Louie's weathered and exhausted face surfaced in Andrew's mind. He looked at Lucille again and smiled.

"Lucille, do not worry. Last night, your grandpa let me drink his liquor. So today, I will definitely pay for that drink. As for what you are worrying about, there is no need to worry. I am not the kind of man you think I am."

Lucille said softly, feeling disappointed, "But I am willing. Do you really not want me?"

Andrew opened his mouth, but did not know how to answer.

Lucille wanted to leave the town and live in a nearby big city. She wanted a life far away from hunger and war.

If this had been Holtrien, Andrew could have helped her. However, this was the Outlands, and Andrew was alone, so he truly could not protect her.

Perhaps Andrew could take her to a city like City of Hope. Nonetheless, the outcome often would be grim. The next day, Andrew might find her body in some gutter, abused and murdered.

That was the reality of survival in the Outlands, brutal yet realistic. Sta