Chapter 133: Fix the Wheel

Strax's sigh of relief echoed through the group, everyone sharing the same sense of relief as they finally left the cursed forest behind. They moved toward the light, revealing a small town nestled at the foot of the hill.

"It's quite small..." Beatrice murmured, mentally comparing the village to her hometown, Steinhartd, which seemed enormous in comparison.

"Not all places are like the ones you've seen, many places go through different situations. This village is called Lariaen. It's a connection point; many people stay here overnight," Carlos explained, while Samira added, "It's quite common for small connection towns like this to exist, especially between major cities like the Duchy of Vorah and Eldoria."

"I see..." Beatrice murmured, absorbing the new information.

"Let's keep going. We have much to do," Strax said, taking the lead and pulling the mares ahead.

They began descending the hill, heading toward the small village. As they approached, Lariaen's features became clearer. The wooden houses with thatched roofs exuded a cozy and rustic charm. Small gardens around the houses indicated a self-sufficient community, where each family grew their own vegetables and herbs.

The main street was dirt, illuminated by torches and lanterns hanging from wooden posts. Small shops and workshops lined the street, offering basic goods and services similar to Vorah's commercial zone. The local forge emitted rhythmic sounds of hammers striking metal, while the bakery exuded a tempting aroma of freshly baked bread.

In the center of the village, a small square with a stone well served as a meeting point for the villagers. Wooden benches around the well offered a place for rest and conversation. Children ran and played, their laughter echoing through the air, while adults attended to their daily tasks.

"It seems quite welcoming..." Monica murmured as she walked alongside Strax. Beatrice commented, "Despite appearing poor, I haven't seen a single crooked smile..." She said, confirming something she had been thinking. "Common towns like this usually have the highest rate of satisfied people. People move easily; after all, Vorah is four hours away, so opportunities are plentiful.

"Hm... thank you, we'll take a look," Monica said, bowing in respect, being as polite as she could be. But before she could leave... "You were a maid, weren't you? You don't need to bow to anyone; we're just common villagers." He said, standing up and picking up his hammer, "We're all in the same boat." He spoke, smiling kindly at her... Well, that was enough for something...

Strax's eyes became two black holes in a split second. The girls noticed this quickly, and Monica acted, "Yes, I was a maid, but I married the best man in the world!" She said and ran to grab Strax's arm, which calmed him down immediately. "So possessive..." Samira murmured, seeing that he could actually attack the carpenter just for saying... Normal things?

"I'm not going to run away, stop acting like that, you silly," Monica murmured just for him to hear.

"Take it easy, it will be ready by tomorrow morning," he commented, and the women nodded, with Monica and Strax leaving first. "Apocalypse, go with Carlos to the stable, and don't kill the other two," he ordered. "Hiii-hhiii," "Obey, tomorrow you'll be with me all day," he said, as if negotiating with the mare. "Hiihihii!" She responded as if agreeing, and he understood what she meant...

"Alright, just two," he said, and she agreed.

"You... can communicate with her? I mean, it seems like you really talk to her..." Monica commented, she had never seen anyone talk to a mare and get responses almost immediately and as if she understood... "Believe me, I don't know either... I just know what she wants, like a feeling," Strax said, but the explanation couldn't sound more absurd than that... I mean, it was already absurd enough.

"Let's go to the tavern, meet us there. We'll rent some rooms..." Strax said, and Carlos nodded, "I'll be there soon, I'll try to send a carrier pigeon letter to Cristine to make sure she knows we're heading there," he finished and went ahead.

"So... how many rooms will we get?" Samira asked, after all, there were three women and one man. "You and Beatrice will share one, and I'll stay with Monica tonight," Strax said, and the women looked at him... in this case, Samira and Beatrice who understood immediately.

"It's her turn, you've already had yours," Strax said, smiling, and Monica blushed... she had been expecting this in some way.