Goblin Dependency
Chapter 79 - 79 55 Alton

79: Chapter 55 Alton 79: Chapter 55 Alton “Clang!”

The metal pot collided with small stones in the muddy ground, producing a crisp sound.

The iron pot, exuding the aroma of food, landed heavily on the grass.

“Eat up quickly, I’ve been stewing it for a long time, it’s definitely delicious!”

Appearing before Xia Nan was a short figure, just reaching his waist.

A pair of light brown eyes glimmered slightly in the twilight of the sky; with fair and rosy skin, short curly brown hair topped with a pointed soft hat adorned with feathers.

The attire was that of an adventurer, simple and neat, but the color combination was strikingly bright.

Upon closer inspection, there were charming details like the “four-leaf clover pattern on the shoes.”

Alton,

a Half orc, was also one of Xia Nan’s companions in this mission.

Unlike the “dwarves” he had seen before, who seemed flattened and stretched horizontally, solid as tree stumps; nor like those gnomes with big heads and light bodies.

The Halflings, though also short, stood only about three to four feet tall as adults.

However, their body proportions resembled humans more closely.

Meanwhile, their limbs appeared to be covered in brownish fur like small animals.

However, the Alton before him seemed to be a “Lightfoot Half orc” among their race.

This meant the fur covering the whole body was much less, with only the two legs maybe being furry—after all, dressed in thick burlap trousers, Xia Nan could only speculate this way.

“Carrots, honey, and even a bit of the special pepper I brought from the village.”

“You surely haven’t tasted this flavor before!”

Alton held the pot lid in one hand and placed the other on his waist, his face full of pride.

Xia Nan quickly munched on two bites of the jerky in his hand, pretending to look like he was about to be full, while recalling the information he had gathered about “Halflings” from various places during this time.

Unlike Dwarves, who have numerous subspecies like “Hill Dwarves,” “Mountain Dwarves,” and “Gray Dwarves,” varying based on their living environment, clan origin, and other factors,

the Halflings on the Aifala Continent are mainly divided into two types: “Strongheart Halflings” and “Lightfoot Halflings.”

The former have denser hair and slightly more solid builds.

They are keen on a comfortable home life and often choose to settle down in one place and live there for a long time.

Cohesive neighborhood relations, a warm fireplace, and a freshly baked walnut pie are what Strongheart Halflings pursue.

Conversely, Lightfoot Halflings are more enthusiastic about traveling afar.

They don’t intentionally strive for any particular goal but simply enjoy all the interesting things during the journey.

In most cases, only the “Lightfoot” kind is willing to leave the community and become adventurers who run between various missions.

It is worth mentioning that, compared to the love-hate relationships between subspecies of various major races on the continent, the relationship between Lightfoot Halflings and Strongheart Halflings is quite good.

Although they sometimes quarrel due to their different pursuits, it’s more like sibling squabbles in their race’s big family-style relationship and not serious.

Ultimately, there was no escaping it.

When Alton looked at Xia Nan with his big, sparkling eyes, filled with expectation and a longing for your approval.

He still agreed to try a bite.

Hiss—

The taste was unexpectedly good.

The complex and varied seasonings mixed together, somewhat neutralizing the conflicting flavors, leaving behind a mild and comforting aroma in the orange-red broth.

Combined with moderately fatty, tender chunks of meat that had been stewed to softness, and slices of radish that absorbed the broth…

With a look of surprise, Xia Nan gave Alton a thumbs up and praised,

“The taste is indeed good, not much worse than the food in the tavern.”

In response to Xia Nan’s praise, Alton, perfectly in line with his race’s traits, filled with emotional value.

He laughed happily and heartily,

“Hahaha, thank you!

It’s not that good though.”

While serving two more scoops into his bowl.

It wasn’t that Xia Nan had any prejudice against Alton, but just in these past two days, his personality was a bit too “distinctive.”

Like most Lightfoot Halflings, he was easygoing and open, filled with curiosity about everything encountered during travel, and keen to try various new things.

Whether it was the specific working method of the wheel or the daily fodder expense for the packhorse…

Almost everyone in the caravan had been enthusiastically engaged in a chat with him for a bit.

He had tried driving a wagon and even learned trap-setting skills from a relatively amiable adventurer, but the final results often didn’t meet expectations.

He was even a bit superstitious—

Xia Nan personally witnessed Alton doffing his hat in greeting to an inconspicuous bush by the roadside.

According to him, it was in respect to one of their Halfling deities, the Goddess of Nature Silla Perilol, who presided over agriculture and climate.

In conclusion, although he seemed a bit odd at times, Alton, at least for now, appeared to be a decent person.

Gurgle—

The Adam’s apple bobbed.

Xia Nan ladled two scoops of stew into his mouth, casually chatting with Alton beside him.

“So, you have faith in your race’s agricultural goddess?”

On the Aifala Continent, there were many deities, with various divine hierarchies being complex and often overlapping in authority.

Within the Halfling race alone, there are seven deities overseeing different domains to protect them.

They are referred to as the “He Yin” divine system.

—”He Yin” is a self-designation by the Halflings for their race, originating from rural colloquialisms and gradually spreading throughout the continent.

Xia Nan was curious about how Halflings themselves viewed these direct deities, who were as kind as parents yet difficult to contact.

Unexpectedly, to Xia Nan’s question, Alton shook his head.

The Halfling communal family-like relationship made them regard the deities protecting their clan as part of the family as well.

In such a context, it wouldn’t be quite appropriate for Halflings to serve devoutly, offering all like outside Priests.

“So, you…”

Just when Xia Nan thought Alton, like him, had no deity to worship,

Alton suddenly smiled slightly.

He pulled a coin with a metallic sheen from his pouch.

Ting—

With a flick of the fingers, the coin flipped high.

It spun and fell.

Alton spread his fingers, revealing the coin’s face-up side in his palm.

The engraved image appeared:

A woman with a vague facial expression, but her mouth seemed to reveal a smile beneath her long hair.

The “Lady of Smile,”

the Goddess of fortune who held the domain of “Destiny”—

[Taimola]