“Yes, you can call me Tahlia. I’m a merchant from the distant north.”
After introducing herself politely, the rat-girl jumped down from the musk ox and approached Vivian.
She bowed and apologized sincerely.
“Hope you can forgive our reckless giant warrior. He’s not very bright and didn’t mean to offend you.”
“As compensation, you can pick any two items from our caravan for free.”
Tahlia finished speaking and stepped aside, gesturing behind her.
Vivian followed her finger to a beautifully decorated carriage.
The carriage surface had lifelike reliefs and was hung with nine bouquets made of ice crystals.
Liar.
What merchant’s wagon looks like this? This is clearly the procession of nobility.
Do you think I’ve never seen a merchant caravan?
I’ve dealt with two caravans in Ma’en City not long ago.
Real merchant wagons are hardwood carts covered in rough canvas, with bundles of goods underneath, looking from afar like a vile beast full of rotten flesh.
Vivian knew this all too well.
But she wasn’t tactless enough to call them out.
As the saying goes, don’t hit a smiling face.
Since they apologized sincerely, she didn’t need to make things too awkward.
It’s better to have more friends than more enemies.
“My name is Vivian. I’m the cook and quack doctor of the team.”
Vivian smiled warmly.
While introducing herself to the rat-girl, she also studied her.
The rat-girl had chestnut hair and a round face, with a pair of round mouse ears on top of her head.
She was a head taller than Vivian.
She was wrapped tightly in a fur coat, showing only her little head.
She looked like a fully humanoid version of a large hamster.
Tahlia the rat-girl was also observing Vivian’s bizarre team with interest.
Two vampire girls, one of whom was disabled.
Behind them followed a church pastor and a cow.
And there was even a person tied to the cow’s back, staring at her with a strange look.
‘Does he know me?’
‘But I don’t remember meeting this gentleman with such a haggard face.’
And Nolan on the side…
Tahlia?
It’s her.
Nolan’s pupils shook violently when the rat-girl appeared, and a surge of sadness welled up, but he quickly suppressed it.
Tahlia Cheese, the eldest princess of the Iron Tail Kingdom in the Cold Claw Alliance.
She was one of his teammates in his past life who went to destroy the Gate of Hell, responsible for magical support.
She hated demons to the bone because the demons’ initial landing point was right at the edge of her territory.
The demons flooding from hell rampaged and slaughtered through her duchy until the capital’s gates were breached. She had to flee in panic and seek refuge with her sister.
Later, when Nolan gathered the world’s warriors, Tahlia answered the call and joined the journey to destroy the Gate of Hell.
Unfortunately, Tahlia was the first to die…
Died at the hands of that most damnable traitor.
‘I never expected to meet her here in this life.’
‘But this time, she wouldn’t need to join the team.’
‘With Vivian and me, that’s enough. We can handle those ferocious demons, and Tahlia won’t have to sacrifice herself anymore.’
Thinking this, Nolan suddenly froze.
‘Wait, why am I still in Ma’en City?’
‘Shouldn’t I be on the road to Mistport?’
‘Why am I wasting so much time here?’
‘I still have more important things to do.’
His already dizzy head suddenly flashed with a sharp pain, and his thoughts jammed like rusty gears.
His expression contorted instantly.
His gaze slowly fell on Vivian not far away, tinged with confusion and emptiness.
‘Vivian?’
‘Marriage?’
‘What’s going on?’
At that lightning moment, Vivian also sensed something wrong behind her.
She turned abruptly, meeting Nolan’s eyes with her dark red irises.
Trouble!!
Just a moment ago, Nolan had broken free from her control and been clear-headed for a few seconds.
Damn, damn, damn!
Vivian pushed off the ground, leaped high, and lightly landed on the cow’s back in front of Nolan.
She tried her gentlest tone and asked cautiously:
“Darling, are you alright?”
Nolan’s head was splitting.
He looked up dazedly at Vivian’s familiar yet unfamiliar face.
“Who are you…”
He frowned, feeling he should know her, but couldn’t match her with anyone in his memory.
“I’m Vivian, your beloved wife.”
Vivian’s lips parted slightly, lowering her voice.
“I see. But why does it feel like there’s a mist in my mind? I can’t remember at all.”
Nolan blinked at Vivian.
“You’re tired. You should get a good sleep.”
Vivian leaned down and left a wet kiss on Nolan’s forehead.
Nolan’s confused eyes gradually dimmed, and his eyelids slowly closed.
Under the influence of some mysterious power, he fell asleep.
Vivian untied the rope binding Nolan and held him in her arms.
She raised her head and said to the others around:
“Nolan feels unwell. I’ll take him away first.”
“Ah, what? So sudden? We haven’t…”
Feilin said suspiciously.
But Derek patted Feilin’s head from behind, interrupting her.
With one hand he stopped Feilin from making more trouble, preventing her untimely questions, and with the other hand he waved goodbye to Vivian.
“Yes, take good care of him. We’ll stay here and chat with this rat-girl friend for a while before heading back.”
“May you be safe and sound, and may Elios protect you.”
Vivian nodded to Derek, then jumped off the cow’s back.
Before leaving, she gave the rat-girl Tahlia one last cold glance, a hint of scarlet killing intent flashing in her eyes.
‘She had clearly seen that right after Nolan locked eyes with this rat-girl, he immediately showed signs of losing control.’
‘She must have done something!!’
‘This rat-girl used some despicable method to try to stir up discord in our marital relationship.’
‘She actually wants to destroy my life, unforgivable!’
Thinking about Nolan slipping out of her control and returning to that lonely, hungry life, drinking those terrible-tasting livestock blood again…
Vivian’s nails dug deep into her palms.
‘No, no, Vivian. That will never happen again.’
Vivian held Nolan in her arms and quickly ran toward home.
Maybe because she left in too much of a hurry, she forgot to bring an umbrella.
The morning sunlight shone directly on her pale skin.
The skin quickly dried and cracked, scorching with white smoke.
But she ignored the stinging pain on her skin and looked down at Nolan.
Her dark red eyes were full of tenderness, yet with a stubborn determination.
“You’re mine.”
Her voice was very soft, as if coaxing a child to sleep.
Feilin turned around and glared at Derek discontentedly, muttering:
“Derek, did you see that? Vivian’s expression was terrifying.”
“Like she was about to kill someone.”
Derek didn’t answer, just staring in the direction Vivian had left.
Then he turned to Tahlia, putting on a relaxed tone and said:
“Alright, our rat-girl friend, tell me: what exactly did you come to Ma’en City for?”