Chapter 338 - The Second Day

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Carriage, heading to Helda's destination)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:19 AM)~~~

Sally is sleeping on my shoulder, her blond hair cascading down my chest piece. She's snuggled against me and has her body firmly against mine. Hailey and Jasmine are using each other as something to sleep against. It's a funny-looking way to sleep, if not a little painful. I look across the carriage and see Helda awake, and Melimora is sleeping.

Melimora has surprised me. She's decided to sleep even though I'm sitting right across from them. It shows that she still trusts Helda greatly. The carriage is magically heated, keeping up warm as the cold morning is slowly warming up from the shine of Gaia's sun. My eyes shift towards the window opposite the wall's side, and I see the endless landscape.

It continues for miles, mostly frost-covered treetops and snowcapped mountains in the distance. While the weather is very cold at the border wall, it doesn't snow here very often. From what I remember about the lore of Gaia, the elven people can ward off the climate with their magic. Personally, the earth could've used that. Too bad we didn't have magic.

There are white fluffy clouds in the distance, slowly making their way towards the border walls. Sally shifts and squeezes her body against mine. Her legs find a way to wrap around my body. She wouldn't be doing this if she were awake. Her soft and supple figure is causing a reaction in my body, and I suppress it as fast as it arrives. 

If we were alone, I'd partake in her since she's so hard to resist. I'd make sure she was awake and was okay with it, my eyes move away from the window and my mind off of Sally. Helda has an unwavering gaze. "Most would consider your staring rude, but I can appreciate how vigilant and careful you are. I'd do the same in your shoes." No reaction from the pureblood elf. 

She's a famous smuggler only known for helping friends and acquaintances across the border. What we did to convince her to help was just short of blackmail, and I don't like being compared to a blackmailer. "We could be friends. You look like you could use some more." My attempt at humor does not affect her, and her stoic face at my bad joke causes me to laugh.

Seeing such a look on a beautiful elf is funny to me, not for the reasons you think. When I see Helda looking like this, I think of Sally making the same face. The thought of her positive and energetic personality making a face of stone-cold neutrality makes me laugh. Helda is a tough one to read, but I know almost all the things on the surface.

There isn't very much to see on the surface if I'm being honest. She hides her feelings and opinions better than most I've met. "You make me feel like I'm talking to a brick wall... Some feedback or interaction would be nice... It's not like we're going to betray you... We have no use for the stupid dagger..." My eyes shift back to the window with a nice view as I finish talking.

What I said was meant to draw out more information, not try and make friends. While that is a good idea, it's impractical with someone like Helda. I have no intention to betray her, and I'm trying to make this trip a little more bearable. "I'm not going to take anything you say at face value, Cera. You've proven to have a dangerous ability." She's referring to my talent in getting information.

Inferring things from what people show me is helpful, but I wouldn't call it a talent. A skill that almost anyone can learn, and it makes me look much smarter than I actually am. I have above-average intelligence, but that's where it ends. Having future knowledge is what makes me look like a genius. Put those together, and you have a near-perfect mask.

Sally squeezes me in her arms and legs and grumbles words that I can't make out. My attention turns to her, and I kiss her on the forehead. "That's a fair point, Helda. We're never going to be friends, and I can't see us working well as allies. Perhaps, in a different life, that could've been different." My mock at her rebuke doesn't go unnoticed.

It's not a mock of say... Rudeness... To make her mad, but one to show that I don't see her as a threat. She gets the underlined message. Her slight squint in her eyes tells me that. "Your word games and attempts at unbalancing me are becoming annoying, Cera. I'd request you to stop if I thought there was a chance you would." She infers that I'm vain and arrogant with that.

In a sense, I'm both of those things. She has learned some things about me in the time we've spent talking to one another. As a great man once said, you can't hide everything. "Sometimes, playing at one's own game can bring insights into yourself and your opponent. Your trying to play at my game, or was it your first?" Her temples flex as she grits her teeth.

I'm referring to the first time we met and who started this game first. It could be argued that we both started it simultaneously, but implying that she did will only benefit me. "Having your weaknesses bore in front of your opponent shows how much you underestimate them. That's the downfall of many powerful people." My head darts at Helda, and my eyes harden.

~~~(POV: Helda Vora)~~~

~~~(Location: Carriage, heading to Smuggling point in the Border)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:31 AM)~~~

My threat to the lives of his loved ones doesn't slide over him, and that's what I was hoping for. It's obvious that it's not possible to kill a single one of them by myself. Still, his overreaction tells me that he's either extremely protective of his loved ones, or they're not as powerful as I originally thought, and both can be used to my advantage.

My eyes shift to look at the elven beauty firm attached to him as her life depends on it. She's formed an incredible bond with Cera, and elves are creatures that form powerful attachments to people and creatures they truly love. "I'm only going to say this once, Helda... Don't even think about touching them... If you try, nothing in this world will stop me..." Finally, a reaction.

A serious threat and one that carries weight, and this ensure something for me. I've gained an insight into Cera too, and that insight is his loyalty and protectiveness over his loved ones. Willing to go to the absolute edge for them. "I won't think about it if you won't think about doing the same to us." His reaction tells me nothing. No raised eyebrow, squinting eyes, anything to tell me.

I'll take his silence and lack of reaction as an indication we have a deal. I've gained some ground in my dealings with him, and now I'm finally seeing into the man known as Cera. "I'll be glad to be rid of you once this contract is finished, and I know you can say the same. We should make this trip as quick as possible." My words cause most people in the carriage to stir awake.

Sally slowly opens her eyes, but she refuses to let go of Cera. Meli is slowly waking up and rubbing the gunk out of her eyes. The only two that are still sleeping are Hailey and Jasmine. "We can continue this conversation another time if you're up for it." The edge and anger in Cera's voice tell me I've hit somewhere that hurts.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.193]

[Exp: 3/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 30] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 4x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]