Inside, Austin was sitting there staring down absentmindedly.
Edger had closed his eyes and was reclining on the chair. Arthur was watching Austin with worry.
As for twins they were nowhere to be seen. From the looks of it, Edger has been decided to lead the team. That was expected.
The atmosphere inside was suffocating. Don't tell me they have enough time to grieve? Are they forgetting we have already lost near whole day? Sigh, Not my issue.
I shrugged inwardly and walked near Ellen.
"Where are the Twins?"
"They said they didn't want to babysit and left."
I nodded.
"So what are you waiting for. Let's us go to." I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the door.
"Wait!" She halted in her tracks.
"What??"
"What are we going to do about him?" She pointed at Austin.
I furrowed my brows and examined her carefully. Is she the same Ellen? I don't think the Ellen I know would bother about a miserable guy like him.
"What are we supposed to do with him? He is grown-ass 30 years old man. He can take care of himself. Look at them, they are sitting ideally as well." It's not my work. There is already Arthur and Edger for it.
"Just do something, use magic or anything. We can't continue like this. The party will break like this..." Ellen took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
This was never a team, to be honest. Just putting up a bunch of powerhouses doesn't mean it is a team. Demigods are powerful and hence egoistic. They are used to working alone not in a team. As soon as the Leader is lost everything is scattered.
Although disdained I decided to agree with her.
"Welcome to your new job, Mr Leon. A babysitter." I shook my head tired and sighed.
Ellen's mouth curved into a smile seeing me walking in Austin's direction.
I took a deep breath. It is time to show my acting skills. The faster we get out of here the better it is.
"Boy, how long you are gonna sit here cry and weep..." I caught Austin's chin and stared right into his eyes.
Edger opened his eyes slightly and closed them again.
Austin just stared at me with dead eyes without replying. I snapped my fingers once making the bed on which he was lying vanish.
*Crash*
He got directly slammed into the ground.
"What are you doing!? He is injured." Arthur yelled.
"What you should have done already, now scram."
Arthur tried to open his mouth again but Edger signalled him to stop.
Then I snapped my fingers once again making ice-cold water fall upon him.
"It was your fault."
Finally, Austin lifted his head and spoke angrily with water falling down his face.
"Eh?? Did you said something kid? Because I didn't heard it. And don't show me this face of your's because it's disgusting." I pretended to not hear him.
"If you haven't provoked me earlier it wouldn't have happened."
"Oh, so you are now blaming it on me. Good, good"
"Now, listen to me boy! It was the result of your own choices. Stop escaping from the consequences of it. That's the sign of a coward."
"I don't think James would like having a Coward as a kid."
Austin fell silent, then he laughed mocking himself.
"I don't even know what he liked."
"Look even I don't know anything about him. But he will have surely not have liked seeing you like this." I squatted down near him and spoke with a concerned voice.
"How do you know?" Austin lifted his face and stared at the figure in front of him.
I pointed at James. "Well, see him " Austin then looked at the lifeless body of his father. "Can you see it?"
"What?" Austin whispered perplexed.
"See his face, did he look like someone who suffered while dying"
"No right, he is at peace at a much better place."
Austin fell silent, starting at James' face. This much shouldn't be enough. He needs a final push.
"Okay, it's enough now, tell me what did he said to you while dying."
He glanced in my direction but didn't respond.
"I said...WHAT DID HE TOLD YOU BEFORE DYING."
"..." "He...said He is Pro-Proud of me," Austin whispered to himself.
"Right, now you got it. He wants you to live not to mourn for him, got it now?, C'mon get up, there is a long road ahead of you."
"B-But I don't know what to do?"
"First thing first, let first bury him in a good place."
Austin nodded in approval.
I laughed in my mind. It was easier than I thought.
...
Currently, we are in front of James Grave, Austin is performing the last rites.
Surprisingly Arthur was much calm than I expected, as for the twins it didn't bother them much. I don't know what they decided within themselves but they aren't objecting to Edger's Leadership anymore.
All people here are experienced Adventurers they are used to seeing people dying, but a demigod dying sure will be a big blow to the guild.
Somebody has to take responsibility for it.
"Are you done?" I asked Austin in front of me.
"Yea"
"Take this." I handed over the mask to him.
He stared at the mask in front of him, although he didn't want to hide his appearance anymore, there is no other choice, finally, he put it on.
But even after wearing it, his appearance didn't this time except for his left blue demonic eye which changed to the same black colour as his right eye.
"This is?" Austin stared at me in surprise
"Liked it? I just tweaked it a little, I thought you will like this look more than your previous one."
"...yea"
I patted his back and signalled him to go we can't afford to waste more time here. "Okay, let's keep going. Our mission hasn't ended yet."
"Hmm" Austin nodded, although he is around 30 years old, his mental growth is lacking. However, he still managed to stabilise quickly.
People may come and go but life goes on...
We resumed our mission. Today we have only few hours remaining to look for the traces of the Evolved beast after that there is still 1 more day to find the evolved beast if we can find it then it's okay else we are leaving.
I will have to say if not for the dark miasma the Cursed forest will be a good spot to spend some time.
Today, We followed the strategy of the group of 2 people per team as we want to cover the most area, Ellen went with Edger, Arthur wanted to spend some time alone with Austin as for the Noir & Lux needless to say we're in one team.
And what about me? Since now I am the strongest of all and in absence of James Edger is leading us. He decided it will be better for me to go alone.
Not like it matters but I think after today's incident he is somewhat wary of me.
Currently, I am going to our campsite as night is coming, all alone...at least that was the plan, fortunately, I got a loli to accompany me.
"Hey, you didn't tell me your name till now."
"Natsuki." The loli stated unperturbed.
"So, how long are you going to follow me like this."
"I don't know."
"Don't tell me gods are so free nowadays, ... Uh, by the way, which God you are? Is it dark god or something?" I spoke in a half-joking manner.
Natsuki asked back instead. "First you tell me what are you planning with that boy, you set up all this didn't you. You have already seen his memories earlier, I don't think you can't guess the whole story from it. You let him kill his father willingly, you could have saved him instead."
I looked at her agitated, is she still stuck on that topic.
"Okay, you tell me first.... why didn't you save him. Aren't you a GOD?"
"That's because....because....it didn't matter to me." Natsuki said after a pause. Why didn't she save him. Isn't it simple, an unknown human life didn't matter to her.
"Exactly!" I curved up my lips and put on an amused expression. "He didn't matter to me as well. Although I have some use for the boy but not for him."
"B-But I am a God."
"So what?... " I laughed at her confused expression. What does it have to do with being a God?
"Did you know?" Natsuki wrinkled her brows annoyed.
"Know what?"
"You are a Scum."
"... Oh that's it's, thank you," I said back with a wide grin.
"Well it's your turn, I already answered your questions now tell me which God you are. "
She thought for a while before replying.
"Witch of the Void."
Is there any god named that?
I looked at her perturbed. "Space and time?? Never heard a god named Witch of Void."
"That's not my problem."
"Space? space. The only god I listened to who can control space was... Dark God,"
I examined the Loli in front of me again. There is no way she is the dark god right? The Dark God is said to kill millions. I mean look at her, can she even kill a fly?....
"Haha...I must be forgetting something, there's no way you are the Dark god." I blurted out.
Natsuki gritted her teeth and spoke with an irritated look. "Grr...Why can't I be and that's not my name. It is humans who started calling me dark god, Darkness is just my secondary element.".
"You are kidding right, ....no way, you are Loli for god sake how can yo-"
*Boom*
"Hey! Control your magic...hiss "
Ahh, that hurts... I didn't say anything wrong. Is telling the truth crime nowadays.
I glanced in Natsuki direction with sweat down my forehead.
*gulp* Is this loli sane.
She just severed my whole arm, even blood is flowing out.
"Your temper is too high for your height."
"Call me that again and you will lose your other arm."
"... Hey, you would have to answer my wives if in case my arm doesn't work." I picked back up the severed arm and tried joining it.
"..."
Natsuki's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. She tried her best to maintain the dignity of a God by not arguing with a mortal.
I shook my head at her miserable appearance with pity. "Uhhh....we can't even say truth nowadays, though it looks like you got fair share of history with that name."
"Can't you be mute for a while." I pretended to have not listened her.
"Why don't you try sharing it with me. I have heard the best way to reduce owns grief is by sharing it."
"Fuck off."
"Hey C'mon tell me. I won't tell anyone... promise."
Natsuki nearly tripped on her feet. [ is this mortal idiot, if it was any other God he would have been killed till now. Even after knowing I am infamous Dark God he is still....wait! is he even human in the first place?]
Natsuki examined the man next to him again.
Although he looks exactly same as Human but on closer look, he isn't exhibiting a single sign of being one.
"What are you?" She halted her steps and asked.