Original God, I am the only designated Red King God Envoy of Xumi

"Anyway, on behalf of Aru Village, I will accept your kindness."

Wadiye smiled even brighter when he heard this. On the one hand, he gave Candice this gift because he had more friends and his life would be easier. On the other hand, he truly admired people like Candice.

Perhaps because he has been immersed in business for a long time, he no longer cares much about the conflicts between the so-called people of the sand and the people of the forest.

The times have begun to change again. From a business perspective, if the people of the sand do not change and continue to hate the people of the forest for no reason, they will not get far.

He and Candice exchanged pleasantries for a while, until Candice asked about Amber, who was sitting under the date palm tree, immersed in her own world, and then Wadiye began to introduce her.

"She was a clan leader I met along the way. We had the same destination, so we decided to travel together. I didn't think she would disrupt the order of the village, so I brought her into the village with me."

Wadiye introduced himself to Candice. Candice had some experience with Wadiye's ability to judge people and trusted his judgment. Since the other party said that it was highly unlikely, then it really was highly unlikely.

However... whether it is true or not still needs to be confirmed by herself. On the one hand, she is curious about her, and on the other hand, it is her responsibility as the guardian of Aru Village.

The other party is the clan leader, so I have to take action myself.

Wadiye also saw what Candice was thinking, so he didn't bother her any more. He told the caravan followers where the accommodation Candice had arranged for them was, and then began to arrange the storage of the pack animals.

Dishia, who had just come to her senses, noticed that Candice and Wadiye had finished their business talk, so she came over and greeted Candice.

She showed her dagger to Candice, as if she was showing off something good to a friend, so Candice also stopped to talk to Dishia.

As a warrior with the Eye of God, Candice easily felt the elemental fluctuations above. She was quite surprised to learn that it was man-made, and her curiosity about the "clan leader" under the tree grew even stronger.

"Oh, right, I asked her before about her feelings towards you, and she said she quite liked you—" Dixia did not mind adding fuel to the fire as she described the previous scene. Although she still did not understand why things between women were like this, since she could not figure it out, she simply stopped thinking about it for the time being!

Candice regarded Dishia's words as the expression of emotion that was normal for her age, and listened with a smile. The look in her eyes just now—the look that was quite similar to her own determination to protect the village—proved that this person also had similar things to protect.

People like them...are likely to be insulated from love in the short term. Judging from rationality, this so-called "like" probably just means "appreciation".

Dixia's words finally reached Amber's ears. She came out of her immersed state and suddenly realized that a figure carrying a shield was approaching her.

The person was wearing a thick cloak with a thick hood hanging down behind her. A headband with an ornament shaped like the "Eye of Ahmar" was inserted in her hair on her forehead, and there was also a crescent-shaped ornament behind her head.

The amber eyes showed no sign of concealing his desire to explore himself, and the shield on his back, which was also mentioned prominently in the rumors, further confirmed his identity.

Chapter 18: The Same Type of People

"It's not a good habit to judge someone based solely on rumors, especially the leader of an unknown clan." Candice's tone was a little joking. She was sure that she had never met someone like Amber who was so hard to forget once met. Just now, Dixia also explained that Amber's judgment came from the information she heard.

"I...this..." Amber felt embarrassed for a moment. It was so embarrassing to talk about someone behind their back and be heard by the person who was talking about them. She looked at Dishia who was standing next to Candice and trying to escape, with a hint of blame in her eyes.

She also felt a little regretful that she had not explained it to Dixia at the time.

"I'm going to rest first--!" Dixia quickly left the open space. The children who were originally playing here were called back by their parents at home because it was getting dark, and the place seemed very empty for a while.

"...I'm sorry." Amber sighed and apologized sincerely. Although the other party did not show any dissatisfaction on the surface, and she felt that the other party did not have any dissatisfaction in his heart, it was still better to apologize.

"I am Candice, the current guardian of Aru Village."

"...I am Amber, the leader of the Chi Nian clan."

"This is the first time I've met a young clan leader like you."

"Me too... I didn't expect the rumored guardian of Aru Village to be so young."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries. Just as Amber had said, Candice looked less than 17 years old, but she was already a powerful guardian with the Eye of God.

"So, how was meeting me in person different from what you imagined?"

Amber pondered for a moment after hearing this. She really didn't know how to respond. The person in front of her was different from anyone she had seen before. Compliments and agreement were useless to her.

"To be honest, I think you are somewhat similar to me." Amber finally chose to tell the truth.

"Oh?"

"Everyone has something they want to protect, and they're willing to sacrifice their lives for it."

"From the stories I've heard, I couldn't imagine what kind of person the so-called guardian of Aru Village is. I thought she was a bit... um... 'ruthless,' 'bloodthirsty,' 'vicious,'"

"After all, many of the people who once caused trouble around here are gone, vanished into the yellow sand."

"But after seeing you today... I only feel that the rumors are half true and half false. You are much younger than I am, and it is hard to connect your current appearance with the rumored cold-blooded guardian."

"But I think..."

"But you want to?" Candice waited for Amber to say those words.

"—Those rumors are true. If I were to find such dangerous individuals causing trouble within or around the clan, I would keep them 'quiet' forever."

Candice laughed out loud. Amber's answer was both in line with her expectations and beyond. As expected, she was someone quite similar to herself. This answer greatly satisfied her curiosity.

"As you said, I am the reliable guardian in the eyes of the villagers, and I am also the cold-blooded and ruthless person in the eyes of those troublemaking Gilded Brigade."

"Aru Village welcomes anyone who abides by its rules. In the name of the protector of Aru Village, I welcome you, Chief of the Chi Nian Clan."

"Thank you for your kindness, guardian of Aru Village." Amber nodded slightly in response to Candice's welcome. Her answer seemed to satisfy Candice. This was a good start.

Aru Village is located on the only way to Kawanyi. Establishing a good relationship with the guardian of the village will naturally be very beneficial to the future development of the Chinanian clan.

"You know, desert nights are very cold. Why don't you stay here for one night before the sun rises tomorrow? I'll show you the way."

With that, Candice walked ahead towards the village, and Amber followed her slightly behind.

"When I first came over, you seemed to be thinking about something? Were you thinking about your clan?"

The reason why Candice was attracted by that look was that she had seen a similar look in the eyes of the previous village guardian. She didn't understand it at first, but now that she understood it, she had truly taken on the burden of being the guardian.

The safety of the entire Aru Village rests on her shoulders, but she will not retreat. This is her responsibility as a guardian.

"Yes, at that time, I felt envious, even a little jealous."

"I thought of my clan—the Chi Nian clan, a newly born clan that suffered a great blow. Thanks to the joint efforts of all the remaining members, including the children, we have finally achieved some initial stability. This time, I went to Kawanyi because my clan was short of manpower, so I went to buy some things myself."

"A new clan?" Candice was a little surprised. "This is unbelievable."

After all, the desert environment is deadly. Usually, when a new clan is added, it is likely that one of the clans sends a part of its people to a nearby oasis to station there and establish a new clan with the help of its own clan.

Candice naturally thought that the Chi Nian clan was a different case, that is, a completely new clan that used some things in exchange for the support of other surrounding clans and was able to build a garrison. This kind of clan usually loses a lot of things, and there are few clans that can afford such a price.

She naturally didn't expect that the situation of the Chi Nian clan was even more special and even more incredible.

"Huh..." Amber took a deep breath. "When I saw those children, I felt a sense of indebtedness towards the children in the clan. Many of them may have lost one of their parents or become orphans. I also hope to give them a life similar to the one they have in Aru Village."

"I've tried my best, but it seems like this miserable life will continue for a long time."

"Hmm..." Candice just pondered when she heard that. She didn't know how to respond.

Comfort cannot change the current situation of the Chi Nian clan. This young leader, like himself, bears an unprecedented burden on his shoulders.

Candice knows how difficult it is to fulfill this responsibility.

"You must have heard the rumor that 'the guardian of Aru Village is blessed by the gods'?" Candice said.

"...Yes, it's rumored that the guardian of Aru Village can command every grain of sand in the desert by holding the shield given by the Red King. No one has ever escaped the current guardian."

Candice smiled and spoke again after a moment: "What if I told you that there has never been any such thing as 'divine blessing'?"

Candice stopped. The village was quiet at this time, and her soft voice echoed in the small open space.

She took off the shield in her hand and showed it to Amber. As Amber was able to create that kind of weapon, she naturally saw that this was just a shield made from the technology of the Red King era and did not possess any divine power.

"Every Guardian is told only when they take over the shield and officially become a Guardian: 'There is no such thing as God's blessing.'"

"The Guardians who learned the truth reacted differently. Some were so discouraged that they even stopped practicing martial arts, abandoning themselves to despair. Others believed that since they were not under the divine guidance, they did not need to abide by the rules, and began to act recklessly and lawlessly."

"..." Amber listened silently. She really didn't expect that the truth about the guardian possessing the "blessing" would be like this. She thought it would just not be that exaggerated, but it turned out that the blessing did not exist at all.

So, what Candice is shouldering is indeed no less than what she is shouldering, so how can she appear so relaxed?

"And I believe that I wield my shield and spear not to pray for the gods' blessings, but to protect Aru Village and to fulfill my responsibility as a 'Guardian'."

"It's this idea that has kept me going until today, and I will continue to hold on to it after this."

"...Huh." Amber was silent for a long time and took a deep breath. She understood what Candice meant and knew that she was comforting herself.

Candice's attitude and will towards responsibility have been conveyed to Amber through the story. She admires this 16-year-old guardian from the bottom of her heart.

'I never thought that I would be the one being comforted in the end.'

"...Just do practical things and don't worry about the future." Amber said this subconsciously, and it also reached Candice's ears.

"Just do practical things and don't worry about the future. I really like this sentence." Candice put away the shield. She understood the meaning of this sentence as if she had telepathy.

"Everything you have done, and your will, far outweighs those who only know how to complain about the status quo but do nothing to achieve practical results."

"You've worked hard enough. If it's beyond your ability, there's no point in forcing it."

"...You're right, Candice." Amber agreed from the bottom of her heart. She almost fell into the trap of being anxious and reckless. The more times like this, the more she should not be anxious. Everything should be done step by step.

Amber also thought of the type of people that Candice mentioned. There is no need to say much about one of the reasons why the desert is in this state. If there are talented people who stand up to change it, it can be alleviated. This happens to be the second reason: the desert environment is simply unable to retain those talents, nor can it cultivate those talents.

People who have a clear understanding of the current situation of the desert will only feel pain. They have escaped from "numbness" but have gained nothing. They either become poor ghosts who only know how to complain, or they have escaped from the desert and entered the rainforest.

This was one of the reasons why she developed education - they had to cultivate talents belonging to their own Chi Nian clan, rather than hoping for another her to help.

"I didn't expect that I would be the one being comforted in the end. Haha, it's really embarrassing." Amber laughed at herself, and she seemed to be in much better spirits.

Candice just smiled when she heard this and didn't say much. She took Amber to a house.

"Just rest here for one night, Amber."

"Um...see you tomorrow, Candice."

Amber walked into the house and watched Candice's slowly moving away through the window, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

I have to take some time to rest, because I have to rush to Kawanyi tomorrow.

Chapter 19: Sand Wall

The morning in the desert was as cold as the night. After washing, Amber put on her ugly coat again, held the spear and walked out of the door of her temporary residence.

Last night's sleep was unusually good, without any dreams. She felt full of energy. In the past, she would not have been able to sleep well because of her heavy worries.

"Huh..." Amber stretched her waist and bumped into Dishiya who was walking towards her. Dishiya seemed to still care about what happened last night. She could be said to have tricked Amber. Now she was asked to wake Amber up and prepare to rush to Kawanyi. Naturally, she felt a little insecure.

"...Good morning, how did you sleep?" Dixia was silent for a long time before finally uttering a few words.

Seeing her like this, Amber's anger, which was almost non-existent to begin with, disappeared. It was thanks to her that she got to know Candice, a fellow human being.

"Thanks to you, I slept well." Amber didn't bother with Dixia, walked straight over, and patted Dixia's head gently on the way.

Judging from the other person's expression, I knew it was time to hit the road. I guess Wadiye was already waiting for me in the open space near the village entrance.

Dixia was patted on the head by Amber. She stood there in a daze for a moment, then reacted and rushed to Amber.

"...You don't blame me anymore?" Dixia struggled in her heart for a moment before asking this question. She would feel uncomfortable if she didn't get an answer to a question like this.

"What's so strange about that? Honestly... based on what I showed to Candice first, she's really likable."

Upon hearing this, Dixia had another idea, but this time it was directly strangled by Amber.

"Like has many meanings. Feelings towards parents, friends, comrades, and even fellow travelers can all be called like."

"Liking someone doesn't mean we have to be together. Dixia will gradually understand this."

Upon hearing this, Dixia looked at Amber's back. She thought about Amber's words, but in the end she could not fully understand their meaning. She felt a sense of confusion.

But she did understand that Amber's love for Candice was not the same as Hart's love for his wife. After understanding this, the first thing Dishia felt was... a hint of "disappointment".

Well... to be honest, she thought about the issues between girls for a long time last night, and she just felt the excitement of exploring the "taboos".

And now... it suddenly becomes boring.

Dixia didn't understand why she felt this way. She thought about it for a moment and let it go as usual. It was foolish to be overly immersed in questions that had no answers. Giving up appropriately was also a strategy.

The two walked together for a while, and the caravan, which was almost ready, stopped at the open space. The beasts of burden were still chewing grass in their mouths, preparing for the journey ahead.

"Now everyone is here." Wadiye saw Amber greet her and began to make the final preparations before leaving. Hart and the other mercenaries had already put on their equipment. They were wearing thick cloaks like the guards in the village instead of coats that would greatly hinder their movements.

"Good morning." Hart greeted Amber, who nodded slightly and asked a question.

"It shouldn't be far from Aru Village to Kawanyi, right?"

"Yes, if we walk quickly, it will take less than half a day to get there. You will have half a day to do some shopping. I will send someone to inform you of the brigade's decision in the evening."