I was attracted by Sandora's exclamation. When I came to the table to take a look, I discovered that there were only some books and manuscripts that didn't look strange. There weren't any technological traces like the spaceship blueprints that we had been looking for, nor were there any frightening Imperial Army insignia printed on them. (Speaking of which, I often encountered the non-flammable trash of the Empire, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Imperial Army insignia no matter where I went.) Among the books, there was an exquisite printed matter, while the rest were obviously manuscripts and things that were mimeographed using primitive methods.
"What's so strange about it?" I remembered that I shouldn't touch other people's things, but it shouldn't be a problem to flip through a few pages. However, I didn't discover anything after flipping through them. I didn't recognize any of the words on them. They were twisted and crooked like scribbles.
"Pay attention to the quality of the printing," Sandora's ball landed on the only printed matter. She bounced lightly twice, but realized that she didn't have any hands, so she continued bouncing around. "Flip two more pages. I can't flip the pages …"
Such an adorable ball of light covered in blood actually emitted Sandora's majestic voice. I was instantly hit in the bullseye. I could only press on the soft and warm ball of light as I muttered, "Can you not act so cute? You are a queen after all. Even if you are temporarily a ball, you still have to maintain some elegance. I don't believe that you can't flip the pages!"
"Tsk, it will be more troublesome to physically control Soul Sparks. This is an unmanned drone that specializes in interfering with energy bodies and consciousness. Furthermore, the one in front of you is a small one. How can it have so many functions? Why don't you let the single soldier mech do some embroidery instead?" Sandora's ball of light jumped onto my shoulder in dissatisfaction. A golden thread extended from the surface of the ball of light as she flipped open the printed matter. She really did have this ability. "Also, I don't know how to act cute. Why are you paying attention to such a strange place?"
Sandora's tone was serious. Even though she was just a ball, I could hear her majestic demeanor from her tone. It seemed that the queen really didn't feel that there was anything wrong with her current actions. This was the highest level of acting cute, naturally cute …
"Look here." Sandora used the golden thread to point at the patterns at the corner of the page, as well as the hidden colored reflections under the patterns. "This is the effect that can only be achieved by a high-precision printing machine. These colored reflections should have something to do with laser technology. They can also produce a special reflection of ultraviolet rays. Perhaps, they are some kind of security marking."
Only then did I realize that something was wrong. So, this book is a high-tech product?
Actually, I couldn't be blamed for my carelessness. It was mainly because I had seen a lot of books. Although the Shiring Apostles wouldn't use physical printed products if it wasn't necessary, they were still used to living on Earth for decades. The living habits of so many ordinary races in the City of Shadows were also there. More importantly, the Imperial Army Military Academy had a special system. Bubble, Lamp, and the other girls had been procrastinating their homework at home. I was already numb to this kind of printed matter. It wasn't strange for me to see an exquisite printed book in such a backward place. However, Sandora was observant and she immediately noticed the problem.
"This planet … at least from what we have seen so far, no longer has this kind of sophisticated technology. We can't be sure if the space station in the sky was created by their ancestors. But in any case, they have nothing to do with advanced technology," Sandora said softly. "This book looks relatively new. It should be a product of recent years. And according to the situation that Mother Aylu just read, the locals here are not unfamiliar with this kind of sophisticated printing … Ah Jun, what do you think is going on? "
"Who knows? I don't have a high imagination." I shrugged. "Maybe their technology has collapsed, but only their printing technology remained? Or maybe there are other places on the planet with advanced technology, and the place we are staying is actually a primitive ecological reserve? "
Sandora was surprised. "Your imagination is not bad. Unfortunately, there is no reference value."
I scratched my face awkwardly. "Sigh, it's not an important problem anyway. Let's take our time to study it. Let's put this aside for now. Are we still unable to contact the Empire? "
"We can't contact them. There is a strange interference. This interference environment seems to have enveloped the entire universe. Even the world barrier and a large area outside the barrier are not normal." Sandora's voice suddenly became serious. "I tried to get the Empire Admiral to create some space probes, but they lost contact not long after they left the world barrier. I'm not sure if they were destroyed by something or simply interfered with."
"Hmm …" I looked down at my hands. I instantly turned into the void, then returned to my normal state. "Then don't go out recklessly. It is a big deal to seal the entire universe to this extent. Both of us are now in a half-dead state. Be careful. I don't want to die in the void after we have won the war with so much difficulty. Not to mention, you have just used up all your resurrection tokens."
"Why does it sound so weird when you say it even though it's normal?" Sandora muttered. Then, she suddenly turned invisible again. At the same time, I heard footsteps coming from the direction of the wooden stairs. The first one to run down was the mischievous Aylu. The little girl seemed especially happy. "Scholar, scholar! The room is ready! But do you want to eat first? My mother's cooking is delicious! "
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Boss." I smiled and nodded at Aylu's mother who had just walked down. I tried to make myself look like a scholar (although I don't know what kind of temperament a scholar on this planet should have).
"Just call me Celine." Aylu's mother nodded politely. Then, she looked at my attire curiously. "I can't tell if you are from the north or the south. If you are from the southern duchies, you might not be used to the spicy soup here. "
I really wanted to say that I was from the north, but I still answered vaguely, "It's okay. I'm not afraid of spicy food. Home cooked food is fine." As I said that, I took out some scones from my pocket. "I just happen to have some dry food that I brought from home. Let's eat together later. You don't have such things here."
Celine bowed slightly. Her etiquette was impeccable. Then, she turned around and walked to the kitchen. Aylu waited for her mother to leave before she rushed over excitedly. "This smells so good! Aylu wants to try it! Why didn't I smell it on you just now? "
Nonsense, I just put it in my portable space!
I sat down at the dining table in the main hall and curiously looked at Aylu, who was running around excitedly with me. "Why do you look so happy? Is it such a good thing to have someone to stay with? "
"Because the family hotel is finally going to reopen!" Aylu jumped on the chair next to me. "In the future, this place will be lively again. There will be many adventurers passing by. Mom won't be staring at those books every day. And … maybe Dad will come back!"
"Dad?" Only now did I realize why I always felt that something was missing here. "That's right, Aylu. It seems that only you and your mom are here? Only the two of you live in such a big house? Did your dad go out? "
"Well, Mom said Dad is an adventurer. He went to explore a faraway place and it will be many years before he comes back." Aylu wriggled restlessly on the chair. "It's not that I don't have a father. It's just that Dad went out. Dad is a very powerful person. Although he left when he was very young, I still remember that he could wield a very, very big axe. People say that he used to be a warrior, the very powerful kind. "
So this is a family with a story … But when Celine explained to her daughter the question "Where did Dad go?", it really felt like déjà vu. My first reaction was that her father had died. These days, "went to a faraway place" has no other meaning.
But Aylu still looked carefree and believed that her father was a heroic adventurer. Sooner or later, he would end his adventure and return home. So, Aylu's interest in adventurers is also related to her father?
I didn't have time to ask too much. Celine's voice came from the direction of the kitchen. Aylu immediately jumped down from the chair and ran to help with the dishes. This little girl, who looks to be only about ten years old, ran around like the wind. It seems that she is already used to helping with these household chores. I felt too embarrassed to just sit on the chair and wait for food, so I quickly went to help. A moment later, a table full of dishes was placed on the table.
The ecological environment of this planet is highly similar to Earth. Although the style of food is a little strange, it is "common" to Earth. This is what I confirmed in the tavern before, so I don't have to worry about eating anything strange.
The staple food of the local food looks like a whole piece of soft pasta. When eating, it needs to be cut with a long knife. The side dishes are a variety of vegetable soups. The color is a little strange, but the taste is not bad. The scones I brought were made by Anveena. It seems that they are just in line with the local taste. Celine and Aylu highly praised it. The little girl took three bites on my hand as proof. Since we are not very familiar with each other, it is not convenient for me to directly ask about their family affairs. I can only talk about some irrelevant topics first, looking for an opportunity to ask about the origin of the printed book. At this time, Aylu suddenly asked loudly with a happy expression, "Mom, there are more and more adventurers now. Do you think Dad will go back to town with them?"
I immediately sneaked a glance at Celine. Sure enough, the expression on Celine's face changed slightly, but she hid it well. She quickly put on a gentle expression and smiled at Aylu, "Yes, he will definitely come back … And even if he doesn't come back, he will definitely ask the other adventurers to write some letters and diaries to come back home, just like before. He is a busy man, doing very important things outside. Aylu just needs to grow up well. That way, your father won't have to worry about things at home. Okay, okay, hurry up and eat. The soup is getting cold. "
Aylu was very obedient in front of her mother. She immediately buried her head in the bowl of soup and began to eat. I could not help but look at Celine again. This seemingly ordinary housewife, a single mother who has to take care of a daughter, was unusually gentle and elegant at the table. Although I am not sure what the dining etiquette of the nobles on this planet is like, ordinary people certainly do not eat with a knife, cut the bread into thousands of pieces, and then dip it in the vegetable soup in order. No matter which world I go to, only the 'nobles' who are so well-educated that they almost have obsessive-compulsive disorder will tirelessly abuse their food at the table. Of course, the first family of the Schilling family is a strange species.
As expected, Shadora's ball began to roll on the table. Others couldn't see her, but I could see her circling around every plate of food while muttering, "I'm not happy … I'm not happy … I'm not happy …"
"Why is the table shaking a little?" Celine frowned and looked at the soup bowl. "Aylu, don't shake your legs when you eat. You need to understand etiquette."
I quickly pulled Sandora's ball over and told her to stay still. Then, I pretended to not care and changed the topic, "By the way, did Aylu say that her father is also an adventurer? Did he go out? "
"… Ah, he has been gone for a long time. I don't know where in the world he is now digging for antiques." Celine was stunned for a moment, then showed a seemingly normal smile, "At that time, Aylu was only three or four years old. She probably doesn't remember much about her father."
"I remember! Dad is very powerful, isn't he? "Aylu immediately raised her head and retorted," Also, Dad often sends people to bring back letters. He is outside killing monsters. I like to read Dad's diary. In the mountains to the east, there is a huge … "
Once again, Aylu began to talk about those bizarre heroic deeds. The battle between the brave and the dragon, the burning sulfur forest, the buried treasures in the ancient city and so on. These stories sounded so familiar. As long as I changed them a little, I would be able to see the "tour guide" that the little girl told me when she brought me around the town. I think I already knew where these stories came from. It was not a knight novel at all, and it was the so-called "letters sent back by my father".
"Eat your food, hurry up and go back to your room to study," Celine finally interrupted her daughter's explosive story. Then, she smiled at me embarrassedly, "Sorry, this child likes to cause trouble … She worships her father very much."
I showed a look of understanding, "It's okay, I also have a group of … Well, they are more troublesome than Aylu."
It's more than troublesome! Four months ago, Little Lamp urged Little Bubble to make a "big firework", but the City of Shadows had to launch three waves of interceptors to blow it down from outer space. Three months ago, Fox brought Xiaoxue back to her "mother's house" to visit her relatives, and the entire Monster Town almost migrated to Mars to live in the sanctuary. Two months ago, Liliana fought with Little Lamp … Even now, there were still bullet casings in the World Tree Garden that hadn't been cleaned up.
In comparison, Aylu, who was just a little whimsical and had a lot of common sense, was as pure as a piece of paper.
Children eat easily, so Aylu quickly finished the dinner in front of her. She sensibly cleaned up her own dishes and ran back to her room, leaving only Celine and me in the living room.
Of course, there was also a ball of light that broke free and continued to roll on the table: Sandora had unknowingly become a natural Cutie.
"Is Aylu's father really an adventurer?" Since we've already started this topic, it was less awkward for me to ask. "Look at that child's words, but her stories are really not credible. Oh right, I'm just asking casually, it's fine if you don't want to tell me. "
"There's nothing I can't say. Aylu's father is indeed an adventurer, but …" Celine sighed, looking a little sad. "I haven't heard from him for a long time, I … hope he will come back."
Sure enough, the 'letters from her father' that Aylu received all these years were actually forged by Celine … It was really a touching story, but when I thought of Aylu's imaginative stories and strange worldview, I couldn't help but complain to Celine: Madam, it's a waste of your talent that you don't write novels!
After all, it was a private matter of her own family, so it was impossible for her to tell a stranger too much. Celine only briefly talked about Ailu's father and didn't continue. But I was still able to form a complete story based on her words and my own imagination.
Aylu's father was indeed an adventurer, and he was quite famous when he was young. He and Celine also met after an adventure, but that was before Aylu was born. To be exact, Aylu's father gave up his dangerous life after his daughter was born.
After the birth of their daughter, the couple decided to stay in this quiet town. They used the money they had saved during their adventures to buy a big house and opened a hotel here. They planned to give their daughter a stable environment to grow up in. So far, the story was pretty good.
But as many people have already guessed, for a story to be told on such an occasion, it would be strange if the family lived a stable life. When Aylu was four years old, she had a strange illness.
Celine didn't elaborate on what happened that year, but even if she only said a few words, I could guess what was going on. It was nothing more than a child's illness that caused the family to have no money to support them. So, Aylu's father once again took the equipment from his adventure and went on a journey with a small group that passed by the town.
In the first two years, there were letters and money sent home, and it was with this money that Aylu's illness was cured. But when Aylu's father learned that his daughter had recovered, he wrote his last letter and happily mentioned that he had set foot on the way home … there was no more news from him.
"He probably won't ever come back," Celine sighed. "Fortunately, life is still going on … Although in the past two years, there have been fewer travelers coming to the town to do business with the elves, and we can't even open a shop, there are still other ways to make a living. Hey, I've said a lot of unnecessary things to you. "
"No, I should apologize. I think I asked something I shouldn't have asked," I said awkwardly. In return, Celine gave me a carefree smile. "It's okay, I'm used to it after so many years. The first few years were even more difficult than now."
Is Aylu's father alive or dead? Now it seems that this story doesn't have a clear ending, but according to Celine … the man who went out to adventure for his daughter didn't abandon his wife and son, but after hearing that his daughter had recovered, he happily went home and lost contact with him. So, I'm afraid there's nothing more to say.
While I was thinking in silence, Celine quietly cleaned up the tableware on the table, and then suddenly whispered, "May the God of Science and Technology bless Aylu, now she's the only one left."
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