Kain looked at Mera with a thoughtful gaze.
One second ago, she was clearly enjoying her meal, but the next, she was in a state of melancholy.
As for the reason, it's not too hard to guess.
The fish tasted fine, so it wasn't a problem. Then the problem must be related to the "meal" itself, related to the family. This was also easy to relate to because Mera had previously told him about the strained relationship between her and her father.
But even though he had guessed these things, Kain was not naive enough to go forward and pat him on the shoulder to comfort him or do something like that.
Such an expression was really fake, and it didn't help. She had lived with that torment for a long time, hadn't she received any words of comfort?
Obviously, but those words of comfort all seemed to be poking and picking at her wounds, regardless of whether the words of comfort were well-intentioned or not.
Comforting words can be very effective, ineffective, or even counterproductive depending on the pain.
This is the miracle of human psychology.
And of course, the comforting words can be effective, ineffective, or counterproductive, regardless of who it comes from.
This is also the miracle of human psychology.
However, Kain still missed one thing.
That is, even if he went forward to comfort Mera, she wouldn't think he was bragging.
He still somewhat underestimated his own position in the hearts of others.
But it was also because the other person's position in his heart was not trivial, that Kain unconsciously considered so many things. If it was a stranger, even if Kain could guess, he wouldn't complicate things.
The human mind is amazing, isn't it?
"We're going back to Whesling City tomorrow, what do you think?"
"Huh? We're leaving so soon?"
Mera snapped out of her melancholy state, speaking with a bit of surprise.
Kain responded with a nod.
"Anyway, it's not like we can wait until the deadline comes, right? Besides, the purpose of this trip has already been accomplished."
"I know, but…"
"Or is this place too attractive to you?"
Kain smiled, causing Mera to unconsciously avoid his gaze and look elsewhere.
She did not dare admit that at first she insisted on following him because she had "another purpose".
Mera, a person with a rather one-sided understanding of the outside world, originally thought of having to live in a terrible situation.
But here, she truly felt healed.
But Mera also thought again, she was not the type of person to escape reality to run away into her own illusion.
This peaceful place will only heal Mera, not hold her back.
"Okay, then we'll go back tomorrow."
Mera also made a decision.
Seeing that, Kain was also relieved.
After the two separated and Mera went to sleep, Kain did not go to sleep yet, but lay down on the familiar grass.
The night wind blew so cold that even the nearby campfire couldn't warm it up, and was even blown away by the wind, but it still couldn't compare to the turmoil in Kain's mind.
He really has to leave.This wasn't like going to Whesling City, but rather he was going to a very far away place and would be living there for a very long time.
Kain wondered when he would be able to return here again.
Kain had prepared for this day, but that didn't mean he wasn't nervous, he is still a teenager after all.
There is one thing, whether restless or not.
He will still move forward.
The next morning, Kain announced that he and Mera were leaving.
Although the villagers felt a bit regretful, they did not hold back, because they all knew that Kain and Mera's main mission was not here.
However, before leaving, they still gave the two people many things as gifts of gratitude.
Mera smiled brightly when a little girl gave her a wreath.
As he got into the carriage, Kain exclaimed to Mera.
"Really can't bear to leave?"
"Perhaps... a little."
Mera muttered, her eyes looking into the distance.
…
The journey back to Whesling City was indeed smoother than expected, once again without encountering any bandits.
This made Kain feel unusual, he couldn't believe that bandits who lived by robbery would be so quiet.
Of course, it was also possible that the bandits had switched to raiding small villages.
But that didn't make sense either, because how could small villages be as prosperous as the merchant fleets transporting goods? Moreover, there were many young men in the villages, so their resistance wasn't that weak.
But it's good to not have any obstacles anyway.
When they arrived at Whesling, Myra had already received the information and went out to welcome them. Because the rumor that all the contestants had gone missing in the Dungeon had already spread, leading to many frantic searches.
At the same time, Myra also pulled Kain and Mera back home, because of their previous cooperation. But looking at Myra's somewhat guilty eyes, Kain thought there was another reason, and he could guess what it was.
However, Kain did not expose her and continued to act normally, entering the mayor's mansion of Whesling City.
Once inside, Myra secretly whispered something into Mera's ear, and the two of them were separated.
Mera walked alone, holding a wreath in her hand with a pensive look on her face. Just as she was wondering whether she should make a decision or not, suddenly, a man appeared in her sight.
"Father…"
Mera exclaimed softly.
The man before them was middle-aged, his body was a little thin, his hair was a little faded. His eye sockets were sunken, his cheeks were sunken, as if he often lacked sleep.
Although the clothes he wore were expensive, it still could not hide the fatigue and haggardness of this man.
Before Mera could think of anything to say, the man stepped forward and raised his hand, slapping her hard across the face.