her head and continued drawing on the parchment.
Bai Shi's constant gaze had made her a little uncomfortable.
Especially when she remembered him holding her hand so firmly last night.
All the knowledge and memories Melina had were related to her mission. No one had ever taught her how to interact with people.
In other words, this was a new situation for her, and Melina didn't know how to react.
However, when he said he would protect her, she felt a little happy, and she didn't know why.
"Hmm? What is this..."
Melina had discovered a hidden set of coordinates on the map fragment.
Bai Shi had turned his head as soon as Melina spoke. He didn't want to be a creep and ruin his chances with her.
He fed the rowa fruit he had picked from a bush to Torrent.
Seeing Torrent eating with relish, Bai Shi decided to try one.
Hmm, a horse's taste buds are really different from a human's. Bai Shi silently removed the fruit from his list of emergency rations.
Stroking Torrent's smooth fur, Bai Shi began to plan his next route.
He would first go back to the Church of Elleh, sell all the equipment he didn't need to Kale, which should earn him a good amount of Runes. Adding the Runes he had just earned from fighting, he might be able to level up twice.
If he was lucky enough to meet the witch Ranni at the Church of Elleh, he could get the Spirit Calling Bell for free.
But Bai Shi didn't have high hopes for that. Ranni only knew someone was riding Torrent through a network of spies.
And he wasn't famous yet, and all the witnesses at the Gatefront were dead.
Even if Ranni's spy network was strong, there was no way she would come looking for him just one day after he got Torrent.
Ranni had a connection to Torrent's previous owner, but it was not strong enough for her to sense Torrent's location.
It might be a few more days, or she might not even come looking for him like she did in the game.
He would stop thinking about Ranni for now. There would be plenty of opportunities to meet her later.
After selling his loot, he would head to the Weeping Peninsula. On the way, he would stop by to meet the tailor Boc and the sorceress Sellen.
What Bai Shi was still unsure about was whether to go straight to the Weeping Peninsula or take a detour to the Mistwood to get Blaidd's help to get the Bloodhound's Fang.
After thinking it over, Bai Shi decided to go to the Weeping Peninsula first. For every day he delayed, the chances of the Lord's daughter, Irina, being killed increased.
Bai Shi wanted to do what he couldn't do in the game. He wanted to save those he couldn't save in the game.
He had no other reason. He just wanted to do it.
He wanted to give everyone a perfect ending.
If he had no ambition after transmigrating, he might as well go back to farming.
Melina calmly handed the parchment to Bai Shi as if nothing had happened.
Most of the large parchment was blank. Only the bottom left corner had some color on it.
"From what I remember, the map fragment corresponds to this area of the Lands Between. The blank areas will have to be filled in later."
"Give me your hand. I'll bind this map to you."
Bai Shi did as he was told, placing his hand on Melina's clean little hand. She had just been drawing on the ground, but her hand wasn't dirty at all.
In no time, Bai Shi felt a connection form between himself and the map.
He could now sense his own location on the map, and the Sites of Grace he had touched appeared on it.
"Which Grace do you want to go to? I'll take you there."
Bai Shi shook his head.
"Wait for me a moment. I'll be right back."
Bai Shi then stood up with the old map fragment in his hand.
He returned to the stone monument where he had found the map, sealed it, and buried it again.
Melina watched Bai Shi return to the Site of Grace, a little surprised.
"Why did you bury the map again? It was so well hidden. To be honest, I don't know how you even found it."
Bai Shi smiled.
"I have a new map now. I'll leave this one here to help the next person. As for whether the next person can dig it out, that's up to their luck."
"But if they all aim to become king, they will be your enemies."
"The person who left the map behind wasn't afraid of that, were they? If I am truly defeated by a successor, it will only be because I am not strong enough, and I will have no one to blame."
Bai Shi said confidently, "Besides, I won't lose."
Melina looked deeply at Bai Shi. She now had a new perspective on him.
She had to admit, his straightforwardness was very endearing.
Melina didn't say anything more. She just held out her hand again.
"Please touch my hand. I will take you to the Grace you want to go to."
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