Chapter 48: Real Farewell

Tomorrow came and it's finally the time for our departure. It wasn't that really sad to leave anymore, since we already did it before, only to get interrupted by an ambush.

Even though I'm a cursed being who was chased and threatened, they still accepted my request to stay in their town. They already got damaged because of my mistakes, but they still trying to help me in escaping the menace.

I promise I'll remember their kindness.

"Do we have to do it the second time?" Dalary complained about crossed arms on the top of her chest. She pouted her lips, glaring at those who watched us leaving. "Should we just leave?"

All I can do was to give her a fake laugh. She had never liked this kind of thing at all, but I remembered her being sorrowful the first time we waved farewell. She even prepared her wagon and Dino for the ride already. All I can say is that her whole existence was full of complexity.

And speaking of the wagon, it was already improvised right now. There was now an arch-shaped frame on top using sticks and logs. It was covered by white clothing serving as the roof of our vehicle as well as to keep anyone in seeing what's inside.

"Meria." I heard a familiar voice called my name. I turned around to my back and saw the elder approaching me at a slow pace. His face was neither upset nor happy.

"There was someone named Heron at Astraen." He said. "She could tell you more about the route towards Ritensore."

As soon as I heard the place that we were heading, I couldn't help but let my eyes widened. Astraen was one of the human kingdoms in the world of Arcania, and the second richest with Deravon above it.

They were rich in weapons and tools, and as a barbaric kingdom, they treasure good battles and competitions. I would like to go there, but hearing about them made my feet drop into the ground.

"U-Understood." I stuttered at my answer, unsure if I wanted to go there or not. I'm sure that it changed by now since those books that I've read were written a long time ago.

"We'll send a report to the King with this matter." Dalary's father spoke this time, sticking a smile on his face. He must be talking about the king of all kings. "But we won't mention your involvement."

If news about a runaway cursed human will reach Lamician, then my situation will get a lot worse. I think despite my leaving and of no use to them, they are still keeping me from danger.

"I-I'm sorry… I would surely pay your gratitude in the future." I said as I started to get embarrassed by their help without even me begging for it. Because of this, he laughed as loud as he can.

"We'll look forward to that." He answered as he rested his arms on his waist. Unlike the elder, his face was droopier and more innocent, giving him a good impression.

"I hope my daughters won't cause any trouble for your journey." Dalary's mother entered the conversation with a sweet smile on her face. Just like the first time we met, she was still energetic.

I gave her a laugh, even though it was noticeable that it was fake. Dalary and Pholly simultaneously jumped in their position as they heard her say those words.

Kandani and Cainne seemed to not been participating in the farewell lately and already went into the wagon to prepare for the leave.

The first seemed always quiet so I didn't notice any strange actions from him, but Cainne, on the other hand, had been thinking a lot lately. His head was down and his face was full of anxiety. I didn't attempt to talk to him, since maybe he needs some time alone, but when the time comes that I couldn't help it, I'll talk to him.

"Thank you for your time!" I said once more as we were already on the wagon, waving at them goodbye. They also waved back and kept shouting about their farewell greetings. All I can hope is that they'll be safe, and us to be safe as well.

Dalary summoned Dino to leave and little by little, Zentra's gates were slowly beginning to fade in my vision. I stared at it as the tall trees of the Undead Woods were covering my sight.

The atmosphere changed from the lively town into the usual eerie presence of the forest. The mist started to appear everywhere and pairs of red glowing eyes kept looking in our direction. But they never attempted to attack us.

Thankfully, the residents said that there were no monsters lurking around this part, so it was safe for travelers like us to walk in and out of the town. The black dogs that were hiding behind bushes and trees are there for security and look out for suspicious visitors.

At last, we finally moved out of the Undead Woods, greeted by tall mountain ranges. It wasn't steep and massive like those mountains of the Gandrian Range at the south, but that wasn't the danger lurking in these mountains.

If we're on the north, then the only volcano standing here in the entire mainland, is the Mt. Herk. It emitted hot blazing liquid called lava. One can tell its heat even just looking at it through a photo.

And that's not all, it could emit it anywhere in these mountains. It could be boiling water or lava, and once it touched your skin, it would melt and spread the heat around your body.

But the path given wasn't through the mountains and just at its border so at least, for now, we were safe from its danger. As we traveled at the boundary between the Undead Woods and the Mt. Herk, I couldn't be able to ride comfortably as I felt the tension on both sides.

The atmosphere of the woods on the right gave the horror that will send chills down into my spines while the mountains on the left screamed literal danger that once you stepped on it, death will show up in front of you.

But it seemed like my companions were showing no fear on both of the monsters that were staying on both sides of our wagon as they were too focused on their own problems. Cainne was still lowering his head, Kandani seemed stiff around us, Pholly and Dalary were awkward with each other.

The silence was lurking around us too much that the tension already filled my mind, keeping me from thinking other things. I tried to replace it with other memories I had, but I couldn't be able to think of anything fun. My childhood wasn't the best, not to mention knowing that I wasn't a legitimate child and a cursed one that is.

"Hey."

Dalary broke the silence with her sudden voice, causing the others to raise their head and looked at her. I almost lost in my train of thought if she didn't say anything.

"I've had suspicions." She said as she rested her chin on her palm.

"About what?" I asked.

"About you there." She pointed at Kandani, who was just sitting in the corner of the wagon in peace. He jumped at his seat, as he was shocked at Dalary's sudden accusation of him.

I decided to not interfere with what she was about to say since it was no use. I got used to her blaming anyone.

If I remembered correctly, she also grew suspicion to Cainne before and I'm sure that wasn't gone yet. Once she doesn't trust anyone, she would continue to be, but it's also the same for the opposite.

"What really happened to you?"

She leaned forward, squinting her hollow eyes as the glowing blue light adjusted its location. The poor scarnet doesn't have any choice but to lean backward until his back met the limit. Even if I wanted to stop this, I couldn't be able to.

After the uncomfortable posture she was giving to him, she went back into her position and crossed her arms on her chest. I sighed in relief as her being pushy had come to an end.

"Indeed, I said before that it was fine if you can't tell it." She added, now with a more calm approach. I witnessed her being like this, but it is a rarity. "But we can't trust you if you keep doing that. You can't just go with a free ride."

Once again, I sighed, feeling troubled at her actions.

Sure, she had a point that Kandani mustn't keep any secrets from us, since right now, he already knew mine. But she could give him some time to think. Maybe he wasn't ready to tell anything yet.

"U-Umm…" He was unsure what to do, now that pairs of eyes were staring at him.

Suddenly, something was being thrown out inside of our wagon. I, as well as others, tried to look for it using only my eyes until I saw it on the floor in just a second.

It was a small red orb of a perfect sphere that shone like a ruby. It seemed like a magic orb, a hostile one. It wasn't easy to get it these days since it was illegal.

Wait!

As soon as I realized what it is, I immediately stood up from my seat, as well as Cainne. I was about to grab the magic orb to take it out, but then, I was too late.