Esdras returned to the real world feeling dejected that his attempt failed. It's not like he could blame the Pioneer title, after all it only said it made it less likely for him to be lost in dungeons.
This meant that he only had a general sense of direction, it was not omnipotent by any means. In fact he managed to evade most traps by luck or due to [Veteran's hunch].
Anyway this was a learning experience and he at least knew not to take the left staircase next time. He comforted himself with these thoughts and killed an Ageruus creeper and took the eyes.
Unfortunately this one was a level 2 type and only gave him 16 EXP.
Back in the real world he figured that there was still some time before sunrise and so he took a trip to Celine's camp.
He sneaked into the camp and woke her up, in the dark he took her away from the camp.
"W-what's this all about? Why are you here?" She asked, clearly annoyed at being suddenly woken up so early.
"Nothing, nothing. Do I need a reason to see you?" Esdras chuckled but then his expression turned serious, "look what I got you."
"Oh, my god!" Celine exclaimed as she gazed at the amulet in her hand, "it's a beautiful necklace, oh, thank you." She beamed, all the drowsiness suddenly gone.
"Well, actually it's an amulet not a necklace." He corrected.
"Is there a difference?" Celine countered.
"Eh, no? Anyway who cares. The thing is, this is no mere jewelry. It's a magic item, it's called the Amulet of protection, it's yours."
Celine channeled her mana into the amulet and it responded proving that it was indeed a magic item. "What, how did you get this? It's a true eleven magic item!"
"I don't think it's elven, I don't really know. Anyway, I have my ways, didn't I say that I would get you a magic item? Here it is." Esdras smiled.
"No, no, you should have it. Your safety is more important than mine." Celine tried to return the amulet to him but he didn't allow her.
"I don't have any mana, unlike you. How could I use it? It's obvious you should have it. Besides, your safety is important to me."
Celine had a difficult look on her face, she wanted to refute somehow but his argument was flawless. She opened her mouth several times trying to find words but she ended up with nothing.
Esdras smiled warmly at this sight and kissed her on her forehead. He really liked Celine, and he liked her more and more with time.
This is because of her loyalty to the old host, in fact she had every right and opportunity to abandon Esdras in the past but she simply didn't.
It was at a level that Esdras would even call blind and dumb loyalty, especially to someone undeserving of such loyalty.
But it was also because of this illogical loyalty that he himself couldn't have that he admired her. The old Esdras pushed her away out of shame but in fact she probably helped him more than he realized behind the scenes.
Esdras hoped that he could reward that loyalty but he wasn't doing it for the old Esdras he was doing it for himself rather. It can be said that it was selfish of him but he didn't care.
****
A cold splash of water shocked the three lazy assholes awake.
"Aaaah!"
"W-what?"
"Fuck who wants to die!"
The three of them had different reactions but they were only met with an indifferent smile from Esdras.
"Did you sleep well? It's almost noon guys, I sure hope you don't mind me waking you guys up. We have some important work that absolutely needs teamwork."
Bran looked around and was surprised that Esdras was saying the truth, it was indeed almost noon. Usually they would be woken up at sunrise.
"What's the meaning of this! So what if we sleep in a little? Can't you give the work to the peasants you-" Tara exploded in rage and yelled at Esdras.
The peasants she was talking about were the soldiers.
However her rant was cut off by a slap across the face.
Tara touched her face in horror, her cheek was red and started to swell, "What the fuck! You dare to hit me! You're out of your mind! Not even my father hit me-"
She got another slap. One, two, one, two. Esdras was actually being very merciful as he barely put any strength behind his hands.
After the fifth slap Tara stopped trying to talk over him and everyone including the soldiers was watching this public humiliation.
Esdras stopped slapping her and looked at her but she lowered her head hiding it behind her hair so he pulled her hair back making her look at his indifferent eyes.
"Now, if you speak out of turn again, I will have you spanked on your buttocks, as your father clearly failed to do, turning you into this little bitch that you are."
With that being said he gestured to two of the soldiers who went to bring in something special that he especially prepared for today.
"Now then, let put this unpleasant business behind us and focus on serious matters. Today we have a big operation, one that requires your vital cooperation, will you help me?"
Naturally the three of them nodded. They clearly understood it was not a suggestion and more like an order they had to obey.
"Good, good. I'm glad that we can agree so quickly. I saw last week that we were performing significantly less than the other teams and as the leader I decided on a plan to get us ahead to earn recognition."
"It's a brutal place this forest, and the goblins in this area have been a menace. So I made the perfect trap to get rid of as many goblins as possible all at once."
The three of them nodded and at the same time they felt a strange sense of déjà vu as if they heard this conversation not long ago.
'Hmm, yes a very brutal forest to point that three promising apprentices will die in a terrible accident…'
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