The game has become a real alternate world-Chapter 935 - 617: Homecoming

Under the brilliant sunlight, the golden rays bathed the entire city.

Asira stood with the children in front of the bronze city gate carved with flame patterns.

The two guards at the gate were centaurs wearing antler helmets, while a human guard beside them was using a horse's tailhair to wipe off the frost flowers on his shield.

The scales on his armor reflected the rising morning sun, casting tiny golden spots on the stone brick pavement.

"Why do they wear such helmets?" the dwarf uncle, who hadn't returned in a long time, curiously asked. He naturally knew that centaurs couldn't possibly have antlers.

"Maybe it's fashionable," Asira, not knowing the exact reason, could only respond offhandedly.

"Barbarian, those helmets are imbued with magic. Most centaurs aren't particularly gifted in magic, so these helmets may be used to compensate for that shortcoming, providing unexpected advantages in battle," the mage concluded after observing.

When they reached the city gate entrance, the centaur guard said, "Welcome home, Night Watcher, and you little ones too."

As he spoke, white mist puffed from his nostrils, with sparks flickering within, and his hooves tapped on the magic array at the gate, creating ripples of blue light.

The group, together with the children, entered the city. Along the maple crystal stone path dampened by dew, the bronze domes of the alchemy workshop puffed out indigo steam.

The mist coalesced into a wondrous sight resembling the starry sky, but was quickly dispersed by the apprentices who opened the windows and poured out potions.

"For the seventh time! I've said it already, stir the lizard eyes clockwise!" A fierce argument ensued from the second floor, immediately followed by a glass window shattering, and purple bubbles enveloped the apple tree by the roadside, turning its fruit crystal-clear instantly.

An elderly human woman carrying an herb basket shook her head, lightly touching the tree bark with her fingertip, causing amber healing potion to seep from the tree rings.

This is the headquarters of the Alchemy Laboratory, with a sign that reads: Non-Night Watchers, no admittance; any accidents are not our responsibility. After all, without the protective measures of the Night Watchers, a careless touch might endanger life.

"Don't go near here until you're grown up," Asira gently patted Eva's head, solemnly warning the children, "The patrolling Night Watchers are not to be trifled with."

Most residents of the city were human, but there were also many dwarves and half-elves, with the occasional elf to be seen.

The group continued forward, crossing half the city and arriving at a bridge spanning the river.

The heat wave from the riverside blacksmith shop district hit them, the temperature in this area noticeably higher than elsewhere. Standing on the bridge, one could see the bustling scene in that district from afar.

The dwarves' bronze backs rose and fell in the red glow of the forge, and amidst the clanging of the anvil, rough songs intermingled: "Thor's beard, the flame's kiss, the quenched maiden won't marry!"

Suddenly, crimson sparks shot out from a furnace, transforming into a wing-flapping fire lizard in the air. A half-elf vendor squatting under the eaves quickly opened a wooden box, peddling, "Freshly made lava candy! Paired with mint leaves, it can blow rainbow smoke!"

Accompanied by a burst of low-pitched dwarven laughter.

"When I grow old, maybe this will be my life," the dwarf uncle said, chuckling as he watched the scene.

Asira glanced at him unceremoniously, remarking, "Isn't your secondary profession Beast Taming? I remember you once said you hated the thumping sound of smithing the most."

"Young man, people change," the dwarf uncle grumbled, dissatisfied.

Hehe, people do change, but dwarves don't change that easily, after all, they are as stubborn as rocks.

At noon, the bell from the Obsidian Tower at Night Watcher Headquarters struck, twelve shadows precisely slicing the Central Square.

"It's this time already, let's go."

The group crossed the bridge over the river and arrived at another half of Candlelight City, which was also the city's core area.

The buildings here were more solid and dignified, with many Night Watchers bustling about, though most wore plainclothes without weapons. From the satchels at their waists, one could guess their weapons were stored there.

"I heard a riot broke out in Beikor City?"

"That's what the channel said, supposedly an evil god is inciting it from behind."

"Damn evil god."

"And this damn war."

"I heard from the elves that the Moonlight Elves are ready to go to war, and they've even occupied the port."

"Oh, there's not much news about that side, but elves getting into a civil war, that's really..."

"Enough about that, let's focus on ourselves. I'm thinking of going to Lebia Continent to hunt rats."

"Not me, I just moved house recently, and I feel nauseous just seeing a rat."

The Night Watchers by the roadside were mostly exchanging information from around the world. The news here was perhaps the most well-informed globally.

An elf divination master with an astrolabe opened a crystal array beside the fountain, her earrings carved from solid aurora.

"The third batch of honey bread from the East District bakery," she suddenly winked at a passing human mother, "will have one with dragon scale patterns—for the coughing child."

The doll clutched by the child in the mother's arms suddenly spoke, "She's right!"

The passing children occasionally glanced over, their eyes full of longing.

"Alright, once everything's settled, someone will buy you some," someone nearby said with a smile.

The group crossed Night Watcher's Square and arrived at the northern part of the city. In this large area, numerous buildings stood with a dreamy appearance, and from afar, one could hear the joyful laughter of children.

Hearing this laughter, Adam and the others roughly knew they were nearing their destination.

Before reaching the door, an elderly lady led several women and young girls to greet them.

"Asira, oh, the children," the elderly lady hugged Asira briefly.

"I heard you've been involved in the wars over at Lebia these two years, weren't you injured?"

"It's nothing, grandma, you know the Night Watcher's blessing protects me."

"Even with protection, injuries still hurt, pain can carve itself into the heart."

"Alright, alright, look at these children, I rescued them," Asira quickly changed the subject.

The accompanying women and young girls immediately surrounded the children, squatting down to interact warmly.

It must be said, these women were extremely approachable. Even the blood race children, initially shy and timid, were quickly soothed by their warm aura.

The elderly lady squatted next to Ina, gently stroking her. Usually wary of strangers, Ina stood frozen at that moment, appearing somewhat at a loss.

"Good child, you're home now."

Amidst the comfort of the group, the children were led into the orphanage ahead.

Here, numerous children resided, most having lost their parents due to wars and various crises fueled by evil gods, and there were many blood race children among them.

The orphanage had a comprehensive education system and various thoughtful life facilities. As for funding, there was no need to worry; the Night Watchers never lacked in that regard.

Many family members of Night Watchers worked here, even sending their own children to study and interact with peers.