One-Eyed Monster

Perkins’ sentiments made Igor feel a bit uneasy.

After all, someone who always had a smile suddenly turning serious felt a bit strange.

Moreover, to Igor, Perkins’ wish seemed quite ordinary, far more ordinary than traveling the world.

So to Igor, this wish was nothing special.

But Hustace didn’t see it that way; after experiencing such a misunderstanding earlier, he realized that many things were not as he thought.

Hustace thought if Perkins shared this experience at the Yonder Travel Academy, it would take a lot of effort.

Because not many people can understand these things.

If he were to loudly boast about the beauty of Queen Wensi and his dealings in the tavern with Dwarves like earlier, the students at the Yonder Travel Academy would definitely laugh out loud.

After all, the students at the Yonder Travel Academy are young and enthusiastic; having learned a bit, they would think they understand the entire world, just like what Perkins said earlier.

Hustace sighed, as wasn’t he just like that earlier, thinking he understood everything, believing that Brother Perkins was trapped in his own world and couldn’t extricate himself, only to discover that the one truly trapped in his own world was himself.

Perkins sighed for a while without speaking, perhaps tired from talking, or maybe waiting for others’ feedback.

After all, he had spoken for so long with no significant reaction from others, he himself would feel bored.

The initial novelty might attract people, but what followed had a bit of personal emotion which gradually would bore people.

This pause was actually quite beneficial.

To prevent others from becoming overly bored and giving up listening to his narrative altogether.

”Boring things keep happening, and we have no preparation.” Perkins began to sigh aimlessly again, as if sighing was a daily unpleasantness for him.

No one could understand what he meant by that.

What Perkins was sighing about were his experiences during his travels over the years, and what he experienced most was war.

War repeatedly disrupted his steps, and he didn’t know why these wars occurred.

Fortunately, he didn’t lose himself due to these wars, nor did he lose his life because of them; he learned to protect himself very well.

He thought the boring things were wars, the arrival of which left him unprepared.

It was a painful experience, every time he thought about it, he couldn’t help but feel sad, and sometimes he would even shed tears.

He was lucky, as many of his companions died along the way, all because of war.

Now he can return to his homeland, but who can say for sure whether another war would break out after he goes back.

Star River, the border river. The contentious border river where so many have lost their lives.

The river divides Vero and Kayne, causing these two Empires to constantly have friction here.

Some say, sometimes they find the waters of Star River are red…

Perkins recalled his encounter at Star River, which could only be described as brutal and horrific, and he didn’t want to think about it any longer.

”Let me tell you, many times, we’re doing these boring things, it’s just that many people don’t realize what’s boring about them, we should have love on us, not hate.” Perkins remained silent for a while and then began to speak again.

”We feel the same way!” Igor sighed along.

Hustace couldn’t take it anymore; he felt goosebumps all over, thinking these two’s sentiments were overly idealistic.

Perhaps, previously, Hustace was also this naive, but this trip to Guru Mountain made him realize that many things were not as he imagined, and many things in the books were different.

Everyone must experience it to understand what helplessness truly means.

Hustace realized he wasn’t cut out to be an Adventurer; despite being flattered by many at the academy, he knew those were not genuine praises, but sometimes he would still get carried away by the compliments.

This time, following Igor, though Igor himself didn’t know about it, during this expedition to Guru Mountain, he learned that he was clueless about outdoor living; if not for Qi Liu, he would still be a sheltered flower protected by the League Guard, needing someone to arrange things even to step outside.

Now he still felt he couldn’t stand on his own, although he knew quite a bit, compared to Qi Liu, Igor, and Brother Perkins, the things he knew were insubstantial, lacking any texture.

If thrown to the ground, it couldn’t produce a loud sound, only a dull thud.

The books ultimately were just references; to truly gain rewards, one must practice and venture out on their own!

This was Hustace’s biggest takeaway.

But many things aren’t understood by everyone, because everyone has their own views; Igor has his views, Nakasha has his, and what each person thinks can’t be completely identical.

This is free will, this existence distinguishes people from others.

Now in the carriage, Igor and Perkins sighed about filling this world with love, while Hustace pondered his own gains. Stan Sol had already closed his eyes to rest, having received the information he wanted, he refrained from asking more, and as for Nakasha, his heart was still uneasy, as he had offended Governor Rostov’s adoptive son, and because of their relationship, caused Rostov’s son to lose many precious potions.

Each person harbors their own thoughts, contemplating their affairs. No one really knows what the others are thinking.

Now in this carriage, perhaps only Qi Liu remained the simplest, driving the carriage, watching the road, indifferent to other disputes...

Unknowingly, the sun had risen high; the extreme winter weather was becoming increasingly less apparent.

The ”Welcome the New” festival was fast approaching; after all the revelry, everyone calmed down, as the new year was about to arrive, and each had to embark anew.

Whether heading to the battlefield or returning home, they would meet the new year with enthusiasm.

The carriage ran, and behind them, the steam car puffed along, each with different moods.

Igor and Perkins had sighed a lot; at this moment, looking out through the window, the sunlight was warm but not blinding, yet inside him, emotions had been tumbling for a long time. Returning to Luona, he had a lot to do. This adventure had indeed brought him too many insights.