"..."
Jared stood on the dune, averting his gaze from the sand and corpses that filled the sky, and looked toward the maiden. The two nodded almost in unison, and it was then that Florence, who had been hiding behind the pack animal, finally poked her head out and gazed at the two with a mixture of panic and unease. After swallowing hard, he asked in a voice that didn't sound too shaky.
"Who the hell are you people?"
Over the next few days, the bandits did not come back to attack them. Whether they gave up because they were too much of a problem, or whether they were following them like vengeful wolves, waiting for a better time to attack, was unknown. But there was still a way to go, and it was already the season of buds, so if they didn't hurry, the climate of the desert would become even worse during the season of flames. At that time, it will be very difficult.
During this period of time, Jared had been learning the common language of the Empire from Florence, because according to Florence, this language was the most widely spoken one on this continent. As long as one learns it, then at least in places where there are humans, communication will not be a problem.
Even though he said so, Florence was still in shock. Jared's speed of learning the language was really beyond his expectation, and even made Florence feel afraid. In just three days, Jared had almost completely mastered the common language of the Empire. This kind of speed is so fast that it doesn't seem human! Fortunately, he was able to communicate directly with Florence, rather than through the girl's "translator". It was not until then that the two sides finally began a formal exchange of words and introductions.
"My name is Jared ... and this is my companion, Caroline Desdwell-Louise. As you can see, Mr. Trader. We ... can be considered two warriors. The other day, thanks to you to help us through the language barrier, or else Caroline and I would not have been able to get out of the desert."
Jared's smile was gentle, but it didn't assuage Florence's suspicions.
"Where the hell are you guys from? How come you don't even speak the common language of the Empire? This is too strange, isn't it?... Moreover, that Miss Caroline ..."
Said, Florence can not help but look at the same leaning against the wall of the car, holding a small white umbrella in the hands of the girl. The umbrella was not Florence's product, but a product of Caroline's white sword.
"This ... Maybe this isn't a polite question, but she doesn't seem to be able to talk?"
"..."
Facing Florence's question, Jared hesitated for a moment. Through the exchanges and contacts with Florence a few days ago, Jared had realized that it was obvious that he and Caroline had come to a place completely different from the world they used to be in. But even so, they should not lose their vigilance, the discrimination and fear that abnormal ability users like them had suffered in that world might not be the same thing in this world. But after all, this world is different from his own world, not to mention Florence is a knowledgeable businessman, and seems to have a good heart. After all, in this world, he and Caroline had no one to turn to, and needed help from someone they could count on.
Let's take a chance.
At that thought, Jared's demeanor turned much more serious, and Florence, noticing this, couldn't help but straighten her expression as she waited for his answer.
"Indeed, Mr. Florence. Caroline she ... was born unable to speak, but she possesses an 'ability' that helps her overcome this defect."
"Something to do with that voice ringing in my head?"
Florence, true to her experience as a businesswoman, got the point right away.
"Yes."
Jared nodded, looking like he was considering how to accurately describe it to the businessman.
"Caroline's power is that she can completely understand what people say and send what she wants to say directly into their heads. In fact, like me, Caroline has no knowledge of your common language, but her ability helps Caroline to 'understand' your words without the use of language, and also allows you to 'understand' what she is trying to say and how she is speaking. ."
"Does it mean that it's a kind of magic that can detect thoughts?"
Florence couldn't help but subconsciously glance at Caroline, wanting to get away from her. If that was the case, then this girl was horrible.
"Magic ..."
But unexpectedly, Jared repeated the word in confusion, looking as if he didn't quite understand it.
"Perhaps ... it is, but please rest assured that this is not the so-called mind-reading. Caroline's ability can only be limited to the words that the other party wants to express in order to understand, if it is your inner thoughts, then Caroline is not able to see through."
"So ..."
Florence looked outwardly relieved, but inwardly he wasn't so sure about what Jared had said. He stole a glance at Caroline, and quickly turned a few nasty, unspoken words inside him. If Caroline had been able to read his mind, the girl would have reacted. But Caroline still has the same gentle and polite smile, there is not the slightest hint of a problem. So Florence really let go of his heart, he shrugged his shoulders, and then spoke.
"No matter what you are, since you protected me, I can't help but show something . How about ... I hire you two to be my guards? If you can protect me safely out of this desert, then I'm willing to take out fifty gold coins as a reward."
（You saved our lives, so it's only right that we protect you, Mr. Florence.)
"You can't say that, Ms. Caroline."
Florence flashed Caroline her characteristic merchant's smile.
"I'm a businessman, I believe in my own vision, and I also believe in money. It's true that I saved your lives, but you saved mine two days ago, so we're even. As a merchant, I can't allow myself to be rewarded unequally. You'll still be there to protect me in case the bandits attack again. But then I'd be in your debt. So please accept my kindness. It's a pity when traveling companions are separated because of their own interests. Consider it a little peace of mind for an old man like me, and you guys need money, too."
"..."
Hearing Florence speak, Caroline and Jared looked at each other.
（What do we do? It's true that we don't have the world's currency, but is there a problem here? I mean, this guy is so generous, what if he backs out after the desert? And what if he sells us out at that point?)
If you don't have anything to offer, you're a thief, aren't you?
Jared laughed bitterly, why wouldn't he understand that? On the surface, the three of them were friends in the desert, but this does not mean that after the desert is still the same. He and Caroline did not have any background and foundation in this world, even though he had already heard a lot of things about this continent from Florence in the past few days, Jared still kept a hundred and twenty thousand percent vigilance. Although Florence said he is a traveler merchant with little power, and Jared look at him also does not seem to be lying, but know the face of ... this kind of thing in their own world but experienced too much. In fact, Florence did so, it does seem to be as he said. But then, the nature of the trio's journey changed. If it's a favor, Jared and Caroline can protect him from the desert, and then they can go their separate ways and not owe each other anything. But if it is a mercenary nature, then even out of the desert, Florence again put forward any request or suggestion, the two can not refuse him.
"Okay."
In the end, Jared nodded in agreement. Anyway, there are still a few days to go out of the desert, in this period of time, they can observe what kind of person Florence is, if it is really as he thought, then Jared does not care to kill him when they go out of the desert, in order to prevent future problems. Don't be fooled by appearances, both Caroline and Jared have been through this before. Sometimes it's more important to be wary of people who are kind and friendly, while people who seem to have a mean streak can be surprisingly easy to get along with.
The desert nights were very cold. Florence had obviously been used to this kind of day, he built a fire and got under the cart, wrapped himself in blankets to protect himself from the sand and wind, and then fell asleep. Jared and Caroline, on the other hand, obviously did not have such a good thing, but fortunately Florence had also prepared a few blankets for them, and the two of them were now covered with those blankets, and at the same time, they used each other's body heat to keep warm.
"Still not feeling well?"
Caroline's soft body leaned over, and it would be a lie to say that Jared wasn't touched. But in fact, there was no male-female relationship between the two of them, but rather a deeper bond between companions. Therefore, although Caroline's mouth full of sweet breath was right next to his ear, Jared was more concerned than instinctively moved by his heart.
(hmmm ...)
Caroline closed her eyes, and now she seemed to look very weak, quite different from the way she had looked during the day.
(But don't worry, in just a couple of hours I'll be able to use 'constructive reconciliation', and then there'll be no problem.)
Like Jared, Caroline is one of the very few people in the world who possesses the "DUALSKILL" multiple psychic abilities. In addition to the ability to communicate with others on a mental level, she also possesses an ability called "Tectonic Harmonization", which can instantly change the user's physical condition, adjusting Caroline's physical abilities to their peak. However, this ability can only be maintained for a maximum of twelve hours. Caroline's own body wasn't very good, and it was only because of this ability that she was able to endure the harsh desert climate. Otherwise, even a girl her age wouldn't be able to endure such a harsh environment for so long.
"..."
Since Caroline said so, Jared didn't ask any more questions. He raised his head and looked at the boundless starry sky, this world was really different from the world Jared was in. Whether it was from the constellations, or from the direction of the celestial bodies, Jared couldn't find any part of it that he was familiar with. And there were two moons in this world? Had he come to Mars? But Mars can't be inhabited by humans, can it?
On the other side, Caroline had closed her eyes and was asleep.
"It appears that ..."
Jared's voice was low, so low he couldn't even hear himself.
"We are not going back."
The next day before dawn, Florence climbed up, he not only need to feed the pack animal grass, but also need to clean up everything. In this regard Jared and Caroline can not help much, after all, their world does not have this kind of animal ... and this thing also looks quite scary.
"You are still very busy ."
Jared's Imperial Common was getting better and better, and was no different from the continentals Florence knew. He didn't look like the stupid kid who didn't even know how to speak a few days ago.
"Hey ... laborious life ah ."
Florence sighed with a sigh of relief, it had been a long time since he'd done any of this work himself. But a traveling merchant, after all, was on his own. This is no way things, and he also politely declined Jared's request for help, after all, camel beasts this thing seems to be loyal and honest, but in case of anger or will cause trouble. What's more, Jared and other people have no experience, even if they want to help but no way to intervene.
(The sand pirates don't seem to be following us.)
Holding a small umbrella in her hand, Caroline came down from the dune, her pupils of different colors shining brightly in the sunlight. Her movements were light, agile and steady, and she didn't look like a frail person at all.
She still used it.
Jared didn't say anything. Caroline's body had never been very good. She was born with it, and she couldn't change it. The only way she could keep up with the others was to use Tectonic Harmonization. She had never been saddened by her inherent physical problems, and in fact, the powers she had been given were a perfect complement to her physical deficiencies.
"I'm glad I didn't, thanks to you two."
Florence looked relaxed, and even Caroline's distinctive way of speaking seemed to be getting used to it.
"Then let's hurry, time is precious."
The camel, driven by the whip, strides once more into the depths of the desert.