118 And The Charade Continues (2/2)
”I know how unbelievable it looks but-”
”It doesn't really look unbelievable to me.” The demigod leaning on the pillar says with a smirk, ”I could block your eyes on me.”
”I know.” Dues says with an annoyed smile, ”That's what you have been doing all this time. If it wasn't for that, I would have known that you all were failing in your jobs and started working on a solution to this problem.”
”Aw, sucks to be you!” Roswaisa doesn't seem to care about the fact that, this time, Dues' and ours' goals have aligned. Instead, she is completely focused on mocking Dues. Yes, she really is the best woman for Irium.
”Hah! Listen, you two,” Dues says while facepalming, much to both of our glee, ”Since you two are working together now, I don't want to hear any excuses. You have power and a decent amount of smarts so find where the bloody hell is that birdy?”
”Sure, and you better tell me that Irium is back in your sight and safe as soon as possible or I am going to start helping Cartel after I find him.” I say, turn and start walking. Roswaisa joins me a gives a pat on my back for my last line. We both can hear Dues sighing and, as it fulfills the purpose of that line, we both find ourselves chuckling.
We wouldn't actually go and join Cartel (probably) but threatening Dues is a euphoria that I wanted to experience even if by lying – and I did. Well done, me.
*****
Now out of the manhole and having parted with Cartel and the old guy I never got the name of, I am kind of in a dilemma. I can sneak back to the town and then sneak out of it to get back on the actual road. Or, I can keep going through the jungle and take all the possible shortcuts to get to the nearest village or town. Either way, I am gonna need to hurry. One town has a rumor about me being an arsonist and one village is probably filled with people who detest me for having killed a dying, old man and left the village after that. It won't take too long for the two rumors to combine and become a fire that ignites my reputation down to the negative numbers.
Now that I think about it, even if I get back on the actual road, I would steel need to keep my face hidden to not let the rumors start making people suspicious of me. Well, anyone who hides their face would be suspicious anyway though. Not to mention that I really could use a power up. Like, come on! A protagonist of a different webnovel would be an OP Harem-lord by the time these many chapters were out. I deserve better than just being able to stand the cold, damnit!
And so, I would be taking the jungle route. Let's just hope I don't meet any more bears or other dangerous creatures that I might have trouble dealing with on my own.
That, and let's also hope that I can steal some good abilities from some animals or person soon enough to get stronger because, all jokes aside, I really do need get stronger than how I am now.
*****