“What did you want to talk about?” Lydia asked while looking at the sister.
The sister closed the door and took a deep breath, “The beast didn’t kidnap anyone,” She said.
“What are you talking about?” Lydia growled,
“Yesterday in the evening, the sister told me to take care of myself,” The sister looked toward the door, “She seemed to know the beast was coming for her, and she said goodbye to everyone else.”
Lydia sat on a chair, scratching her head, “Did anyone else do the same? The beast might be threatening them beforehand.”
The sister shook her head, “No one that I know off,” She looked down, “You have to ask other people,”
Lydia stood, “I understand. Thanks for the information.” She smiled, “And I won’t tell anyone about this, don’t worry.”
The sister smiled, giving Lydia a gentle blow, “Thanks,” she then left, and Lydia decided to head back and look for Jack.
“Sir paladin, are you leaving already?” The head priest called her as she approached the church’s door.
“Yeah, I want to search the city. I might fight something to track the beast,” She glared at him.
“I wish you the best of luck. My god is with you,” The priest replied, walking back inside with a smile. Lydia stared at his back for a moment and then left.
After walking a bit, she saw Jack strolling the market, “Jack, did you find anything?” She called him, and he looked at her with a smile.
“Found some disturbing shit about your church. Care to listen?” Jack approached her.
“Calling the church shit in front of a paladin?” Lydia tilted her head, glaring at him with one eye.
Jack smiled, touching his neck and chest, “I’m alive and well, and you’re not going after my life.” He smiled, “That means you agree with me. Or at least found something as disturbing as me,”
“I wouldn’t deny that,” Lydia scratched her head, “Let’s talk it over a meal,” It was almost noon, so the two of them headed back to the inn, “Sir, lunch for two people,” Lydia called the bartender.
The bartender looked at her, “Four. The other two have just returned,” He smiled.
“Cheif and Aella are here?” Jack approached the bartender, “Did they say anything?”
“Send Jack and Lydia to our room when they come.” The bartender restated what Arad told him.
***
Jack and Lydia opened the room’s door, seeing Arad and Aella sitting on the bed talking. Jack looked at them with a smile, “Love talk? Should we leave?”
“Sit,” Arad sighed, “Let’s exchange what we know first.” They explained what they learned over lunch, getting more confused with each story.
“What should we do?” Jack asked with a puzzled face. “Help the fur coat?”
Aella glared at him, “We need to get Arad cured first. Everything else is a second priority.”
“We came here to save the people. We need to find a way to stop this mess first.” Lydia said, “Everything should be easier after that.”
Arad stared at them and looked toward the window, “This isn’t a two-sided problem anymore.” He sighed, “We have multiple people fighting among each other.” He looked at Lydia.
“The beast people, the werewolf, the church, and you. Right?” She scratched her head, ”
“If we killed the werewolf, you and the church would win, and the beast people would suffer.” She looked up.
Aella stared at her, “And if we let the werewolf live, Arad and the church would suffer,” She looked at Lydia, “We’re killing the werewolf,”
“Don’t make a hasty decision like that,” Lydia said with a severe glare.
Jack looked at them, scratching his head, “What are you all talking about.” He smiled, “We’re giving everyone a happy ending,”
“Do you have a plan?” Arad stared at him.
“The church wants the beast people out, and the beast wants to save them.” Jack tapped on the ground with his finger as if drawing something. “We take them all out of the city, finishing the werewolf’s goal before killing him. This way, everyone gets what they want.”
Lydia stared at him, “the church won’t mind as long as the beast disappears. We should be able to make that work.” She smiled.
Arad stood, “Let’s head down. We have the afternoon to make a plan.” The four walked downstairs and saw a familiar face. “Arad!” Alcott called him with a smile.
“HE!” Lydia’s blood froze, seeing an S-rank sitting there. “Alcott? What is he doing here?” She whispered to Jack.
“He’s a friend of Chief or a mentor. Even I don’t know.” Jack smiled.
“I knew before that Arad knew Alcott.” Lydia glared at him, “What is that man doing here?”
“He’s helping Arad kill the werewolf,” Jack replied, “He’s here only for that.”
“It took you a while,” Arad asked, sitting beside Alcott.
“Yeah, sorry for being late.” He smiled, gulping his drink down. “By the way, the guild sent you a new party member.” He pointed at the girl sitting beside him.
“Merida?” Arad knew her before, “I don’t want any new members,” Arad replied with a passive face.
“Come on,” Alcott smiled, looking at Merida, “Who would refuse such a strong fighter?”
Arad sighed, approaching Merida and glaring at her face. He got so close their noses almost touched, “Do you have anything to say?” Arad growled, glaring at her face with glowing eyes.
“Move away from me, pervert.” Merida pushed Arad with her hand.
Arad nodded, “Heard her,” He looked at Alcott, “I don’t need her on the team,”
“Come on. It is your mistake getting so close to the girl.” Alcott sighed,
“I don’t see her as a girl but as a criminal piece of shit who attacked us and wounded Aella.” Arad glared at her, a purple flash in his eyes, “Out of respect to your father, I don’t beat the shit out of you in your shop.”
“What?” Alcott stared at her, “You two had beef?” He scratched his head.
“What?” Jack approached Arad, “She’s the one who attacked us?” Aella already pulled her bow, aiming three arrows at Merida’s head.
Merida stared at Arad, shocked, “You could tell?” her hand slowly reaching to her sword.
“Shit always stinks.” His fists burst into flames.
Alcott stood to stop them, “Hold up, don’t fight here.” He said, looking at the bartender, “Don’t worry, I will stop them.”
“Arad, Nina chose her for you. Please reconsider. What happened is in the past.” Alcott glared at Arad.
Arad thought about it for a moment. ^My problem is Aella. How could I take care of her.^
“Nina knows I don’t trust people that easily, especially those who tried to kill me. You know why.” Arad stared at Alcott.
“I know. I will talk about it with Nina when we get back.” Alcott sighed, “For now, she’s a part of your party till them,”
Arad looked around him, “What should we do?” He asked.
“I don’t trust her a bit,” Aella replied, “She will cause us more danger.” 𝑜𝘷𝑙.𝘰𝑟𝑔
“I’m with chief,” Jack smiled, pulling his dagger, “Why did she attack us?”
“That’s a personal matter,” Merida replied, “You took something you don’t own, and I can’t let that stand.”
“I see,” Arad looked at her and then at Alcott, “Send her back. I don’t want to see her anywhere close to us.”
“We can’t do that,” Alcott sighed, “It’s the rules. As an adventurer. You’re stuck with her for now.”
“As an adventurer, you say?” Arad stared at Alcott. It was then that Alcott realized what Arad was thinking.
“Then I’m quitting adventuring.” Arad glared at him, “I won’t risk Aella’s life with this woman,”
“Are you crazy?” Alcott stood.
“We can register in the elvish kingdom,” Aella said, standing beside Arad.
“Jack, say something.” Alcott stared at him.
Jack approached Arad, “I heard the elvish guild pay a lot,” He smiled, “Let’s change guilds.”
“You as well?” Alcott glared at him.
“Of course, I’m with chief,” Jack smiled.
“What about the werewolf? You need to kill him, and you need our help.” Alcott stood. The guild messed up. Arad is a dragon throwing him away like this was more than a waste. And on top of that, giving his power to the elvish kingdom will have more precautions on the humans.
Merida looked around, confused why a new adventurer would Alcott such a hard time.
Alcott sat on the chair, “Fine, can we negotiate this? No like adventurers, but in a serious manner.” He looked at Arad.
Arad sighed. He had no reason to take the subject further, “Fine,” Arad sat, looking at Alcott in the face.
“I don’t want anyone untrustworthy, especially since she attacked us.” Arad stared at Merida.
“I know, I can understand that.” Alcott stared at Merida, “Do you still want to join his party?”
“It isn’t my first choice. The guild is the one asking,” Merida replied.
“Arad, can you accept Merida temporarily until we get back? I will personally kill her if she walks over the line.”
Merida stood, “What?”
“You’re not going to do anything, so it’s fine,” Alcott glared at her, “Just sit,”
Arad looked at Aella and Jack, “I will do what you say,” Aella replied. “Shame, the elves have a lot of money.” Jack shook his head.
“Fine. But I’m having a word with Nina when we get back.” Arad sat down.
Alcott sighed in relief, “You scared me there for a moment,” He smiled, handing Arad a drink.
“My priority is Aella’s safety for now,” Arad replied, “Protecting your woman, I can understand that.” Alcott smiled.