"Just waiting for your words, Granny Kasi. We actually had the idea a long time ago, haha!"
Marik and Lawrence readily agreed with Granny Kasi, while Tocchini jumped with joy at the opportunity to work with Banning once again. She was happier than anything else.
"Hoho～ then let our caravan be young once again!"
At the dining table, the members of the traveling merchant caravan raised their glasses in celebration. Tyler also wore a smiling face as he clinked glasses with everyone, but his happiness was merely a facade.
Presently, Tyler had no time for happiness. He had suspicions about Granny Kasi's identity.
("Mission to monitor Swarerock"...? Is Swarerock a person's name?)
(Why does this "Swarerock" have a connection to Sandrift Gorge?)
Regardless of who this "Swarerock" in Granny Kasi's thoughts was, one thing Tyler could confirm was that Granny Kasi definitely had ulterior motives.
Now, in addition to being cautious of Captain Laidell of the Gudetown Cavalry, Tyler had to be on guard against Granny Kasi, who could not be taken lightly.
·
━━━━━━━━━
[Prison Star Calendar]
[May 22, 187]
[10:26 AM]
[Countdown to Confession Death: 29 days remaining]
━━━━━━━━━
In Ira Village, in the orchard outside the village, Avril spent the morning taking stock of the situation in the orchard. She felt that she could take a break for a while.
"The demand for repairing clothes is piling up. It's time to deal with it."
Avril stretched lazily. She had been busy with the affairs of the orchard these days, causing her back to ache.
-(Avril, don't bother with those tattered clothes anymore. It's time for everyone in the village to go to town and buy new clothes.)
-(In my opinion, we should take advantage of this rare leisure time to find and kill Banning! It's a good opportunity to stretch our muscles!)
Elle's voice became active in Avril's mind. The days in the orchard had bored her to death.
Unlike Avril, who liked peace and tranquility, Elle was only satisfied with exciting and thrilling things.
"Oh... Elle, why are you always fixated on Banning..."
-(Av, Avril, you shouldn't abbreviate it like that! What do you mean by fixated on Banning! I'm determined to kill him!)
"Ah, yes, yes, yes, I've told you many times already. It's not realistic."
Since Banning left the village, Avril had grown tired of hearing Elle talk about killing him.
At first, Avril was a little nervous, but now she didn't take it seriously at all.
Besides, Banning had left the village for many days, and he hadn't mentioned where he was going. It wouldn't be easy to find him.
As for the risk of Banning revealing their secret, Avril was not worried at all.
Although they couldn't be together, she trusted Banning's character.
At this moment, Rhode, who hadn't spoken much to Avril these days, approached.
Rhode kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with Avril. It was clear that he was still concerned about what had happened before.
"Avril, I... I want to discuss something with you..."
Rhode came to ask Avril for leave. He told her that Granny Kana's recurring heart condition had flared up again, and they needed the sandrift flowers from Sandrift Gorge to treat her.
Unfortunately, Woodall, the village chief, and the others were occupied with dealing with wild boars, so Rhode decided to venture into Sandrift Gorge himself since the orchard was relatively idle.
Avril, who had been busy with the orchard, had no knowledge of Granny Kana falling ill. Surprised, she recalled the rumors surrounding Sandrift Gorge.
"Wait, Rhode, Sandrift Gorge... isn't it said to be infested with demons? Something like... stone demons?"
Avril spoke to Rhode with ease and without resentment.
"Yes... but it shouldn't be a problem, right? The Gudetown Cavalry has gone on numerous expeditions this year and still hasn't found anything. They might have already moved elsewhere."
Rhode's reasoning had some validity, but it remained a possibility. Venturing into Sandrift Gorge was still a significant risk.
However, Avril knew of the close relationship between Rhode and Granny Kana. He wouldn't simply leave her alone.
"I understand. I'll accompany you."
Avril had always regarded Granny Kana as her own grandmother.
"Eh?"
-(Have you gone mad, Avril?)
Both Rhode and Elle responded almost simultaneously.
"It's my decision. If you don't want to come with me, we can go separately."
Avril's words left Rhode speechless, and he had a faint feeling that Avril had matured significantly since Banning's departure.
"Uh, that's not what I meant... It's just... it could be quite dangerous, especially since you're a girl..."
"Rhode, thank you for your concern, but saying it like that might offend a girl."
Avril patted Rhode's shoulder, and in that moment, she seemed to have become Rhode's older sister.
"Get ready quickly. We'll depart this afternoon."
·
Avril's decision to go to Sandrift Gorge was not a spur-of-the-moment impulse.
First and foremost, she knew that Rhode alone would not be sufficient. In the past, she would not have been of much help.
However, things had changed. Avril was no longer just Avril; she and Elle were of one mind and body.
Avril had confidence in her wilderness survival skills and Elle's combat abilities. Of course, unless absolutely necessary, their priority would be escape and evasion.
As for the awkwardness of being alone with Rhode, Avril was a person who understood the bigger picture and prioritized the important matters.
She wouldn't let her situation with Rhode hinder Granny Kana's well-being.
That afternoon, Avril and Rhode were fully prepared, and together, they set out on foot toward Sandrift Gorge.
·
On the way, Rhode walked ahead while Avril followed silently. They didn't speak a word as they continued their journey.
In the evening, they heard the sound of horse hooves coming from behind, and soon the Gudetown Cavalry caught up with them.
"Strange, didn't the Gudetown Cavalry just return from Sandrift Gorge not long ago?"
Rhode whispered to Avril. These cavalry soldiers were not to be trifled with.
Following Avril's suggestion, Rhode and Avril moved to the side of the road to let the cavalry pass. However, the cavalry captain, Laidell, recognized Rhode because he was the one responsible for transporting fruits for the cavalry in Ira Village.
"Well, isn't this Rhode?"
Laidell waved his hand, and the fifteen cavalrymen stopped beside Rhode and Avril, exuding a strong sense of oppression.
-(Shall I scare them a little, Avril? Like, kill two or three of them?)
Upon seeing this scene, Elle became excited instead of fearful. Avril quickly whispered to her, asking her not to do anything rash.
"Good afternoon, Captain Laidell."
"Afternoon, Captain Laidell."
Rhode and Avril greeted Laidell in turn, but Laidell showed no intention of dismounting. He looked down on them from above.
"Rhode, my boy, where are you taking this young lady? Running away together? Or planning some clandestine activities in the wilderness?"
Laidell's teasing elicited laughter from the soldiers. Rhode lowered his head in embarrassment, while Avril was not one to be bullied.
"Rhode and I aren't in that kind of relationship, Captain Laidell. You've misunderstood."
Avril firmly denied any romantic involvement, but poor Rhode was targeted once again without any reason.
This time, the soldiers stopped laughing. They were eager to see how the young girl would respond after rebuffing Captain Laidell.