A familiar, crisp voice rang out.
While stroking the Goshawk's stiff and smooth feathers, Lyle turned his head and looked toward the source of the voice.
Yaral approached with a brilliant smile and a light-footed trot; it was clear she was extremely happy.
Having resolved the threat of the Gray Dwarf tribe that had long weighed on the human race, everyone in the Oasis breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief.
Ever since meeting Yaral, she had consistently displayed a maturity and composure beyond her years. At this moment, however, Lyle saw the liveliness appropriate for her age.
"Lord Hero, why... why aren't you joining the bonfire party? There's plenty of delicious food."
Yaral spoke happily, but halfway through, her voice instinctively dropped in volume.
Gurgle~
Delicate sprays from the Active Water Source bubbled up from beneath the surface, forming crystal-clear droplets that rolled under the moonlight.
A warm night breeze blew, rustling the branches and leaves of the trees surrounding the water source with a soft sound.
In Yaral's vision, Lyle sat casually by the Active Water Source, while the half-person-high Goshawk crouched quietly by the Lord Hero's side, perfectly still.
The man and the hawk possessed an inexplicable sense of harmony with the quiet environment deep within the Oasis; her sudden arrival seemed to have broken that atmosphere instead.
In that instant...
A flash of gloom flickered through Yaral's bright-colored pupils.
She suddenly realized that the Lord Hero did not seem to belong to this Oasis, nor did he belong to the Valley of Despair.
Yaral suddenly remembered that when the Lord Hero introduced himself, he seemed to have said he was a "Traveler." She had even privately asked her father what a Traveler was.
"Plenty of delicious food? Then you all should eat more." Hearing Yaral's words, Lyle chuckled, then shrugged and spoke gently:
"I've already eaten. Besides, you all are far too hospitable; I'm still not quite used to such a fiery welcoming ceremony."
Yaral fell silent for a moment, stole a cautious glance at him, and whispered, "May I sit here? Lord Hero."
"Of course," Lyle nodded.
Yaral took a deep breath, pursed her lips, and leaned down. Her figure, showing graceful and firm curves against the reflection of the moonlight on the water, sat down beside Lyle.
"I've already begun to grasp the basics of the Martial Skill you taught me, Lord Hero," Yaral's crisp voice rang out as she hugged her legs.
A look of surprise flashed across Lyle's face.
Whether it was "Fourfold Slash of Light" or "Instant Reflex," only a few days had passed, yet Yaral had already managed to grasp the basics.
Such talent was even higher than he had initially anticipated.
"Thank you, Lord Hero," Yaral whispered.
"Hm?" Lyle responded.
"Actually, I'm also not quite used to everyone's excessive care and expectations."
"Since I was very young, everyone has been very lenient with me. No matter what mistake I made, I could easily get everyone's forgiveness. Sometimes, people would even take the blame for my mistakes."
"Especially when I was eight and easily defeated the tribe's hunters alone, the clansmen became even more lenient and expectant of me."
Yaral hugged her legs tighter, her pointed chin resting on her knees, her bright silver pupils staring at the bubbling water source ahead:
"From that time on, I trained very hard every day. I wanted to become strong to protect my father and protect everyone in the tribe."
"I wanted to live up to those expectations, and I especially didn't want to let everyone down."
"But I knew... I couldn't become a powerhouse like my grandfather who could truly protect everyone."
"If the Lord Hero hadn't appeared then, I suppose... I would already be dead."
As Yaral said this, she looked up slightly, her gaze becoming crystalline with tears:
"I'm not afraid of death at all, really, Lord Hero. I just... I just felt sorry for everyone, sorry for the clansmen's expectations."
"I failed... to protect them."
Looking at Yaral with tears in her eyes, Lyle raised his palm and pressed it lightly onto her short silver hair, rubbing it with a bit of force as he said gently, "You've already worked very hard, and you've done very well."
Whoosh~
Yaral suddenly raised her wheat-colored arms and tightly hugged Lyle's outstretched arm, then rested her head on his shoulder.
The sudden action left Lyle stunned.
For a moment, the air fell silent.
The Ghost Hound, transformed into a Goshawk, turned its head to watch this scene before turning away and shifting slightly to the side.
The starry sky of the Valley of Despair was dotted with stars, and the moon had moved directly overhead.
Lyle felt Yaral's breathing become smooth beside him. After a brief moment of thought, he stood up slightly and picked her up by the waist.
Opening the wooden hut behind him, he gently placed Yaral onto the wooden bed.
Lyle looked at Yaral, whose face was obscured by the darkness as she lay on her side. A look of a headache flashed across his face before he turned and left the hut.
Thump!
Suddenly, Yaral reached out and grabbed Lyle's hand.
"Lord Hero, you're leaving, aren't you... I, I..." Yaral's weak voice sounded in the darkness.
"Get a good night's sleep, Yaral."
Lyle didn't wait for Yaral to continue. He grasped her soft hand—its palm covered in hard calluses—once more, and while placing it back on the bed, he spoke gently:
"This will be a good sleep."
After saying that...
Lyle walked out of the wooden hut, closing the door behind him. He stood quietly by the Active Water Source, calmly gazing at the Oasis.
Time passed bit by bit, and about half an hour later...
Clan Chief Dielon appeared in the central area of the Oasis. Seeing Lyle standing by the water source, he visibly froze for a moment before quickly walking over.