So, Angelica simply nodded, and Tara took her expression as a form of surprise from such a twist in fate. Angelica was quite surprised, by how they ended here out of the blue, and by William's lies.
"See? She needs time to rest," William used this awkward moment and turned it to his favour, "we can't leave, as if we can help in the first place. We don't know the city, don't know the areas around."
"Don't worry about that, I already amassed a large team, one which is experienced in the entire region…"
"That won't do," William waved his arm, as if she was saying something insane, "we travelled during night, and I had to run for a long time without knowing anything about the terrain or the areas I passed through. I only cared about saving my life and hers, I didn't care about anything else to be honest."
"This…"
"I can describe areas that I passed through," he paused, "if you give me a detailed map, I can try to recall anything useful and mark things out for you. Other than this, I can't help."
"..."
Tara never expected such a response from William. She always spread orders, and everyone else would follow what she said down to the letter.
"So, will you take out a map and give me time to study it or what?" William knew he countered what she planned and gave her no other option.
"Tsk! And you look like a good youth moments ago," she shook her head, as if she got disappointed in him or something, "here, try to recall as long as you want. I will stick by your side and won't leave it from now on."
"This…" William gave her a weird look, "don't you have anything else to do? Like leading your forces, looking for monsters?"
"No," she took out a big scroll, went towards the nearest chair and sat on it, "the city forces can be led by anyone else. I have no interest in going out today."
"..."
William watched her unfold the scroll with a big smile of victory on her face.
"You know that I can kick you out."
"I can get in here anytime I want; nothing can stop me from doing this," she winked, and he put on a long face.
"I can force you to stay away from here…"
"No need to threaten me," she laughed, "I don't know how strong you are, but you can't be at dark gold grade like me. And even if you have any tricks, I can simply call on my guards, and you won't stand a chance against them."
"..."
"Just accept it, I will stick to your side for a long time," William didn't know if he was a magnet for troublesome girls or not. But at least they were all hot. "Come and check this out, this is the region you came from… Ring any bells?"
She acted with him as if she was dealing with a kid. William didn't move a muscle, simply spread his spirit sense around and examined the map.
"There is a blue mountain there, and a large area of swarms… I recall passing over the two."
"Hmm… At least a gold grade, nice achievement considering your age," she chuckled, without commenting on what he just said, "how about you? Do you recall seeing anything? Want to check the map?" she turned to Angelica, and the latter felt instant panic.
She uncontrollably turned to William, a move that made Tara a bit suspicious. Yet William's calm smile made all doubts vanish.
"She was unconscious, and as you can see, she feels lost. Don't expect anything from someone who recalls brutal scenes and bloody memories before blacking out."
"I see," his reasons were quite convincing, and she didn't hold any doubt anymore.
"Don't you need to go and relay such news?" William wanted to kick Tara away, have little time with Angelica so he'd explain things over and let her know what was going on.
"No need," yet Tara seemed to be vexed on staying by his side, took a Message Paper out, and started relaying the little intel he provided to her team, "I'm sure you'll recall more information the more you studied this map. So it's better to remain by your side."
William didn't have any choice but to accept her annoying presence by his side. As she decided to stick around, he didn't hide his desire and announced it after a few hours and a nice meal.
·?θm "I heard about a grand library in the city," he and the other two girls were now sitting on the second floor, enjoying the sightseeing of the city at night in a big balcony there.
"There is indeed one," Tara paused, "in fact there are more than one. There is one for the public, one for the high officials and generals, and one for the royal families owning and ruling the city."
"It'd be great if you let me in all of them."
"Oh, for what?" she seemed interested in what he wanted to do, "these places are dull and boring."
"I love reading," he put on the air of a scholar, despite he never looked like one, "and any place I go in the world I visit the libraries there."
"Hmm… The common library is easy to access. As for the generals and high officials' library, you'll need to make contributions first and then I'll take you there myself."
"Contributions? I just gave you viable intel," William faked his ignorance about what she really meant.
"This intel? It's not considered a contribution," she rolled her eyes, and he knew she was also faking this.
She wanted to know more from him, and he wouldn't say anything about how he ended up here. As for Angelica, she kept her silence, watching the hidden clash between these two from the side without intending to take part in any of that.
"What's considered contribution then?"
"Giving more intel…"
"Don't ask me the impossible."
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