"Achoo!"

A gust of cold wind howled, carrying dry leaves, and Tianlan involuntarily sneezed as she shrank her neck.

A hand reached from behind to tighten the thick scarf around her neck. The young girl turned around, her eyes apologetically meeting Sister Atira's, the Elf Miss, whose gaze was gentle as she reminded, "Be careful not to catch a cold."

After November passed, the north of Colin Ishurian began to experience a sharp drop in temperature. Inside the inn, the stove and heating managed to keep it somewhat warm, but outside it was already a wintry scene with a chilling wind after entering the season.

The canals within Golande city seemed to frost over overnight, and it seemed likely that it would start snowing within a few days.

Everyone else had put on thick clothing. Fang Hong had an Alchemist-issued winter coat, and Gita also wore a padded long robe and gloves, half of her small face buried in her scarf, her glasses occasionally fogging up.

Miss Tata too was bundled up within a thick scarf, just her calm green eyes visible as she peered outside, discussing with Gita about the dispersal of Ether Magic Power in winter days.

Three days passed in a blink, and this day was the scheduled meeting with Sir Duke. Fang Hong, along with others, arrived in the Bino District. There were five of them in total, although Fang Hong had originally planned to go with only Atira and Hilveld, since delivering a message was a minor matter, just handing over to him the Ring of Golden Flame from Mazak would suffice.

But unexpectedly, Tianlan also clamored to join, and bringing Tianlan meant that Gita naturally would come too, not to mention the accompanying Miss Tata, thus the team inevitably grew larger.

Just like all the old Nobles living in Golande, Sir Duke had a respectable residence in a retro-style apartment at 334 Bino District, maintaining a very confortable life through either his earlier business ventures or a sizeable inheritance.

The ancient apartment located on a canal-facing street in Bino District was four stories high with a brown roof, showing signs of age from the exterior. There were not many pedestrians on the street, only a few hurried people and some shabby Adventurers, asking for something flammable to keep themselves warm along the street.

Fang Hong and Tianlan actually had never seen real vagabonds; this ancient profession had become a part of history in the developed regions of Earth half a century ago. Therefore, as they passed these people, the young girl couldn't help but give them a few silver coins.

The receivers silently pocketed the silver coins. Uncharacteristically, they did not say thanks but just nodded to them. Tianlan walked into the lobby of the apartment, looking back every three steps and blinking in astonishment at the others, "Those people looked so pitiful."

"In this world, pitiful people are everywhere," Hilveld answered, "It's not like your place at all."

"Ade's world probably isn't perfect either," Atira keenly said, "And these people are relatively fortunate; they have a skill to get them through the winter, and next year they'll likely find something to do."

"Sister Atira?" Tianlan didn't expect the usually gentle Elf Miss to say something like that and appeared a bit surprised.

Atira touched her soft golden hair but didn't answer. In different worlds and different ages, some things just couldn't be clearly explained in a moment.

Fang Hong didn't speak either; he was a bit more mature than Tianlan and knew that nowhere in the world was perfect. Earth might be more developed, but there were still disparities and conflicts, poverty and backwardness between regions.

Some things, just because they hadn't seen them, didn't mean they didn't exist.

His purpose for coming to this world was actually quite simple, just to fulfill his dream of adventure, though he also experienced a series of events with Dolifen and Fenris.

But he believed that it was the choice anyone with a conscience would make under such circumstances; he just happened to be there, and along with many others, they managed to bring about such a result.

The so-called 'Hero' often ends up being just an emotional harbor for people under coincidental circumstances.

And this title should belong to every Chosen at that time; they were the true nobles—

The apartment, though old from the outside, was lavishly furnished inside and well-maintained. Upon entering, there was a thick carpet in the lobby, with two polished antique armors beside and the pine wood paneling behind spotless as if it had just been cleaned.

Right across were two staircases, their shiny handrails reflecting the light from the crystal chandeliers in the ceiling, keeping the hall well-heated. Everyone, walking in from outside, felt like they were moving from severe winter into spring, their frozen faces thawing.

After Fang Hong declared their identities at the door, and since there was a prior appointment, the concierge checked the records and allowed them upstairs.

The old man lived on the fourth floor, in the last room. Fang Hong stood outside the door, carefully checking the number on the bronze plaque before knocking gently.

A dog's bark came from behind the door.

Then brisk footsteps approached, and the door creaked open revealing a timid little boy who eyed them warily, "What do you want?"

Hilveld gave the boy a slight smile, "Could you tell us if Sir Duke is home, we arranged to meet with him today."

The boy was a bit shy, "You had an appointment with my grandfather, but you don't, don't look like you have any relation to the great Hero, Yoshude. Don't think you can trick me, anyway, I won't tell you if my grandfather is at home."

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