Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

Aru Village, located outside the magnificent windbreak of the city of wisdom, belongs to the vast and harsh Great Red Sand Sea region and is the most important and largest settlement in this boundless desert.

While controlling a character to explore the map in the game, I didn't feel much of a sensation. But when I was actually there, with my feet on the scorching sand and the dry, hot wind carrying sand blowing in my face, I truly understood what the "passion" of the desert meant.

In just a moment, my facial skin became tight and dry, my lips also became dry, and every breath was accompanied by a slight stinging sensation like sandpaper rubbing against my skin.

The most uncomfortable part was my eyes. Even when I tried to squint, the tiny specks of sand still seeped in, causing my eyes to constantly well up with tears in an attempt to wash away these annoying foreign objects, but my vision remained blurry.

Ultimately, she had no choice but to give in, as Elhesen, expressionless yet precise, pried open her eyelids and dripped in specially made eye drops to relieve the irritation of the sandstorm. The cool drops brought instant relief, but the awkwardness of being "operated" on by him at such close range made the traveler feel somewhat uncomfortable.

The boots sank deep into the soft sand, requiring extra effort to lift each step. Not to mention the desert winds, which not only blew people about but also whipped sand grains up like countless tiny whips, lashing at their clothes and exposed skin.

The traveler now wholeheartedly agrees with one truth: when undertaking any activity in a desert region, checking the weather forecast beforehand and avoiding windy days is absolutely a wise move.

However, after the group struggled through the natural rock archway, which had been eroded by wind and sand and featured strange holes and smooth patterns, it was as if they had crossed some invisible barrier.

Inside and outside the door, there were two worlds. The raging sandstorm suddenly subsided until it almost disappeared, and even the strands of hair stopped flying wildly and fell obediently to the shoulders.

Aru Village is cleverly nestled among rocky mountains on all sides. Its unique geographical location forms a natural fortress, blocking most of the wind and sand and harsh climate, and protecting the people who struggle to survive in this oasis.

These rocky mountains are not as towering and compact as the Liyue Mountains. They are relatively gentle, providing protection without excessively blocking the precious sunlight, allowing the villages to bask in the necessary warmth and light.

The traveler raised her hand to shield her eyes from the still somewhat scorching sunlight, even amidst the rocky mountains. Through her slightly parted fingers, she saw a slender figure walking steadily towards them from the direction of the village, treading on the cobblestone path worn smooth by time.

The newcomer had long, calm blue hair, as deep as the ocean, carefully braided and adorned with desert-style gold hair accessories.

Her healthy, caramel-colored skin shimmered with a delicate glow in the sunlight, further highlighting her heterochromatic eyes—one blue and one gold—like refined gemstones, clear and mysterious.

She wore a dress with a desert flair, the skirt swaying gently with her steady steps, the metal waist chain, armlets and other ornaments she wore clinking together and making a crisp, melodious, rhythmic "jingle" sound.

For travelers, this face is not unfamiliar. It is Candice, the guardian of Aru Village.

Slightly different from the impression of the game model in her memory, Candice's clothes in front of her were not characterized by "saving fabric", but were more appropriate and practical, taking into account both protection in the desert environment and ease of movement.

Even so, the lines of her arms and waist, faintly visible beneath her dress, were not slender and delicate, but rather covered with a layer of well-proportioned and beautiful muscles, exuding a restrained sense of strength. Her elegant and composed demeanor could not conceal her guardian aura.

"The sandstorm outside must be fierce. It's kind of you all to brave this weather to come all this way." Candice's voice was gentle yet clear, like a clear spring, quietly soothing the travelers' agitated mood caused by the sandstorm: "Come with me and wipe your faces to clean off the dust. We can talk about the rest over a cup of tea."

*

Whether it was because they were extremely thirsty after the long journey or because the water source in Aru Village was truly special, the water that Candice brought them tasted exceptionally refreshing and sweet, instantly quenching their thirst.

"You must be Miss Lü Ren, right? Let me formally introduce myself. I am Candice, the guard of Aru Village." Candice handed the traveler a clean towel that was damp, half-wrung out, and had a faint, fresh, unknown floral scent. Her movements were natural and considerate.

"Yes, that's me." The traveler took the towel and wiped the sand from her cheeks and neck, while asking with some curiosity, "But how do you know my name?" As soon as she asked the question, she already had a general idea in her mind.

Most likely it was because he had caused quite a stir in Sumeru City, and as the guardian, Candice would have known about it with a little inquiry.

“Not long ago, I had the privilege of visiting Sumeru City and witnessing the Root Prayer Ceremony at the Zuber Theater.” Candice smiled slightly, her heterochromatic eyes filled with appreciation. “It was there that I was able to witness Miss Lu Ren’s Prayer Dance, which left a deep impression on me.”

"Haha, please excuse my poor appearance." In front of a true beauty like Candice, with her unique temperament and outstanding looks, the traveler couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

“It seems your two companions aren’t very good at introducing you,” Candice said, her gaze sweeping over the silent Elhesen and Seno with a hint of amusement. “Looks like we’ll have to get to know each other ourselves.”

Clearly, she had no idea how to handle social etiquette.

"Not friends, just temporary partners on a mission," Seno immediately corrected, his tone as businesslike as ever, his face expressionless.

Ha, now they're trying to distance themselves, calling themselves "temporary partners." But what about when they were outside my door, letting me "choose him"?

Man...

But... that makes sense, since he doesn't remember the more complex interactions from the previous cycles.

The traveler shook his head silently in his heart, without saying a word.

“Yes, not friends.” Al-Hysen spoke up, his tone calm and even, but the content was as impactful as ever: “She was my ex-girlfriend.”

The traveler had lost count of how many times she'd heard Elhesen define their relationship so bluntly. Strangely, every time he said it, she had a vague feeling that there was something about him—a hint of boasting?

Although she couldn't understand what was so great about it.

"Let's get straight to the point." Seno seemed uninterested in the conversation that had strayed off-topic. He glanced in a certain direction outside: "The informant we arranged is late. We don't need to wait any longer. We're short on time."

So... there was supposed to be a fourth person participating today?

who can that be?

A question crossed the traveler's mind, but he did not ask it aloud.

“Well then, let’s get started.” Candice’s expression turned serious, regaining the composure of a guardian: “First, it’s about that suspicious caravan. The timeline is a bit messed up under the influence of the demon god. It feels like a few days ago, but according to the corrected timeline, it was probably a few months ago.”

“At that time, an unfamiliar caravan requested to enter Aru village, but I refused. They claimed to be carrying rare goods, but their demeanor and behavior were suspicious, and their guards were too capable, unlike ordinary merchants.”

"Later I heard that they temporarily settled in a small settlement closest to Aru village. Shortly after that, people began to disappear in Aru village and the surrounding area. Most of the missing were villagers or travelers who went out alone at night, and almost no valuable clues were left at the scene." Candice's tone became serious: "The sand dunes in the desert change direction with the wind all the time, and the tracks are easily buried, making large-scale searches extremely difficult."

“When we finally tracked down that small settlement, the caravan had already vanished without a trace, as if they had evaporated into thin air, leaving no clear clues as to their whereabouts.” She paused, then continued.

“Until the night before last, a reputable caravan that had long-standing dealings with our village of Aru encountered a sudden sandstorm after passing through another desert settlement, forcing them to continue their journey under the cover of darkness. When they passed near the ruins of the Red King, they witnessed an… unusual sight.”

Candice's gaze swept over the three people present, and she slowly said, "According to the mercenaries who were protecting the merchants at the time, they saw an unusually tall but roughly human-shaped black shadow flash by among the ruins in the moonlight and sandstorm. What was even more unsettling was that they also vaguely heard several... extremely shrill screams, like those made by humans."

“However, when we received the news and rushed to the Red King’s ruins for a detailed investigation as quickly as possible…” Candice shook her head, her heterochromatic eyes filled with confusion and vigilance: “There was nothing there. No footprints, no signs of battle, no indication of any recent human or large creature activity. Everything was eerily calm, as if the entire caravan had collectively experienced the same auditory hallucination that night, seeing phantoms in the desert.”