Chapter 342: Hero Judgment

When Luo De arrived before them.

The half-deer child Xiao Ke forced back the joy on her face, pretending indifference, but her small face was already flushed with excitement, obvious to anyone.

"Oh oh, you're here to pick up Amy, right?"

She spoke as if unconcerned, yet her voice trembled slightly.

The female beastkin Amy let out a cheerful "Yay!" and raised both arms, leaping into Luo De's arms.

Amy was about the same height as Luo De, but her shoulders were narrower, and after her recent injury and severely reduced activity, her weight and muscle mass had dropped, while subcutaneous fat increased and her muscle definition became less pronounced.

Apparently, this was part of the female beastkin's physiological mechanism.

The study 【Research on Native Spiritual Arts of Alien Races】 mentioned that after mating, female beastkins exhibit more pronounced feminine traits, storing more fat primarily in preparation for conception.

But this does not mean their combat power declines at this time.

Because they must store energy to support conception, the power they unleash during 【Rage】 is even stronger than that of normal male beastkins.

During this time, Luo De had undergone gravity training with 【Gravity Frog's Tongue】 and been enhanced by the Bronze Dragon's Spirit Soul's 【Dragon Power Art】 and 【Dragon Heart】, leaving his muscles solid, robust, and unexaggerated.

When the two embraced, the man's frame subtly appeared broader—no longer the old dynamic of a petite woman and a small man.

Luo De squeezed Amy's back.

The once firm, hard-as-rock demon back was gone; though muscle remained, it now felt covered by a thin layer of soft fat.

Who knew this girl thought this was a contest of hug strength—she tightened her arms and laughed, trying to squeeze Luo De's waist.

If this were an ordinary person, their internal organs might have been crushed out through their mouth by her force.

But this was Luo De.

He braced his bear-like waist, resisted the pressure, slipped his right hand under her armpit, twisted, and threw her to the ground.

Then he smiled at Xiao Ke:

"Of course I'm here to pick you up too."

"I-I don't even care if you came!"

Though she complained, her half-deer face flushed red, her expression brimming with unrestrained delight.

Luo De reached out to hug her.

The other half-deer beside her spoke up: "Surely you must be Luo De, the Forest Warden of Windwall Forest! I've heard so much about you!"

This half-deer was slightly larger, her human upper body appearing to be in her early twenties.

Her long hair flowed like a waterfall; her face was fairly delicate, and her smile radiated warmth—clearly an outgoing woman.

Quite an odd match for someone like Xiao Ke, the socially anxious recluse.

"Oh! This is Rachel. This is Luo De. Rachel is my only true friend in Silverhoof Deer Valley—she always came to my aid when I was bullied."

Xiao Ke calmed her excitement and introduced her friend to Luo De.

Her expression was serious—both of these people were important to her, and she hoped they could coexist peacefully.

Luo De was a man of manners—he naturally understood such etiquette.

Rachel was also a talkative person.

They exchanged greetings, discussed relocation matters, and chatted about her journey here—the atmosphere remained pleasant.

Only then did Luo De learn that Rachel had come specifically to visit Shi Ying Town.

The group walked and talked as they went.

They gradually neared the outpost of Shi Ying Town.

They saw scattered tents and camps.

Just as he was about to mention the issue of outsiders,

Rachel suddenly changed the subject, her gaze intense, a faint aura of spiritual energy shimmering around her: "Mr. Luo De, were you born in March?"

"No, December. Why?"

"I wonder if Xiao Ke mentioned this, but besides my training trip, I have another important mission."

"Oh? Need help? Xiao Ke's friend is my friend—no need to be formal."

"Yes, I may truly need your help. I will pay you a reward."

Luo De waved his hand, noncommittal.

He'd first ask what kind of help she needed.

Rachel cleared her throat, her expression turning solemn—something he'd never seen before.

"As the world descends into chaos, I, the half-deer Rachel, have been entrusted with a sacred duty: guided by the Prophecy River, I have come to the Twilight Hills to seek the new 【Hero】."

Hero?

Luo De's face lit up with sudden understanding.

He'd heard of it a week ago from the Star-Spirit Hali.

Xiao Ke leaned over, tugging his sleeve: "The Grand Elder of Silverhoof Deer Valley is currently the most Dingjian prophetic seer on the continent—any prophecy he issues is never wrong. Rachel is one of the thirty-six 【Hero Bearers】 personally chosen by the Grand Elder."

As she spoke, her expression was filled with envy.

"For the past few days, Xiao Ke has talked about your exploits almost daily—so just now, I couldn't help but perform a 【Hero Judgment】 on you."

【Hero Judgment】?

So that question about his birth month was it?

So casual? Or was there deeper meaning?

"Wh-what? I never said anything about this person!"

Xiao Ke flushed red, protesting indignantly.

Luo De laughed and patted her head. To prove her point, she stiffened her face, pushed his hand away, and stepped back.

"So what was the result?"

Whether he was a hero or not—he didn't really care.

But he sensed vaguely that this so-called 【Hero】 was no mere fiction—though he was merely curious about such grand-scale events.

"Regrettably, Mr. Luo De, you are not a 【Hero】."

Rachel smiled bitterly.

"I told you he wasn't! What kind of hero is as lustful as him? Heroes are supposed to be noble and humble, like in the tales!"

Xiao Ke huffed.

But she secretly watched Luo De's expression—and only relaxed when she saw he wasn't disheartened.

"Oh? Is that so? Then who told me, 'If there's one hero in the Twilight Hills, it can only be that guy'?"

"I didn't! It wasn't me!"

Luo De couldn't help laughing.

"I never knew you thought of me as noble and humble."

"No! I said no!"

Xiao Ke blushed, her small deer ears on either side of her head twitching excitedly.

She rushed forward, pummeling Luo De's chest with her tiny fists.

"Enough fooling around—what help do you need?"

After playfully wrestling with Xiao Ke, the group passed through the outpost and arrived at the outskirts of Shi Ying Town's expansion zone.

The garrison officers all recognized Luo De; treating this guardian who had saved Shi Ying Town repeatedly, they greeted him warmly with beaming smiles.

Rachel couldn't help marveling at the warden's reputation in town.

She could tell these officers' expressions weren't forced submission due to his strength—their admiration and reverence were genuine.

After a moment's thought, she said seriously: "Though it may sound arbitrary, I'd like to know the birth months of Shi Ying Town's residents, and select those born in March who are over twenty years old."

(End of Chapter)