Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“I ask only that your radiance shine upon me and protect me as I pursue the path toward the strength I desire.”

From what Xia Mingyu knew, the relationship between a medieval lord and his attendants or knights was actually one of mutual support.

Knights and attendants had to loyally offer everything to their lord, even their lives.

But at the same time, the lord also had a duty to protect them and give them proper respect.

If Xia Mingyu really had a kingdom of 1.4 billion people supporting him, then after Berg had saved his life from the wolves, he would have accepted Berg’s request without the slightest hesitation.

But the problem was...

Right now, he was nothing more than an outsider who possessed an Identity Blessing that sounded terrifyingly impressive, while in reality having absolutely nothing!

He had no way to fulfill Berg’s expectations.

Naturally, he should not accept Berg’s loyalty either.

Otherwise, when the truth was finally exposed one day, Xia Mingyu might end up just like that wolf...

With an arrow from an enraged Berg buried straight in his eye.

Time slowly passed.

The enthusiasm on Berg’s face gradually began to stiffen.

He realized that something was wrong.

So he turned his gaze toward Anliya beside Xia Mingyu, silently asking for help.

He hoped that this kind older sister, who had watched him grow up since childhood, would help him at this crucial moment in his life.

In Berg’s eyes, his beautiful sister, who looked as if the Goddess of Love herself had descended into the mortal world, had already spent three days living together with this noble prince.

Surely, by now, they had already developed an intimate relationship.

In that case, asking her to put in a good word for him should still be within His Highness’s tolerance.

Feeling Berg’s pitiful gaze, Anliya finally began to feel sorry for him.

Her lips moved, and she was just about to speak when Robert suddenly pressed firmly down on her shoulder.

Anliya looked at her adoptive father in confusion.

She knew how highly Robert valued Berg.

He had practically raised Berg as though he were his own son.

But Robert merely shook his head firmly.

Although he felt sorry for Berg, he had to save this precious and possibly only opportunity for that matter.

Seeing his response, Anliya could only give Berg a helpless look.

Xia Mingyu, who had lowered his head and fallen deep into thought, did not notice the silent exchange between the three of them.

After a long time, he finally spoke.

“I’m sorry. I need a few more days to think about this.”

Xia Mingyu sighed softly, and a trace of apology flashed through his dark eyes.

After thinking it over again and again, he decided to give himself a few more days.

After all...

What if some cheat ability really did suddenly appear?

The moment Berg heard those words, the enthusiasm on his face was immediately replaced by deep disappointment.

In his eyes, this was clearly a polite rejection commonly used by nobles.

Even though I saved your life, someone as noble as you still isn’t willing to accept a lowborn person like me as your attendant?

Berg forcibly suppressed the unwillingness and disappointment in his heart.

He stood up, bent slightly at the waist in farewell, then turned around and left with his head lowered and shoulders drooping.

Anyone could see the loneliness in his back.

“Your Highness, I still have matters in the village that require my attention, so I shall take my leave as well.”

After Berg left, Robert also excused himself.

Soon, only Xia Mingyu and Anliya remained inside the wooden house.

Xia Mingyu thought for a moment before saying,

“Miss Anliya, could you take me around the village?”

He had stayed inside this wooden house for three whole days in order to learn the language.

It was about time he went outside for some fresh air.

At the same time, he could gather more information about this world.

After all, no matter how much someone told him, it could never compare to seeing things with his own eyes.

“It would be my honor, Your Highness.”

The blonde girl stood on her toes and lightly lifted the hem of her linen dress before giving him a small bow.

Her clothes were simple and even had several patches.

Yet her graceful movements and delicate, fair face made her look like Cinderella from a fairy tale.

Unfortunately, Cinderella eventually married a prince.

And Xia Mingyu was nothing more than one ordinary person among 1.4 billion people.

A trace of regret flashed through his eyes.

...

It was currently afternoon.

Sunlight passed through the thin clouds and scattered across the winding dirt paths of the village, covering the ground in a soft layer of golden light.

After Xia Mingyu and Anliya followed the dirt path for some time, circles of lush green fruit trees appeared before them.

Bright red fruits hung among the deep green leaves like shining rubies.

The entire orchard looked like a beautiful and carefully painted oil painting.

The air was also filled with a rich, fresh fruity fragrance that immediately made one’s mouth water.

At the very least, Xia Mingyu’s appetite had already been awakened.

Back on Blue Star, he had been nothing more than a poor university student.

There was no way he could afford this kind of completely natural organic fruit.

Anliya noticed his expression.

A smile appeared on her face.

“Your Highness, would you like to try one?”

Xia Mingyu nodded heavily.

Hearing this, the girl walked lightly toward the largest tree in the orchard.

It was a towering tree that would require four or five people joining hands to wrap around its trunk.

It was also dozens of meters tall.

The fruits growing on it were the brightest red of all.

“Uncle Xinpu!”

Anliya waved toward a middle-aged villager standing high on a ladder and picking fruit.

At the same time, she shouted loudly toward him.

She used so much strength that her normally clear and pleasant voice even cracked slightly.

Hearing her voice, the villager lowered his head in confusion.

When he saw Anliya waving at him, he smiled.

But the moment he noticed the young man standing beside her, with a long string of white words floating above his head, his expression instantly turned terrified.

“Y-Y-Your... Your Highness!”

Xinpu stumbled.

He almost fell straight off the ladder.

Fortunately, he managed to grab hold of it in time.

Otherwise, from such a height, he would probably have fallen to his death.

But in Xinpu’s mind, his own death was a small matter.

If his death dirtied His Highness’s eyes and caused the prince’s anger to fall upon the most beautiful flower in their village—Anliya—then his sin would be unforgivable.

Even if he died, he would never forgive himself.

Thinking of this, Xinpu became as agile as a monkey climbing a tree.

He quickly climbed down the ladder.

“G-Greetings... noble Your Highness.”

Xinpu dropped onto all fours, pressing himself against the ground.

His voice trembled with nervousness, as though every word was being squeezed through his clenched teeth.

“Wuer.”

Xia Mingyu spoke softly.

The word meant “Rise.”

As for Kala, it meant “Withdraw.”

Only after receiving permission did the villager stand up again.

Even then, he kept his waist bent respectfully.

Anliya spoke gently,

“Uncle Xinpu, His Highness would like to taste some fruit from our orchard. Please offer him the sweetest fruit you picked today.”

Her clear, bell-like voice sounded even sweeter than the fruity fragrance filling the air.

“Of course! This is an honor for our Fruit Basket Village!”

Xinpu, who had been unbelievably nervous just moments ago, instantly became excited.

His face turned red as he put down the basket full of fruit from his back.

Then he buried his hands inside the pile and began searching through it.

A moment later, he carefully lifted a fruit with both hands.

It was so red that it had almost turned purple, and its skin was smooth like silk.

With both hands, Xinpu respectfully presented it to Xia Mingyu.