Chapter 10: Until We Meet Again in the Future

"Yes, that is the very thing I am truly worried about." Huali sighed lightly, "Before, you should have seen it too; he used the One-Handed Sword to perform Ghost Human Air Dance.

The length, weight, and center of gravity of the Dual Blades were repeatedly modified and adjusted specifically for 'Demonization' and 'Wild Dance' before finally being finalized.

If you let me activate Demonization while holding a One-Handed Sword, I could do it, but if you let me perform Ghost Human Air Dance with a One-Handed Sword, I might twist my waist, or I might even chop off my own wrist."

Qiaoda, also a Dual Blade User, nodded; he finally understood why Huali was always so worried about Aolang.

"Then why did you suddenly decide to leave?"

Huali forced a somewhat strained smile, "Because I suddenly realized that he has truly grown up.

Promoted to One-Star, becoming an Official Hunter, possessing the ability to stand on his own, wherever he wants to go, whatever he wants to do, if I were to deny him, he might still listen now.

But will he listen forever?

Not to mention that I myself cannot be certain whether the advice I gave him is right or wrong.

Mr. Guild Master also reminded me that if I continue to manage him like this, that child might even turn to extremes, I..."

Huali slumped her shoulders slightly weakly, "Perhaps the one who is bound is not me, but him; the time has likely arrived when I must let go."

Qiaoda gave Huali a sympathetic look.

He had a child of his own, not two years younger than Aolang, running around foolishly all day long.

That was an ordinary child, unsuited to become a Hunter; of course, unsuited to be a scholar, a Merchant, or anything else; in the future, he would most likely find a stable job and spend a peaceful, stable life.

Aolang was far more excellent than that child, but at the same time, the things he needed to face, the things he needed to endure, were far, far greater.

"Is there anything you need our help with?" Qiaoda asked.

"He once promised me that before I give permission, he will not use any weapon other than the One-Handed Sword.

The reason I imposed such a restriction is that the One-Handed Sword is the most balanced, easiest to master, and safest of all weapons; perhaps this can protect him from harm caused by 'himself'.

But now, perhaps the time has come to lift this ban."

Speaking thus, Huali placed both hands on her thighs, lowered her shoulders and head, "Please help me convey this to him.

Ask your heart three times; if the answer each time is 'yes', then do whatever you wish to do; your teacher will always support you.

This is the key to the house; after your teacher leaves, take good care of yourself."

"Why not say it to him in person?" Qiaoda asked, somewhat puzzled, "Before leaving Luokelake, do you not plan to meet him one last time to say goodbye?"

"No." Huali stood up and bowed deeply once more, "That child's personality is just like mine; he is not used to such things.

Whether it is sentiment or complaint, let us leave it for when we meet again in the future."

Brought into the Guerrilla Squad's warehouse and changed into a brand-new set of Citadel Guerrillas Armor, Aolang turned his body, moved his arms, and pressed hard on his legs, feeling that it fit quite well.

This set of armor was inherently light armor leaning towards agility; movement would not be affected, and he liked it very much.

"Is there anywhere that needs adjustment?" the craftsman nearby asked.

Aolang carefully felt it over, "The abdomen and belt parts; could you help tighten them slightly? About two centimeters."

"Of course."

Adjustments of this degree were simple; the craftsman didn't even make him take off the Equipment, simply readjusting the straps to finish.

"Thank you very much." After sincerely thanking him, Aolang walked out of the warehouse.

"Whoosh—!" Resha, waiting outside, sized him up with a few glances and whistled, "You look really..."

"Really what?"

"Really, really like a Citadel Guerrilla!"

"..."

"Just kidding, don't be so serious, Ahlun's Little Brother!" Resha grinned, "Do you need weapons? Although what the Guerrilla Squad can provide is nothing more than initial weapons from the Mineral Series, just like the Hunter Dagger you are using now.

But if you want to use other types of weapons, we can provide those for you too, like Dual Blades and such.

Shaji just told me; you should know how to use Dual Blades, right?"

Aolang hesitated for a second, then shook his head, "No need; I have no intention of changing weapons for the time being."

"Alright, suit yourself."

"But speaking of weapons, I have a question."

"What question?"

"Mr. Qiaoda is a Dual Blade User, correct? And Young Lady Resha, you use a Hunting Bow."

"I already said, don't use that honorific again!" Resha looked at Aolang displeasedly, "Yes, the weapon Boss Qiaoda is proficient in is Dual Blades; Boss has a Five-Star Hunter license, once hunted an Angil alone, very strong, right?

As for me, Sister, actually I started with Dual Blades too, but later felt that wasn't suitable for me, so I switched to the Hunting Bow."

"Swordsman turning to Archer... Your, your change is quite big."

"Oh, my mother stayed in the Citadel Guerrillas when she was young; she used Dual Blades, so I was forced to learn a little bit by her back then.

Later, when I came into contact with ranged weapons, I discovered that I indeed still preferred that 'whoosh whoosh whoosh!' feeling, so I switched!

By the way, you just said you had a question; what question?"

If the other party hadn't brought it up, Aolang himself would have almost forgotten the question, "Including Mr. Qiaoda and Young Lady Resha you, the Citadel Guerrilla members I have seen in the past all seem to use light weapons.

Things like Dual Blades, One-Handed Swords, Light Bowguns, Hunting Bows; Long Swords are rare, and Great Swords, Gunlances, those have never been seen once.

Is there some restriction on the types of weapons Citadel Guerrilla members can use?"

"Uh, this question, there is actually no restriction, but there is the issue of suitability." Resha explained, "Take the emergency incident you experienced this morning as an example.

Using a One-Handed Sword to deal with Monsters in a crowded street full of stalls was very suitable, but if you switched to a Great Sword, or even a Gunlance, just imagine that scene?

It would turn into a situation of 'What have you all been protecting?!'"

"So that's how it is..."

"However, the Citadel Guerrillas do have users of heavy weapons, but those muscular brothers and muscular sisters mostly do not participate in daily patrols within the city.

You plan to take on more subjugation-type missions later, right? They are responsible for that area; they are all people with bold temperaments; you will have many opportunities to deal with them in the future."

Aolang nodded, understanding.

"The Equipment's been swapped out too. Now I'll take you over to the dorms. Fair warning—don't set your expectations too high, alright? After all, it's just a dorm."

"Oh, right, there was one more thing I almost forgot to mention." Resha suddenly turned around. "You kiddo not used to wearing a helmet?"

"Mm, yeah." Aolang didn't hide it.

"Get used to it as soon as you can. When you're out on a mission, you must remember to put on the matching Conical Hat." As Resha spoke, she put on her own Face Scarf, leaving only a pair of eyes exposed.

"The Citadel Guerrillas are, after all, an official department with certain law-enforcement functions. Maintaining a certain dignity and air of mystery is still necessary.

The Swordsman Armor has the Conical Hat; us Archers, even if it's inconvenient, also have to wear the Face Scarf. While on duty, don't chat casually with passersby. Be serious—be serious, got it?"

Jujube, off to the side, squinted at her. "That's not for you to be lecturing Aolang about, meow. You yourself just need to pay a little more attention, meow."

"Symbolic significance, got it. I won't be willful."

Aolang pressed that Conical Hat onto the top of his head, pushed down the brim, and let the shadow cover his face.