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nHoward “hmphed,” steadying himself against the foot of the bed as he stood, then waved his hand dismissively.

n“I’m going to my room. Don’t call me until tomorrow.”

nAfter saying this, he walked out of the room with unsteady steps and returned to his own.

nWatching Howard’s figure disappear behind the door, Nula slowly shifted her gaze away.

nShe closed the door and sat down in front of a mirror.

nHer reflection returned to the glass, and Nula stared at the unfamiliar face in the mirror.

nShe pulled out a bottle containing a greenish potion, tilted her head back to drink it down, then quietly waited for the potion to take effect.

nMoments later, the muscles on her face began to move, as if a video of the initial disguise being applied was being played in reverse.

nEvery muscle writhed back to its original position.

nIn just a few breaths, Nula’s face returned to normal.

nNodding in satisfaction, Nula massaged her face, changed out of her clothes, and packed away the ones she had worn, ensuring no unintentional discovery of any details.

nThough her actions were blameless, some things were better kept private.

nThe Eternal Flame’s underground stronghold was now essentially cleared out, the only cultist corpse not dissolved being Duduro’s, which probably still lay in the adventurer Rodel branch guild’s office.

nThis matter might only come to light tomorrow morning, while its impact could resonate far into the future.

nNonetheless, none of this should tie her or Howard any longer.

nAfter staying here for another two days to properly rest and recuperate, she and Howard would continue their journey towards Sorona.

nLying in bed, Nula looked up at the ceiling, then down at White, who lay on the floor with eyes closed and belly rising and falling unevenly.

nNula stretched her lips into a smile.

n…

nHoward couldn’t recall the exact moment he fell asleep; all he remembered was the tidal wave of exhaustion that nearly drowned him upon returning to his room.

nThe moment he hit the bed, sleepiness emerged spontaneously.

nHis eyes closed, and he drifted off to sleep instantly.

nHe didn’t even bother to change his clothes.

nAs a result, he woke up to a body full of aches and itches from his wounds.

nUnwrapping his bandages, he glanced at his wounds, which should have taken a week to start healing but astonishingly had already formed a thin membrane, indicating a full recovery was likely in just two or three days.

nObserving the bright sunshine outside the window, Howard wondered if he had actually slept for a week.

nCould that be possible?

nThen, there came a knock on the door.

n“Howard! Are you up?”

nIt was Nula’s voice.

nWhat was she doing here?

nThey had no plans for any joint activities today.

nWith confusion, Howard rose from the bed, opened the door, and met Nula’s peculiar gaze.

n“What… did you do last night?”

n“What do you mean ‘did’?”

nHoward, with a dazed expression of bewilderment, failed to grasp Nula’s implication.

n“I just slept through the night… didn’t even sleepwalk.”

n“That’s good then, just straighten up your clothes!”

nNula’s gaze wandered, “I don’t mind seeing or not, but that doesn’t mean you can just expose yourself carelessly.”

nHoward paused, stepping back swiftly to close the door.

nHe had just checked his wounds, almost stripping off his clothes in the process.

nHoward rummaged through his luggage for a clean set of clothes, then reopened the door to find Nula still standing outside.

n“Sorry,” he said, scratching his face and noticing the basket in Nula’s hand.

nA jar of jam, a tub of butter, milk, apples, and finely roasted white bread—certainly a lavish breakfast.

n“I brought you something to eat. Do you even know what time it is?”

nNula lifted the basket slightly.

n“Aren’t you going to let me in, or is there something secretive you’re hiding inside?”

nHoward stepped aside to let Nula in, then closed the door partially and followed her into the room.

nNula dragged a table to a spot near the window, placed the basket on it, and sat down to start eating.

nHoward sat opposite her, dividing the bread and roast, “What made you suddenly decide to bring me breakfast? What’s happened outside?”

n“It’s nothing major.”

nHer words implied something had indeed occurred.

n“The incident with Duduro has come to light, as expected. Apart from that, it’s probably about the adventurer’s guild celebration. To honor the adventurers and city guards who protected Rodel during the monster tide, the adventurer’s guild organized a festivity. Though Duduro’s exposure has damaged their reputation, the celebration wasn’t canceled, just postponed for a few days.”

n“You just happen to be in time for it.”

n“Isn’t that a good thing?” Howard patiently sliced the bread, spreading jam on it.

n“Or is there a problem with the celebration itself? Are there still members of the Eternal Flame hiding here? Did not all of them die?”

n“It’s not that,” Nula shook her head, “There’s nothing wrong with the celebration itself. The problem is with you.”

n“I’d prefer you not attend the celebration. Any excuse will do, just avoid it.”

n“Why?” Howard looked at Nula puzzledly, asking, “If there’s no problem with the celebration, why can’t I go? I did contribute significantly, after all.”

n“I can’t tell you the reason now, just don’t go, that’s all.” Nula didn’t intend to elaborate further.

nShe always liked to keep something hidden.

n“I’ve laid it out for you, but in the end, whether you go or not is your own decision. After all, you’re the one with legs.”

nNula’s words carried a hint of mockery, leaving Howard somewhat confused.

nThough, to be honest, he hadn’t planned on attending anyway.

nHis wounds would need a few more days to fully heal, and his body required rest to recover completely.

nIt was better to keep to a regular schedule during such times.

nHoward had already decided to adopt a more laid-back daily routine.

nUntil his body was fully recovered, he wouldn’t partake in any activities that might further harm his physique.

nAfter all, his body was his greatest asset in this world, and it was crucial to cherish it.

n“Is there anything else?”

nHoward bit fiercely into his bread and then cut off some of the roast meat with his knife.

nAlthough eating such greasy food early in the morning could strain his stomach, Howard knew his body needed a certain level of stimulation to “revive.”

n“Someone familiar is looking for you.”

n“Another acquaintance?” Nula’s words reminded Howard of White.

nNula had said something similar before, and then he was introduced to White, only to get shocked by White for a second time.

nIt wasn’t a fond memory, neither for Howard nor for White.

n“Don’t worry, this time it’s not some odd creature, but a very standard human being.”

n“Vivia… I saw her when I was out,” Nula paused before continuing.

n“I don’t think she knows you’re here, but I reckon she wouldn’t miss any chance to gather information.”

n“You’d better limit your outings, or our party will gain an extra member.”

nHoward massaged his temples, his expression grim.

nHe hadn’t expected Vivia to be so persistent, actually following him out.

nDidn’t Antalya stop her?

nWasn’t she always treating Vivia like her own daughter?

nIs this how she looks after her?

n“Besides Vivia, did you see anyone else?” Howard asked, a hint of unease in his gaze as it fell on Nula’s expressionless face.

nHis biggest concern was that Jelia might have been brought along by Vivia.

nHe knew the young orc’s temperament; like a drowning person, she wouldn’t let go of any straw that might save her.

nHoward was probably the first and most important straw in her life. .𝒎

nThough it might sound somewhat narcissistic, Howard didn’t believe Jelia would just let him walk away.

nThat young orc wouldn’t miss any chance to find him.

nBut she couldn’t possibly join them on the road.

nThe journey was fraught with too many hardships and dangers, and she was just a young orc, not yet an adult, with practically no combat ability.

n“No, I only saw Vivia.” Nula finished her slice of bread, glanced at the slice in Howard’s hand now spread with jam, and reached for one herself, carefully applying the jam.

n“She’s very cautious in her actions. I was worried she might see me, so I didn’t follow her for long.”

n“That girl probably hasn’t forgotten what I look like, after all, you could say I took you away from them.”

n“If she saw me here, it would almost certainly confirm your presence as well.”

n“You’re right.” Howard nodded, took a bite of his bread, chewed thoughtfully, and then asked, “When you saw Vivia, what was she doing? How did she… look?”

n“Are you worried about her?”

nNula looked at Howard, her gaze carrying a mix of indistinct emotions.

n𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ

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