Amongst all of them there, none of them had a hero complex. Hearing a cry for help in the middle of the forest that Ilan's companions were killed in, they were hesitant to help.
However, they couldn't rest like that. They weren't compelled to help but they had all had a conscience. A silent agreement between that foretold they would only step in to help if the owner of the voice persevered for a while.
Several minutes passed and the voice died down. They felt a stifling feeling in their chests but they quickly tossed it to the back of their minds. It wasn't their business and they didn't want to talk about it. It was better off forgotten.
The group ate dinner in a somber mood and decided to travel in the night. It was more dangerous in the night but it was much better than setting up camp. That was something they couldn't afford to do unless it was absolutely necessary.
Bruon took the wheel and everyone with magix was on guard. Their nerves were so high strung they couldn't bear to sleep. The roars and calls of big birds in the distance made it worse. Something dangerous was there and they were absolutely unwilling to face it.
Yuli had just managed to sleep when the sun peeked in the cloud. The cart was reaching the outskirts of the forest. Bruon had already slowed his speed to stay on the road.
"I see an inn up ahead. We should rest up there" Aiyla said. They sighed in relief, nodding. They all had panda eyes, a result of guilt and fatigue.
The inn was named Broken Hand Inn and the rates were high. Fortunately, the two S-Class adventurers were loaded so they all checked in quickly and parked in their cart. They all went in to rest immediately and met up in the evening for dinner. After their rest, they were very much refreshed so they felt renewed vigor for their goals.
"So, I have sent a message to my butler to request an audience to the Governor's Manor. The Supreme Mage lives in the Manor since he is the Governor's brother-in-law" Aiyla said facing Lesker. He nodded at her gratefully.
"Do I need to prepare a gift or anything?"
"Mages are always after knowledge. You can prepare your finest in fine print. It'll be adequate"
"Alright. Thank you"
"Don't mention it. Speaking of which, is there a school there? I wish to enroll Yuli"
"I have a quota from Siren Royal Academy's branch in our city. We can enroll him there. What do you think?" Bruon offered.
"Why don't you tell us about it in-depth and we'll see if it's suitable for Yuli?"
"Alright"
They spent the night talking and resting. They planned to set off at first light. Lesker, incredibly restless, set out for a night walk. They were ways off from the forest so it was relatively safe.
The night was chilly so it was the perfect weather for someone like him who's head was overheating. Everything he heard, everything he was told, everything he had seen, nothing made sense. It was incredibly frustrating.
"A fifty for your thoughts?"
Lesker came to a halt and stared at the bull waving in his face. The continent he was in used a unified currency and it was in the form of a printed bill. The spell for printing was closely guarded and counterfeits were a crime. The currency was in Tiors so he was shocked to see someone waving a 50 Tiors bill. The bill was usually printed in 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 5000.
The person was a young man with a beautiful angular face, sharp hazel eyes, and a head full of unruly, curly raven black hair. The smile directed at him was disarming and he was put in a daze.
"So, you don't want the cash?"
"Not really. Look, I'm not in the mood right now...."
"I know. That's what the proposal is all about. Look, I'm a total stranger, meaning I'm the perfect person to unload your problems on"
"That sounds irresponsible"
"If you can afford to be improper for one day. Come on, don't be such a prude"
"Why are you after me anyway? You're strange"
"Not the first time I've heard that one" the boy chuckled.
"You're handsome and I'm obligated to help good looking strangers"
Lesker couldn't help the chuckle that came through his mouth.
"That's a strange reason. Okay, I'll tell you. But, I won't tell you my name and you won't tell me yours"
"Deal"
When Lesker climbed back into his bed, the distress of the day was gone, replaced by a warm feeling radiating from his chest to his whole body. He fell asleep with a smile.