Chapter 342: Hero Judgment

By the time Rod arrived in front of them.

The half-deer girl Miss Xiao Ke forcibly suppressed the joy on her face, pretending to be indifferent, but her little face was already flushed with excitement—anyone could tell.

"Oh oh, you've come to pick up Aimii, right?"

She spoke words that seemed casual, but in truth even her voice was trembling slightly.

The female beastkin Aimii let out an "oh-ye," joyfully raised both hands high, and threw herself into Rod's arms.

Aimii was about the same height as Rod, but her shoulders weren't as broad as his. Added to the fact that she'd been injured recently and her activity level had been severely insufficient, her weight and muscle mass had both dropped, and her subcutaneous fat had increased, making her muscle lines less defined.

They say this is the physiological mechanism of female beastkin.

【Research on the Native Spiritual Arts of Heterogeneous Races】 mentions that after mating, female beastkin's feminine characteristics become more pronounced and their fat reserves increase—mainly in preparation for the upcoming pregnancy.

But this doesn't mean their combat ability drops at this time.

Because of the need to store energy for pregnancy, the energy they unleash in 【Berserk】 is also stronger than that of normal male beastkin.

Rod had been doing gravity training with 【Gravity Toad's Tongue】 recently, along with the bronze dragon battle soul's blessing of 【Dragon Power Art】 and 【Dragon Heart】, so his muscles were solid and sturdy without being exaggerated.

When the two embraced, the man was visibly broader by a circle—no longer the old "girl bigger, boy smaller" build difference.

Rod gave Aimii's back a squeeze.

The once firm, hard "ghost back" was gone; though muscle mass remained, a thin layer of soft flesh could be felt when touched.

Who knew this girl thought it was a hugging-strength contest—she threw both arms around him with force, laughing as she squeezed Rod's waist.

If it were an ordinary person, their organs would probably be squeezed out through their mouth.

But after all, this was Rod.

He braced his bear-like waist against the force, slipped his right hand under Aimii's armpit, twisted, and threw her to the ground.

Then he smiled and said to Miss Xiao Ke:

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

"I-I wouldn't care if you came or not!"

Words of disdain on her lips, but the half-deer girl's little face was flushed, her expression brimming with irrepressible joy and excitement.

Rod reached out to hug her.

The half-deer friend beside her spoke up: "You must be Rod, the Forest Warden of Windwall Forest! I've long admired your reputation!"

This half-deer was slightly larger in build, with the upper human half looking to be in her early twenties.

Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, and her rather delicate face beamed with smiles—clearly an extroverted lady.

She didn't quite match Miss Xiao Ke, this socially anxious shut-in type.

"Oh! This is Rachel, this is Rod. Rachel is my only good friend in Silver Hoof Deer Valley—when I was being bullied, she often stepped in to help me."

Miss Xiao Ke restrained her joy and introduced her friend to Rod.

Her expression was serious; these two were both important people to her, and she hoped they could get along peacefully.

Rod was a decent person, so naturally he had the courtesy in these matters.

Rachel was also a talkative person.

The two exchanged greetings, talked a bit about relocation matters, then chatted about her journey here—overall the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

Only then did Rod learn that Rachel had specifically come to Shi Ying Town to look around.

The group walked and chatted.

Gradually approaching the relay station of Shi Ying Town.

Seeing scattered tents and camps.

Just as he was about to bring up the issue of outsiders.

Unexpectedly, Rachel shifted the topic, her eyes burning with intensity, a faint spiritual aura rippling around her: "Mr. Rod, were you born in March?"

"No, December. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know if Miss Xiao Ke has mentioned to you, but besides coming out for training this time, I actually have another important mission."

"Oh? Is there something you need help with? Miss Xiao Ke's friend is my friend—no need for formalities."

"Mm, I really might need your help on my end. When the time comes, I will offer compensation."

Rod waved his hand, neither accepting nor refusing.

Better ask first what the help entailed.

Rachel cleared her throat, her expression turning to a seriousness never seen before.

"When the world has fallen into chaos, I, Rachel of the half-deer people, have accepted a critical mission. From the River of Prophecy I received guidance from the future, and have come specifically to the Twilight Hills to seek a new 【Hero】."

A hero, huh.

Rod's face showed a look of sudden realization.

A week ago he'd heard about it from the starling person Hailey.

Miss Xiao Ke leaned over, tugged at his sleeve: "The Grand Elder of Silver Hoof Deer Valley is currently the top prophet on the continent. Any prophecy he issues cannot be wrong. Rachel is one of the thirty-six 【Hero Bestowers】 personally recognized by the Grand Elder."

As she spoke, her expression was one of envy.

"These past few days Miss Xiao Ke has been telling me about your heroic deeds in my ear almost every day, so just now I couldn't help but perform a 【Hero Judgment】 on you."

【Hero Judgment】?

Could that question about his birth month just now have been it?

So casual? Or was there some deeper meaning?

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

Miss Xiao Ke flared up, her face crimson as she retorted.

Rod laughed and patted her head. The half-deer girl, determined to prove her words, stiffened her face, pushed his hand away, and put some distance between them.

"So what's the result?"

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

But he vaguely sensed that this so-called "hero" probably wasn't a fabrication; he was simply interested in this kind of major event.

"What a shame, Mr. Rod, you are not a 'hero.'"

Rachel said with a bitter smile.

"I told you he wasn't one. What kind of hero would be as lecherous as him? Heroes are definitely all noble and humble like in the storybooks."

Miss Xiao Ke snorted.

But she secretly observed Rod's expression, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he didn't look discouraged.

"Oh? Is that so? Then who was it that told me, 'If there must be a hero on Sunset Hill, it could only be that guy'?"

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

Rod couldn't help but laugh out loud either.

"I didn't expect the image you have of me in your heart to be noble and humble."

"No! I said no!"

Miss Xiao Ke's face was red, and the little deer ears on either side of her head were shaking with agitation.

She rushed over, her little fists pounding on Rod's chest with thump thump thump.

"Back to the main point—what kind of help do you need?"

After horsing around with Miss Xiao Ke for a while, the group passed through the relay station and arrived at the edge of Shi Ying Town's expansion district.

The guards on duty all knew Rod; facing this guardian deity who had saved Shi Ying Town time and again, they were naturally warm and welcoming with smiling faces.

Rachel couldn't help but marvel at this forest ranger's reputation in the town.

She could tell that the expressions of these guards weren't because they had been forced to bow to his strength—the worship and reverence in their eyes weren't feigned.

She considered for a moment, then said seriously: "Although it might sound a bit casual, I want to know the birth months of Shi Ying Town's current residents, and to single out those born in March who are over twenty years of age."

(End of this chapter)