"Olivia, what are you doing here?"
The woman put one hand on her hip while raising an eyebrow, "What do you mean? An intruder last night sought my guidance. Does it ring a bell?"
"Oh, that's right!"
Amidst everything that happened to William, he had forgotten his deal with Olivia. These unprecedented changes came with a new person in the mix. The woman that held the power that could possibly change landscapes if she put her mind to it. Olivia from the Drakon tribe had arrived on the scene.
She shook her head, "I can't believe you. Then again, all men are idiots. What did I expect, I wonder?"
William wryly smiled, "Geez, you and your sharp mouth."
The young man had sheathed his sword and looked at the woman curiously, "Uh master, who is this lady?"
"This is Olivia. She's from the Drakon tribe."
The young man bowed to the woman, "Drakon tribe? Never heard of it. Look at those tattoos. They look incredible! She looks strong too. Is she a ferocious fighter?"
The blacksmith quickly grabbed the young man's arm and pulled him to the side and whispered in his ear, "You don't say that to a woman!"
The young man whispered back, "What do you mean? Isn't she strong?"
"Yes, but I wouldn't word it like that. Especially in her presence."
Both men looked at Olivia. Her dark tattoos ran over her body and her tribe outfit, although a bit revealing, showcased her defined muscles. Despite being in a group of men, her stance didn't falter and exuded dominance.
The young man wryly smiled, "I understand what you mean, master."
Although she was the center of their conversation, Olivia was focused on the tunnel, "So, this is the serpent's path…"
"Sorry to drag you here. I really appreciate the help."
"I came here to make my end of the deal. I hope you follow through with yours."
"Of course! No doubt about it."
William was glad Olivia didn't actually ditch him, but rather she arrived before they did. Which brings the question, why wasn't she waiting at the entrance the last time around?
"Miss Olivia, care to eat?" Nicolas offered.
Although she hesitated, she sat down and accepted the plate. She set aside the meat and proceeded to eat the cooked vegetables. Nicolas seemed a little disheartened by it.
"Are you not a fan of meat?" William asked on behalf of the young man.
"My people and I do not eat meat. It is in our beliefs that every life matters."
"I see."
William realized he didn't know much about the woman. He only ever knew her as the person who would come to chase him away when he was close to her territory. There was a time when they were younger, they were on friendly terms, but one day something changed. The woman changed completely how she acted around him, hence their relationship now. He never once asked why. Despite this, she was in front of him offering her help in her own way.
"Again, I appreciate you coming here to help."
"To be honest, I was coming out here anyway. It was going to be one way or the other."
"Really? Why would that be?"
"This place is becoming something we can't ignore."
"Is it based on the disappearances?"
"How do you know that?"
William wryly smiled, "I overheard some of the tribe's men."
"Good grief, men can never keep their mouths shut."
"Were you sent here to investigate?" Sebastian asked.
"Something like that… Who are you?"
"My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Sebastian."
The butler had remained silently observing their interactions from a distance. Determining if Olivia was a threat to the party or not.
"He's the one who I've been contracted by."
"It was actually the Reinsfield family, if we're being specific. A pleasure to meet you, miss." He bowed to Olivia.
"The Reinsfields… You tend to find yourself in the most ridiculous scenarios, intruder."
William chuckled, "The rotten luck of a merchant, I guess."
The woman shook her head at the blacksmith's hopelessness, "It is as you suggest. Ever since the sudden appearance of this tunnel, there have been many disappearances. Specifically, my people."
"Could the cause be the beasts?"
The woman nodded, "It could possibly be the case, but the matter is not about wherever the beasts are the cause of it or not. I'm mostly here for the disappearances of the people from the Drakon tribe."
"So, you're saying that only your people have been targeted?"
"Who knows? The Drakon tribe were the only ones aware of this place. No one dares to wonder around these parts except you lot. It could just be that. I don't have concrete evidence of it."
"Miss Olivia, surely there are people aware of this."
William shook his head after he realized something, "No, there aren't. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for the Drakon tribe, I wouldn't have learned about this place. I haven't heard anyone from Aoba talking about it."
"The people who are brave enough to travel through the forest don't go through the mountains at all. They go around it. The entrance was hidden in plain site."
If people heard about a tunnel that could help cut travel time through the mountains, it would certainly get the outsider's attention.
The butler was lost in thought, "Still, could creatures have the capablility make such a place?"
William shrugged his shoulders, "From what we know, they don't seem like regular beasts, so we can't underestimate them. They could be really clever creatures."
"Even so, to be able to take out people from the Drakon tribe, one of the most capable people to deal with this sort of thing, is strange."
"Because of that, I'm here to investigate. With more eyes, maybe you can catch things I don't."
"I see... So that's my end of the deal." William murmured to himself.
Helping Olivia investigate the tunnel would eventually lead them to the other side safe and sound. He needed to pass through the tunnel by the end of the day, or he would meet his death again. If only he could find the answers to his problems. Everything keeps getting more and more complicated.
Olivia stood up once she finished her feast. She nodded to Nicolas as a sign of gratitude for the meal. She knew she wasn't going to get answers sitting around talking.
"I believe it is time to start making our move."
She turned her back to the three men and stared intently at the tunnel. Out of all the mysteries of the place, she felt a familiar power coming from inside.
"Be prepared, the moment we set foot inside, we will be thrown into battle."