Zongman: The wrong person on the ground, double Shenwei at the beginning

This era has its share of madmen with no conscience, but it also has its share of seemingly rough but actually kind-hearted individuals.

Rhodes deliberately activated all his senses temporarily, indulging in the unique cuisine of this other world.

The silent Suzuka screamed with happiness in Rhodes' mind, even rolling around excitedly.

[It's so delicious, so incredibly delicious! Waaah, just thinking about never being able to eat this kind of food again after I go back makes me want to cry...]

Rhodes was engrossed in enjoying his food, while Anya sat opposite him, resting her chin on her hand, wagging her tail, and quietly watching him, lost in thought.

The aroma of grilled meat and the strong fragrance of rice wine wafted through the air onto the streets.

The delicate melody of a bard playing the harp, who had arrived at some unknown time, drifted in from the doorway.

He glanced at Rhodes by the window, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, then coughed lightly and began to chant.

"The story I'm about to tell begins in the last millennium."

"puff--"

Rhodes reflexively spat out a mouthful of mead.

Luckily, he turned around quickly enough, otherwise he would have sprayed it all over Anya.

Anya snapped out of her surprise and quickly ran over to hand her a towel.

"W-What's wrong, meow?"

"Cough cough cough...."

Rhodes coughed a few times, waved his hand, took out a small bag of fali from his pocket, and then pointed to the bard outside the door.

Anya weighed the purse in her hand and exclaimed in surprise.

"Are you going to tip him? Although I think his singing is pretty good, I didn't expect you to like it this much."

Rod patted his chest, taking a long time to recover, looking speechless.

"No, it's about giving him money to stop him from singing."

"Eh?"

"Or let him go sing somewhere else."

Goodness, this sounds familiar; the beginning almost gave him PTSD.

Rhodes almost thought he had traveled through time again.

"Of course, if you use physical means to drive him away, these fares will be my thank-you gift to you."

Anya's eyes lit up instantly.

"Leave it to the cat, meow!"

Anya charged out aggressively, gun in hand.

"Hey, you street performer! Singing in front of my shop, have you paid protection money, business fees, and sanitation fees yet?!"

The bard was so startled that his travel hat fell to the ground.

"Huh? When did I need to pay so much money? I didn't know that."

"Hey, you know now, meow... Eh, Hermes-sama?!"

As Anya approached, she realized that the person who had just been singing was actually a god she knew. Now, the gun she was about to use was in a rather awkward position.

Chapter 58 Anya, I can be your brother (Please subscribe to the first issue~)

Anya gave an awkward smile.

"Um...aren't you always busy outside the city lately? How come you have time to busk on the street, meow?"

Hermes picked up the hat that had fallen to the ground, dusted it off, and glanced at Rhodes, who hadn't looked at him at all, narrowing his orange-yellow eyes.

Don't you want to see me? Or do you have a problem with me?

Never mind... I was originally thinking of testing this recently famous "hero," since I always felt there was something off about him.

But it seems the time isn't right to meet yet.

Next time, let Asphie approach him... Judging from his personality, he probably won't dislike a simple and kind girl.

Hopefully, Asphie can extract some useful information.

It's strange, why do I always have a feeling of losing something when I make these plans?

Never mind, it's probably just my imagination.

Hermes put his travel hat back on and gave a hearty smile.

"Since the guest doesn't want to hear it, I'll come back another day."

Hermes waved goodbye with a flourish, while Anya blinked, looked down at the little purse in her arms, and smiled happily.

"Today is a lucky day for cats, meow!"

When Anya returned to the tavern, she was surprised to find that half of the food on the table was gone.

She sat back down opposite Rhodes, curiously observing the boy's handsome face.

How can someone who is just an ordinary human have such a large appetite?

"Hehehe, Brother Rod, since you're free anyway, can you tell me about your adventures with that Lily girl?"

"A lone hero rescuing a damsel in distress—it's practically a modern-day tale of heroism!"

"How did you two meet? Did she ask you for help first? What is your relationship now?"

Anya is just like a real kitten, with a strong curiosity about gossip, her tail wagging enthusiastically behind her.

Rod swallowed a mouthful of honey-roasted meat and gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Actually, the story isn't as dramatic as the outside world makes it out to be. As for our relationship now... it's probably more like siblings."

After all, Lily is only eight years old. It would be strange if there were any other relationship between them!

However, Lily's dependence on him actually increased after she lived alone in Hephaestus for a while, and she became more and more like a brother-complex.

Upon hearing the words "siblings," Anya's cheerful smile gradually disappeared, her wagging tail drooped limply, and her shoulders began to tremble as if she were thinking of something.

"Brother and sister... I'm suddenly a little envious of Lily..."

[Level A prayer released.]

[Content: Anya longs for family; please help her rekindle her sibling bond.]

[Conditions: Resolve the conflict between her and her brother/Become her new brother (Although your brother is foul-mouthed, psychologically twisted, and doesn't know how to express affection, I can become your new brother)]

[Mission Reward: One of Anya's abilities; rewards corresponding Wish Points based on completion level.]

Rhodes frowned slightly as he looked at the panel that suddenly appeared.

Anya's brother, Allen, is the infamous "Goddess Chariot" of the Freya Familia, whose foul language skills are unparalleled in this era.

Rod didn't like this person subjectively; in fact, he was extremely annoyed by him.

He claimed he would protect Anya from harm, but then drove her away in the most brutal way, hurling sarcastic and humiliating remarks at her.

His original intention was probably just to protect her from further harm. Until the Black Dragon was defeated, he planned to let Anya stop living a dangerous life with him and enjoy a peaceful life.

But Rod didn't like this approach.

Aren't you afraid that Anya might not be able to bear the consequences of being abandoned by her only relative and simply commit suicide?

Although abandoning Anya was part of the deal with the goddess, and Hill took her in afterward, the problem was that Hill herself was a ticking time bomb.

If you can only protect her by driving the other person away, then it only proves one thing: you are too weak.

They don't even have the ability to choose another path.

Let her live a muddled and painful life, depriving her of the right to choose. Even though they are family, they can't even understand each other.

Although Anya was a brainless, silly cat before...

If only the first condition is met for this wish to be fulfilled, then Rhodes would rather give it up.

However, since there is a second method, Rhodes doesn't mind taking action.

"Open your mouth."

Rhodes spoke calmly, and the distraught Anya couldn't help but shiver, reflexively obeying the command to open her mouth.

A fruit was thrown into her mouth.

Anya instinctively bit down.

"Well!!!"

In an instant, a rich, sweet fruit nectar filled my entire mouth!

Like a soft marshmallow soaked in honey, the sweet aroma of the juice instantly dispelled her sadness and melancholy.

"Hmm...this is...hmm...Cloud Fruit Meow!"

"Don't look at me like that. That was a farewell gift I prepared for a friend. I couldn't bear to see you looking so dejected, so I reluctantly gave it to you with her permission."

Rod cut the steak in front of him with his knife and fork without looking up.

Anya froze, staring blankly at Rhodes.

“There are people in this world who live only for others, and I don’t reject that choice.”

"But the premise is that you have to be sure that doing so is really worthwhile? Do you and the other person truly understand each other?"

"Is he really worth it? Can you both get a response from your efforts?"

"There are those who say they love you but keep hurting you with their actions, and there are those who say they hate you but love you in their hearts."

"But I don't agree with either of them. If two people understand each other, even strangers who are meeting for the first time can have a spiritual connection."

In my mind, Suzuka smiled gently.

"But if you refuse to communicate, even family members you've known for a long time will become like enemies."

"Gratitude and love are not the same thing. If you can't handle distorted love, then make it clear early and give up. It's better for everyone. Think about it carefully."

Rod placed the half-cut steak on a plate and pushed it in front of Anya, then began to eat the steak in front of him.

The moment Rhodes treated me so gently, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and deep emotion.

The more and more mist accumulated in her tightly closed eyes, the more it finally turned into a single crystal tear, which slid down her cheek.

huh?

I cried again, meow?

Ha, I thought I had already cried all my tears...

When was the last time I cried? It seems like it was when my brother kicked me out of the clan and I was banished to become an abandoned cat.

If Hill hadn't brought me here, I probably would have died on the street long ago.

The first time I encountered this guy, I was attracted by his extraordinary speed and vaguely saw my brother's shadow in him.

The second time I heard about him from someone else was when he announced his feat of single-handedly annihilating the Soma Familia and rescuing a small human.

At that moment, I was thinking, "I was also protected by my brother like that in the past, meow."

I began to envy and be jealous of that little human, but gradually my opinion of him changed and I came to accept him.

The third time I saw him, I watched from afar as he laughed and played with the girls from the Astrea Familia. It was a heartwarming scene that I had never seen in the Freya Familia before.

Even bystanders could sense the girls' attachment and trust in him, and could also perceive his care and protection for them.

For a moment, I couldn't help but think of just joining in.

But because of this, I finally realized that he was a completely different person from my brother!

Being frank and sincere means you will trust others and be trusted by them in return.

Although his dark eyes seemed to hold many secrets, being by his side felt as warm and reassuring as sunshine.

Back then, I stubbornly insisted that I wasn't that kind of shallow girl and wouldn't be easily attracted to him!