Chapter 208
“W-wait!”
Meliana’s shout made me pause mid-step and turn back.
“Take us with you!”
“……?”
My head tilted in confusion.
Well…….
‘Can’t they just follow us?’
I didn’t understand why she’d stopped me so dramatically. If they had the intel to arrive before us, they should’ve already known the elven village location.
Yet they’d been wandering here until they ran into us. And now they were desperately stopping us from leaving?
“You…….”
As I spoke, Meliana flinched.
“Are you in trouble right now?”
“……!”
This time, her flinch was unmistakable.
Now I was sure. Meliana’s group had fallen under the spell surrounding the elven village—the one that makes intruders loop back endlessly.
Meliana’s reaction aside, their disheveled clothes were proof. Stained with dirt and grass from wandering the forest, they looked like they’d been lost for quite some time.
“In trouble? Who’s in trouble? Not me!”
She clearly had no intention of admitting it, but it didn’t matter to me either way.
“Really? Suit yourself.”
I turned away without hesitation and moved to follow Reno again.
“D-don’t go!”
Meliana’s frantic voice came from behind.
“Just—take us with you!”
“Why should I?”
“Th-that’s…….”
Her face flushed as she bit her lip, then she quickly regained her haughty demeanor and gestured imperiously.
“You’re not the type to ignore something like this, are you?”
“Something like what?”
“Leaving people in trouble behind!”
I could confidently say that was Meliana’s delusion. I could be plenty ruthless if I wanted.
Besides, I had the perfect retort ready.
“You said you weren’t in trouble.”
“H-huh?”
“That’s what you claimed. So why should I care? Especially since we’re supposed to be competing.”
“Th-that’s……!”
Meliana hesitated, but when I made to leave again, she blurted out:
“Fine, we are in trouble! So take us with you!”
“Hmm.”
I pretended to think for a moment before shrugging.
“No.”
“Wh-what?”
Apparently, she hadn’t expected me to refuse. Her face turned bright red, like a cat whose pride had been wounded.
“You are in trouble, right? And I’m the only one who can help you, so you’re clinging to me.”
“…….”
“Then you should ask properly.”
“Ask? M-me? Ask you?”
Meliana reacted as if I’d said something absurd. But I didn’t need to engage with her attitude—just showing I’d walk away was enough.
“Wait! Hold on!”
This time, I didn’t stop. No need to indulge her tantrums.
“Fine, I’m asking! I’m asking, so help us!”
Meliana added desperately. Only then did I slowly turn back. Her pride seemed badly bruised—she couldn’t even meet my eyes.
At least, not until I spoke again.
“What’s in it for me?”
“What?”
“You didn’t expect a favor for free, did you? Not in our current relationship.”
“……What do you want?”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.