"No, you haven’t changed, not one bit."

Rafael was slightly taken aback by the words, unsure if the expression on her face buried in Fisher’s embrace was disappointment or relief. She smiled gently and said,

"Is that so..."

"Does it really matter, change or no change?"

"I think it does, a little... I want to become better. Although if nothing changes, it means nothing has worsened, but..."

Perhaps Rafael just felt that it wasn’t quite enough.

"So, do you think I’ve changed, Rafael?"

Rafael lifted her head, looked at Fisher in front of her, and then her face flushed slightly, her gaze darting away,

"You’ve become... more formidable..."

"...Besides that?"

Rafael propped her chin on Fisher’s chest and carefully examined him in front of her. After several seconds, she said,

"Hmm... I also think you haven’t changed at all."

"Really?"

"Really."

"If Emhardt knew you said that, he’d definitely roll his eyes..."

Fisher chuckled helplessly and then continued,

"Perhaps I have changed, just in a way that’s not noticeable to you, because you don’t care about those things. Conversely, Rafael, it’s the same for me. I came here just for you, not for any other reason. So, I hope you won’t consider other factors, alright?"

Hearing this, Rafael lifted her gaze to look at the earnest-faced Fisher in front of her. She then moved up a bit, capturing his lips and tongue once more, conveying her warmth.

After a long while, she finally drew back with a shimmering gaze, then smiled as she slowly rose from the bedding, pulling over the clothes of hers and Fisher’s nearby, and said,

"We’re setting off for the back today. The Fake Court’s army is coming, and before that, I must take this last moment of respite to prepare everything."

"Alright."

Rafael smiled slightly, then stood up and began changing into her clothes in front of Fisher, donning her armor.

After last night’s time, Rafael seemed physically lighter and more graceful. She cheerfully tidied everything up, then prepared to leave the cave to make some preparations, also intending to bring some food back for Fisher on the side.

To speed up the preparations, this time returning to the rear would only involve Fisher and Rafael. The rest, including Lar, would remain with the Dragon Court Army in the Southern Branch Mountain Range, guarding the Dragon Court’s defense line. They would maintain contact with Rafael at all times to respond to all potential changes.

Compared to the quick-footed and relaxed Rafael, Fisher’s movements seemed a bit slower.

Of course, it’s not because Rafael had exhausted him. In this regard, Fisher had almost no end; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so greedy and insatiable.

Firstly, after entering the Mythical Rank, he didn’t need to prepare any baggage, nor did he need to eat extensively. The greatest enemy now was the madness and instability brought by the chaos within his body. Compared to eating, experiencing another night of warmth like last night might benefit him even more.

Another reason, of course, was because of Emhardt. He voluntarily went on an adventure last night, but since the exact battle situation was unknown, Fisher didn’t set a specific return time with him, unsure where he went or when he’d return.

Before leaving with Rafael, he needed to find him back.

Thinking about these, Fisher quickly changed into a brand new outfit. The South Continent-style clothes fitted him perfectly. Although not as elegant and gentlemanly as Nali’s clothing, they had a wild charm, but Fisher had the natural grace to look good even without clothes, let alone these meticulously sewn by Lar.

Looking pretty good.

Fisher checked himself from top to bottom, then stuffed all his belongings into his clothes, ready to set out to find Emhardt.

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to depart, a squarely-built Emhardt flew back at the doorway.

Returning, he inexplicably grinned at Fisher, not sure what he was laughing about.

Fisher raised an eyebrow, unsure why he was laughing. After spending the whole night out there, could he have gone mad with joy?

"What are you laughing at?"

"Was I laughing?"

Emhardt landed on Fisher’s shoulder, surprisingly not uttering a single word of complaint against Fisher.

One should know, previously, whenever he was temporarily left behind, upon returning, he’d bombard Fisher with criticism...

But today, surprisingly, he said nothing, as if suddenly enlightened, which left Fisher utterly baffled.

Could it be that there’s some benefit in reuniting after being apart for a while?

So, after being separated from Rafael for so long, if he confessed his past mistakes to her, would she easily forgive him?

Pondering for half a day without any solution, Fisher could only assume that this guy had changed his character. He didn’t dwell much on it, only saying,

"...Ready to set out."

"Where are we headed?"

"To the rear of the Dragon Court, seems like the Northern Green Dragon Court is up to something. Rafael needs to make some preparations, and so do I... I want to clear up the possible links between Barbatos and the Demon Dynasty with Nali."

Emhardt hadn’t even heard the latter half, just hearing "rear of the Dragon Court" made him break into laughter, leaving Fisher even more puzzled. He couldn’t help but ask again,

"What are you laughing about?"

"I thought of something joyful."

"What’s there to be joyful about?"

"I found some meaningful knowledge while out last night, recorded it down... Hmm, that’s it... hahaha..."

"..."

Fisher raised an eyebrow, but seeing his cheerful demeanor, he felt it matched Emhardt’s tendency to get whimsical after recording knowledge, so he didn’t pay it much mind.

He merely slowly walked out of the cave where they had stayed the night before, turning to look towards the further south from there, the destination he and Rafael were headed to,

the rear of the Dragon Court.