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Fractured (103)

Fractured (103)

Looking at the expression on her face, Saleh couldn’t help but speak, “You actually believe me?”

Finally, some doubt on her face, “You lied?”

Shaking his head back and forth, “No! I just didn’t expect you to believe it. I experienced it and I don’t know if it's true or not. As far as I know, that technique doesn’t cause hallucinations, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be any.”

“Leo told me it was true.”

Turning to look at her with a bit of doubt, “Leo? He did?”

There was still a bit of doubt. From their journey to Mercury City, he knew Leo existed. His teacher had been the best proof of that. He had still not been able to communicate outside the negative feelings he would get in his presence.

Turning to look over at her, “Where has he been? For one reason or another, he seemed to have stopped appearing. I haven’t felt anything this entire journey…”

A bit of a questioning expression was on Jessica’s face, “I don’t know. He has been oddly silent. He is his own person, so to each their own. Furthermore, he seems to be dealing with something, that is all I know. Since he is fine, I don’t have anything to worry about.”

Saleh could only scratch his cheek. He didn’t understand what Leo was, let alone their relationship. Time continued to flow.

The attitude of the Gray Wolf Tribe was rather cold. They hadn’t moved since the beginning. Scouts and guards that were responsible for watching over the caravan had distanced themselves.

Soon the caravan itself was brought inside with Marvin and a few of his people. Joana was invited, while everyone else was being watched, as the first two Grade C individuals that had shown up during the attack watched over the rest.

In a week's time, Jessica and Saleh had healed. The shamans had left herbs. Saleh didn’t need to be taught how to use them. With him there, even with the shaman’s going with the caravan, it didn’t affect the two at all.

Jessica was left natural supplements and didn’t even need to worry about any complicated treatment. She had various cracks that were quick to heal. Saleh had taken a hard hit and had more serious injuries. However, he hadn’t explained. Jessica had only heard of animal tribe recovery. Now, seeing it in person, she couldn’t help but marvel.

While they were waiting for Marvin to return, the four had met up a few times. So as to not need to go out exploring the land for food. Everything had been prepared for them, to make sure they didn’t attempt anything.

A bit of awkwardness was around Claire and Jack. Before this, they could have been seen as somewhat close. Fighting alongside each other would tend to allow people to grow close faster. There was some fear when around Jessica.

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Trying to mend any rift that had formed between them and Saleh, finally created a permanent fracture in their relationship. Thus, when Marvin and Joana returned, they could only sigh helplessly. Joana didn’t approach them, though unannounced her attitude did change very slightly.

Marvin, on the other hand, took this opportunity to get close to Claire and Jack. A less than stellar return trip was anything but smooth for them. Marvin invited Claire and Jack, while even sending an invitation to Joana.

Strangely enough, the contract only spoke of a single trip. It was unknown what transpired inside. When they returned, the once multifaceted caravan had been cut down. The return trip was done with only two carriages. With slight disappointment, they left without the three.

Marvin was just a merchant, he couldn’t see any pros going back with Jessica. Saleh had already made his position clear. With the rift created between Claire, Jack, and Saleh. Marvin didn’t bother trying to invite him along.

As for Jessica and Saleh, it was a bit strange to be asked by a Grade B if they could move with them. However, remembering what occurred just trying to travel to Mercury City without any bags. It wasn’t a long or difficult decision, even without needing to imagine what would happen when they tried to reject a Grade B.

It wasn’t clear why she decided to come with them. Neither of the two could figure it out. Her attitude was strangely tolerant when compared to her attitude while traveling with the caravan. All the questions became easy to determine when a week into the journey they were picked up by a familiar face.

“I am too old to be babysitting…” Tossing a message crystal to Saleh, Azeban spoke with a harsh tone.

While the two of them were surprised, Joana seemed less surprised by this. Azeban was one of the easiest to approach Elders. Therefore, the two of them hit it off without many problems.

It wasn’t like he wasn’t someone amazing, in his own right, he was beyond just amazing. He had a way of destroying any imagine they had of the rich and powerful. Even Joana became incredibly easy to approach, as if just by being near him her air completely mellowed out.

There was absolutely no doubt, traveling with Azeban was the very best either of the two, not knowing it was the best experience all three of them had traveling outside.

“Hm… I remember now, this was from a kingdom in the far west. This guy was not at a level of an Elder, but it was close. That was what made stealing from him so exhilarating. I instigated a beast raid. To make it even more believable, I had to track the horde through several places to gather a large group of wandering groups. I timed it perfectly to coincide with the time he went bathing, without time to return I was able to scoop up his camping gear.”

“Having snuck out without any guards, this guy could still beat me in a fight, so it required a lot of effort. I had to gather sacred treasures that were being guarded by a number of king level beasts that caused uproars throughout their land. In the end, even I was a little scared as I led them around. After that, I had to hole myself up for a decade. Anytime I left any traces, I would find people from the past or the more intelligent beasts following the traces of the treasures I stole. It was a little scary for a while…”

From fancy and luxurious tents to a set of gaudy gold gem studded cookware. Each piece had its own story that he relished in telling the three. The stories themselves left the two flabbergasted, however, it couldn’t be denied it was the most comfort they had ever experienced.

Making matters worse, he changed out the things used every so often. It was unknown how many people he had robbed before. It was even worse, knowing that the stories spread about him were basically suppressed. Either through embarrassment or fear.

Neither of the three said anything, but all had similar thoughts, ‘If the people he robbed heard him leaking this information, what kind of face would they make?’