Chapter 34 Help me "take care" of him

"Heehee~" Xia Xier laughed mischievously, wagging her index finger in front of Xu Ruo.

"Because I... witnessed it all with my own eyes~~~"

"If I had to say, my age should be about the same as yours."

"After all... before I was reincarnated, my soul was already with Lady Goddess of Fate, witnessing the vast majority of this world's past."

Xia Xier explained, and Xu Ruo came to a sudden realization:

"I see!"

"So, that's why you know these things so clearly?"

Xia Xier nodded slightly, her tone carrying a rare note of doting:

"That's right~~~"

"So, don't even think about leaving me behind this time. I'm going to protect you for the rest of my life!"

Xu Ruo smiled faintly and gave Xia Xier a light kiss on the forehead:

"Okay."

"This time... no matter what happens, I won't leave you."

A simple promise made Xia Xier's eyes crinkle into crescent moons with joy.

After giving Xu Ruo a hug, she finally brought up the main business—

"By the way, do you have any personal items that can prove your identity as the Demon King?"

Xu Ruo thought for a moment and felt around his person...

Finally, he took off the demon kings ring, which symbolized his identity, and handed it to Xia Xier—

"This, then."

"Nothing else would be very convincing..."

"But this thing contains a sliver of my soul imprint."

"If you show this to her, she should be able to recognize it as mine."

If it were anyone else, Xu Ruo naturally wouldn't have handed over his demon kings ring.

But if it was Xia Xier, that was a different story.

Xia Xier gave a sweet smile and took the ring:

"Mhm! Don't worry, just leave everything to me!"

"I'll handle it!"

"I'll bring this back to you intact as well."

Having said her piece, she didn't dawdle and turned to pack her things.

Xu Ruo stood where he was, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

There was both worry for Xia Xier and anticipation for an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time...

Not until Xia Xier finished packing and turned back to kiss his cheek.

Only then did Xu Ruo snap out of it, smiling as he ruffled her hair:

"Then... I'll leave everything to you."

This time, there was no obstruction.

Xia Xier finally saw Xu Ruo's smiling face after a long time.

She couldn't help but daze for a moment, and once she recovered, she said with surprise:

"You... did you just smile?"

Xu Ruo coughed lightly, his expression returning to normal:

"What? Is my smiling that scary?"

Xia Xier couldn't help but cup his face with both hands, her bright eyes staring deep into his.

Xu Ruo met her gaze, smiled, and no longer avoided it, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"Silly girl."

Xia Xier showed a satisfied smile, like a sunflower blooming toward the sun.

"Alright, seeing you smile makes me feel at ease."

Just before she was about to leave, she seemed to suddenly remember something important, stood on her tiptoes, and gave Xu Ruo a fleeting kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"By the way, those few companions of mine might come looking for you over the next few days."

"No matter what happens then, don't turn them away."

"After all, they still don't know your true identity."

"The identity I added for you in the memories of the Holy Kingdom's people is the Monastery's Great Healer."

"It would be quite a bit of trouble if your strength were exposed because of something..."

"You've suffered for so long; it's time you enjoyed some good fortune."

"As for that fortune, let's start with them."

After saying that, Xia Xier winked playfully again and gave Xu Ruo one last sweet smile before turning to head out.

There were some things that were inconvenient while she was around.

Especially Qingya...

If she didn't leave for a while, how would her companions have the chance to reverse-push the Demon King?

By the time she returned...

Maybe her companions would all...

...already?

Who could say...

Watching Xia Xier's retreating figure, Xu Ruo habitually reached for his ring finger.

It was empty...

The place where the demon kings ring used to be was now bare.

An inexplicable sense of emptiness rose in his heart.

"Speaking of which... she should also know the origin of this ring."

"Also... Master, you're clearly a woman, yet I've always called you a smelly old man..."

"I shouldn't have mocked you just because you're flat-chested and look like a loli..."

"I'm feeling somewhat guilty now."

Xu Ruo didn't pay much attention to Xia Xier's last few words; instead, he thought of some past events and murmured to himself.

After a moment of distraction, Xu Ruo composed himself, walked to the door, and watched Xia Xier's figure gradually fade into the distance...

Vaguely, he could see her turning back to wave her small hand at him.

Xu Ruo nodded slightly and closed the door only after Xia Xier had completely disappeared from sight.

...

Before leaving, Xia Xier didn't forget to tell her companions.

The others were fine; their doors weren't locked, making it much easier for Xia Xier to greet them.

But as for Qingya...

Her door was actually locked, which was rare.

Seeing this, the corner of Xia Xier's mouth curled into a meaningful arc—

It seemed...

Among her companions, the one most unable to bear the loneliness might be the Dragon Girl currently locking herself in her room!

Without wasting time, Xia Xier walked directly to Qingya's door and spoke softly:

"Qingya? It's me."

Inside the room, Qingya, who had been tossing and turning with her pillow, unable to sleep, actually rolled right out from under the bed upon hearing Xia Xier's voice!

"W-What is it?"

Likely due to a guilty conscience, Qingya's voice sounded somewhat flustered.

Xia Xier smiled:

"I have something very important to do and need to be away for a while. I might not be back for a few days or even a month."

"So, I was wondering if you could help me take care of Xu Ruo while I'm gone?"

Qingya's breathing seemed to quicken slightly:

"Is... is something wrong?"

Xia Xier didn't hide anything and simply told Qingya about the Fallen Witch.

Finally, Xia Xier didn't forget to remind her—

"Qingya, my childhood friend... I'll have to trouble you all to 'take care' of him well during this time!"

Hearing this, although Qingya was a bit nervous, she immediately stated her position:

"Leave it to me!"

"I'll help you take good care of him!"

Xia Xier smiled and gave a final instruction through the door:

"Okay, then I'm off."

After a moment of silence inside the room, a muffled "Mhm" came in response.

Hearing that response, Xia Xier knew she probably didn't need to worry too much about her companions.

So she didn't delay any longer and turned to head downstairs.

Once Xia Xier's footsteps had faded away, Qingya climbed up from the bed and quietly unlocked the door, peering through a crack until Xia Xier's figure had completely vanished.

With a strange glint in her eyes, Qingya then quietly closed the door like a mistress with a guilty conscience.

...

PS: You all can guess how the Dragon Girl will "take care" of Xu Ruo while Xia Xier is away.

Over~~~