The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Mmm...so comfortable...I haven't slept this well in ages."

Kiana woke up stretching.

"I slept so well last night, I haven't slept this soundly in a long time. Mei, what do you think?"

"Really? Then let's sleep in a little longer."

Mei said with a smile.

"Um."

"hehe!"

..................

After taking a nap, Kiana and Mei came out of the tent together.

Bronya's eyes lit up when she saw the two of them come out together.

"Did you all have a good time last night?"

Bronya asked expressionlessly.

"Uh...it was quite enjoyable."

The two answered in unison.

Hearing this, Bronya felt a pang of disappointment. She had thought they could stay with her forever, but it seemed that her hopes were dashed this time.

"Alright then."

Bronya spoke, her face looking rather grim.

"What's wrong, Bronya? Are you jealous?"

Kiana said with a smile.

"Phew, what nonsense."

Bronya exclaimed.

After saying that, she walked ahead and led the way out.

Seeing this, Kiana and Mei followed closely behind.

The three of them remained silent throughout the journey.

After a long silence, Mei slowly spoke:

"I was planning to tell you both as soon as possible, but since Bronya didn't come yesterday, I have to explain it now,"

"What? Mei, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Kiana asked, puzzled.

It's about...

...of this world.

After hesitating for a moment, Mei told Eden what she had learned.

Basically, everything in this world originated from the dream of a little painter.

It is precisely because it is a dream that so many strange and wonderful things happen.

Moreover, because it takes place in a dream, the young artist can create virtual scenes through the illusions of the dream and then bestow his abilities upon them.

It can even pull people from reality into your dreams.

Of course, these are just some details from the dream; the specific details will only be known after the little painter wakes up.

"Oh, I see. No wonder..."

Kiana nodded, then said with a sudden realization.

"Then, Mei, may I know the little painter's name?"

Bronya found it outrageous.

But she trusted Mei, so she asked seriously.

The result was a shocking piece of information...

"Yes, that's fine. Her name is Gretchen."

"Gresch, Gresch! It really is her...?"

Kiana murmured.

"Huh? Kiana, what's wrong?"

"Oh? It's nothing."

Kiana shook her head.

"Mei, since that's the case, then I'll help you."

"You'll help me? How will you help me?"

"Hehe, just you wait and see, you'll find out soon enough."

Seeing Mei's puzzled look, Kiana seemed to be deep in thought.

"I always felt that this world was just like Gretsch's drawings, and now it seems... that's definitely true. Shall we go find Gretsch and explain everything to her?"

"Well, if possible, go find Gretchen."

However, when the three arrived at Gretchen's easel, they were surprised to find that the little girl... had disappeared?

"what happened?"

Kiana looked around but didn't find many signs of damage.

The tents of the heroes were also well preserved, and even the curtains were not opened.

This means that Gretchen did not resist.

Either the other party was too powerful, causing Gretsch to be kidnapped without even having the chance to struggle.

Or perhaps Gretchen left voluntarily.

Kiana tends to believe the latter, after all, Gretchen didn't show much destructiveness.

But as one of the Thirteen Heroes, he still had the ability to protect himself.

"It might be someone we know, but who could it be..."

The three looked at each other, all finding it unbelievable.

Just as they were wondering who had kidnapped Gretchen, a soft humming sound drifted from afar.

"Boss Kevin told me to patrol the mountain and see what goodies are here~ Hehehe, treasure chest, treasure chest, where are you—!"

While the three were still stunned, a girl with cat ears and a tail swaggered past them.

Being able to completely ignore this large group of tents and Ying Jie is, in a sense, a skill in itself.

The three looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Padre? You... Kiana, stop her!"

Then, without saying a word, Kiana got up and pinned Paddo down.

"Hey! Who's there! Who's pinning me down? Hey? You guys..."

Paddy, who rarely gets a day off to stroll around, immediately realized something upon seeing the crowd...

This group is not to be trifled with!

That's right, that was the first conclusion she, as a heroine, reached.

After all, as the weakest of the heroes, he should forget about making any contributions.

So, she decided...

Get out of here quickly!

"Hehehe, Pado, you better not run away, or we'll give you a good spanking!"

Kiana looked at Padre with a smile and said.

"Ah! You, you, you, please forgive me, I know I was wrong."

Pado screamed in fright.

"Hmm? I see. So what did you mean just now?"

Kiana asked.

"I...I..."

"Alright, you know you were wrong, so you'll have to follow us obediently, but you have to listen to us."

"Huh? How could this be? I finally managed to get this vacation!"

"What holiday? I don't know what holiday. What I do know is that your companion is missing. As a hero, I think you should play a role."

Kiana said with satisfaction.

"This...is it. Okay, I promise you."

After speaking, Pado opened her big, watery eyes as if asking, "Now that I've agreed to listen, can you come down now?"

Seeing this, Kiana released her and then pulled her up.

"Welcome to the team, Pado."

"Another hero has joined us," Kiana said with a smile, patting her shoulder.

Chapter Nineteen: Thousand Tribulations Joins the Fray, Let's Go Save Gretsch Together!

Join...join the team?

Eh?

Huh? Huh?

I... I...