A few hours later.
"I want to return home..." Lisa says.
This whole time, she has been low in energy and motivation, thanks to what happened to her, a situation that we basically caused.
But if she hadn't followed us, she most likely would be free for a while now. If I believe Lucio, they were looking for the perfect excuse to get rid of her, as she was someone that stirred up the local population against the increase in living costs in town.
"I get it. We are reaching town with the Movers, and then you can make a better choice." I say to Lisa. "Sorry for getting you into this mess..."
I do admit I feel guilty about what happened to her. If it wasn't for us, she would be safe in her temple.
Maybe...
"Mmmmm... I don't even know what I will do when I return. If they attack me when they see me, I don't know what I would do..." She is holding an empty cup in her hands. Pressing her fingers.
"I don't see why she cannot stick with us for as long as she needs..." Aurelia comments.
Me neither. Sofia has been helpful as a healer and support, so is not like she is not dragging behind us. If she is in danger at home, she will be safe with us.
"Miss Aurelia! It is done!" Adhuin appears and joins us, holding a folded Kimono.
He hands it to me. The silk is soft and nice to the touch, cold from the low temperature of the place. I hold it to see it, and it is a beautiful piece of clothing. Red, flowery design, made to fit. It surprises me how he did not need to measure me completely to get my sizes.
I am about to ask for help when Adhuin tells me where I can change in private. I remember what Kathrina told me.
"You can tie it from the front."
My jaw clenches, and I go to the tent. Something that simple made me remember her.
[Cave Worm Silk Kimono Robe
Counts as Torso Equipment
Made of Cave Worm Silk
Considered Light Armor
Defense +250
Protection +50
+15 Fire Resistance
+10 Poison Resistance
+10 Sound Resistance]
It is basic, with few defenses. The value is good for a level 30 dungeon; it could be better. Defense and protection depend on the material. One increases the chance to dodge, the other reduces damage. I prefer to avoid getting hit, so I only care about Defense and Dodge Skill for staying alive.
I take my time, I remove my clothes, and pull them close. I was going to get them appraised in town and decide what to do with them. Then I wrap myself in my new clothes and do the knot in front of me.
It is perfect.
Aurelia whistles when I come out. "Damn, I like you more without it, though."
Sofia hits Aurelia in the back of the head. "There are children, you sinful dragon!"
"Just stating facts, priest!"
"My, you look quite beautiful, Miss Amber." Bae comments with her hand on her cheek.
"O-okay... Thank you, but that is enough." I ask them to stop because I am blushing like a tomato, and I have no idea what to do with the compliments!
"What a transformation! The kimono makes you look so much cuter!" Lars comments with a smile.
"I said stop!" I am screaming now.
"It's fine, I guess." Karina comments with a smug smile.
Okay, you can go fuck yourself.
I decide to take it calmly for the rest of the day. The next one I am helping to break camp and we are moving north by the river.
**********************************************************************************
The next morning, we are met with a thick fog, reducing our line of sight.
Lucio disappears for this whole time. We hear nothing from him. That only adds to my suspicions and makes me want to kick him out already and continue telling Aurelia to kill him if he follows us.
He doesn't join us when we are departing either.
"Told you, Boss." Aurelia comments while we are helping around.
"We pay attention. I am not allowing other mistakes to cause us harm." I comment while taking a box and moving it to a group of animals that are ready to move the heavy stuff.
The Movers had everything set up to be either carried on their inventory or to be quickly dismantled. The tents were easy to break down, and the tables and resources are being carried by their owners' inventory. Food is carried by Bae and Lars.
The kids are allowed to leisure while everyone is doing something.
Aurelia cannot scout ahead because of the fog. Once she goes up she only sees the top of the trees and doesn't manage to see anything of importance. We are bound to what we can see.
Even then, we start to move. When I was alone just a few days ago, now I have a full group, and I am properly dressed. Once we reach town, I will make sure to fix everything around, upgrade the kimono, and get some scrolls.
"You don't happen to have a spell to change the weather?" Lars says jokingly.
"I don't, sadly. Those are rare to find."
"Wait, they exist?" Bae asks, surprised.
"Wait, you don't know? They are in the Godly level; they are that rare." I didn't know their existence was not something that is commonly known. They are rare, but I did not know that they were rare.
"Your friend did not come." Bae comments seconds after. "Do you think he is alright?"
She must be talking about Lucio.
"He joined us when we left town... We don't even know about his motives." Lisa comments. "Maybe something happened to him."
Or he ditched us.
The tension and mystery of his actions is making me keep my hand in Bloodless, tightening my grip around it. If I ever find him, he will have to answer what he is doing.
FLOP
Something fell in front of us. Heavy, like a sack, right in the border of our vision, obscured by the fog. Aurelia signals, and everyone stops. Lisa takes a step back.
I look at Aurelia, and we both nod, and we get closer.
When I see what it is, I feel my whole body tense up, and I cannot move a single muscle.
The blood in his face, the face of terror, the arms and legs twisted in ways they shouldn't.
Is Lucio's dead body.