Staring at the girl in front of him, Lin En was momentarily stunned. He couldn't imagine that Yifuer—who had always shown no affection toward his former self—would appear at such a critical moment to help him. Wasn't she the one who had always kept her distance?
She was a prodigy, a gifted magic girl.
He was a so-called trash without any talent.
Heaven and earth apart—yet they were bound together by a political marriage. Though Yifuer had never mocked him like others, she had always kept her distance, treating him like a stranger. She had never once shown any desire for the engagement; if anything, she was against it.
"Lin En, I'm here to help you."
As if reading the confusion on his face, Yifuer continued, "If you have questions, ask them once we're in the carriage. Your old servant probably won't last much longer."
Startled, Lin En quickly turned to look at Lin Rongfu. His face was deathly pale. The same man who had just seemed strong enough to support the heavens now looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
Panic surged in Lin En's heart. He didn't have time to ponder Yifuer's motives—what mattered now was escaping Kerry City and finding a safe place to treat Rongfu's injuries.
He helped Rongfu into Yifuer's carriage. With a word to the driver, the vehicle set off toward the city gates.
"Thank you," Lin En said earnestly inside the carriage.
"No need to thank me. I'm only doing this for my own peace of mind," Yifuer replied indifferently.
She had no affection for Lin En. As she said, she was acting only out of a sense of duty—after all, he was still her fiancé in name. Letting him die now felt wrong, even if she'd never accepted the engagement.
Just as Lin En was about to speak again, Lin Rongfu suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining his robe red. His aura plummeted, flickering like a dying candle. The power he had burst forth with earlier had now caused a severe backlash—his old injuries had returned with vengeance.
"Grandpa Fu!" Lin En cried, catching the old man's collapsing body.
Seeing how pale and weak he had become, Lin En's heart clenched with fear.
"Young Master, don't worry," Rongfu said with a strained smile. "This old dog has weathered many storms. A little injury like this won't take me down."
Lin En remembered the healing flames of his Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit—the Phoenix—but Yifuer was right beside him. He didn't dare expose his abilities just yet. He hesitated, caught between action and caution.
"Here. I have a healing potion."Yifuer handed him a vial of glowing blue liquid.
Grateful, Lin En took it without question and helped Rongfu drink. The potion worked quickly—his breathing stabilized—but Lin En knew this was only a low-tier healing potion. With Rongfu's heavy injuries and massive energy drain, it was barely enough to stop the bleeding, let alone restore him fully.
Still, it was a start. And Lin En was deeply grateful.
"Thank you, Yifuer."
Watching Rongfu's condition improve, Lin En finally exhaled. His gaze fell on Yifuer again. Her beauty was well-known—she was the jewel of Kerry City—but today, Lin En saw her differently. Her eyes were like the purest lakes, her presence like a spirit untouched by worldly dust. There was kindness beneath her cold exterior.
And she had saved him.
For the first time, Lin En's feelings stirred—not as memories from his predecessor—but from his own heart.
"Lin En," she said quietly, meeting his gaze."The man I marry must be a true powerhouse. I hope you understand that."
There was no contempt in her voice—just a calm statement of fact. Someone without talent, like the old Lin En, was simply not worthy of her.
Lin En forced a bitter smile. So… was this heartbreak the moment he'd just started to feel something?
He understood. The old him did fall far short—whether in strength or status. But now? Now he had the One Piece system. Sooner or later, he'd stand at the peak. Yifuer… he'd surpass her expectations.
But until then, he had to hide everything. His power, his system—it was all too dangerous to reveal.
"I understand," Lin En said, forcing a calm tone.
He didn't blame her. She hadn't looked down on him, and she had saved both him and Rongfu. That was more than enough. Until he had the strength to match her, perhaps letting go was best.
"Let's cancel the engagement," Lin En said. "I'll explain it to my father myself."
"Thank you," Yifuer said, visibly relieved—but there was a complicated emotion in her eyes.
Her goal was achieved, and her tense posture relaxed. Lin En, however, felt even more in her debt.
"If not for you, we'd be dead by now. I owe you my life, Yifuer. One day, I'll repay this debt."
Yifuer only smiled slightly, saying nothing.
From her expression, Lin En could tell she didn't believe him. Maybe she thought a powerless man like him could never repay such a debt. He didn't argue. Time would prove her wrong.
The carriage fell into silence. Neither of them spoke. The air between them grew still, even awkward.
Before long, the carriage reached Kerry City's outer gate—only to be stopped by guards from the Earl's estate.
Lin En tensed. Even the gates are under her control? His stepmother had clearly planned everything.
"How dare you block a noble's carriage?" the driver shouted."This is the Viscountess Yifuer's coach! Who among you will take responsibility for offending her?"
The guards hesitated. Kerry's two great families—the Earl's and Viscount's—were closely tied. Otherwise, the engagement wouldn't exist. Still, they had orders. They couldn't let anyone suspicious through.
"We serve the Earl's estate, under direct orders from the madam," their captain explained."We request permission to inspect the carriage. If no fugitives are found, we'll let you pass at once."
"Nonsense! How dare you ask to inspect my lady's carriage?" the driver snapped, revealing the aura of a battle master.
"What's going on, Leidnor?"Yifuer emerged from the carriage, her voice calm but commanding.
"Miss, they say they want to inspect your carriage—looking for some fugitive," Leidnor replied.
Yifuer frowned, her voice icy cold.
"There are no criminals here. Move."
Her words hit with invisible force. The guards felt as if gravity had doubled. It wasn't just her beauty—they knew she had already been admitted to Nancy Magic Academy in the capital. She would soon be a real mage—not someone they could afford to offend.
"Yes, Lady Yifuer!" the guard captain bowed hastily."We apologize for the disturbance."
They backed away without another word. Yifuer returned to the carriage.
Soon, the carriage rolled through the city gates and into the open plains beyond.
Half an hour later, outside the city, Leidnor stopped the carriage.
"This is as far as I go," Yifuer said. "Take the carriage. I hope you two stay safe."
"Thank you, Yifuer," Lin En said, eyes lingering on her elven-like beauty.
His heart was a swirl of emotions—gratitude, guilt, something more.
"I meant what I said. I owe you my life."
"We'll see," Yifuer replied softly. "Now go."
"Take care."With one last glance, Lin En jumped into the driver's seat and took off—clumsily at first, then more confidently.
Yifuer stood still, watching the carriage disappear into the distance. For some reason, she felt as if something important was slipping away. But then she remembered the engagement was off. A weight lifted from her heart.
"Miss, that Lin En dares talk of repaying you? He's just a talentless nobody," Leidnor scoffed.
"Let it be," Yifuer replied calmly. "I have nothing more to do with him. Let's return."
Meanwhile, Lin En steadily guided the carriage down the road. As he got used to the reins, a strange sense of freedom filled his chest.
He had escaped the suffocating city.
He was free.
Ding!Temporary Quest Complete: Escape Kerry City.Reward: Navy's Six Powers Skill – Shave!