NOVEL NEXT Chapter 147: What a Kind-Hearted Lady
"Whoa—"
Troy the horse stopped, his forest-green eyes vigilantly scanning ahead.
"Troy, why did we stop?" Luo Wei's crystal-clear voice rang out from inside the carriage.
Troy replied in a low voice, "There are people ahead."
"Chris, open the curtains."
"Yes, mistress."
The beautiful maid, kneeling at Luo Wei's feet, straightened up and drew back the carriage curtains.
Luo Wei leaned to look outside, immediately spotting over a dozen ragged herders standing on the glacial beach.
They had traveled faster than she had expected - the northerners were indeed physically robust.
"Troy, go ask who they are and why they're blocking the road," Luo Wei said calmly.
"Yes, my lady."
Troy spurred his horse forward toward the herders.
From a distance, Luo Wei watched as the herders all fell to their knees when they saw the knight approaching.
Though she couldn't hear what Troy said, a few minutes later, a tall woman stood up from the group.
They were too far away for Luo Wei to make out the woman's features, but she had a feeling it was Norma - the one who had dared to speak with the demon last night.
Troy glanced back at the carriage, exchanged a few more words with the woman, then turned his horse around and rode back.
"My lady, there's a commoner who wishes to see you. She says you're her benefactor and she has something to ask you."
"Oh?" Luo Wei feigned surprise. "What does she want to ask?"
Troy replied, "She wouldn't say - she'll only tell you in person."
"Well, they do look quite pitiful. Let's go meet them then," Luo Wei instructed. "Yves, drive forward."
"Yes, mistress!" Yves cracked the whip, directing the carriage toward the group of commoners.
Troy rode ahead to clear the way, with the carriage following in the middle, and Gal and Belial bringing up the rear as they approached the herders.
The elegant carriage came to a gentle stop. As the door opened, a pretty young maid stepped out.
The herders, still kneeling, cautiously raised their heads to peek curiously at the young lady.
She wore a dress woven from sheep's wool dyed with woad, with a soft and precious linen lining beneath the thick wool skirt.
Is this the noble lady protected by the knight? the herders wondered to themselves.
But then they saw the young lady turn back to the carriage, set down a small footstool by the door, and extend her hand in a supporting gesture.
In the sunlight, a delicate jade-like hand was placed in the maid's palm - the skin so fair it seemed to glow, without a single blemish.
Next came an exquisitely crafted kid leather boot, encasing a slender but not frail ankle, as it stepped lightly onto the footstool.
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A vibrant but not gaudy violet dress draped over the kid leather boots. The lace on the hem resembled daisies blooming in spring meadows, with round pearls and sparkling diamonds adorning the smooth, flowing fabric like morning dew reflecting light or the most brilliant night sky.
Following the dress upward was a shawl as light as clouds and as resplendent as the sunset's glow.
Above that was a head of thick, lustrous black hair.
The slightly curled long hair cascaded down her straight shoulders, with a few playful strands wrapping around to the front, making her neck appear as white as moonlight.
The herders only glimpsed up to the lady's neck before fearfully lowering their heads again.
They dared not look upon the noble lady's face - that would be too presumptuous.
Nor did they need to see her face - such magnificent attire could only frame an exceptionally beautiful countenance. Only angelic beauty would not be overshadowed by such resplendent dress.
The noble lady, assisted by her maid, descended from the carriage. Holding her skirts, she walked gracefully forward, stopping three meters away from them. Her voice clear as a flowing spring, she asked: "Who wished to see me?"
"Me, it was me, noble lady." Norma timidly raised her head and saw a face as radiant as flowers.
She was stunned - the demon lord hadn't mentioned her benefactor would be so beautiful.
"What is your name?" the noble lady asked.
"M-my name is Norma, my lady," Norma stammered in reply.
"Well then, Norma, what did you wish to know?"
Norma opened her mouth, but hesitated when she saw the knights and maids behind the lady.
Luo Wei raised her hand: "Troy, Chris, step back."
Troy and Chris retreated several steps, but remained not far behind her on either side.
Still somewhat uneasy, Norma fought down her fear and asked while bowing: "Noble lady, do you know of any free lands to the east?"
Luo Wei showed a surprised expression: "Free lands?"
"Y-yes." Norma looked at her hopefully.
"There is such a place," Luo Wei smiled. "Though I hear it's demon territory, beyond Narcisse Bay in the great sea. Perhaps you've heard of it?"
Norma's expression changed slightly: "Could it be... the Demon Sea?"
"Indeed," Luo Wei nodded. "There was an interesting piece of news recently - some mercenaries ventured into the Demon Sea and successfully landed on Demon Island."
"They say these mercenaries conquered the undead there and established a free city-state. They're building houses and laying roads now."
Norma's eyes widened slightly: "Noble lady, is this true?"
"I'm not certain whether it's true or false," Luo Wei patiently explained. "After all, I've never been to Demon Island myself."
"But I heard from my people that they received supply orders from Demon Island - it seems those people intend to settle there permanently."
"They apparently even carved a stone monument, saying they would take in homeless women and wandering children, shelter the unfortunate and followers of dark gods."
"What brave people indeed~" Luo Wei sighed.
But Norma was very excited - what the demon lord had said was true, there really was free land in the east.
Demon Island must be where the demon lord lived!
She had to go to Demon Island!
Seeing her excited expression, Luo Wei asked with feigned confusion: "Norma, do you wish to go to Demon Island as well?"
Norma quickly lowered her head: "No, no, noble lady. I was just asking. I'm sorry to have troubled you."
"Don't be afraid, Norma," Luo Wei covered her mouth and laughed softly. "I'm curious about that place too. If you truly wish to go, I can provide some assistance."
"Just don't forget to write me a letter after you arrive, telling me what it's like there, and whether there really are demons on the island."
"Please, Norma, I'm very curious about the mysterious legends of that place."
The young lady's clear voice took on a sweet, almost endearing tone. Norma, who had just lost two children, felt her heart soften and tears well up.
If the child she had birthed at fifteen hadn't died, they would be about the same age as this noble lady now.
Norma had given birth to five children after marriage, but only two had survived - and now she had none left.
"Thank you, my lady," she wiped her moist eyes. "I will definitely write to you."
Luo Wei broke into a radiant smile: "Then it's settled."
"Chris," she turned to call her maid, "give this lady a bag of coins and some bread."
"Yes, mistress."
Chris obediently went back to the carriage to fetch the money and bread.
Meanwhile, Luo Wei said to Norma: "Norma, I have a house in Sisda Town. You can find the owner of McAuley's Malt House - he'll take you to rest at my house."
"When you wish to go to Demon Island, you can tell him and he'll make arrangements."
Norma bowed deeply with emotion: "Thank you, kind lady."
"You're welcome." Luo Wei smiled in response.
Just then, Chris returned with a bag of silver coins and a bag of bread: "Mistress?"
"Give them to this lady."
Having received the kind noble lady's aid, grateful tears welled up in Norma's eyes.
For such precious gifts, she had no way to repay except to pray in her heart, hoping heaven would bless this beautiful and kind young lady.
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