"Haaaaaaah… Finally! After an entire month since we left, we're finally going back."
The joy and relief were clear on Ryan's face; the mission was finally over. Now he was traveling with the rest of the team, heading back home.
Ryan: "Hey Tala, why do we have to take this long route? Don't you think it would be better if we headed east and walked in a straight line until we arrived? Wouldn't that be faster?"
Ryan was complaining a little because they were taking the longer road to reach their destination. But it seemed his words didn't please Tala at all. She let out a breath then answered:
Tala: "Don't you think you're a bit too stupid sometimes? Do you want us to head west through these mountains, enter the Kingdom of Valdaria, then cross all that rough terrain just to reach the eastern border of the Kingdom of Kalidora?
You really are stupid. Or let's just say—your request is rejected.
Do you think I don't know why you want us to take that route?"
At that moment, confusion appeared on Ryan's face.
Ryan: "Well… I just wanted us to arrive a little earlier, that's all."
That was Ryan's excuse—yet it was far from the truth.
Carlos: "Liar! Stop trying to dodge the real reason. Everyone here knows why you want to go back through that path."
Carlos's words struck Ryan like thunder.
Ryan: "Haaah?! What are you talking about? I really wanted to take it because it's shorter!"
The team was engaged in a long argument with Ryan, but while everyone was talking, Raven stood beside them completely unaware of what was going on.
Teal: "Hey Ryan, you really think we don't know what's going through your head? No. I'm not returning through that path. If you want to go, then go alone.
Everyone knows you only want to pass through there because of those rumors we heard recently, nothing more.
Do you really believe they're true?
A seventh-rank dragon sleeping atop one of those mountains?
That's nothing but nonsense.
And a seventh-rank dragon, no less… If it were real, the Kingdom of Valdaria would've sent a force to subdue it. Forget it—it's just rumors."
Ryan looked truly disappointed. Even though he denied it, the team already knew, and there was no way he could fool them.
Tala: "It's settled. We'll head to the capital of the Kingdom of Arcadia first, and from there go north until we enter the Kingdom of Kalidora. We are not taking any other road.
Besides, I need to stop at the royal capital's markets on the way—so don't bother yourself."
Everyone opposed Ryan; no one wanted to walk through a mountain path filled with monsters… especially with rumors of a dragon resting there.
And after Teal refused outright, Tala made the same decision.
At that point, with no hope left, Ryan turned toward Carlos with exaggerated pitiful expressions, trying to convince him.
Ryan: "Come on Carlos, don't you think checking the area for a moment won't hurt? I promise I won't act recklessly… we'll just pass through—"
Ryan's expression disgusted Carlos, and there was no way he would accept such a request.
Carlos: "Forget it. The decision is already made."
Ryan: "Tch… You're all useless. And cowards too!"
Tala: "Say what you want. I'm not following you there. Go alone if you want."
Ryan had lost every chance of convincing them.
If only someone had taken his side…
And suddenly, at that moment, a shining idea appeared inside Ryan's mind.
He immediately turned toward Raven with suspicious expressions on his face…
"Heheheh… heeeeeeeh…"
Raven shivered a little from that creepy smile as Ryan approached him.
Raven: "Wh-what are you doing? Why are you coming toward me? And why is your face like that?!"
Ryan: "Hey Raven… you're also a member of the Shadow Warriors, right?"
Raven: "Uh… yes, technically…"
Ryan: "Perfect! Since that's the case, you also have a say in this matter, don't you?
Tell me… are we really going to leave a seventh-rank dragon roaming free, destroying the land and killing innocents while we ignore it?
That makes no sense, right?
Don't you know the greatest mission of the Shadow Warriors is to protect this continent from the shadows, and eradicate all evils?
Not just the remnants of Erebos—
even this rumored dragon too. Isn't that right?"
Raven was truly shocked by Ryan's speech… he looked like a noble hero chosen by fate.
Raven: "Haaaah… honestly that was impressive… but—"
Ryan: "But…?"
Raven: "But don't you think a free roaming seventh-rank dragon is… absurd?
If it really existed, the kingdom would've taken care of it.
I'm siding with Tala this time."
Raven's words stabbed Ryan right in the heart.
Ryan: "Whaaaaat?!"
Raven: "I told you… it sounds ridiculous."
The situation was shocking for Ryan.
Even Raven was against him—so there was no longer any chance to go there.
He had no choice but to take the safer route, the boring one he hated.
After the decision—already predetermined—was settled, the team headed southwest toward the royal capital of Arcadia.
While the team moved toward their destination, Carlos asked Tala something.
Carlos: "Why do we have to stop at the royal capital? Isn't avoiding it better? You know… if they catch us and discover we're Mutants…"
Tala: "No need to worry. I'm just going to the markets for a bit. There's no need for you all to enter with me. I only need to buy some things."
Carlos was curious about what she needed.
Carlos: "And what are those things that are so important?"
Tala explained they were only medical herbs sold there.
The markets of the royal capital had high-quality herbs—necessary for making high-grade potions.
Carlos: "Alright, if that's the case, I'll go with you."
Even though Tala said she would enter alone, Carlos decided to accompany her this time.
But what shocked him was Tala's answer:
Tala: "No."
Carlos: "What?"
Tala: "I said no. I refuse your offer. You will stay with the others outside. I can handle this alone."
Her answer was shocking and unusual.
Teal and Ryan both stared at her strangely as if they had heard something unreal.
Ryan & Teal: "Haaah?! Tala refusing Carlos?!"
Tala, who usually dragged Carlos with her everywhere, rejected him this time!
As Ryan and Teal kept staring, clear annoyance appeared on Tala's face.
Tala: "Tch! Why don't you two stop staring at me?
The security inside the capital will be strict, so I doubt anything can threaten my life."
Her answer made sense—
but the two were still suspicious.
Then Tala's tone changed; anger filled her voice, suppressed yet sharp:
Tala: "Do you really think I'd leave you alone?
Do you think I'm stupid enough to let you two stay outside the walls and cause trouble?
Forget it! Carlos will stay with you.
And also, as a precaution… I think Raven will be enough."
Raven: "Whaaa— me?! No no! I think Carlos is far better suited to accompany you, Miss Tala!
Right, Ryan?!"
Raven was terrified of Tala to the point of refusing completely—
but Tala had already decided.
His approval didn't matter in the first place.
---
End of Chapter