Chapter 71: Nahida's Fairy Tale World

Left Shamuxi'er Blacksmith Shop.

This time.

Dixiya didn't mention going elsewhere anymore, taking Luo De and moving straight through the city.

The two kept circling around many times; along the way they reached the middle layer of this giant tree, and finally arrived at their destination.

By Sumeru Cheng's standards.

The house before them was definitely a mansion.

After Dixiya gave her name, someone immediately took them to see a young woman.

Although she looked different from his impression, Luo De could still recognize that the pale-faced woman before them was Dixiya's close friend Dina Ze Dai.

Upon first meeting.

Dina Ze Dai was watering flowers; upon seeing Dixiya arrive, she set down her delicate little watering can, smiled, and went up to greet her: 'Dixiya, is this the friend you mentioned?'

Yes, miss.

His name is Luo De, the guy I told you about picking up in the desert last time.

After introducing Luo De, Dixiya turned to Luo De and introduced: 'This is Dina Ze Dai, employed by Lord Shazaman; I have been serving as her bodyguard all along.'

As for someone willing to come participate in the Flower God's Birthday Festival,

Dina Ze Dai was very happy.

After a few simple greetings, she had Dixiya and them sit down.

After Dixiya asked a few questions about Dina Ze Dai's recent situation, Luo De interjected: 'Aren't you Dina Ze Dai's bodyguard? How do you still have time to bring the group to the desert on a mission?'

Before Dixiya could speak, Dina Ze Dai answered for her: 'Because my health isn't good, I mostly rest at home normally, so I don't need Dixiya's personal protection; if it weren't because I wanted to attend the Flower God's Birthday Festival, I wouldn't need Dixiya to come back specially.'

Oh, I see.

Luo De seemed to have an 'oh' of realization, then his gaze fell onto Dina Ze Dai's hand.

Her hand was also wrapped in bandages.

'Magic scale disease.'

Luo De silently shook his head.

This Sumeru Cheng ailment is indeed tormenting.

Ke Lai, at least, had the onset of magic scale disease greatly slowed by the Archon's medicine; even though the Archon's remnants were sealed, his spirit and energy are still fairly good.

But Dina Ze Dai is different.

Her family didn't send her to any Vitality House for magic scale disease treatment; they relied solely on the family's wealth, using every kind of medicine to alleviate her pain from magic scale disease.

This resulted in Dina Ze Dai's physical condition being very poor under the torment of magic scale disease.

At least as of now.

Her condition is terrible—no color in her face, and her limbs lack strength; compared to Ke Lai, who can eat, drink, and even carry feed, it's a world of difference.

The three chatted a bit more.

Dina Ze Dai habitually asked Luo De whether he had learned about the Little Auspicious Grass King.

In her hopeful gaze, Luo De replied: 'Of course.'

That answer made Dina Ze Dai very happy.

Few in Sumeru Cheng still believe in the Little Auspicious Grass King, including her parents, who think that the voice that once encouraged her to overcome fear was merely a dream.

But Dina Ze Dai did not feel discouraged or disheartened just because those around her didn't believe in the Little Auspicious Grass King; instead, she persistently continued to spread the deeds of the Little Auspicious Grass King to everyone she knew.

However, under the Academy's blockade.

The Little Auspicious Grass King lacks any divine miracles like those of the Great Merciful Tree King that have spread in the world; all Dina Ze Dai can tell others is her childhood experience that seemed to be an encounter with the Little Auspicious Grass King.

Including now.

What she told Luo De was still that childhood incident of hers.

It's all old talk.

Dixiya showed no impatience, patiently listening to Dina Ze Dai finish those matters.

Luo De, who already knew all this, showed no odd reaction; only after Dina Ze Dai finished did he smile and say: 'What a benevolent deity.'

With such consensus.

Dina Ze Dai and Luo De chatted ever more happily, their laughter never ceasing.

The only unhappy point in her words would be

probably her dissatisfaction that the Academy no longer holds the Flower God's Birthday Festival for the Little Auspicious Grass King.

After a while.

After speaking much, Dina Ze Dai grew a bit weary, apologetically saying: 'Sorry, I need to rest first; as for your lodging, I've already booked it—Dixiya knows where—so you should rest well today. Tomorrow I'll take you to the Grand Bazaar; let's first go see what Nilou and the others have prepared for the Flower God's Birthday Festival.'

Then, miss, please rest well; we'll come again tomorrow.

After Dixiya concernedly bade farewell to Dina Ze Dai, she took Luo De and left the Huma Yi residence.

You've figured it out, right?

Miss, what illness does she have?

Walking again on the streets of Sumeru Cheng, Dixiya sighed and asked.

It's magic scale disease.

Luo De spoke frankly.

Actually, anyone who has come into contact with Ke Lai can tell, even without prior knowledge of Dina Ze Dai's magic scale disease, from her mental state and behavior.

Actually, I've been the miss's bodyguard for two years.

Upon hearing the three words 'magic scale disease,' Dixiya's face darkened slightly as she began recalling past events: 'Back then, the miss's condition was somewhat better than now; her body was weak but not to the point of being unable to leave the door.'

But since last year's Flower God's Birthday Festival, her health suddenly deteriorated greatly.

Speaking, Dixiya raised her right hand, patted her own forearm and said: "Miss's condition is worse than when we first discovered Ke Lai; those scale-like symptoms have become very clear and obvious."

With her condition this bad, she can't even go out and stroll around as easily as before.

Her current state.

Most of the time she can only stay at home; even if she wants to go out, the master won't allow it.

Only when this year's Flower God's Birthday Festival comes will the master, unable to resist her pleas, permit her to go out, and she must always remain within my sight.

Oh dear.

I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore.

The Flower God's Birthday Festival is coming soon; over at the Grand Bazaar there will be many vendors volunteering to set up stalls—go take a look, there's lots of good food there.

After finishing talking about Dina Zedai, Dixiya immediately took Luo De straight to the Grand Bazaar, and no longer spoke of those upsetting matters.

Just like that.

The two first got something to eat, then went to the inn that Dina Zedai had booked.

After washing up.

Luo De, who had been traveling for several days, had just fallen asleep when he was suddenly startled awake by an inexplicable palpitation.

As he opened his eyes, his pupils suddenly constricted.

Luo De clearly remembered that before sleeping he had been lying on the hotel bed, so how could he suddenly be in a lush green forest?

Moreover, this place is very strange.

Extremely strange.

At least the gloomy-colored birds sleeping in the trees are normal.

The problem is why the gloomy-colored birds flying in the sky are still maintaining the posture of sleeping with their eyes closed?

What's going on with the apple tree bearing a pile of white radishes?

How come the crystal butterflies fluttering all around have different colors on their left and right wings?

What's the deal with the mushroom pigs sound asleep at the bottom of the pond?

Just what kind of place is this?

A big question mark suddenly rose in Luo De's heart.

(End of chapter)