28 The Rewards (1/2)

The landscape in front of Caroline Darrel changed every second. Lakes, rivers, meadows, forests, mountain ranges, and farms; all under the bluest sky and the withiest clouds. Before, she was too worried to appreciate such a scene, but now, it was the only thing her eyes could see.

(The world is so beautiful...) She thought, however, her look was not warm; in fact, there was a sliver of ice in her heart right now. (But... at the same time, so cold.)

After hearing Rose's words and witnessing for the first time people dying, her perspective on life has changed. There was now a sense of urgency inside of her.

(The day I finally found my dream was also the day I gave up on it. I did wrong. It never was about whether or not it was possible to fulfill my dream, it was about having something to fight for, something to make this fleeting life worth living...) Her eyes then became much less cloudy. (It's all about striving.)

Some time later, Lurep Village walls appeared within the line of sight of the flying group.

Thorn was the first to descend at the village gates, followed suit by Rose, Cure Song, and the fourteen civilians.

The carriage driver goblin and the two mercenary war elves came to a stop in front of Rose's party and looked at them with grateful smiles.

It was the goblin who represented everyone to say: \”Let me thank you all again for your timely help.\” Taking a deep breath, he continued: \”Thank you.\” He then handed a pouch to Rose. \”All our money is there. Although it's just double the amount of money my carriage is worth, we hope it'd be enough to show our gratitude.\”

Putting the pouch away, Rose sternly reminded: \”Don't forget, the best you guys can do to thank us is keep your mouths shut about our real strength and about what happened to the knights. Okay?\”

\”Yes, yes, of course.\” The other party nodded ceaselessly.

At that moment Caroline Darrel suddenly tugged Rose's jacket, taking Rose by surprise.

A confused look on her face, Rose asked: \”What?\”

In response, Caroline Darrel looked around warily, then grabbed one of Rose's fingers and dragged her toward a nearby tree.

Behind the tree, it was with a gentle smile that Rose asked once again: \”What?\”

\”W-what you said before... it made me understand something very, very important...\” Struggling with her own words, Caroline Darrel fidgeted. \”T-that's why... I want to know what your dream is.\” Only at the end of her sentence did Caroline Darrel looked up directly at Rose's eyes.

Rose did not turn her own eyes away but gazed back, her expression thoughtful.

As a fresh breeze made the tree's leaves rustle, and washed over the two standing girls; Rose's look turned solemn.

In that instant, Caroline Darrel realized that she could not hear any sound anymore, as though Rose's gaze alone could silence the whole world.

\”*Gasp*...\” Caroline Darrel involuntarily gasped as her heart skipped a beat.

Rose's lips slightly parted, but did not move afterward; and still, they let out a sound that only Caroline Darrel could hear.

Listening, the little gorgon stumbled two steps backward, her entire body shuddering and her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

Breathing raggedly, Caroline Darrel remained speechless for a long time. She finally understood why Rose had to put her everything on the line at every step. Putting anything less will never be enough to even have the slightest hope of reaching such a dream.

Caroline Darrel closed her eyes, her heart pounding hard. (To think that there is someone who views my impossible dream as a mere first step...)

\”... 012 382 F...\” She muttered.

It was now Rose's turn to get surprised. \”An address?\”

\”My family owns an inn. It'd be nice if your party could visit us someday. I'm sure my mom will be happy to give you all our best services for free.\” Caroline Darrel smiled.

\”Eh...\” Rose could not help but smirk. (She didn't say it's impossible, instead tried to help me... Oh, I like this little girl so much more now.)

\”Due to what happened with Arnold, it'll be troublesome for us to stay in Lurep Village for too long; so I'm leaving tomorrow. Besides, it's hard to predict whether or not I'll come back to this village.\” Rose turned toward her companions, and walked as she said: \”It'll be only for one night but I'll make sure to enjoy in full your hospitality. See you there later, I have something to do first.\”

With that, Rose's party departed.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Lurep Village Mercenary's Guild Branch. Branch Head Office.

At his desk, Arger Dal sat staring with a frown at his younger brother, Vei Dal.

\”I can't believe this. You really didn't know who she is?\” The older brother asked.

\”Of course not, how could I have guessed that she was THAT Rose? If I knew, I'd have been too nervous to even speak in her presence...\” The other party seemed both confused and shocked by the whole situation.

Arger Dal's eyes suddenly narrowed. \”You don't look afraid enough. Why?\”

Taking a deep breath, Vei Dal slowly answered: \”Well, someone of her status definitely has a protector. She'll be alright.\”

\”Don't just assume the best-case scenario right off the bat!\”

\”*Sigh*... But you are assuming the worst-case scenario. In the first place, we don't know for certain if those two Alchs are behind the disappearances. And secondly, how could Rose and her party find the culprits so easily?\” The younger brother calmly said, refusing to believe his luck could be that bad.

It was at this moment that a lady's worried voice suddenly came in from behind the door: \”Branch Head, a mercenary named Rose is insistently asking for a meeting with you. What should I do?\”

The brothers exchanged glances for a second, and finally Arger Dal's frown disappeared as he said: \”Let her in!\”

Just as his voice started to fade away, the door was flung open and Rose barged in.

\”Is it true?! Just because of some formalities we won't receive the accumulated reward for the M rank job?!\”

Her words left them both so astonished their expressions became comical.