Chapter Seventy-Two: The Great Victory at Saint-Ville (2)

“What’s wrong? Keep going…” Dressed in her swimsuit, Artoria polished off the last slice of ham on her plate and washed it down with refreshing fruit juice.

“I’ve lost!” A stocky, red-bearded dwarf fell to his knees, covering his face as he sobbed.

“Boss! We can fight again!” A man in a greasy chef’s outfit shouted, raising a platter piled with fried rice. “Come on! Another combo, extra-large butter-fried rice with vegetables and diced meat!”

“I won’t accept this!” A bald uncle charged forward with a fistful of glistening, sizzling meat skewers. “Let me try my last move—Earth Dragon Tail Skewers!”

Ten minutes later.

“Total defeat…” “Ugh ugh ugh~~” “Please, don’t come back tomorrow!” “Here’s your money, just leave!”

The dwarf owner slapped ten gold notes on the table, begging through his tears, while the chefs beside him wept in a group.

Artoria had single-handedly emptied the entire restaurant!

“Phew~~ I’m just full,” Artoria clapped her hands, thoroughly satisfied, patting her still-flat stomach—no sign of bulging, as if the food had vanished into another dimension.

Of course, that wasn’t possible; she simply digested and absorbed at a speed rivaling a dimensional rift.

Among the onlookers were several journalists, snapping away with their magical cameras—tomorrow, Artoria was sure to make the headlines again.

“So, shall we go for a drink to help digest?” Zhao Tianhe suggested.

“No, let’s head to Sixth Avenue,” Artoria thought for a moment and replied to Zhao Tianhe. “Though this money won’t buy much, little things like earrings should be fine, right?”

She actually wanted to buy something for Elley!

“Why are you staring at me? I’m super happy today!” Artoria smiled. “But Elley’s just been keeping me company. Right, summon her out—let’s go together!”

“Alright!” Zhao Tianhe nodded with a smile.

“You’re gifting me jewelry? Oh~~~” Elley, hearing Artoria, looked at Zhao Tianhe in disbelief.

“Stop looking at him—it’s me who’s giving you something. It wouldn’t be fair if only I was happy,” Artoria pouted. “What? Don’t like me giving you gifts?”

“How—how could I not! But you…” Elley looked at Artoria, feelings complicated.

“Forget it, we’re both Tianhe’s heroic spirits. I’ll give it to you as if Tianhe is. Come on, time’s short, and we’ll need ages to pick, right?” Artoria laughed as she strode toward the side street.

But as they passed Fifth Avenue, Zhao Tianhe and his companions ran into a familiar face.

Between the giant posters of Elley and Artoria, Branniel’s Fashion Beach opened as an outdoor boutique. But this was no ordinary street shop—the invisible barriers formed walls, the floor was sand from Saint Rossport’s Golden Coast, and the backdrop was a lifelike seascape, clearly arranged with great care.

Swimsuit displays weren’t on mannequins or racks, but worn by a dozen professional models constantly rotating outfits.

Branniel stood at the entrance, chatting with an acquaintance, but immediately spotted Zhao Tianhe and his party.

“Miss Artoria!” Branniel waved, running over in excitement.

“Thank you for rescuing me last time! I’ve been busy with the Robert ceremony, so never got the chance to thank you,” Branniel grasped Artoria’s hand, overcome with gratitude.

“Is this the Miss Artoria you always mention? Greetings, I am Will, Deputy Minister of the Royal Capital’s Treasury,” the young man who’d been speaking with Branniel stepped forward, bowing. “I’ve long heard of the famed hero. It’s an honor to meet you today.”

“Mm.” Artoria nodded, then spoke to Branniel. “We’re heading to Sixth Avenue, you carry on.”

“Sixth Avenue? The jewelry exhibition? You two ladies interested?” Will approached with a smile. “I happen to be visiting the Elven Treasure House there for some shop business, I can show you the way.”

“You…” Branniel looked at Will, smiled, and said nothing more, turning back inside.

But at the door, she glanced back and made a gesture to Zhao Tianhe: first pointing at Will, then at her purse, finally drawing a finger across her throat.

‘Hmm, a patsy, huh?’ Artoria and Zhao Tianhe looked at Will, thinking the same, their expressions softening.

Along the way, Will chatted and joked, and the three girls responded warmly but perfunctorily.

“This is it…” Elley gazed at the Elven Treasure House’s sign and the displays, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

Zhao Tianhe glanced at the price tags below the samples, his heart twitching, then looked at Will—the lamb to be slaughtered.

‘No, I can’t do it! It’s too embarrassing, too underhanded…’ Zhao Tianhe wrestled with himself.

“I’m a knight, and a knight shouldn’t…” Artoria beside him was clearly hesitating.

Only Elley was captivated by the beautiful jewelry, happily browsing.

“Mr. Will? What brings you here? Is it about taxes? Rest assured, everything is already sorted!” A tall, slender elven man came over, greeting Will.

“Oh? Mm, nothing really, just browsing. All matters are settled at the ministry—I have a right to enjoy the festivities, don’t I? Hahaha~~” Will barely managed to tear his gaze from Elley as he replied politely.

The elf, reading Will’s intent, stepped up to Elley and introduced, “Miss, you have excellent taste. This classic necklace is half price for the festival—just 150 gold. This is…”

“That’s expensive.” Elley’s expression was calm. “I don’t want it. Can’t afford it.”

“Huh?” The elf was taken aback. He’d never seen such bluntness, especially from women who entered this kind of shop.

From Elley’s shifting expression, the elf sensed that her interest in his jewelry was purely casual, much like a child splashing in puddles on a rainy day—just play, nothing to do with flaunting wealth or status.

“So…” The elf glanced at Will.

Will hurried forward to make a show.

But Elley didn’t give him the chance. She pointed at a pair of small earrings. “These, ten gold exactly.”

She turned to Artoria. “What do you think? One for each of us.”

“Ah… alright,” Artoria looked at Elley and Will, who was already reaching for his wallet, but her knightly code prevailed—she took out the ten gold she’d just won and placed it on the counter.

Will was momentarily stunned—he hadn’t expected Artoria to pay instead of Zhao Tianhe!

Zhao Tianhe certainly couldn’t pay—he couldn’t afford it!

“Would you like them wrapped?” The elf’s professional smile never wavered.

“No need.” Elley took the earrings, walked over to Zhao Tianhe, and pointed at her left ear. “Put it on for me.”

Zhao Tianhe fastened the earring to Elley’s smooth, dainty earlobe—the earring had its own spell array, no need for a piercing.

“I get one too?” Artoria blushed as Zhao Tianhe approached.

“One for each,” Zhao Tianhe smiled, helping her put on the earring.

They were a pair of platinum and multicolored diamond earrings, shaped like twin fish—small, but exquisite.

“Well? Do they look good?” Elley smiled at Zhao Tianhe.

“Absolutely,” Zhao Tianhe nodded. “They suit you perfectly! And Artoria, too—such cute earrings!”

“Is…is that so?” Artoria’s cheeks flushed as she walked out of the jewelry shop. “Alright, that’s settled, right? Happy now? I remember there’s an elven food shop nearby—the dishes look delicious, let’s go!”

Perhaps to cover her embarrassment, Artoria rallied and strode out with Elley.

“I lost,” Will said behind Zhao Tianhe, smiling.

“Hm? Giving up so easily?” Zhao Tianhe was surprised.

“What’s the point of not giving up? Should I use family connections to pressure you, split you up, and sneak in?” Will shook his head. “If a man doesn’t fight for a good woman, he’s not worthy of the name. But if he uses underhanded tricks to steal a woman from a hero, he’s not worthy as a human. Anyway, I wish you happiness.”

With that, Will left.

‘A good man…’ Zhao Tianhe watched Will’s retreating figure with some emotion. ‘Glad we didn’t let Artoria use her charms to fleece him—but I doubt she’d agree anyway.’

Not far away, Will, walking alone, allowed himself a scornful smile.

“Hero? What a joke…”

“Under the power of the ‘God,’ you are destined to become the remnants of history…”

After a busy day, Zhao Tianhe lay in bed, feeling a sudden loneliness.

‘Pixie, that lazy creature, only eats, sleeps, plays, and evolves… I’ll have to force her to diet when we get back!’

Before departure, Zhao Tianhe had wanted to bring Pixie along for experience, but she stubbornly refused, even running off entirely…

Now, Pixie had become a full-fledged fat fairy—her belly sported a swimming ring, her legs so thick they barely touched, her cheeks stuffed like a squirrel’s mouthful of nuts.

In the northern third ring of Saint Veil, within a B-class underground city, several shadowy figures were planting strange devices.

“Is this enough? Can…can my child go free?” A man shouted at the empty air beside him.

“My wife is innocent!” “My child too!”

The sharp sound of wind rang out, and several men silently collapsed.

“They’ll be released, but you’ll stay… The plan must not fail—everything is just beginning…”