CHAPTER 44: THE AFTERMATH [2]

"Umm..." Skylar coughed awkwardly as he scratched his head: "Do... Do you need a companion? Maybe someone who can detect lies."

Dante lowered the map and stared sharply at Skylar.

"A what?"

Skylar explained: "You know, someone who can magically heal your injuries! Imagine it, while doing a mission as a mercenary, you are now at the verge of death, but your healer uses a magical spell that saves your life! How lucky would you be to have such a person."

Dante hissed: "Don’t even think about it."

Of course, Dante understood what Skylar was trying to say—he was talking about none other than Elizabeth.

Why would he take her with him? He wasn’t interested in having companions.

Skylar’s expression darkened: "She... She doesn’t have anyone beside her now. And she was raised in an orphanage, which means she doesn’t even have a place to return to either. She needs someone to travel with... Until she reaches a good town at least."

Dante’s face twitched: "And why don’t you be that one?"

"Because I can’t!" Skylar sighed deeply: "I can’t take her with me, and I can’t go any deeper into Ashton Kingdom or any other kingdom. I... have a small problem, and taking her with me would endanger her."

Dante frowned: ’Something about this girly man is wrong.’

A problem that didn’t allow him to go deeper into any kingdom and would endanger his companions? What could possibly be that ’small’ problem?

Looking at Skylar with annoyance, Dante asked: "And why me of all people? Why don’t you just leave her to live in this village or let the elves take care of her?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Kyle shook his head violently: "Don’t bring me and Luna into this. We are barely keeping ourselves alive, so taking care of someone else would be... a bit hard."

Skylar scratched his head: "I... don’t think leaving her here—where her knights had died—is a good idea. And I chose you because I know you well enough to trust you. Plus, you’re the one who would get the benefits of her abilities."

’Who said I’m trustworthy? I might exchange her for a bar of chocolate!’

Dante lowered his head, but didn’t respond to Skylar. A part of what he said actually made sense.

’He isn’t entirely wrong.’

Dante indeed needed a way to detect lies to prevent getting scammed. He was new in this world and barely knew anything.

And her healing spell was able to stop his corruption, which he might need more than ever now that he increased his demonic energy.

Skylar continued: "You won’t have to pay anything for her. She got Max and Selena’s shares of the spoils and she is almost as rich as you, so you’ll only have to travel with her and become her neighbour. Or at least let her accompany you until you reach the town."

Dante stayed silent and didn’t respond.

’I hate responsibilities, though.’

After a few seconds, Dante raised his head, looking Skylar in the eyes, and said:

"I was with Selena when she died, but here I am healthy and rich. I couldn’t save her and even got benefits after that. And... you know about my secret, the secret that might cause a lot of trouble. Do you really want to keep Elizabeth with someone like me?"

Skylar smiled: "I have also seen your condition. Knowing that you did your best... is enough for me. Additionally, she isn’t powerless or useless, and you have seen that yourself. I’m sure you both can help each other."

An obsidian-black coin was about to materialize, but then Dante stopped it quickly.

’No, I’ll make a choice myself this time.’

Dante lowered his head again as his brain worked relentlessly to make a choice. He couldn’t keep relying on the coin method on everything.

’He is right... I won’t lose anything. I can simply leave her when I don’t need her help anymore, or when I sense any danger.’

"Okay, fine." Dante crossed his arms: "But know that I’d leave her anytime if I had to. I don’t have any reason to stay with her forever."

"I knew you’d accept!" Skylar smiled brightly as he tried to wrap his arm around Dante’s shoulders, but Dante slapped his arm before he could do it.

"Don’t even think of it!"

Skylar nodded awkwardly: "Ahem, I’ll go to inform Eliza of that. If even you’ve accepted, then convincing her should be easier."

Standing up, Skylar walked away quickly.

Dante looked at him in a daze before gritting his teeth: ’That bastard said all that before taking her opinion?!’

But as Dante thought of that, he calmed down as he felt it was understandable. In her current mental condition, Skylar couldn’t just give her that hope just for Dante to refuse.

"By the way." Dante looked at Kyle, who had been watching the entire time, and said: "Can you... ensure that the strategist woman wouldn’t say anything about me?"

Kyle nodded: "No need to worry. Luna will make sure no word about you spreads. We frost elves never forget someone’s help, even if that person was a creature like you."

Dante smiled in satisfaction as he continued examining the map—he had to make a choice quickly.

’Silverwood Town, Duskwood Town, Nightwool Town... who the hell named these places?’

Dante manifested his coin and used it to help him to detect the potential misfortune in every town. Eventually, he was left with two towns.

Before he could choose one, Skylar arrived with Elizabeth, who was carrying a large backpack.

She wore an elegant white tunic, blue skirt, and black cloak. They were all artifacts from the baron’s manor, probably for his harem.

But the most noticeable things about her were her messy hair and red eyes, showing that she had been crying for so long.

Elizabeth stood before Dante and bowed slightly without saying anything.

’A demonic dragon traveling with a saintess candidate, what a nice duo.’

"So, have you chosen where you want to go yet?" Skylar asked.

Dante tilted his head as he examined the map for a bit more: "I think... yes."

"Oh, good." Skylar began to walk away: "I’ll go get you a carriage, there are only a few villagers with them, so I have to hurry. The payment will be on me as my last gift."

As Skylar left, Dante and Elizabeth stood awkwardly while waiting.

’It feels strange to see her silent like this.’

She had always been talkative, so seeing her like this felt a bit weird.

After a few minutes, a wooden carriage, pulled by two large wolves and driven by a fat man, stood before them.

’Is this guy taming wolves?!’

The man smiled: "Sir Skylar paid me to send you wherever you want. Usually, I’d ask for bringing more people for safety, but I know that with the Shadow Dancer with us, we won’t face any dangers."

’So Skylar had left already... And what with that Shadow Dancer stupid title? When did I accept it?!’

Dante sighed as he showed the carriage driver his destination on the map. Then he held Elizabeth’s hand and took her into the carriage while saying farewell to Kyle.

The driver let out a strange growl, then as if understanding him, the wolves began to move.

The driver asked: "Just to confirm—Onyxsilk Town, in Braham County, within the Duchy of Lady Morgana, right?"

"Yes." Dante answered inside the carriage.

Through the window, Dante looked at the village for one last time.

A lot of the villagers had died and suffered because of the baron, and some damages might last forever.

But now, they had some hope to recover and become even better than before.

No more demonic tyrants, and no more cursed mists.

Their future would depend on their luck.

════════✧Gains✧════════

Demon Bloodline: 14% → 20%

Demonic Mutation: Right Arm, Left Eye, Heart (New!), Liver (New!)

• Vitality: 38 → 40

• Spirit: 39 → 41

• Mind: 29 → 30

• Demonic Energy: 42 → 62

Aspect: Shadow [Comprehension:25% → 35%]

Aspect: Misfortune [Comprehension:15% → 28%]

Cores of Existence (Rank 1): 16 → 116

Coins: +5 Platinum (New!), +20 Gold (New!)

Mana Crystals: +150 Small (New!)

+5 Grade 2 outfits (New!), +2 Grade 2 Longswords, +Food, +Water, +3 Blankets, +2 Sleeping Bag, +2 Tents, +3 Lanterns, +2 Compasses, +2 Towels, +4 Soap, +1 Map.

+1 Companion (Saintess Class)

+↑ Experience & Knowledge.

════════✧Losses✧════════

-A Son’s Warm Gift (Destroyed)

-Many Clothes, -1 Beatrice’s Blanket, -5 Gold Coins, -4 Silver Coins.

Total Coins: 5 Platinum, 15 Gold, 36 Silver, 192 Bronze.