It has been twenty minutes since we started moving. Although we are traveling at a slower speed than our usual speed, we are by no means slow in human standard; in fact, we are moving at an above average human travel speed.
This proves that although the group of female Adventurers are not strong, they are not so weak that they will lose their life to a group of Goblins.
The route we take is not that longer than our original route. If we can maintain this speed, which unfortunately we can't due to the female Adventurers' limited stamina, we can actually reach Brontes Dukedom in three hours.
"So... Elise, how do you nourish your skin to look like that?"
"Does it look weird?"
"No, it looks amazing, which is why I want to know the secret."
"... I guess it's because I was born beautiful."
"..."
Watching the interesting interaction between Winerva and Eliseus, I can't help myself from smiling from time to time. Eliseus is socially awkward, so she gives unexpected and amusing answers to Winerva's questions from time to time.
Eliseus has made it clear that she doesn't want to be bothered; however, uncaring to that, Winerva keeps bothering her. She is very interested in how Eliseus looks that "perfect," so she doesn't really care how many times Eliseus has ignored her.
Eliseus eventually responds to her, which results in the current situation. I can see, though, Eliseus is starting to enjoy answering Winerva's questions with amusing answers.
The group of female Adventurers is just as strange as our troop. I expected Winerva to be the last person to strike a conversation with someone as quiet as Eliseus, but there she is talking enthusiastically with her.
I kind of get the reason though. She does look like a girl that is overly obsessed with beauty.
Turning my head to the person, or rather, couple leading us in the front, I find Velucan talking merrily with his girlfriend, Xenon. I was surprised when I figured this out as I expected the quiet one of the group, Yule, to be his girlfriend.
Birds of a feather do flock together I guess; Velucan's nonchalant personality really suits Xenon's wild demeanor. Although they don't look like they are made for each other, they are a lovely couple.
"I don't know about Lucan well, but I think it is surprising that Xenon can fall in love with someone."
"That guy falls in love with anyone who listens to his speaking nonsense episode. Xenon likes that part of him, which is why he loves her dearly," I say plainly.
"Oh... That is kind of sad."
I don't know if I have successfully killed the conversation by saying that, but Yule stops talking afterwards. I am glad I have managed to kill the conversation though; I don't have any intention to converse with anyone in the group.
Just as I am about to distance myself, unfortunately, Yule starts talking again. I sigh lightly in exasperation—I don't think someone that looks like her should be a chatterbox.
"What about you, Klein? Ah, can I call you that? Do you prefer—"
"Call me whatever you want." I wave my hand nonchalantly.
"Hmm... Does that mean I can call you darling?"
I have been teased a lot by Millonia and Valeria (indirectly), and I have been desensitized to all kinds of teasing because of that. For me, Yule's attempt to tease me is pathetic.
Turning my head to Eliseus as I apologize to her inwardly, I say, "Sure. You can call me darling or husband or hubby." Shrugging lightly, I add, "What my girlfriend will do to you is not within my responsibility though."
I don't think I said that loud enough, but after I said that, Eliseus immediately turns to me. She looks at me like a suspecting wife then squints her eyes at Yule, who is running closely beside me.
I notice Yule tremble slightly upon receiving Eliseus' gaze. That fits what I have said perfectly, but I wonder whether Eliseus is just helping me or being possessive.
That look reminds me of the look she gave to the girl whose name I have forgot at the tavern in the village we visited prior to entering Amizanima Forest a few days ago. It makes me doubt if she really doesn't need to relieve herself.
"She is quite territorial, isn't she?" Yule laughs softly. I sense no nervousness from her. "Kuhum! I was about to ask what your preference was, but whatever I guess."
"Were you trying to hit on me?"
"No, but I was curious what kind of girl someone quiet like me fancies. Since you already have a girlfriend though, I know your type already."
To be honest, Eliseus, although she looks pretty from any angle, is not my type. I find her pleasant as a friend, but I don't think I will ever have a romantic relationship with her ... At least, until something happens.
I don't have a specific preference; I just want someone who really looks at me, knows me, and is fun to be around with. So far, only Valeria and Millonia have fulfilled the criteria. I can't imagine having a romantic relationship with the latter though.
"I don't think having a relationship matters to me now," I say neutrally. "I still got many things to do, so I will focus on those things first."
"You are dating with Elise though," Yule retorts.
"Well, it's complicated." I wave my hand nonchalantly. "We are indeed dating, but I barely take care of her like I supposed to do. She doesn't mind, but as you can see, she is quite frustrated when I look like I am about to sleep with another woman."
"Ah... That's complicated indeed."
I have just got myself into a splendid mess with the lies, but that doesn't matter. After all, there is a huge chance I will have to personally kill Yule and her friends if they still stay in Brontes Dukedom when our mission starts.
Turning my head to Velucan to show Yule that I don't want to talk anymore, I wonder if he will be able to bring himself to kill Xenon later. He looks so attached to her—I am afraid he will spare her like the kid we left at that human village.
Such a thing can not be tolerated since Xenon will definitely snitch on us if she is not killed, which will endanger the mission. Velucan will be required to make a wise choice by killing her.
"His effort to keep her alive longer is kind of pointless, isn't it?" I mutter lowly with an ironic smile. "No matter how romantic it sounds, to fall in love with your enemy is the worst mistake you can make."
In this world, there is only black and white. Cursed Creations are seen as the absolute black—the enemy of all races—and we shall not be spared.
In this black and white world, you have to be blind. You have to be able to not see the good side of your enemy, so you have the heart to cut them just like how they cut your family.
...
Four hours have passed, and we can finally see the gate of Brontes Dukedom. The group of female Adventurers are tougher than we expected, and because of that, we reach our destination faster than Velucan expected.
When we arrive in front of the gate, just before we enter the line, Velucan stops in his tracks, prompting us to separate ourselves from the others. The group looks at us in confusion, especially Xenon, who is frowning at Velucan.
"Are you not going to join us?" Xenon asks.
"We, unfortunately, can't." Velucan smiles apologetically. "We still have to wait for our friends to arrive, so for the time being, we have to wait outside."
"Why don't you wait inside? I think it's more convenient that way," Yule chimes in.
Seeing that Velucan slightly struggles to answer the question, I say, "We want to settle our feud with some parties. I don't think cutting people's necks is appropriate inside the Dukedom."
Velucan is slightly surprised that I said that, but nods his head nonetheless. Massaging his forehead, he bitterly says, "I have been trying to avoid talking about it, but there goes my effort."
"Relax, I don't mind. I like my man to be manly." Xenon smirks as she approaches Velucan. "You can go, but you can't die. You hear me?"
"You know how strong I am."
The two smirk before kissing each other quite passionately. I blink my eyes in slight astonishment at that, because I didn't expect Velucan would be willing to do that in front of us, his subordinates.
"Alright, I'll see all of you around." After saying his farewell to Xenon and friends, Velucan leads us to the forest near Brontes Dukedom.
No words are exchanged between us in the way. The o kg notable thing is Velucan and the others dropping their disguise when we are far from people's eyes.
When we enter the forest, I stop everyone as I have to say something. I decided it is the right time to tell them the truth.
"Yule cast a tracking Spell on me, which I have removed ... She has figured out our identity, unfortunately."
At that, everyone looks at me in disbelief.
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