Chapter 45: The Maiden and the Hero

As dusk settled and the city lights flickered to life, Nara sat before the glass window, gazing absentmindedly at the bustling crowd below.

At that moment, she was ensconced in a rare, respectable café within the red-light district. To call it a café was perhaps generous; it was more like a fast-food joint. The fare at the establishments lining the district was exorbitant, and patrons, hungry after their nocturnal explorations, often ended up at this modestly priced spot for a meal.

Nara huddled herself in an oversized men’s sports jacket, concealing the graceful curves that usually drew attention. Her signature pointed elven ears were tucked beneath the cap. She hadn’t used earrings to shift her appearance and hide her heritage; in the district of foreign delights, Miss Nara was somewhat of a celebrity, easily recognized. It was simpler to wear her true face, pull down the brim of her cap, and avoid curious eyes.

She tightened the cap a little more, thinking involuntarily of another person who favored such caps in the red-light district. His cap was frayed at the brim, washed to a faded look, making one worry the threads might unravel at any moment. Yet it was impeccably clean; the gaudy printed letters had long faded, leaving only the pure midnight blue fabric—plain, striking, and rather handsome.

Nara wished her own cap could grow old with the same charm, but she seldom wore any cap long enough for that. Sometimes she donned a flamboyant wide-brimmed hat befitting a grand lady; sometimes, a bold and practical cowboy hat. Her collection of hats matched the ever-changing themes of her receiving parlor. Whenever she wore one, men would cheer, vie for her favor, lavish fortunes upon her.

From that crowd, she would choose the wealthiest, lead him into her boudoir, ply him with drink until he was dazed, then slip away as her assistant took her place. Those who could hold their liquor would soon succumb to the haze of incense. Day after day, she played this role—a graceful, alluring courtesan—never able to imbue a single hat with her own unique scent.

After encountering that midnight blue cap, she resolved to wear her crimson cap until it too bore the marks of time, its simplicity revealed. When the two hats sat side by side, perhaps they would look perfect together.

As she pondered hats, her eyes searched the crowd for the midnight blue cap.

“Miss, is this seat taken?” asked a clear, cheerful male voice.

“It is. Can’t you see him?” Nara replied, without turning.

“Oh? Will I hurt him if I sit here?” The man had already pulled out the chair and seated himself.

Nara turned with a frosty expression, ready to leave. She wanted no interruptions tonight; if this stranger insisted on sitting, she would simply move elsewhere.

Then she saw the familiar midnight blue cap.

And the familiar smile. “Good evening, Miss Nara.”

Nara was momentarily stunned, but her tightly knit brows relaxed, as if spring sunlight melted the last snows. Her smile blossomed like a flower. “Good evening, Mr. Wang Chen.”

...

Wang Chen and Nara returned to the district of foreign delights. The small room was bright and immaculate, and the faint aroma of tea lingered on the table. Wang Chen shared with Nara his experiences on the Dark Plateau. She listened with keen interest, frowning at his moments of peril, smiling as he overcame obstacles. When he and Xu Yong rescued those held captive, she applauded softly.

Wang Chen found it curious that she never inquired about the Fountain of Vitality. He’d intentionally withheld the news, hoping to surprise her.

He voiced his confusion.

Nara smiled as she poured him tea. “It’s alright. You’re back, and that’s all that matters. We’ll find another way.”

Only then did Wang Chen realize she’d seen him return so quickly and empty-handed, and assumed he’d failed to retrieve the Fountain of Vitality.

He flicked his fingers and a large bucket landed on the floor. “I did not let you down. Here it is, take a look.”

Nara was astonished.

Seeing her hesitate, Wang Chen simply unscrewed the lid himself. The vibrant aura of the Fountain of Vitality washed over the room.

Now Nara believed him. She rushed to the bucket, her nostrils flaring as she savored the scent.

“You truly did it!” she exclaimed, eyes shining.

Wang Chen shrugged, about to say something when Nara interrupted him. She threw herself into his arms and kissed him fiercely at the corner of his mouth.

Wang Chen was struck dumb, his hands frozen awkwardly in midair, unsure what to do.

Nara was already jumping for joy. “We must hurry back to the elven village. Everyone will be so happy!”

After a long moment, Wang Chen finally recovered. “We? You’re taking me with you? A human?”

He’d always thought that the sanctuaries of other races were meant to be secret.

Nara caught his meaning and shot him a reproachful glance. “You’re the hero who brought the Fountain of Vitality to the elves. We have no secrets from you!”

Nara had Wang Chen stow the Fountain of Vitality, then produced a magical scroll and tore it apart. Magical runes shimmered in the air, space twisted, and Wang Chen’s vision blurred. Suddenly, he was no longer in the cozy room, but standing outdoors in a woodland glade.

Nara had used a teleportation scroll—a priceless item, the ultimate tool for escape. Who would have thought she’d use it just to go home?

But Wang Chen soon realized that this only underscored the importance of the Fountain of Vitality to the elves.

Nara grasped his hand and led him at a quick trot to a quaint little village. Night had already fallen, and the village was hushed, with no one about.

Just as they approached the entrance, a shadow dropped from a tree at the village’s edge. “Who goes there?”

The speaker was a young elf, holding a wooden bow with an arrow nocked, ready to shoot if the newcomers proved hostile.

Nara stepped forward and flicked the boy’s forehead. “You’re imitating the lines from the plays again!”

“You can’t even recognize me?” she said, exasperated.

The boy rubbed his forehead, sulking. “Elder, I’m just doing my job.”

“Oh, now you’re copying the grown-ups’ way of speaking!” Nara pretended to flick him again, and he quickly covered his forehead.

But she drew back her hand. “Alright, I won’t argue with you. Today is a big day—go wake everyone up!”

The boy, though a bit rambunctious and youthful, obeyed Nara’s command without hesitation and dashed into the village.

As he ran, he whistled, and figures began emerging from rooftops, trees, and the tall grass.

“They’re the night watch, guarding against enemies,” Nara whispered to Wang Chen.

The boy whispered a few words to the other elves, who dispersed. He climbed a tower and struck the bell.

Boom, boom, boom—

The bell echoed loudly through the tranquil night, reverberating across the village.

Soon, a crowd of sleepy-eyed elves gathered at the village square.