【 I HAVE RETURNED 】

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Chosen City prohibited players from flying within its boundaries, so Cypher had not brought any mounts with him this time.

He glanced at the map interface hovering before his eyes, weighed the distance and route for a moment, then decisively hailed a carriage waiting by the roadside.

The driver, an elven NPC, responded with practiced ease, clearly accustomed to ferrying players across the ever-busier city.

As more and more residents of the Demirealm of Ouros were purified into full-blooded elves and half-elves, the number of elven NPCs working in Chosen City continued to rise.

In that process, carriage-based transportation similar to taxis on Earth naturally began to emerge.

This development was only natural.

Chosen City had grown vast, far larger than it had been in its early days. Even with teleportation arrays connecting key locations, traveling solely on foot could still be inconvenient, especially for players moving between districts.

Although players could disable physical fatigue through their settings, when an easy and efficient means of transportation was readily-made available, there was little incentive to walk long distances across the city.

After all, not everyone enjoyed the somewhat comical parkour-style of walking that involved hopping across rooftops, leaping over walls, and bouncing along narrow ledges.

Thus, the emergence of carriages provided clear benefits,with players gaining comfort and convenience, while elven NPCs gained stable employment and purpose within the city’s growing economy, making it a genuine win-win situation for both sides.

Similar developments could be found throughout the whole Elven Forest.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of Cypher. A red-haired elf from the Rageblaze Clan leaned out and asked,

“Chosen One, where would you like to go?”

“To Mirovia’s teleportation point,” Cypher replied.

“Understood,” the elf answered respectfully.

Cypher boarded the carriage, which began to move at a steady pace.

Outside the window, the scenery slowly receded.

He gazed absentmindedly at the buildings sliding past on either side, his thoughts already drifting to Mirovia.

I wonder how Estelle had been doing over these past few days….

Cypher thought to himself.

He had been tied up with real-life matters back on Earth and, as a result, had not been able to spare much time to log in.

As for the elven girl entrusted to him by Dorei, he had temporarily asked Lady Aurora to look after her.

Incidentally, after the Frost Elves favorability system went live, Cypher’s reputation within the Azurefrost Clan immediately reached its maximum value.

Every member of the clan held a favorability rating of one hundred points toward him, a development that left countless players green with envy.

This was especially true when one considered his relationship with the demigod Aurora.

As the third golden-class NPC on the entire server, this beautiful demigod had traveled with Cypher for nearly two months and gradually become his friend, a fact that only intensified the jealousy directed his way.

After all, the higher one’s favorability with NPCs, the more likely one was to receive high-quality tasks, including rare quests and hidden storylines.

Moreover, by building high favorability with a sufficient number of NPCs, players could raise their overall faction reputation rating. Doing so unlocked generous bonuses such as shop discounts, increased experience gains, and improved contribution rewards, advantages that many players could only dream of attaining.

There was no doubt that with him having completed the “Save the Frost Elves” questline, he was now unrivaled in terms of personal reputation.

He became the second player on the entire server to achieve maximum reputation, following Li Mu.

Nowadays, the elves he came across typically greeted him with sincere smiles, respectful bows, or subtle gestures of goodwill wherever he went.

Yet Cypher himself felt remarkably calm about it.

Although his journey across the Abyss had already ended, the memories of those two months still remained vivid within his mind.

He could not forget the harsh landscapes, the constant tension, nor the individuals he had come to know there, beings whose appearances were often grotesque and unsettling, yet whose hearts proved resilient, sincere, and unexpectedly kind.

Those encounters had left a deep impression on him, especially that old friend of his, the one who loved drinking elven flower tea…

He had returned.

However, most of those individuals had remained in that dark world.

His gaze drifted out the window as Cypher watched the Frost Elves moving along the streets.

Their faces were no longer marred by tumors or festering wounds. The corruption that once clung to them had been completely washed away. Now, they walked with steady steps, their expressions peaceful as they prayed devoutly toward the direction of the World Tree.

Seeing them, a trace of sorrow crossed Cypher’s expression.

“Chosen One, we have arrived.”

The gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Before he realized it, the carriage had already reached its destination.

Cypher gathered his thoughts, paid the gold coin fare, and leapt down from the carriage in one smooth motion. The familiar hum of magical energy greeted him the moment his feet touched the ground.

In front of the Mirovia teleportation array, crowds moved back and forth without pause.

Most of them were not players, but elven NPCs.

Large numbers of Frost Elves gathered there, and Cypher even saw some embracing one another, weeping uncontrollably.

When the Frost Elves noticed him, their reactions were immediate. One after another, they bowed respectfully, their expressions lighting up with visible excitement.

“Lord Cypher, it is Lord Cypher!”

“Lord Cypher, thank you for saving us!”

“Lord Cypher, it has been so long!”

Voices rose from every direction, overlapping and echoing across the plaza. Seeing their warm, unguarded smiles, Cypher returned them with a smile of his own.

Such treatment was something only a hero could receive.

And this reception did not easily died down. Instead, it reached its peak after Cypher passed through the teleportation array and returned to the coastal city of Mirovia.

“Lord Cypher has returned!”

“It is our savior, Lord Cypher!”

“Lord Cypher, this is fish we caught from the sea a few days ago together with other Chosen Ones. Please accept it!”

“Lord Cypher, these are berries I picked from the forest. Look, I gathered so many of them! Please, take some with you. They are very sweet!”

“Lord Cypher, do you remember me? You saved my child more than a month ago. This coat was woven from crypt spider silk. It is a gift for you!”

The Frost Elves overflowed with enthusiasm. They pressed closer, voices filled with gratitude and excitement, leaving Cypher little room to react.

Before he realized it, his arms were filled with all kinds of gifts, some carefully wrapped, others simply pressed into his hands.

Looking at the beaming, heartfelt smiles before him, Cypher froze for a moment. The lingering sorrow in his heart, quietly began to fade away.

A gentle smile appeared on his face as he nodded lightly, meeting their gazes one by one.

“Thank you. Thank you, everyone.”

At that moment, he felt a deep warmth spread through his heart.

After finally extricating himself from the crowds of Frost Elves welcoming him, Cypher made his way into the inner district of Mirovia.

By now, this once abandoned coastal city was no longer as desolate as it had been before he entered that Dark World.

In just the short time since the Azurefrost Clan’s return, it had been rejuvenated, perhaps even rivaling Chosen City in terms of liveliness and activity.

In just a short span, the Frost Elves had managed to settle quickly with the help of the players. According to what Cypher knew, half of them chose to live within the city itself, while the other half decided to establish new villages in the surrounding forests.

Of course, quite a number of them were also swayed by some players to relocate to other player-controlled cities. These days, every major guild was vying to attract NPCs to their respective territories.

Regardless, with the return of two hundred thousand Frost Elves and the sudden influx of population, Mirovia quickly became one of the most prosperous cities in the Elven Forest.

The streets were adorned with decorations, as if a festival or celebration were perpetually underway. Every now and then, parading crowds could be seen winding through the avenues, their banners fluttering in the breeze and faces alight with joy.

Looking at the Frost Elves, now dressed in freshly woven attire and radiating renewed vitality, Cypher found it difficult to reconcile them with the grotesque humanoid monsters he had once encountered in the Abyss.

They had truly been reborn.

Cheerful elven melodies echoed through the streets, played by Frost Elves strumming harps with nimble fingers.

Innocent elven children chased one another, their laughter ringing out with carefree delight. Some wove between the legs of adults, while others tumbled onto the soft grass along the streets, shrieking in joy as they tried to outpace one another.

Along both sides of the street, players could be seen working together with Frost Elves, repairing and rebuilding structures.

The entire city exuded a sense of vigorous energy, a palpable vitality that seemed to lift the hearts of all who passed through.

Even Cypher was influenced by this atmosphere, his steps becoming noticeably lighter.

He decided not to return home. Instead, he headed straight for the temple.

The Temple of Life here in Mirovia was not particularly grand in scale. Yet with the Star of Dawn, Demigod Aurora, taking residence there, it was destined to become one of the most renowned temples in the entire Elven Forest.

Cypher intended to greet Aurora, but unfortunately, he was informed that she had already gone to Chosen City.

“Chosen City? Is Lady Aurora visiting the Goddess?” Cypher asked curiously.

“That, I am not entirely sure,” replied the elf guarding the temple. “Lady Aurora suddenly received a divine oracle this morning, and then excitedly departed for Chosen City.”

“And what about Estelle?” Cypher asked again, scanning the temple grounds with a fleeting hope that the girl might still be there.

“She left together with Lady Aurora,” the elven guard answered, his tone calm yet respectful.

Cypher nodded, then turned and left the temple. He glanced at the sky, the soft afternoon light brushing the rooftops, and walked steadily toward the northern part of Mirovia.

The streets grew increasingly quiet, the bustle of merchants and players fading behind him. The buildings on both sides became more sparse, wooden homes giving way to low stone walls and open gardens.

At the same time, the terrain gradually rose, gentle slopes turning into steeper inclines as he moved farther from the city center.

Before long, Cypher left the city proper behind, stepping onto a winding path flanked by wildflowers and untamed greenery.

There were many flowers lining the road, naturally grown in a myriad of colors that painted the path like a living mosaic.

Cypher stopped in front of a particularly delicate white flower, crouched gently, and plucked it along with its stem, careful not to disturb the others.

Just as he was about to stand up, he suddenly heard a familiar voice:

“Brother Cypher!”

Cypher’s heart stirred.

Before he could turn fully, he suddenly felt a soft body rush into his, followed by two small hands lifting and covering his eyes.

“Guess who?”

The voice carried the unique sweetness of a young girl, endowed with an unmistakable sense of joy and mischief.

The corners of Cypher’s lips curved upward as he replied,

“Estelle.”

“You guessed right! But there is no reward!”

The elven girl laughed softly.

Then she narrowed her pure, bright eyes and looked at Cypher.

“Brother Cypher, I have an incredibly wonderful piece of news to tell you. Can you guess what it is?”

“What is it? Did Lady Aurora finally agree to let you become a priestess?”

Cypher raised an eyebrow.

“No! It is even more exciting than that!”

The elven girl clenched her fists.

Cypher was somewhat surprised. He thought for a moment and was about to give a different answer, but the girl’s gaze paused on the fresh flowers in his hand and the familiar water flask.

In an instant, a trace of something strange flickered through Estelle’s eyes.

“Brother Cypher, ahem… what are you planning to do?”

She asked.

Noticing her gaze, Cypher did not try to hide anything.

“I’m going to the back mountain cliff.”

“The back mountain cliff…”

Murmuring the name to herself, the elven girl suddenly lowered her head.

Seeing her fall silent so abruptly, a hint of sadness flashed through Cypher’s heart.

“Would you like to come with me?”

He asked gently.

Estelle nodded obediently.

“Yes.”

Thus, with the elven girl by his side, Cypher continued northward.

Gradually, the two of them moved farther away from the city and arrived at a cliff overlooking the sea.

On the cliff stood a newly erected gravestone.

It belonged to the elderly head priest, Gando.

Cypher had personally gathered his remains and brought them back, before burying him here together with Estelle.

He wanted Gando’s soul to return to his homeland.

A cool sea breeze swept toward them, brushing against their faces and carrying with it the distant cries of seabirds. Standing on the cliff, Cypher could hear the waves crashing against the jagged rocks below.

By now, the sun was already setting.

Above them, the clouds lay like drifting smoke, painted in streaks of red, yellow, blue, and white that intertwined in the evening glow. The scene resembled a magnificent oil painting slowly unfolding before their eyes.

The orange-red sun sank gradually beneath the horizon, casting a golden crimson light that spread across the sky and reflected off the shimmering waves.

As he gazed at this enchanting scenery, Cypher’s eyes slowly lost focus.

Only after a long sigh did he withdraw his gaze.

Standing before the gravestone, Cypher bent slightly and placed the bouquet of flowers he had picked along the way at its base.

Then he slowly straightened up.

He spoke softly, his voice tinged with subtle melancholy.

“Gando…”

“They’ve returned. Everyone has finally come back home. The corruption that had been eroding your clansmen has also been purified by the Goddess.”

“They’re now living in Mirovia. Sadness and despair no longer linger on anyone’s faces.”

“You’re probably there in the Goddess’s divine kingdom, right? Then you must be able to see all of this as well, can’t you?”

“This is the resting place Estelle and I chose for you. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I thought it would be perfect, since from here you can see the countless lights of Mirovia beneath the cliff.”

“The view of the sea isn’t bad either, is it?”

“I still remember that night, when we sat by the campfire. When I mentioned my seaside villa, the longing you showed for the ocean…”

“The sky will soon grow dark, and the stars will appear. Here, you will always be able to see that brilliant starry sky.”

Cypher’s voice was calm and gentle.

Standing beside him, the elven girl lowered her head in silence.

Seeing her shaking shoulders, Cypher let out a long, soft sigh. He reached out and gently rubbed Estelle’s head in a comforting gesture.

“Estelle, do not be too sad. Old man Gando would not wish to see you like this…”

However, after hearing his words, the girl’s body trembled even more.

Cypher sighed softly again and took out the water flask filled with flower tea. He opened it carefully and poured the tea onto the ground.

“Gando…this is your favorite elven flower tea.”

“Although I can no longer drink the flower tea you personally brewed yourself, I promise to come every year to bring you the tea you loved most.”

May you be forever happy in the Goddess’s divine kingdom.”

As he spoke, Cypher closed his eyes and traced a tree-shaped symbol over his chest.

“Pfft…”

In the quiet stillness, the girl beside him finally seemed unable to hold back her laughter. It started as a soft giggle, then grew into full, uncontrollable laughter, breaking the heaviness of the moment.

Cypher froze slightly, blinking in surprise. He looked at Estelle in confusion, when suddenly a familiar voice called out from behind him.

“Hey… who said you can no longer drink the flower tea I brewed?”

The voice carried a hint of age, yet it remained full and vigorous.

Cypher’s body trembled slightly, his eyes widening as he abruptly turned around.

Behind him stood an unfamiliar Frost Elf who appeared to be in his forties or fifties by human standards. Though his age was evident, there was still a strong dignity in his posture, and he remained undeniably handsome.

“Yo, it has been a long time,” he greeted casually, as though they were old friends meeting again after a short absence.

Cypher opened his mouth to respond, then tilted his head slightly, studying the man in disbelief.

“May I ask… who are you?”

The Frost Elf’s smile froze on his face for a moment.

“Hahahahahaha! He… he did not recognize you! I told you, he definitely would not recognize you… hahahaha… hic…”

Beside Cypher, Estelle burst into uncontrollable laughter, slapping the ground in amusement. She only stopped after seemingly laughing herself breathless, letting out a hiccup that punctuated her mirth.

Casting an exasperated glance at the laughing elven girl, the Frost Elf snatched the water flask from Cypher’s hand and gulped down a large mouthful.

He shook his head in mock irritation.

“Honestly, lad, you cannot even recognize this old man anymore?”

Hearing the familiar manner of speaking, Cypher’s eyes instantly widened.

“Gan… Gando?! Is…that really you!? You are still alive!?”

The Frost Elf nodded cheerfully, his warm smile returning fully.

“Her Divine Majesty said I still have several hundred years left to live, so here I am. I came back.”

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