Chapter 90: An Uncanny Encounter Emerging from the watery embrace of Elysia’s magic, Xin and Princess Hilda found themselves in a lush forest, its verdant expanse stretching out before them. In the heart of this woodland paradise lay a serene frozen lake, its shimmering waters reflecting the dappling sunlight. "This is the closest water source I can access for transportation," Elysia explained. "However, I must confess, I am unfamiliar with this world. I cannot guarantee the safety of this area." Princess Hilda’s apprehension was palpable, her gaze darting around the surroundings. Xin, however, reassured her. "It’s alright, Elysia. We appreciate your assistance." A radiant smile crossed Elysia’s features. "I cannot linger for long, I’m afraid. Eternia consumes a considerable amount of my mana, and I must return to Abundant Shore soon. Will you be alright here?" "Yes, we will manage," Xin confirmed. "And I’m sorry for the trouble. You’re a big help." Elysia’s expression softened as she shook her head. "Do not apologize; it is not a burden. Please remember, you can call my name whenever you need me. I would be pleased to see you again. However, I can only manifest once a day due to certain constraints." As Elysia’s words hung in the air, Xin observed a gradual decline in her magical energy, evident by the dwindling MP hovering above her head. Clearly, her appearances in Eternia came at a cost, a sacrifice of her power to bridge the gap between their worlds. "I had to create a dimensional rift to reach this place," Elysia elucidated, her tone carrying a sense of urgency. "However, opening such a rift requires a continuous stream of mana, depleting my resources rapidly. I cannot stay for an extended period." Elysia’s hand reached out, her touch a gentle caress on Lord Schrodinger’s cheek. "Until we cross paths again," she murmured, her voice holding a soft, lingering sentiment. But then, her expression shifted, her gaze settling upon Princess Hilda. Her form began to waver, the ethereal water dissipating gradually. "I hesitate to ask this of you, but it seems you possess a certain sincerity," Elysia addressed Princess Hilda with uncharacteristic seriousness. "I entrust Lord Schrodinger to your care . . ." Princess Hilda stood taller, her demeanor resolute. "Rest assured. I will protect him." A hint of exasperation tinged Elysia’s expression, a glimpse of her inner thoughts revealed before she completely dissolved. "How vexing this situation is . . ." her murmured words were barely audible as she faded from view. With Elysia’s departure, Princess Hilda turned her attention back to Xin, her expression somber but determined. "I owe you a debt of gratitude, Lord Schrodinger. Without your intervention, I might have remained trapped beneath that mine indefinitely." Xin waved off her words with a casual shrug. "It was the right thing to do." Princess Hilda’s head shook slightly. "No, it was more than that. Back there, I had reached the point of resignation. I had convinced myself that I would live out my days in the mines, forgotten by all. "Part of me, perhaps, even wished for it. Yet, when you arrived, that changed . . . I realized there might be a chance beyond those tunnels. So, I genuinely thank you." With her giant hammer held before her, Princess Hilda offered it to Xin while bowing her head. "I pledge my life to you, now and forever." Xin’s brow furrowed at the gravity of her words. "Please, raise your head, Princess." Her gaze met his, her expression earnest. "Call me Hilda. The title of royalty no longer holds meaning for me. From this moment onward, I am simply Hilda –– Lord Schrodinger’s devoted companion, for as long as you’ll have me." Xin hesitated, caught off guard by her unwavering dedication. He hadn’t undertaken anything extraordinary to deserve such loyalty, yet he felt it would be inconsiderate to reject her heartfelt pledge. "Then, I’ll count on you," he finally replied. Hilda’s eyes glistened with tears, her gratitude palpable. However, a fleeting doubt crossed Xin’s mind. He had anticipated that Princess Hilda would continue on her own path after their escape from the cave. The fact that she wanted to accompany him took him by surprise. Xin pondered the implications. Could NPCs participate in the guild wars? He promptly consulted the game’s mechanics and found that there were no explicit restrictions, only the established rules of engagement. An idea sparked within him. Perhaps, in the upcoming guild war, he could test this theory with Hilda by his side. If Xin had known about his ability to summon Elysia, he might have strategically chosen a beachfront location for the impending battle. "Lord Schrodinger, I strongly recommend that we vacate this area," Hilda advised, her expression grave as she scanned their surroundings. "This region is known as the Desolate Forest. It’s inhabited by wild beasts with levels exceeding a hundred. They’re adversaries you should avoid confronting at your current level." Xin consulted the map swiftly, confirming that they had arrived in the southern part of Ironpeak Mine, a forest notorious among the Dwarves as the Desolate Forest. This locale served as a favored grinding spot for players who had already reached level ninety and beyond. In this perpetually snowy landscape, dead trees and snow-covered paths stretched out endlessly, shrouded in constant dim light. "Agreed, let’s move on," Xin concurred, directing his Golems to lead the way with a contingency to fall back on should any attacks occur. He also signaled Pudding to retreat into his [Pet House] via the [Menu]. Pudding wasn’t particularly adept at combat; its strengths lay more in crafting. Despite possessing a decent set of skills, the effectiveness of those abilities remained uncertain due to its current low Growth. As their journey continued through the forest, Xin and Hilda encountered multiple beasts of level ninety and higher, often traveling in groups. Yet, Hilda handled them with effortless ease, relying solely on her formidable strength. The Golems found themselves with little to do. During their trek, they suddenly heard the distinct sounds of clashing metal and roars reverberating through the air. "What’s that?" Xin’s curiosity was piqued. Hilda gestured in a specific direction on the map. "It’s coming from that direction." Her finger pointed toward a vast expanse of snowfield illuminated by the radiant moonlight. In the midst of this luminous scenery, Xin’s gaze settled on a figure locked in combat with a beast twice its size. Straining his vision, Xin could make out the form of a player engaged in a fierce struggle. "Midnight . . . Duchess?"