Arknightcraft Modpack
Chapter 620: This Is the Confidence That Regeneration Potions Have Given Me
"Don't look so much like a country bumpkin visiting the big city for the first time. Honestly, this city isn't nearly as good as it looks. No matter where you go, this land always has its cruel side."
Seeing Irene staring around so intensely that her eyes were practically sparkling, Steven couldn't help but remind her.
Lungmen only looked impressive when compared to a place as utterly broken as Iberia, in the grander view of things, it's above average at best.
"But it's still far better than the Iberia I know."
"Then let's make Iberia become like this too—or even more prosperous and powerful. I believe the Church can do it now. After all, you've got me as your partner."
Steven shamelessly praised himself without the slightest embarrassment.
"Right, right. Of course. With the mighty Mr. Steven helping us, surpassing Yan and Columbia and restoring Iberia to its former glory is only a matter of time, isn't it?"
Rolling her eyes, Irene replied with obvious sarcasm.
Everything she said was technically true. Iberia really was changing because of him.
But that didn't mean she had to like how smug he sounded whenever he talked about it.
The worst part was that she couldn't even find a good argument to refute him.
"So, how about focusing on our date instead? At least for today, just think of yourself as an ordinary girl. Forget your duties for a while and experience what a normal shopping date feels like."
Naturally, Steven could tell she was poking fun at him, but he didn't mind in the slightest.
Instead, he casually took her hand and led her toward Lungmen's bustling shopping district.
After all, he had promised to take her clothes shopping, and he hadn't forgotten.
Following behind him with her hand still in his, Irene continued looking around curiously at the shops and crowds.
It was as if she wanted to engrave every new sight into her memory.
Only when Steven stopped in front of a women's clothing boutique did she finally tear her gaze away from the streets.
Her attention immediately shifted to the dazzling outfits displayed in the storefront.
Compared to the black-and-white uniform she wore every day as an Inquisitor, the elegant and adorable dresses adorning the mannequins captured her heart in an instant.
No matter how dedicated she was to her duties, Irene was still a girl of her age.
She loved beautiful things.
The silky fabrics she'd never seen before, the intricate decorations, the carefully crafted designs—
She didn't even need to try them on, simply imagining herself wearing those dresses was enough to fill her with happiness.
To put it simply, they were so beautiful that they belonged in a dream.
No—perhaps even beyond that.
After all, it was difficult for someone to dream about things they had never seen before.
"Well? I told you I wasn't lying, didn't I?" Steven said with a grin.
Pulling out a thick stack of Lungmen dollars from his inventory, he waved it casually.
"If there's anything you like, go try it on. Leave the rest to me."
If he had been shopping alone, Steven would probably have spent half his time figuring out how to get things for free.
But this was different.
He had promised to treat her.
Being stingy now would be downright embarrassing.
Besides, he wasn't short on money.
He had deliberately chosen a boutique that specialized in cute skirts and elegant princess-style dresses.
Steven knew Irene far too well.
At her age, resisting outfits like these would be nearly impossible.
Yet if left entirely to her own devices, she'd probably let her pride take over and pick something more mature or androgynous instead.
"Really? I can try on anything I want?"
Although her eyes were practically overflowing with excitement, Irene still forced herself to remain composed and sought confirmation first.
"How about I pick something for you?" Steven suggested.
"I think that dress over there would look pretty good on you. Want to give it a try?"
Steven immediately pointed toward a dress displayed near the entrance of the boutique.
Calling it a "dress" was being generous.
It looked more like some sort of devil-themed cosplay outfit, complete with an absurdly short skirt, dark gothic styling, and an outrageously bold design that included garter straps and black stockings.
Just one glance at it was enough to make Irene's head spin.
What kind of perverted nonsense is this guy stuffing into his brain all day?!
"Get lost! If you like it so much, wear it yourself! Seriously, what kind of terrible taste is that?"
Rolling her eyes, Irene grabbed Steven by the arm and dragged him into the store.
After firmly ignoring the scandalously revealing outfit he had recommended, she quickly found herself lost among rows upon rows of beautiful clothing.
Every dress looked gorgeous.
Every outfit seemed enchanting.
And yet...
She couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't worthy of any of them.
Especially when her eyes accidentally met her reflection in one of the store's mirrors.
The smile on her face instantly froze.
There, clearly visible beneath the bright lighting, was the scar running across her left eye.
Her expression gradually darkened.
"...Maybe we should go somewhere else."
Even her voice sounded wilted, like a flower battered by frost.
Just imagining herself wearing one of these beautiful dresses while that ugly scar remained on her face made her feel a sharp ache in her chest.
The scar had never been beautiful.
If anything, paired with these elegant clothes, it would only stand out even more.
It would only make her seem more out of place.
Meanwhile, Steven had already begun considering whether he should secretly buy that little devil outfit later. Even if Irene refused to wear it, perhaps someone else might.
But hearing her suddenly dejected tone made him pause.
Fortunately, Irene was the type of person whose emotions were written all over her face.
After a brief glance, Steven immediately understood the reason for her sudden mood change.
"Tch. But I think these clothes suit you perfectly. What's wrong with that?"
He gently cupped her face in both hands.
Her soft, delicate chin rested against his palm as he carefully raised his hand and lightly brushed a finger across the scar beneath her left eye.
"Don't look at it..."
Irene immediately tried to pull away.
"It's really ugly."
She had been quietly letting him hold her face a moment ago, but the instant his finger touched the scar, she began struggling.
"Don't move."
Steven smiled softly.
"Let me show you a magic trick. It might feel a little itchy, but just bear with it for a moment."
Something about that reassuring smile made her calm down despite herself.
Then Steven gently ran his finger over the scar once more.
Just as he had warned her, an itchy sensation spread across the corner of her eye.
It was so strange that Irene nearly pulled away again.
At the same time, she felt something else.
A bizarre sensation.
As though flesh and blood were growing beneath her skin.
Then Steven withdrew his hand.
Without another word, he lightly pushed her toward the nearby mirror.
And the moment Irene looked up, she froze.
The girl reflected in the mirror possessed flawless, delicate features.
The scar that had accompanied her for years… was gone.
Completely gone.
No trace remained.
Only a beautiful face stared back at her.
For Steven, this wasn't even worth mentioning.
Forget a scar, as long as the other party is not dead, he can fix them in no time.
That was the confidence his regeneration potions had given him.
The door of the boutique suddenly opened.
A familiar figure walked inside.
The moment Steven saw who it was, he practically shrank where he stood.
—Why the hell is Centaurea here?!
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 689: Impossible to Refute[1]
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-169789182?collection=55713
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-169789182?collection=55713