Chapter 319:

“I need you, Sylvia.”

The sorcerer’s world was shrouded in dark clouds, devoid of any brilliance. The black sun hung high in the sky, twisted and menacing, casting an overwhelming despair over everything.

Having awakened from a thousand-year slumber, Sylvia had long grown accustomed to such a sight. But now, a new warmth appeared, urging her to step out of the darkness.

A false hero. A flawed hero. An insecure hero. Those labels were torn apart, leaving behind nothing but pure recognition.

“…Sorcerer, do you really mean it?”

The impostor hero asked hesitantly, lacking confidence in herself.

“Yes, Sylvia, your condition is very unique. My future research cannot proceed without you. If you don’t come with me, I’ll be troubled.”

The young sorcerer spoke his concerns sincerely. He was dedicated to studying life and death, and Sylvia’s unique body was the perfect subject for his research. So he invited her to leave with him. He needed her help. Yes, someone needed the impostor hero’s help.

“I… I…”

Her emerald eyes trembled violently, shimmering with an almost crystalline light, sometimes dimming, sometimes glowing brightly. At that moment, countless thoughts surged through her mind.

Her parents’ expectations. Her family’s honor. The cheers of her people.

In the end, all those beautiful memories of the past transformed into an invisible force. A gentle push against Sylvia’s back, urging her forward, guiding her toward the future, rather than chaining her to a sorrowful past.

“I am willing…”

“I am willing to help you…”

The hero named Sylvia Crowfield was needed once again. She had been a coward who ran from reality, a weakling afraid to face the truth. But this time, Sylvia wanted to try—step out of this land filled with memories. Because someone had said that he believed Sylvia was a true hero. Sylvia didn’t want to disappoint that trust.

A ridiculous scene unfolded. The hero fumbled around, patting herself down, then clumsily took out an old silver coin and nervously tried to hand it to Xu Xi.

“Sorcerer… Thank you…”

Even though it was Xu Xi who had asked the hero for help, she still tried to offer him money. As if she should be the one paying him. Her actions were cautious and hesitant, a mix of anxiety and nervousness. Xu Xi watched in silence for a moment.

“You don’t have to do this, Sylvia.”

He gently pushed the silver coin away, his voice warm. The one who truly owed something was him, not the girl who had already given so much.

“Come with me, Sylvia.”

The sorcerer extended his invitation again.

“Yes…”

This time, the hero did not refuse. She softly placed her hand in Xu Xi’s, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

The prologue of the hero’s tale had ended. Now, a new journey was about to begin—one she would embark on with the sorcerer.

The underworld’s corruption of the sorcerer’s world deepened. Xu Xi had endured a wave of ten thousand undead. He gained much and saved Sylvia Crowfield in time.

The lonely and pitiful girl had lost everything. There were no more people in her land to protect. From now on, she would face eternal solitude. Xu Xi invited the girl, saying she was essential to his future research. He did not lie.

Everything was the truth. Even though he had already gathered enough information, he looked at the pitch-black sun and thought this world was too tragic. He didn’t like such a story. The hero Sylvia decided to join his party.

The hero Sylvia accepted his request. The hero Sylvia was preparing to leave.

Atop the hill where her parents were buried, Sylvia placed a bouquet of small flowers before their gravestones. Due to the world’s corruption, the flowers were slightly dull in color, but they still carried a faint fragrance.

“Father.”

“Mother.”

“I’m leaving now…”

Her soft voice was carried away by the wind, growing fainter. Sylvia gazed at the gravestones, her sorrowful eyes lingering for a long time.

As if in silent response, a breeze swept over the grave, making the bouquet tremble. A single flower was torn from the rest, floating up into the air, spinning gently in the wind. Instinctively, Sylvia reached out—and caught it.

The wind whispered. Carried by that unseen force, Sylvia moved forward to meet Xu Xi. She was finally ready to set off.

The underworld sent forth the winds of destruction. The sorcerer’s world was on the brink of collapse. Before the world ended, Xu Xi wanted to complete his research on death and uncover the world’s origins. He and the hero Sylvia had formed a two-person team. Sylvia bid farewell to her parents. Sylvia closed the doors of her home.

She took one last look at her homeland.

Even though it was in ruins, her emerald eyes shimmered with an unusual light. Xu Xi thought, perhaps she was not looking at the present but at the Crowfield of a thousand years ago—the beautiful past that belonged to her.

In that past, her parents were still alive. The people still cheered for her. The land of Crowfield was still prosperous, filled with the songs of birds and the scent of flowers.

The Nether Crow flapped its long, skeletal wings. It carried Xu Xi and Sylvia, flying toward a distant and unknown horizon.

Sylvia still wasn’t used to flying. Her hands clung tightly to the gaps between the Nether Crow’s bones, afraid that if she let go, she would plummet. The cold wind of the skies made her even more tense.

“It’s alright, Sylvia. I already set up a protective barrier. Even if something happens, it’ll catch you.”

“But… but I’m still scared…”

Sylvia hesitated, unable to find the right words. Xu Xi couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

Time was the best teacher.

At first, Sylvia had been terrified of flying. But after seven or eight hours of continuous travel, she gradually adapted to the weightless sensation.

She even began observing the world below.

From this height, everything seemed infinitely small. There was an overwhelming silence—an absolute loneliness. Sylvia didn’t like this feeling.

But when she glanced at Xu Xi beside her, a strange sense of calm settled in her heart.

She suddenly remembered something.

“Sorcerer.”

“What is it, Sylvia?”

“In the future… will I still need to take off my armor?”

“Hmm, most likely, yes,” Xu Xi replied.

Sylvia looked troubled. She had a feeling that, after leaving with Xu Xi, she would get used to taking off her armor. That… didn’t seem to follow the Crowfield family’s rules.

Xu Xi, however, didn’t notice the girl’s dilemma. At that moment, he was already planning for her future. Since he had chosen to take Sylvia with him, then he would take full responsibility.

“Hmm… In terms of training, we’ll need to test whether she has talent as a sorcerer.”

“Also, her armor and weapons need replacing. The old ones are too damaged.”

“Fortunately, I learned artifact crafting in the White Crow Tower. I can use lighter and more fitted materials to enhance her combat abilities.”

Xu Xi suddenly recalled something from two years ago.

Back then, Sylvia had asked him—if it was possible for her to regain a normal body.

His hand paused for a moment. Silently, he added that to his list of plans.