Chapter 173: There Are Such Things As Peaceful Forests? How? Why?

We camped somewhere inside the forest. According to Lianne it'd take about a full day of travel to cross this forest. Once we're out, we'd be in Helsing's territory. Till now I'd never heard of a country named that. "What kind of country is it?"

Wait, didn't the old man mention something about a country named hell something?

"It's a neutral country. Some demies live there too." Lianne dropped some wood on the fire. It'd be dark soon, so we started setting things. "Though maybe it has incited some sparks within us." She chose her words carefully.

I sighed. "You people and your war." I didn't want to be the guy who only complained, but unfortunately, I was that guy. "Is waging war over territory really necessary?"

"When your family and the people you know die of hunger around you and you see the nation next to you prospering without issues, that's when you know, it's war or death." Our demon friend bestowed his wisdom upon us.

It pretty much shut me up and Lianne too. I didn't know what sort of past he'd gone through, but one thing was for certain, he wasn't some good old two shoes.

***

This forest didn't have any undead- or so Lianne claimed- so we didn't need the fire for that. But lately, it got cooler and cooler during the nights. So a fire was essential.

Come to think of it, Jowy had claimed that too when we first came to Alfeim. Though at the time I had no idea that I'd be going straight to the capital.

"Hey, are you sure we're not allowed to even fish?" Dick complained. He sat on a log complaining from the afternoon. All his enthusiasm disappeared when he learned that we won't be able to hunt. Apparently, he thought, because he was a prisoner that's why he was only getting veggies. But when he learned that everyone in Alfiem were pure vegetarian, his heart had cracked like glass. And now those cracked pieces got grinded by the fact that we couldn't even hunt. "At least I get to sleep with ya tonight." It didn't stop him from fantasizing though. 

It just had to be a pervert. 

I sighed. The guy was clearly a harmless pervert. He didn't have the guts to try anything funny, at least not yet. But if he did, he'd be pretty much dead. Women can be scary when they're mad. I learned it the hard way.

The demon with him was rather courteous and quiet. I wanted to know more about him and the demons but he wasn't talking. "Hey, big guy, I forgot your name."

"Servesta." He didn't look my way. He wasn't even the slightest interested. Maybe my earlier comment had ticked him off.

But I did appreciate the fact that he was carrying my stuff. 

It was better to not poke around. Biteria fell asleep before the sunset. Half deads didn't need sleep but this one slept like crazy. Lianne on the other hand, looked, as usual, not a trace of fatigue. 

"You should rest. Your wounds haven't fully healed yet." Lianne smiled at me. 

Don't tell me, this is why you came along… "I will." 

The beds were separate and I made sure to declare my hostility to anyone who'd try anything funny during the night. Lianne and I would sleep on the west side while those two would sleep on the east.

***

Wood creaked under the fire and it all felt so nostalgic. I looked up at the sky. The trees blocked the lights. And there were clouds as well. Not the best night to enjoy a moonless night: eternal moonless night. 

Lianne went out to gather water. The girl really was talented.

"You know I was pretty surprised when I came to this world. Never thought I'd be summoned by a demon. I mean I always dreamt of otherworldly fantasies but this… this is pretty fantastic." Apparently, Dick was right next to me. 

When the hell did you get this close? 

"I was pretty surprised too." I tried to confine my rage. I was just a breath away from slapping him hard. 

How's my strength in this body?

I didn't know how strong I was in this form yet. I didn't have the time to figure it out either.

"By the way, what say you and me return to Demonica. I bet they would treat you nicely. I mean you're probably the third strongest of us. Me being the second." He winked.

"SO there's someone stronger than you? Hey! You don't know how strong I am!" I don't know why but his nonchalant strength meter had ticked me off pretty bad.

"Even if you were, I don't think you are anymore." He looked at my arm and reminded me. I massaged my sleeve and smiled. I didn't have a response for that.

Actually, I really missed my arm. Maintaining my balance was much harder without it and then there was the problem of occasionally forgetting that I didn't have my left arm anymore.

He tried to change the subject. "Anyway, about that stone. Would ya mind giving me half? I mean I'll give you plenty of money!"

"What the hell is this used for anyway?" I knew what he was getting at. But I didn't feel the need to let him have it.

"Hey! That's not what I asked!"

"Well?"

"Tch! It's used to boost your powers. But only temporary. That thing can make you go crazy too. It takes my all to control even this tiny thing. You'd pretty much be overpowered the moment you try to use something that big. Obviously the same goes for me."

Then why the hell did he want it?

In that case, I better make sure it doesn't fall into your hands at least. 

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"Too much free information. Alright, I've made up my mind."

He looked at me with hopeful eyes. "Then-"

"Not selling. Didn't I tell you before? Besides, why would you want it, if you can't control it?" 

His eyes dropped and he got depressed. "Why would you care!"

Yeah, I do care.

"Hey don't start pouting. It's not like you're a little girl."

He was like one of those relatives who pouted because of the slightest of things. 

"Speaking of girls. How did you land yourself that beautiful elf? She's so damn perfect!" He whispered with a lot of passion.

"Fate I'd say." I reminisced about how I met Lianne and how she saved my life. Back then I really was lost.

"I don't know why but somehow you make me jealous." He almost hissed. 

"Well, the feeling's mutual."

"Can I touch them?" He caught me off guard. 

I was dumbfounded for a minute. What are you talking about? "Huh?"

A wide grin appeared on his face. A very wicked one. He lifted his palm and wiggled his fingers in swift motion like was squeezing something. I got the picture and whispered back. "Of course! If you want a hole in your chest that is…." I had a smile on my face too. My mood swung in the opposite direction and I was shaking with anger. I clenched my fist so hard that my fingers started to hurt.

Sweat poured from his forehead and dripped of his face. "I think I'll pass." He got up. "See ya tomorrow." 

I took deep breaths and tried to calm myself down. 

***

Lianne came back and the two of us were pretty close. 

It was awfully quiet. I never thought the forest could be this calm. This was probably heaven compared to the other forests I'd been through. Lianne's work was complete and now she lied down as well. "When I first met you, I thought you'd end up dead on your own. That's why I asked you to come along with me. There were no other hidden motives."

"I kind of knew that…. but I hoped there'd be some other motives you know."

"Like what?"

She looked at me and I met her gaze. "Hmm… something like, this guy is really handsome. Why don't I invite him to my party or something like that!"

She giggled hard. I looked away in embarrassment. I might have said some strange shit in the heat of the moment. Did something happen to my head after transforming?

How the hell am I going to get out of this one?

"Well, you are handsome for a human and very young too. Maybe I did think that subconsciously?"

You don't have to try that hard to console me….

I tried to laugh it off. But it was still kind of lightening. I felt better. Hotter even.

Now there was awkward silence between us. I sighed and looked straight at her eyes. "Thank you for inviting me. You saved my life and I'm grateful."

"You're welcome. You saved my life as well. So now we're even." She smiled. The fire wasn't that bright but her smile illuminated my world. It was strange how I could tell her expression when I couldn't even see her lips. Her eyes really had a way to deliver emotion.

"Hey hey hey! Don't go flirting around when I'm tryna sleep!" Dick was shouting and cursing his fate from the other side. Poor guy. I only felt pity for him now.

Lianne and I giggled. "Suppose we should sleep."

"Yes. Good night Daarc."

I closed my eyes. It was reassuring that I had company. But my past traumas didn't leave me. They hunted me down. I had friends back then too but people always ended up hurt because of me. I nodded off.

***

Spears of ice are falling at me…. I'm going to die. What is this!

Someone is in front of me…. Oh no, Brenda! 

"Brenda!"

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