Chapter 3391

"I know Xia De once saw the 【Pedestal of Fate】 somewhere in the Fifth Era, so what is the 【Eye of Ouroboros】?"

Xi Wei asked them, but Xia De had only heard the name and knew nothing about this relic.

Grace and Helen also just shook their heads:

"Except for the fact that the relic itself is a magic-eye-style jade, we don't know anything else. Unknown-level relics have too many secrets. Although we came from the middle of the Fifth Era, in reality, the only Unknown-level relic whose characteristics we truly understand in detail is the 'Boundary of Life and Death'."

Confirming that Xia De had no other business, the sisters kissed Xia De on the side of his face and returned to Mid-Hill Fort. By the time the red butterflies fluttered away and disappeared into the cave, Xi Wei teased:

"Xia De, you should be considered a 'real man' of our era."

"Hmm... what does that mean?"

"Daring to touch even relics."

Xia De tried to defend himself:

"Actually, Grace and Helen are not much different from ordinary girls; you shouldn't always think they are extraordinary."

Although the fact that the young priest returned to his hometown at the age of forty or fifty to find the 【Pedestal of Fate】 was indeed surprising, he did not leave any specific clues about treasure maps or treasure locations here, so the afternoon search became even more critical.

After leaving the undersea cave, Xi Wei turned back into a mermaid and returned to the sea surface with Xia De. It was already past eleven o'clock, so the two planned to have lunch first before continuing the afternoon's itinerary.

Xia De originally wanted to ask Xi Wei if she wanted to go to town for lunch or return to the city. But Xi Wei smiled and pointed behind her, and Xia De looked toward the distant sea surface, where a small cruise ship with the flag of the Aurora family's crest was sailing toward them.

That was not a ship disguised by the *Radiant Messenger*; this was Xi Wei's private yacht.

The maids had long prepared lunch and a comfortable dining environment on the ship. After boarding, Xia De was first taken to change into suitable clothes, and when he saw Xi Wei in the cabin restaurant later, she had also changed out of the long dress she wore in the morning.

Her wavy brown hair was like a flowing amber waterfall, glowing with honey-like luster under the warm yellow candlelight. Among her carefully pinned hair, three pearl hairpins were scattered, and the few strands of hair left unbound at the ends added a touch of laziness to her cold, noble temperament.

Xi Wei's deep purple velvet long dress was like solidified night, with white lace in vine patterns spreading at the hem. The tight-cuffed design revealed the witch's slender wrists, and the black fur shawl she wore was fluffy and luxurious, matching quite well with the opal necklace wrapped around her neck.

This was a style of dress completely different from the girlish styles of Amelia and Ajilina, and also completely different from the fashionable styles of Princess Lei Qianya, Luweiya, or even Sylvia. Although the style was old-fashioned, beauty that had stood the test of time was even more profound and moving.

She saw Xia De walk into the restaurant and smiled as she stood up, while Xia De walked to her side and gave her a hug.

"Why so enthusiastic?"

Xi Wei asked, and Xia De replied:

"Of course it's for your careful dressing today; this stunning charm is now praised by one of my hugs, which might even make my praise seem insincere."

Xi Wei Aurora was quite satisfied with this answer:

"You, you, I see that with just this mouth of yours, it's enough to corrupt half the parliament. Sit down quickly; I ordered the chefs to prepare some hometown dishes. You've been tasting the cuisine of the Lagerson Principality for some time, so it's time to change your palate."

The table setting was not that luxurious, but the minimalist style was also something Xia De liked very much.

The lunch appetizers were chilled champagne caviar tart and lobster bisque with truffle oil; the main courses were king crab legs with brandy sauce, bluefin tuna belly sashimi, and pan-fried wild halibut.

The wild halibut was pan-fried until golden and crispy, and also garnished with edible flower petals. Xia De regretted not bringing Little Mia; that cat didn't like eating fish, but would certainly be willing to try these petals.

The after-dinner dessert was golden chocolate lava cake and rose tea with a macaron platter. The maids added fresh edible rose petals when brewing the black tea, so the black tea had a faint floral scent.

Even with the help of ring-warlocks, this meal probably couldn't be prepared in a day or two. Xi Wei must have planned for a long time for today's "date," which instead made Xia De feel a bit guilty because he couldn't devote all his time and energy today to this date.

When the two were walking on the deck after the meal, the yacht was sailing clockwise along the coastline of Fatu Monster Island, and would soon stop at the most suitable location for the owners to disembark. Xia De stopped, holding the railing of the deck with both hands, looking out at the mermaid girls playing on the sea surface not far away, and then said to Xi Wei beside him:

"Let's find another time, and I'll accompany you for a walk on the island again."

"Why say that? Isn't today's itinerary not over yet?"

"Today I see you prepared so formally, but I was still thinking about other things."

He spoke the truth, and Xi Wei Aurora placed her hand on the back of Xia De's hand:

"But isn't today quite good? We have been alone together the whole time, you listened to my stories of the past, we watched the scenery on the island together, and finally the 'treasure hunt' was also successful. Why do you think this isn't a formal date?"

She asked like this, the sea breeze blowing her hair, her golden eyes looking at Xia De:

"Xia De, from the autumn of 1853 to now, we have known each other for almost two years. Although our relationship has become increasingly intimate, this is really the first time we've had a chance to be alone like this... I like this date very much."

"Hearing you say that makes me feel even more guilty."

Xia De turned and hugged her, and the witch also smiled and hugged his waist:

"I'm not complaining about you; I also know you are usually very busy. But look, as long as I look for it seriously, I can always find opportunities to go on adventures with you. I can't be by your side all the time like Miss Jia Lin Na, but when you are not in Tobesk, I am very willing to accompany you like this."

"It's already been almost two years... Do you remember what you looked like when you pulled me out of the wardrobe behind Princess Lei Qianya?"

Xia De asked, and Xi Wei immediately laughed:

"Of course I remember, that was already two years ago. If I had known about these things later, back in Coldwater Port, I should have found more time to... no, I have already grasped the present, there's no need to regret the past."

The two looked at each other at close range until Xia De kissed her. The winter noon sun carried a hint of imperceptible warmth, the sea breeze blowing on their cheeks was not biting, and today would probably be another calm day.

The afternoon itinerary was to visit the village where the young priest used to live; that village was abandoned a century ago due to safety considerations after an earthquake. Afterward, they were to go to the grave of the priest's younger brother in the snowy mountains; that grave was in a very remote location in the mountains, so it was the last place to be explored today.

After lunch, Xia De and Xi Wei talked on the deck for a long time, and only jumped off the yacht deck at 1:30 PM, then stepped on the water surface toward the shore.

This was the northeastern region of Fatu Monster Island. From afar, Xia De could see the small pier of the abandoned village, but unfortunately, that pier was no longer usable.

"This village was built leaning against a peak on the northeastern foothills of the snowy mountains. Two hundred years ago, a major earthquake occurred on the island, and falling rocks from the peak smashed several houses in the village. Later, after evaluation and confirmation by ring-warlocks, several cracks had appeared inside the adjacent peak, which was very likely to collapse entirely and destroy the village, which is why the people at that time moved away from here."

Xia De didn't forget to explain to Xi Wei.

"Then did the peak collapse later?"

Xi Wei asked while looking up to search for the nearby high mountains, and when the two disembarked from the pier and continued along the path, Xi Wei got the answer:

"It seems the people who lived here back then were right to move away."

The overall structure of this abandoned village was the same as elsewhere, with high wooden walls and gates separating the inside and outside of the village. And now the walls and gates were still there, but two-thirds of the houses inside the village had collapsed under the impact of giant rocks and had gradually merged with nature over the course of more than a century.

Elder Harald told Xia De that after the mountain peak collapsed, people who came to check the situation completely sealed the village gate, blocking the gate from the inside with various debris and trees. The last group of people left by water to prevent anyone from approaching this area, which still had the potential for more dangerous situations, later on.

So theoretically, Xia De and Xi Wei should be the first group of people to visit here again in a hundred years. After hearing Xia De's description, Xi Wei felt that this would be a very good pirate den.

"But there are no pirates in Falling Star Bay; the Lagerson Principality wouldn't let pirates sail in its own 'inland sea'."

The ground was covered with snow. Although the traces of civilization had faded after a hundred years, the traces left by humans would not disappear completely without a trace.

Xia De held a hand-drawn map, leading Xi Wei among the ruins of those ancient houses to find the house where the young priest's family used to live. Xi Wei followed Xia De, looking around at everything, when suddenly she stopped and informed Xia De:

"I think we are not the first group of people to come here in a hundred years."

Xia De turned to look in the direction she was staring at. Among the ruins of the buildings smashed by giant rocks, three ring-warlocks walked out.

The bad news was that Xia De didn't know these people at all, but the good news was that Xia De knew these people belonged to the Prophet Society.