Chapter 245 Uncontested Return
When Daniel returned, Ren was still enthusiastically eating whatever remained. Aleshia was also in on this feast. Daniel had already paid for the meal, and it looked like the group was making the most of it as they continued to eat until they seemed too full to eat any more—and then some.
When Ren finished her plate, she regretfully looked down at the crumbs and picked at them one by one, putting them into her waiting mouth. Everyone else did the same. There was still one plate of food left, and Daniel asked Aleshia if he could store that last plate in her pouch to take to the camp. Aleshia readily agreed, extending her bag, and Daniel placed the leftover food into it.
Everyone finished digesting their meal, and they got up from the table to walk out into the street. The sun had nearly set on the horizon, and the streets were growing dark despite some candles lighting the way. Daniel led the group to the same border and spoke with the guards. Although they were different people, they seemed to recognize Daniel and were friendly, much like the previous guards.
"How have you been?" one of them asked.
Daniel replied, "The same as ever—working to work and feeding to feed."
The other guard said, "Alright, the same goes for us. We don't want to get too much in your way. You've got all the people you're responsible for; otherwise, we can't let you back in," he added, trying to sound light-hearted.
Prompted by Daniel, the three people under his charge nodded in agreement. After the guards listed a few details, they allowed Daniel and his group to cross the border into the slums.
The surroundings were quite dark, illuminated only by the moonlight. Unlike other districts, there were no candlelit lanterns here, and despite the late hour, the slums seemed to have a bit more activity. Everyone stayed close to Daniel as he led them back to the camp, and after walking for a while, they arrived with their spoils uncontested, encountering no obstacles along the way.
When they opened the door, no one was there to greet them, but they could hear the faint sound of pages rustling and saw a flickering light from an ajar door. Aleshia guessed that was where Rebel was managing the paperwork that Daniel had left behind. Everyone went to their quarters and dozed off for the night, awaiting the next day.