Chapter 111: Rest and Resurgence!

Chapter 111: Rest and Resurgence!

After a hearty meal, the group's energy was visibly restored. Their earlier exhaustion melted away, replaced by lively chatter and a renewed spark in their eyes. Ecdy and Nyala, their bellies full, exchanged jovial remarks, while Tessa, now back in control of her body, felt her mind clear. The atmosphere had shifted entirely; hunger was no longer a concern, and the weariness of the journey temporarily forgotten.

"We need a bath," Nyala muttered to Tessa, wrinkling her nose. "It's been weeks. We're starting to stink like we just crawled out of a swamp." She pictured the strange smells she had had to endure up to this point and wished to put an end to it.

Tessa, fully in charge, gave a slight nod, relieved that her body hadn't been overtaken by Ashley yet. With confidence, she approached the manager and handed over a staggering sum of 800,000 Grinwall notes.

Ikehara, who was watching this exchange and was always baffled by Tessa's ever-changing demeanor, stood frozen for a moment. His eyes flicked to the pile of money, his confusion deepening. Where had she gotten such wealth? And why did she bother paying for him this time?

The manager, however, was utterly stunned. His preconceived notions shattered as he processed the amount. Dressed as ragged warriors, the group had seemed like nothing more than paupers when they first arrived. Experience had taught him that people in tattered clothes often couldn't pay, especially those who asked for excessive amounts of food. He'd been prepared to usher them to the poor section, but now, seeing this unexpected fortune, it was as if he'd stumbled upon a unicorn in broad daylight.

"Do you belong to any wealthy organization?" The manager's voice had taken on a new reverence. He was now bowing, as though fearing he'd been too dismissive earlier. "This place could be your new home..., I will always be at your service..."

Irritated, Ecdy shot a glance at him, muttering under his breath. "This buffoon wanted to throw us out earlier. Now he's wagging his tail like a trained dog..." The others burst into laughter, sharing in the absurdity of it all.

But the manager took it in stride. His ability to absorb insults and remain calm was his strength, one that had kept his business thriving in the competitive city. He knew an opportunity when he saw one, and if that meant bowing, so be it.

"Do you have guest rooms attached to this restaurant?" Tessa asked, her tone firm yet dismissive of his newfound eagerness to please.

"Of course, my lady!" The manager beamed, gesturing to a nearby building. "You, you, and you," he pointed to his staff. "Make sure they get everything they need. No questions asked!"

Without hesitation, his employees scrambled to fulfill his orders, and soon the group was led to the guest rooms. Their walk was short as the building was built at the back of the flourishing restaurant.

The moment they caught the scent of running water, their weariness seemed to evaporate entirely. Ecdy and Adrian grinned, already imagining the cool water washing away weeks of grime.

As soon as they entered, everyone rushed into their respective showers. The men took one side, the women the other. Adrian, lost in thought as he let the warm water cascade over his skin, was startled by a sudden touch. He turned, expecting Nymff, but was met with Ecdy's mischievous grin instead.

"You look surprised," Ecdy teased, "or were you expecting someone else?" he picked up a soap that was placed nearby with a taunting smile plastered on his face.

Adrian sighed, "Just wash up and go."

On the women's side, Nyala, Lhize, Nymff, and Tessa reveled in the luxury of fresh water. The warmth of the bath soothed their aching muscles and cleansed the dust of battle from their bodies. After what felt like an eternity, they emerged, smelling sweet and wearing freshly cleaned clothes. Their armor had been polished to a brilliant shine.

But as they gathered in the common area, something shifted. Ashley, having bided her time, forcefully reclaimed Tessa's body. The change was palpable. Her once-relaxed expression hardened into one of fury. Everyone could feel it, they could sense it, someone else was in charge.

"What's going on here?" Ashley barked, her voice filled with anger. "We're wasting precious time! When will we get to the Southern Hill at this rate?"

Her presence, domineering as ever, sent a chill through the group. Ikehara, who had grown accustomed to these sudden shifts, simply observed in silence. He had long learned to pretend not to notice the change between Tessa and Ashley, though the latter's behavior always left him uneasy. Even so, voicing any dissatisfaction seemed a fool's errand.

Ashley's impatience was palpable. "Everyone, out! We leave now!" Her eyes flashed dangerously as she stormed toward the exit.

The manager, who had been ready to hand her the bill, quickly reconsidered after noticing her cold demeanor. "It's on the house..." he stammered, not daring to cross her.

Without another word, the group, now refreshed but under Ashley's iron rule once again, got set to continue their journey southward.

The earlier camaraderie and lightheartedness faded into the background, replaced by a tense determination. Ashley's single-minded focus on reaching the Southern Hill brooked no delay, and the urgency in her stride warned them all—there would be no more distractions.

""This bitch is back…" Ecdy muttered under his breath as he tugged on his fresh clothes, the weight of Ashley's return heavy in the air. He shot a quick glance at the others, their moods equally soured.

"At least we had a chance to eat and bathe," Nyala replied, her voice low, as if trying to hold onto the brief moment of peace they had shared with Tessa. "And spent some time with her."

Lhize frowned deeply. "I just wish Tessa could find a way to get rid of that... thing inside her. I don't know how much more of this we can take."

"Let's not tempt fate," Nymff said, her tone urgent as she grabbed Lhize's arm. "We need to get out of here before Ashley finds another excuse to lash out."

Without waiting for a response, Nymff hurried toward the door, Lhize and Lhaze followed closely from behind. The others quickly followed, sensing that any delay might provoke Ashley's volatile temper.