Fairy 78: Feeling into the forest

"Welcome back"

Vottes the first one to welcome Zack back, as soon she saw him. However, she blink her light pink eyes in confusion, when she noticed Zack has returned back with nothing. But before she could able to speak, Zack spoken firstly.

"I am back… you all okay Vis?"

Zack asked, as he looked at the shy little girl, that is 7 years younger than himself. He tilted his head to the side, not understanding why Hisui became shy of all the sudden. Of course, in Zack's eyes, this shyness looks more she has a fever, it no wonder why Zack became worried.

"I-I am fine, sorry for worrying you." Hisui went, while Vottes giggled seeing such a reaction. Of course, Zack who asked her this, looked even more confused, but didn't pry on the matter any further.

"Wasn't you hunting…?" Vottes pointed out. No matter how much she thinks about it, it is strange.

Hisui and Vottes been waiting for this guy for few hours. But he has not returned with anything.

Being with Zack for two months mostly in the wild itself. Vottes knew he normally takes under an hour normally to hunt something for them to eat.

So it no wonder, why Vottes find this strange. Even if Zack found no eatable monsters, or wildlife in the area. He wouldn't be this long.

Of course, if he was hunting down a prey that stronger then himself, it could be understandable.

However, if Zack were to face such a monster, that equal or near his strength. There will be wounds on his body. And yet, besides some rips on his clothing, there nothing on his steel harden body.

This tells Vottes, Zack has been fighting, but whatever he fought with, wasn't out of his reach. And yet… if he actually fought something of that level, and didn't bring it back, was it a monster that cannot be eaten that Zack fought? Or something else?

"Sorry, I couldn't bring back any meat." Zack went with a wryly smile.

"Really…? I really like your meat as well… I even was looking for to it." Vottes went with a sigh, and Hisui even nodded her head, as she recalled the meat that Zack cooked for them yesterday when they camped.

{Didn't none of you realised, how dirty that sound? But Master, it is very interesting how much she likes your 'meat'.} Nightfall went, butting in the talk between the three of them. Of course, Zack has no clue what this perverted sword is on about.

'Meat? I will offer you some… but you can't eat right? And when did Vottes fainted from my meat??' Zack asked, with the connection link he has with Nightfall.

{I don't want, but I am very sure I can chop 'it' off, if you want to give it to me.} When Nightfall said that Zack looked confused, didn't he already have knives specialise in cutting and slicing meat. So why did he need a big chuck of metal, aka Nightfall as the greatsword he is, to cut meat and vegetables?

{…I think I know what you thinking, please don't use me as a mere cutting kitchen knife…} Nightfall went, feeling regretful, for his dirty joke just now.

"Wait… what you mean about you couldn't bring any?" Vottes went, snapping Zack out of his state of confusion about what Nightfall really meant.

"About that… we need to leave, as soon as possible."

As soon Zack said that with a serious tone. Vottes became alerted. When Zack become serious, he become a different person. The soft and gentle Zack disappears the moment be become serious. And because she been with Zack this long, she knew he wouldn't become serious over something small.

Which is why, Vottes unknowingly hugged Hisui who still in her arms, tighter than before. And due to the serious tone of Zack, as well his expression, Hisui become nervous if her kidnappers had return to get her.

"What happened?" Vottes asked, in a somewhat serious voice as well.

"I just encountered two Dark Wizards from Black Rivers not long ago." The moment Zack said that Vottes's light pink eyes widen. Her magical power within her body, begin to move on their own, and a small amount magical power leak out, even Hisui felt this.

Realising her hatred i8s getting to her, Vottes calmed her heart to the best she could. Not to think of those people that ruined her life.

Since the age of 13 years old, she was kidnapped, and forcedly turned to a Dragon Slayer. Four years later, when the old wizard, that kidnapped her died. She thought she was free at last. Only to discovered that old man sold her but died on the day when he meant to ship her off.

Three whole years she been on the run. Three whole years, she sent it running, fighting, and running yet again. All so she could survive the next day.

How can she not feel hatred towards the ones, that caused her so much pain? How can she not resent those, that wouldn't let her trained, wouldn't let her make true friends that wouldn't backstab her?

Because of them, because of their selfish desires, made her into who she is today. And Zack knew all of this, he also knew how hard it is for her, that she has no power to vent those unfair feelings she has in her heart.

He cannot imagine what it be like, to live like that. To experience things she did. Which is why, he wanted to crushed them into nothingness even more, each time he thought how she must be feeling right now.

"Vottes… are you fine?" Zack asked, as he went, and patted her head, knowing this calms her down, when he does this.

"I am fine… just… you know." Vottes went with a small smile and push her head towards the touch of his hand. As she felt the uneasiness within her heart fading by the second, from the gentle touch of Zack's hand.

Normally, Hisui will feel jealous seeing this, even if she doesn't understand it herself. But this time, she felt something is wrong with the usual Vottes she knew. She has no clue what this Black Rivers is, but from the name of it, it must be a guild, or more like a Dark Guild from the sound of it.

"So what now…?" Vottes asked with her eyes closed, when she leaned on Zack, and also taking Hisui with her, who looked startled, but let her be, while she also listened into what this situation is.

"From what I learnt from them… they planning to ambush us on our way to Albero." When Zack said that, Vottes opened her light pink eyes while she sighed, before she turned her face, while still leaning on Zack, and faced him face to face.

"From my experience, it never best to remain in the same place for long… not to mention, since they knew we coming towards them, without a doubt, they have a trap lying ahead for us… returning back to where we came from is also a bad idea. They might have spies there, in case something unexpected happens…" Vottes went with another sigh.

Due to her vast experience with the Black Rivers Dark Guild, she already knew how things going to work out. And even foresee that returning back to Foglia, the town they came from, might not be a bad idea compared what they will face.

But in the end, it still a bad idea, even if it not as compared to the ambush ahead of them. Without a doubt, since Black Rivers knew they came from that town, they will have their people station there, in case they will return back.

"What we need the most, is to avoid their eyes. Of course, there's always the option of facing them… however…" Vottes voiced her option, and recalled when Zack was wounded the other day. Zack still hasn't fully recovered with his fight with Damon.

But he still strong enough to flawlessly deal with S-Class Wizards or monster one-on-one, or maybe two at the same time. But when facing a wizard, you always must prepare for the unexpected. And Zack only has enough strength to deal with a SS-Class Wizard, never mind defeating one.

Vottes don't doubt Zack's strength, but if they have an ambush ahead of them. Without a doubt, they must have someone strong enough to deal with Zack and Vottes, since they knew about Zack's existence now. Not to mention, they might have someone who specializes in traps, or maybe has Trap Magic waiting for them.

Not to mention, there another reason beside Zack hasn't fully recovered. Why they shouldn't walk right into Black Rivers' trap.

And that reason is no other then Hisui herself.

Since if they two had to fight, they also had to deal with the fact, Hisui who not a wizard herself, has to be protected. Making the duo, Zack and Vottes, an easy target in the eyes of the Black Rivers Dark Guild.

"I agree… returning back to where we came from, isn't a wise idea, nor it is for us breaking through, whatever they prepared for us. Which is why, the best choice for us, will be heading through the forest behind us. And hope we can lose their tracks on us before they noticed we already seen through their plans." Zack went.

Taking the forest route is dangerous, but not a problem for the likes of wizards like Zack and Vottes. Not to mention, even if they don't go either to Albero or Foglia, but to another town on the highway. There is a high chance, that Joloshi along with her Magic Car will find them again.

In order to avoid such troublesome matters, it best for the trio to stay away from main roads and highways, until they sure Joloshi isn't on their radar any longer.

"I am thinking the same thing, shame, this will delay us from reaching Crocus. But right now, we need to avoid their eyes, and get away from our current location. I am sorry about this Vis, because of me… we had to delay the time when we reach Crocus, your home."

Vottes went seriously at first, then her expression turned gentle with a wry smile, as she patted Hisui's green hair, while the little girl herself, still trapped within Vottes's arms.

"No need to worry about that… I understand." Hisui went with a smile, knowing what the best for them is. She didn't expect besides the Nine Hands, there another group she has to be wary of. But in the end, she didn't let her worries shown on her face, nor did she blamed Vottes for bringing her troubles into her life.

There is no telling what will happen to her, if it wasn't for Zack saving her. And Vottes is a good and warm person. Which is why Hisui didn't mind being hugged by her, because it seems that Vottes is the kind of person that shows her affection through her actions, besides words. And honestly, Hisui didn't dislike it, but find herself fond of this.

Because no one will dare to act this way with her, who is a princess, she welcomes this new experience. Which is why she didn't care, if there another group besides the Nine Hands on their tails, or she has to wait longer to return home.

This little princess is enjoying the experiences she properly never experiences again in her life, so there no need to blame anyone for this, even if it comes with unexpected troubles.

After this discussion, Vottes and Zack, along with Hisui handling the small matters. Pack away their campsite, and without delay, they made their way further into the forest, away from the highway they were near.

And just like that, they successfully avoided the ambush of the Black Rivers Dark Guild, who hasn't has the slightly idea, they had successfully flee from them.