Simmons had already set the table with food. On the surface, he seemed calm, but internally, he felt a bit conflicted. Seeing the two come out, especially noticing Celestia's expression, he felt relieved. "Just in time, tell me while we eat. Why did communication cut off after you entered the ancient castle? Tell me quickly."

Simmons' curiosity was about to explode. The old castle, cut off from the Gate of Truth—there must be something there.

"You sit over there, and I'll sit here!" Celestia said to Simmons, who reluctantly sat across from her.

After this battle, their friendship deepened.

Li Xin was truly hungry and started eating voraciously, while Celestia only ate a little and then began to recount the events to Simmons. Simmons was listening, thrilled and excited, and when he heard about the Battle Angel, he looked at Li Xin in shock, "Brother Li, you're too calm."

"Calm, my foot. Inside, I'm totally panicked. Just have to put on a brave face," Li Xin said as he chewed on his steak. Simmons was getting better at knowing what he liked, all spicy foods that matched his taste.

Celestia continued to eloquently describe the situation of the Broken Angel's battle. Li Xin interrupting said, "Don't listen to her exaggerations. The Angel was already at the end of its strength, its body completely decayed, functioning mostly due to the Divine Relic. It was impressive for it to exert even a tenth of its power. Things were just exaggerated. If we met a real Angel, I'd just run away."

Li Xin wasn't being modest. Though it was a Broken Angel, its level was high enough. If it were at its peak, it wouldn't even be in the same league as the things lurking under the mists of the world.

After Celestia finished, Li Xin was also full and asked, "Any news from Didia?"

Referring to this, Simmons helplessly spread his hands, "Nothing. Could our plan have been discovered? Didia said not to contact him for a while. I'm a bit worried."

The forces on the other side were vast, and the mastermind behind them couldn't be simple-minded. Didia's move was too risky.

"That's all we can do; if it's too obvious, it'll backfire. We've laid the groundwork; now it's up to Didia," Celestia said. "What we can do is maintain secrecy and communication as much as possible."

After finishing his meal, Li Xin left because he had unfinished business. As he left, he borrowed Simmons' carriage.

Watching his carriage leave, Simmons suddenly smacked his head: "Celestia, do you think I should ask the family for another carriage?"

"Did you just realize that? You're so stingy. Look at how Li Xin acts—now that's what I call generous to friends," Celestia's eyes were still fixed at the end of the street.

Simmons looked at Celestia helplessly, "What do you mean I'm stingy? Everyone in the family has a fixed allowance. Can I just change it at will? What's your situation, always siding with outsiders."

"I confessed to Li Xin, but he turned me down," Celestia said flatly, staring wide-eyed at Simmons.

Simmons was stunned for a few seconds, "Oh."

"Oh? What does 'oh' mean!" Celestia said, waving her hands wildly. This wasn't the response she expected, what a weird reaction.

Simmons shrugged and spread his hands, "I guess he's just not into you. Otherwise, I'd love to have such a brother-in-law. If you're willing to settle for less, you might still have a chance."

Celestia looked around; if there was anything within reach, she'd definitely throw it at Simmons' head. Unfortunately, there was nothing at the door, and the ground was swept clean...Simmons must have been picked from the trash!

"Haha, don't be mad, just joking. Brother Li has a girlfriend, from Hex Bird Report," Simmons quickly explained as he realized the situation was going south.

"Tch, I don't think it's that serious yet. Who knows what the future holds," Celestia said. "Bad news is he likes mature women, seems I was born a bit late. Good news is, while waiting, I'll grow mature, and others will only grow old."

"You're really optimistic." Simmons didn't know what to say. Oppose, he did not, agree...not quite fully either. His attitude didn't really matter, since Celestia never listened to anyone at home anyway. "Brother Li probably ran away because you scared him."

"He's not that petty; he probably went to fulfill a promise," Celestia commented.

"That Angel senior might be from a family in Moncalleta, but never mentioned their surname till the end."

"That's the highest realm of Knight spirit—selflessness," Simmons said with deep respect, full of admiration. It's easy to say, but few can truly achieve it.

The Battle Angel, Simmons's ultimate dream—some people, even if they obtain the Divine Relic, may only reach the Second Life Star after a lifetime. It gets harder the further you go. This Glory Battle is actually the Kingdom's pathway for promotion, from the First to the Second Life Star, the opportunity to move from Second to the Third Life Star.

Such an opportunity, full of honor, comes once in a lifetime at this stage. Miss it, and you might lose the path to Angelhood. Only those who seize it have a chance to go further.

Before meeting Li Xin, Simmons didn't have much hope. But now, he's rekindled with hope.

"Celestia, once more, tell me about their battle in detail, especially the specifics," Simmons said.

"Simmons, be a person, call me a carriage, I want to go home," Celestia said crossly. "You must have been found in a trash heap!"

Watching Celestia leave in a huff, Simmons touched his nose helplessly. What happened, where did he go wrong?

Li Xin took the carriage to the docks of the Saint George District, a place he was familiar with. The docks were filled with ships of all sizes, and the prosperous trade was one reason for Moncalleta's strength. Being self-sufficient, it feared nothing more than closing off the nation, but this wasn't a problem for Moncalleta, which had plenty of connections and trade with surrounding countries.

Li Xin found a boatman, haggling to get a 58 Lira ride for a lap around the port; Hedan's dreadful prices. Li Xin took out a cloak wrapped with the Battle Angel's ashes from his Yazama Karashi.

It was nearing dusk, but the sun was still scorching. Li Xin was sweaty, feeling that the effect of the jam had faded. It's a pity, such good stuff gulped down without savoring. No idea if he'd have this privilege next time, though he liked freebies, he also felt a bit guilty after so many.

The boatman set sail and gradually left the pier, passing the distinctive jagged cliffs, with the boundless sea ahead. The sea breeze grew stronger. Li Xin opened the package and scattered the ashes into Hedan's sea, then folded the worn-out cloak back into his bracelet. The boatman started heading back, occasionally casting glances at this fool.

Li Xin sat at the bow, facing the thriving Hedan City before him, a city full of contradictions, producing both Inner Demons and nurturing resilient and immortal Knights.

The enormous chains in the ancient castle once trapped him, yet he chain-bound himself with one.

In this world, some people are always worthy of respect.

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