Chapter 1548 - 1545: Return to the Battlefield

The next morning.

When Ye Qiu sat at the bedside with his head hanging low, looking dejectedly at the floor, Fang Wushang, who was already fully prepared, walked up to him, making his boot spikes clatter with each step.

"Alright, vacation's over, we should head back to the battlefield!"

"But it's only been two weeks!"

He answered while lifting his head like a child. In reality, Ye Qiu couldn't deny that Fang Wushang, dressed in the long-unseen white and blue knight outfit, looked incredibly charming.

Considering the reason for their temporary guild withdrawal, they could have declined this invitation. Yet, the phrase "number of sacrifices" at the end of the message made both of them uneasy.

"At least let's go hear what they have to say. Come on, time's up!"

He unwillingly got up after being patted on the back and opened the wardrobe.

Since we're still in a temporary withdrawal state, Ye Qiu wore his familiar black leather coat, put on minimal armor, and finally sheathed his beloved sword on his back. The weight on his back was perhaps Dong's silent protest against Ye Qiu for treating it merely as an item over such a long time.

As if to soothe Dong, Ye Qiu slightly unsheathed it, then swiftly returned it to the scabbard, causing a clear metallic sound to reverberate in the room.

"Hmm, this outfit does suit Ye Qiu better."

Asuna smiled and ran over to hold onto his right arm. I turned to look at this new home we'd soon bid farewell to, even if temporarily.

"...Let's resolve things and come back quickly."

"Exactly!"

After nodding to each other, Ye Qiu opened the door and stepped into the chilling morning air heavy with winter's presence.

Upon hearing the suggestion "can we talk a bit?" Ye Qiu nodded in agreement, and so the three of them sat side by side on the plaza bench. Xilin slowly began:

"Honestly, to me, the existence of people above aiming to completely repel the waves feels like something from another world. Perhaps I've long abandoned the thought of leaving this place in my heart..."

Ye Qiu and Fang Wushang listened silently to his words.

"I suppose you know in the tech industry, technology evolves quickly. It's been my career since youth, and surviving till now was only due to various burdens like family, subordinates, and such."

Having said that, he paused, a small smile appearing on his wrinkled face. Ye Qiu couldn't find words to comfort him. This man had lost more than Ye Qiu could imagine since becoming a victim of this world.

"Me too,"

Fang Wushang murmured:

"Half a year ago, I too had the same thought, crying alone every night. Staying longer in this world felt like destroying the normal life of family, friends, schooling, and everything, driving me to madness."

"Dreaming of the original world while sleeping... thinking that the only solution was to get stronger and repel the waves as soon as possible."

Ye Qiu stared in shock at Fang Wushang's face beside him. Though he seldom paid attention to others in the past, it was hard to see she had such thoughts during their encounter.

Fang Wushang glanced at Ye Qiu and smiled slightly, continuing:

"Then, about half a year ago, one day, when I arrived at the front line ready to depart, I saw someone sleeping on the grass in the plaza. Angrily, I told him, 'If you have time to waste here, go help kill Magical Beasts…'"

At this point, she covered her mouth and laughed.

"He replied, 'Today is the best weather setting of Aincrad's best season. It's a waste to run into the dungeons,' then pointed to the grass nearby and said, 'Come lie down too.' Really impolite."

Fang Wushang's smile faded, her gaze turned to the distance as she continued:

"But hearing his words shocked me, realizing 'this guy truly lives in this world.' Instead of worrying about the original world fading away, he focused on accumulating experiences every day here."

"I realized there were such people… so I dismissed the guild members and tried lying down beside him. The feeling of wind gently blowing was really comfortable... a warm, pleasant temperature lulled me to sleep, without any nightmares."

"It might have been the deepest sleep since arriving in this world, and upon waking in the evening, he still lay beside me with an impatient expression. That person was him..."

After she finished, Fang Wushang tightly grasped Ye Qiu's hand. Yet Ye Qiu felt extremely embarrassed inside. He slightly remembered that day, but...

"Sorry, Wushang… I didn't mean anything deep then, just wanted a nap..."

"Of course, I know. You don't need to explain such things to me!"

Fang Wushang pouted before turning to Xilin, listening to her speak:

"Since that day, I've slept deeply every night, realizing this is part of life; though different from before, undoubtedly a part of my life journey!"

Fang Wushang lowered her head, rubbing her eyes with gloved hands, then deeply inhaled.

"To me, Ye Qiu signifies the meaning of life over these years, the proof of my survival, and hope for tomorrow. I wielded the sword that day for this encounter. Mr. Xilin… though I might not be qualified to say this, I believe Mr. Nishida also has similar thoughts in this world."

Xilin blinked repeatedly, nodding several times. His glasses showed a glint of light. Ye Qiu too held back the heat in his eyes.

"…You're right, indeed..."

Xilin raised his head to gaze at the sky again, saying:

"Listening to Miss Fang Wushang's words earlier was a valuable experience. Of course, catching a fish over five meters is too… life truly shouldn't be easily surrendered. Don't readily give up."

Xilin nodded vigorously, then stood, his demeanor showed he let go of many things, looking enlightened.