After entering the Misty Forest, the team’s atmosphere was more relaxed than Lu Xin had expected.
The monsters on the outskirts were already low-level, and counting the knights the kingdom sent in, they were at least Tier 2.
The few monsters they encountered along the way were easily dealt with before they could even get close.
Lu Xin walked at the very back of the team, feeling relaxed and at ease the whole time. It was just a pity no one was there to serve him tea and water.
Ah, what a shame.
The knights were also chatting and laughing among themselves, occasionally discussing the ale they drank in town last night and which girl in the kingdom was nice.
“That commoner sure has it easy, just following us for free money.”
Someone looked back at Lu Xin, their voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for him to hear.
Lu Xin didn’t want to pay attention, but one person’s gaze was particularly icy.
He turned his head and met the eyes of Jack, who was staring at him.
Jack’s expression was vicious, with a long scar across the bridge of his nose. The hatred in his eyes as he looked at Lu Xin was undisguised.
Back then, he was the only one brought out of the forest, and only because he had been ruthless enough toward his companions, otherwise he wouldn’t have outrun the Wind Wolf.
He blamed all of this on Lu Xin.
If this kid hadn’t come out of the forest, they wouldn’t have been led into it to rescue the others.
Lu Xin looked away. He felt Jack looked familiar, but he couldn’t remember anyone with a scar on their face.
Still, since the man harbored killing intent toward him, Lu Xin wouldn’t show any mercy either.
Seeing Lu Xin’s lack of reaction, Jack let out a cold laugh, then turned back and continued forward.
Just then, the grass beside a few knights rustled, making a sound.
A Fluffball Monster rolled out from the bushes, its small black-bean-like eyes passing over the group and landing on Lu Xin at the back.
Lu Xin also noticed the commotion ahead. The moment he looked, several knights raised their weapons, ready to strike.
“Wait.”
Lu Xin stepped forward to stop the knights who were about to attack, then, as if no one else was there, picked up the Fluffball Monster and held it in his arms.
The little creature didn’t resist. It nuzzled against his palm and let out a comfortable “pu-qiu” sound.
The knight who had been ready to strike spoke irritably, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“This is my pet. Is there a problem?”
The knights exchanged glances, growing more impatient with Lu Xin’s attitude.
“Keeping a Fluffball Monster as a pet—your head’s messed up.”
“When danger comes, your pet will be the first to abandon you, haha.”
“I’ll just keep it with me. It’s none of your business.” Lu Xin finished speaking, placed the Fluffball Monster on his shoulder, and returned to the back of the team.
Someone muttered at Lu Xin’s retreating back, “Weirdo.”
Audrey had witnessed the entire process. She didn’t find his actions strange; on the contrary, she found them interesting.
As long as Lu Xin didn’t do anything too excessive, she would let him be.
But this trip into the Misty Forest wouldn’t end in just a day or two. On such a long journey, food was the most important thing.
Lu Xin choosing to bring a Fluffball Monster now would likely cause his food rations to run out first.
Thinking of this, Audrey looked back again at Lu Xin, who was playing with the Fluffball Monster behind her.
‘If his food runs out, what will he do? Will he come to me?’
Audrey’s face flushed slightly. She turned back and continued riding her horse.
She felt like she might be paying too much attention to Lu Xin.
After thinking for a moment, Audrey concluded that it was because Lu Xin was too unknown to her, which made her want to investigate him.
Audrey nodded.
‘That’s the reason I’m so focused on him.’
Meanwhile, Ruilin, who was beside her, had been watching her master.
She was sure Audrey had just blushed.
Then she too turned to look at Lu Xin at the back.
Lu Xin was currently tossing the Fluffball Monster into the air and catching it, repeating the motion over and over.
Ruilin sighed inwardly.
‘This guy is so childish,’ but she was certain Audrey had just been thinking about Lu Xin.
That was what her Dark Elf instincts told her.
After entering the central area of the Misty Forest, the trees grew tall and thick, with layers of overlapping branches and leaves.
Audrey reined in her horse and looked back at Lu Xin at the rear.
“Lu Xin, you lead the way from now on.”
Lu Xin nodded and prepared to walk from the back to the front.
But before he could reach the very front of the team, Audrey raised her hand to stop him.
“It’s too dangerous for you to walk at the front. If an emergency happens, I might not be able to rescue you in time.”
She paused, then calmly announced a decision that left everyone stunned.
“Get on the horse. You just need to guide me from here.”
The surrounding knights were shocked. Some gripped their swords tighter.
They couldn’t understand why a commoner had earned such favor from the Knight Captain.
Audrey’s gaze swept over the group, her meaning clear.
If anyone had an objection, they could speak up.
The knights glanced at each other, then all looked down at the ground.
‘This dirt sure is dirty.’
They dared to voice their anger at Lu Xin, but they dared not—neither voice nor anger—toward the Captain.
Lu Xin raised an eyebrow slightly. He hadn’t expected such treatment.
Wasn’t this like the classic fairy tale—riding a white horse while holding a beauty?
Just as Lu Xin was about to mount the horse, Audrey’s cool voice sounded:
“Sit in front.”
“…”
Lu Xin was silent for a second, then swung onto the horse, sitting in front of Audrey.
The script wasn’t right. It turned out the beauty was holding him.
The saddle wasn’t big.
Sitting together was a bit cramped.
At first, Lu Xin thought the sensation against his back would be Audrey’s hard armor.
But surprisingly, it was warm and soft, and it even rubbed against his back.
“Don’t move.” Audrey’s voice came from beside his ear, one hand naturally resting on his waist, the softness on his back pressed tightly.
Lu Xin stiffly sat up straight, trying not to think about what was pressed against his back.
Fortunately, Audrey was about the same height as Lu Xin, so he didn’t need to stoop or twist.
The team set off again.
The most obvious thing Lu Xin felt was the gazes coming from all directions—jealousy, disdain, and pure hostility.
Jack walked in the middle of the group, staring at Lu Xin’s back through gritted teeth, muttering curses.
“Why…”
Just a commoner who knew a little magic, and now he gets this kind of treatment.
And that Audrey—she was just born into the Wyatt family. What right did she have to order them around?
Jack looked away, but the hatred in his eyes grew thicker.
Meanwhile, Ruilin, walking beside them, was grinding her back teeth nearly to dust.
She wanted to be held in Audrey’s arms too.
She looked at the Fluffball Monster.
‘I’m really envious. I wouldn’t mind sitting between Lu Xin and Audrey at all.’
Yes, that’s right.
The warmth and softness Lu Xin felt was the Fluffball Monster.
When Lu Xin mounted the horse and met its eyes for a moment, Audrey had taken the Fluffball Monster from his shoulder and held it in her arms.
And what did the Fluffball Monster feel? Being sandwiched between Lu Xin’s back and Audrey’s armor—no different from being pressed between two steel plates.
Fluffball Monster: “(◞‸◟)”