Without missing a single one, everyone joined hands and made progress to the top of the World Tree.

This was originally Leah's dream.

Linda agreed with her, recalling her own past life's extremely utilitarian gaming experiences, and deeply resonated with her.

It was this red-haired girl in front of him who rescued him from his numbness and made him realize that clearing the game wasn't everything.

Teammates who fight alongside you are even more precious.

In addition, because Leah was naturally clumsy than Eko and the others, Linda focused most of her energy on Leah.

But she seems to have misunderstood something.

They treat these as leverage to boss others around at will.

Even oxen that plow the fields can get exhausted one day.

"I left the team because my original intentions changed."

"No."

Lia said firmly, "Come back, and I can lead you to become the strongest adventure team in White Dove City."

Linda chuckled: "That wasn't Xueyan's original intention."

"You mean... teammates are more important?" Leah frowned.

"yes."

"Then you are very wrong."

Lia decisively denied him: "Do you know an adventure team called the Primal? They were originally the team with the best chance of clearing the top of the World Tree."

"The original captain had no friends."

"But this team is still strong."

"So—you're wrong, power is the only thing that matters."

A wise light shone on Lia's small face.

"Are you going to refute the words of that original captain, the Dark Shadow 'Dailian'?"

It's like trying to educate an uncultured weak person with the quotes of a great man; unless Linda herself is stronger than the Dark Shadow, nothing he says will make a difference.

Lia could refute Linda with the statement, "You're just an ordinary adventure team leader, what right do you have to deny the original adventure team?"

However, Linda's expression turned somewhat strange upon hearing this.

Including Kaphni and Monica.

There was even Eiko standing behind Leah.

I'm not sure if I should remind her.

The captain of the strongest adventure team you believe in is standing right in front of you!

Ai Ke was internally ranting.

Now 'Dailian' has realized that teammates are more important than individual strength.

They told Leah everything in person, but Leah still believed the outdated 'Bible'.

Linda sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"If you don't understand this, you'll never become a good captain."

...

Passersby looked at the red-haired girl standing on the side of the street with surprise, wondering if she had been abandoned, like a stray cat thrown into a box.

In the end, Leah was unable to persuade Linda.

She stared blankly as she watched Luanweihua and the others disappear at the end of the long street.

She couldn't help but whisper, "Why did it turn out like this?"

Xueyan's members all understood what she meant.

Why is Linda, who is the best to her, so indifferent, like a stranger?

Lia is indeed annoying, but she's not very bright, and Linda couldn't possibly not understand that. Given how the other members know Linda, they shouldn't be so heartless.

Of course, it would be understandable if they knew the later plot of the game like Linda did.

If Linda returns to Xueyan or continues to help Lia, Lia will not be able to grow into a true 'Blazing Bloom', a mature and steady swordsman.

Seeing Leah's distraught state, Aiko felt a little amused, but the cool breeze blowing around her chilled her heart, bringing with it a sense of shared sorrow.

She wasn't much better than Leah.

I guess in Linda's heart, she's just a pretty good friend!

Ai Ke pondered for a moment before speaking, "Perhaps it was inevitable that it would turn out this way."

"Inevitably?" Leah didn't understand.

As if reflecting on herself, Aiko pondered for a moment before slowly saying:

"Affection is mutual. If only one side is giving, you'll soon become an empty shell, hollow and devoid of anything. Only when both sides give can affection be stable."

For the past three years, Linda has been helping them, but they have never thought of giving back to Linda.

Even biological parents rely on these runaway, unfilial daughters to support them in their old age.

What does Linda want from them?

Just as Linda said, since Xueyan's original intention has changed and she has lost the last thing worth cherishing, there is no need to keep her.

During Xueyan's three years, Linda was completely drained, and her goodwill towards them was exhausted by the daily trivialities and complaints.

"I've done a lot for him too!"

Lia's eyes reddened as she retorted, "In the secret realm, I was always at the forefront, protecting everyone. He was the lowest level, but I never really intended to kick him out."

Aiko's lips twitched. She felt that the snake-man leader on the twelfth floor needed to be slashed a couple more times. This little dwarf still hadn't figured it out.

What you did was simply the duty that a swordsman and a captain should have fulfilled.

It's just that the business owner is working overtime, but he thinks it's for all the employees, and he's incredibly self-righteous.

"There are ways to salvage the situation."

"What?"

"You, go lick Linda."

Eko gazed at Lia's surprised little face and said, word by word.

"You want me to lick the boots of a commoner from a lowly background? No way."

Lia's face turned red, and she refused without even thinking.

Aiko said, "He's not a commoner; he's a lord now, with the badge of honor of an adventurer."

"That's impossible."

Leah shook her head again.

She touched her blindfold.

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