Upon hearing Kane's response, Commander Sakerem nodded appreciatively and patted Kane on the shoulder.

"I have important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Then he left with his guards and knights.

However, the Saintess and the knights guarding her did not follow the commander.

The equipment on these knights was much more refined and lavish than that of the ordinary knights and soldiers in the vicinity, likely akin to the Holy Knights of the church.

The Saintess walked up to Kane, bent down, lifted one of Kane's arms, and clasped Kane's hand within her own, slightly tilting her head, gazing intently at Kane with bright and gentle eyes.

Watching this scene, Kreya behind Kane widened her eyes, and her hands instinctively reached for the longsword at her waist.

Longbei, next to him, quickly jumped up and grabbed her hand armor, saying, "Don't be hasty, don't be hasty! The Saintess hasn't said anything yet; maybe it's just a ceremonial gesture?"

Listening to Longbei, Kreya lowered her arm that was reaching for the sword blade, calming the sudden eruption of fury in her chest.

Lilulu, flying at the rear of the group, watched the scene with a grin.

Though she retained her childlike innocence, she wasn't naive; everyone in the group knew Kreya and Kane were mutually affectionate.

Feeling a bit schadenfreude, she knew Kane was in trouble.

She was quite petty, still remembering how Kane used Spider Silk to prank her, hanging her from the ceiling.

The Saintess looked at Kane and said, "I haven't introduced myself. I'm Finaris, the Saintess of the Creation Church. Thank you very much for your previous rescue. Would you like to sit in our temporarily built Holy Hall?"

Hearing this woman speak to Kane, Kreya again placed her hand on the sword blade, wanting to rush up and strike the woman with her sword.

Longbei jumped up with all his might, pulling on Kreya's arm, trying to stop her actions.

"It's just the Saintess talking to herself. Kane certainly won't agree. You have to trust him. Don't be impulsive; don't be impulsive."

Good brother, what are you doing? Are you forgetting we're behind you?

And Kane, bewildered by the Saintess's smooth actions, retracted his hand from the Saintess's palm upon hearing her words.

"No need to thank us, Saintess Felix. Aren't you also working with us in similar deeds? As for your generous invitation, I must decline. Perhaps another time.

But now, I have my teammates to return to the room with and have a good rest, as this long campaign has been quite wearying."

Felix, without pestering, naturally folded her hands across her chest, and softly said to Kane, "Of course, looking forward to your arrival."

Kane nodded goodbye to the Saintess and then led his teammates toward their small stone cottage.

And the Saintess stood quietly where she was, watching Kane and his group turn the corner and disappear from sight.

Then she turned and left the fortress with her guardian knights.

Kane followed his team slowly along the fortress's streets. There were quite a few soldiers they had rescued who occasionally saluted them.

A few steps later, Kane fell back a little and approached Kreya's side: "What are you planning to make for dinner? I'm a bit hungry."

Since they hadn't had anything to eat since waking up in the morning and hurried to the fortress, Kane's stomach was growling.

Kreya remained expressionless, casting a sidelong glance at Kane.

"Hmph! If you want to eat, make it yourself!"

After saying that, she sped up her pace, passing Kane and walking ahead.

Lilulu hurried after her, making a face at the bewildered Kane as she passed him.

"Hehe, starve Kane, humph."

Then she cheerfully fluttered her wings to catch up with Kreya.

"What's wrong with Kreya?"

Upon hearing his question, Longbei patted his leg, shook his head, and sighed before walking away.

A bewildered Kane turned to look at Meizike who was still beside him.

Meizike shrugged helplessly when he saw Kane looking at him, then shook his head.

"Dunno."

Meizike had no interest in romance, even witnessing the whole thing, he couldn't understand these behaviors.

So his answer was honest, as he truly didn't know.

Kane, lagging at the back of the group, started pondering quietly.

What did I do to upset her?

Kane kept recalling all his actions along the way.

Still somewhat confused at the end.

Wait, could it be the scene where the Saintess took my hand? But I withdrew my hand right away, didn't I?

Since he was bewildered by the Saintess's actions, he hadn't immediately withdrawn his hand.

He only felt like he swiftly pulled his hand away.

Realizing the key point, Kane didn't immediately catch up with the group because he was thinking of how to remedy the situation.

And so, each with their own concerns, they returned to the stone house.

Due to their days of traveling and not finding any clear water sources, they all began to smell slightly.

Even if they didn't smell, they felt sticky and sweaty; they urgently needed to clean themselves in the bath.

The two-story stone house had only two bathrooms, thus divided between male and female use.

Kreya took Lilulu with her into the bathroom, ready to bathe together.

The bathroom on Kane's side was relatively small, only able to accommodate one person.

The three, ready to bathe, exchanged glances; each wanted to be the first to shower, setting aside friendship for the moment.

"Given the situation, let's do rock-paper-scissors to decide, one round wins it."

"Hmph! You're hitting your head against my gun barrel."

"No problem."

After a series of fierce competition, the winner emerged, and it was Meizike.

Walking with a victor's stride, he entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

Longbei lay on the ground, appearing grayish-white.

Boasting as he did, he lost, ending up last.

"Damn it! Me, the so-called Melt Mountain Castle's top rock-paper-scissors player, defeated by you two rookies. It's truly a lifetime shame."

Hearing his words, Kane, sitting on a nearby chair, couldn't help but roll his eyes.

When did you start giving yourself such a title?

If I remember correctly, wasn't it me who taught you rock-paper-scissors?

Where on earth did this so-called Melt Mountain Castle top player come from?

Watching the antics of Longbei, Kane internally grumbled.

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