After a few moments of awkward silence, Tibaut decided against tying her up. She seemed trustworthy enough and more importantly, he forgot the belts he used to tie her up in the forest.

(“Damnit, she even forgot her belt. Why even wear one if it's not keeping your pants on your waist?”)

With the added pain in the ass it'd be if the map got smudged because he used it to restrain her arms, she’d also keep the movement of her legs, unless he did something diabolical like tying her legs with her pants. Besides, the instincts he obtained in his time in the wilderness, should be enough if she ever tried to do something while he slept.

“Let's get some rest.” He said.

She nodded and the pair lay on the floor looking at the ceiling.

“Mind if I stop using my magic?” He asked.

She nodded and the darkness now covered them. It almost reminded Tibaut of that place in his dreams.

(“Jeez, how long has that bitch been in my head? If I had known-”)

(“There would have been nothing you could have done about it.”)

He scoffed and did his best to fall asleep. When he woke up, he'd head to the final floor of the dungeon and get the hell out to join back up with Elizabeth.

----------------------------------------

The caravan had stopped again and its members had gathered in various places to sleep. One of these members had not gone to sleep, however.

She swung her sword downwards but the damage was far too great. She dropped it and gripped it with her other hand.

“Heal faster you stupid arm!”

She was covered in sweat and based on the light marks against various trees, she had been here for quite some time.

She held up her sleeve and the gauze covering her arm under was a crimson deeper than Tibaut's hair.

She clicked her tongue and picked up her sword with her other arm. It wasn’t the one Tibaut had destroyed and she made sure to hide that info in the meantime. And she could almost guarantee it would be nearly imperceptible in battle. But a limp arm, however…

(“It's not gonna heal in the two days it'll take us to get there. They're gonna notice.”)

She sighed and sheathed her sword.

She was in this situation cause of the person her goddess warned of. Should she have taken her word or…

maybe the fruit this path will bear is worth the effort.

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A smile started to form on her face as she thought of the positives of having such a force as a subordinate.

(“Yes, yes, after we defeat these brutes… I'll have the power of someone my goddess acknowledges. Right, he might not be on my level but he is still a special existence. If he can aquire the power that strange being showed then keeping him around will be well worth slight irritants like this.”)

As she looked at the positives, she slowly walked back to her camp, wiped herself off and then fell asleep in the somewhat uncomfortable wooden carriage.

The night passed and morning soon came.

Out of sheer curiosity, Ruby left her carriage and came inside Elizabeth's.

“Did you have to send such a looker away, Lizzy?” She asked.

“Ruby, might I ask you to keep your eyes off my subordinate.” Elizabeth sternly responded.

“Oh come on Lizzy, you can't expect to keep a diamond like that to yourself? Or maybe I should call him a Ruby due to that lovely red hair.” She moved closer to her and began leaning on her shoulder.

“I just sent him on important business. If all goes well we should spot him during our attack. If not, he's probably let himself be distracted by something unnecessary.”

“EEEEHHH? There's a chance we won't see him? How cruel Lizzy.” She sarcastically remarked. “You sure love working the man, why don't you repay him with you in a bed-”

“Could you not discuss such things so early in the day?”

“Yeah, it's just tasteless. Besides the only one he's getting in bed with is Vanessa, so ease up Aunty.” Lily responded.

“Sigh, I swear the topics are always like this when she's around,” Nora said exasperated.

Tina was nowhere to be seen.

“You girls are no fun. Real women can discuss things like this as naturally as they breathe.”

“Do ‘real women’ also ask other women about their sex life?” Lily said bitterly while crossing her arms.

“Of course kiddy. I guess that's too mature of a question for you. After all, I can't imagine you're having much of the sex part.” She said before getting into raucous laughter.

Elizabeth and Nora sighed while Lily considered jumping on her like a wild animal and trying to leave teeth marks wherever she could manage. After one slap on her behind, she ultimately decided against it.

Ruby walked over to her and patted her on the head. “It's just a joke Lily, don't be mad at me, kay?”

“Hmph, whatever.” She said before turning away. She allowed the head pats.

“I'm sure I know few guys that'd be interested in you, if you're interested I'll let you know as soon as we're alone.”

She pushed her away, red-cheeked and Ruby giggled to herself while poking her cheeks (On her face).

In the other carriage.

Kevin contemplated jumping out and running alongside the horses with the looks and faces inside.

“Fuck you say about Ruby, Girlie!?” Nigel shouted.

“You heard what I said, you hairy prick.” She responded with a contorted face.

“Would two shut the hell up already!” Furor asked.

“Make me you creepy bastard” Tina responded before showing him the middle finger.

“Ha, at least someone knows how this guy should be treated. Shame you show that treatment to Ruby. I'm sure your parents-”

“Don't want to hear that from a walking sex toy.” Tina coldly responded while keeping her eyes on Furor.

They all wore a set of nasty glares, each a hairpin trigger away from causing an all-out brawl.

Kevin had a chill run down his spine just thinking about getting involved with these guys. He could only pray he would be able to leave quickly enough before the fight started.