Chapter 381 Civilized Border (2/2)

”What's wrong, Marlene? Why are you sitting here alone?”

Lize approached Marlene and asked softly before taking a seat beside her. As Marlene's best friend, Lize detected her abnormal behaviors instantly.

”Are you not used to it?”

”No… I'm really not used to it.”

Marlene shook her head and continued to gaze forward.

”I can't understand how can these people still be so happy after losing their families and friends in the morning. Shouldn't they be sad or mourn over the deaths of their companions and friends? I mean, their graves are just nearby. I think they are really…”

”… Heartless?”

Lize continued Marlene's unfinished sentence and the latter nodded slightly. Lize replied with a smile and rested her head on Marlene's shoulder.

”To be honest, I had the same thoughts too… It was a long time ago when I joined my first mercenary group and witnessed the death of a companion. I was heartbroken but my leader and the other members weren't as sad as I was. Although they were angry and regretful, they returned to their usual selves in half a day's time as though nothing had happened and continue to lead their own lives. I couldn't understand at all and I thought they were just a bunch of cold-blooded people without any respect for their companions. But… I understood later…”

Lize lifted her head towards the sky.

”That's the line of work for us mercenaries. We can lose anyone during our adventures and we need to be mentally prepared to accept this fact. Even if our companions fall, we need to continue moving forward — My then leader once told me that he didn't want to see me die in battle due to my grief over the death of others. The dead will move on in the afterlife, and the only thing we can do is to survive to respect the sacrifices made by others. Because, if their deaths cause sorrow in us, they would feel equally sad too.”

Lize paused for a moment.

”I guess that's the case for these people. They lived in the civilized border and have to be on guard against threats like today. Apart from Barbarians, there are also wild beasts and scarier beings, so they must be prepared to lose their family or friends at any moment. But, even so, they must continue to live on, right?

”If they carry their grief everywhere they go, do you think their dead companions would be happy? What about themselves? Would they be happy if there is only pain and sorrow in exchange for their lives?”

Marlene lowered her head and pondered for a few seconds, before letting out a long sigh.

”Perhaps you're right, Lize… You're really mature now…”

”I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. To be frank, I felt a strong sense of remorse when I lost my previous leader. If it wasn't for Mr. Rhode, I may not even recover from the blow. I feel that I'm able to accept this truth now…”

Lize revealed a complicated smile and grabbed onto Marlene's hand.

”But… Marlene, do you have something bothering you? I feel that you've been acting strange lately… Did something happen between you and Mr. Rhode?”

”I…”

Marlene blushed slightly. She gazed back at Lize but she didn't know what to say.

Screech!

Out of a sudden, a sharp whistle tore apart the tranquil night sky.