Chapter 148: My name is...

Before...

"Seriously, you have to be more careful, this is the last time I'll ask," Samira said with her arms crossed. "So cute when she's afraid of losing me," Strax said, smiling. He loved provoking this woman more and more; it was great to see her reactions, and he honestly loved it more than anything.

"You'll see cute when I rip off your balls and hang them around your neck," she said, pointing a finger in his face, but he knew she wouldn't do it, even though she seemed very serious.

"I'm with her," Monica said, also staring deeply into Strax's soul, making him retreat slightly. Seeking a solution, he looked at Beatrice, who raised her hands in surrender. "I didn't tell you to take risks; you're the one playing with danger," Beatrice said. With everyone against him, Strax saw only one solution.

"No 'fun' for the three of you, then. Live without it now," he sighed. There were more things he wanted to say and resolve, but at the moment, he cared less. If they were all against him, he would play against them too, taking away what they liked most.

Samira narrowed her eyes at him. "This won't work, Strax. You know very well you can't keep us away forever," Samira said with a mischievous look, challenging her husband to endure and follow his own words, something she was sure he wouldn't be able to do.

"Maybe not forever, but for as long as necessary," he replied, his tone now more serious. "I need you to understand that I'm not risking my life for no reason. I have a plan, and this plan involves more than just our immediate safety," Strax said, being more sincere, as it was the truth.

"And what exactly is your plan, huh?" Monica asked, crossing her arms. "Killing yourself? We've talked about this; we're not starving," Monica said, and Strax just ignored her. "Let's just move forward. I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine."

Samira let out a frustrated sigh but relaxed her shoulders a bit. "Okay, I understand. Just... be more careful, please."

"I promise I'll try," Strax said, offering a reconciliatory smile.

Carlos, who had observed the interaction, approached. "Shall we join them until this mysterious woman wakes up?"

"Yes, let's go ahead," Strax replied. "I said we'd join them; I don't think anyone will attack us, at least I hope not." "Understood," Carlos responded, taking the reins of the horses as the others prepared to leave.

The carriage calmly began to move toward the convoy where Lyana was. It was a very short and calm path, considering all that huge problem.

"How is the state of the carriage?" Strax asked Carlos, who was at the front with the reins of the horses. Carlos, still a bit shaken by the revelation about Strax's true nature, wasn't very connected to the world at the moment. He tried to stay focused, but well... it was complicated to think about his situation now.

"So... how much did you steal from those guys?" Beatrice murmured very softly, as if she didn't want anyone to hear. She was genuinely curious... well, maybe more than just curious.

"Oh, I thought I was the irresponsible one... taking risks here, worrying there..." he said, smiling. "Well, I want to know what we have here... can't I?" she asked, smiling as if she understood what he felt.

"Tsk, that's why she wasn't too concerned and used calm words. She's as greedy as he is," Samira said, clicking her tongue, watching how they were acting. "Everyone plays their own game... and it seems my daughter wants to play dirty... maybe I should pull her ear..." Monica said with a mischievous smile.

While they murmured among themselves, Strax had taken a look at his inventory.

"Well, let's just say I got a lot of things that can be sold..." he said, summoning a staff with a stone. "I stole this from a lunatic who was lurking around," he said. Beatrice looked curious; the stone had a purple hue. "Could it be a magic amethyst? That would be worth some money..." she said.

"I doubt it, I also got this," he said, making the staff disappear and summoning a platinum sword, completely chromed, as if it had just been forged and polished.

"That's... Platinum Steel," Samira said, looking at the sword. "Were these guys carrying equipment like this?" she said incredulously. "Yes? I mean, I got about five swords like this, what's the problem?" Strax questioned, he really didn't understand the surprise. Well, it was simple; Strax didn't really know the value of things; he had always been "rich."

"It's expensive equipment. Platinum Steel is sold by dwarves... Well, it might not be, it's just a layman's look. We'd have to take it to a decent blacksmith to verify, but it would be great if it really is this material; we'd earn a lot..." Samira murmured again. "Ah~ You are ridiculous, criticizing him two minutes ago, and now you're here, talking about how much you can earn.

Aren't you ashamed?" Monica said, interrupting the conversation, and the two women shrugged without responding. "Good to know, I'll go to a blacksmith in Eldoria just to have it checked. We can sell it," Strax said, completely ignoring Monica.

"Strax." Carlos called him, Strax looked at him, and he turned his gaze to the side, and Strax followed it. There he saw Lyana's carriage, but that wasn't what he wanted to show; it was Lyana stepping out of the carriage and helping a woman out... that same woman who wore a veil on her face, but now the veil was black, preventing him from seeing any trace of expression.

As she walked, the woman seemed truly debilitated, as Lyana had said... A profound illness... Strax hadn't noticed because of the lighting, but now... it was clear... This woman was at her end.

"I see you've managed to wake up. Is your health alright?" Strax asked when Lyana and the strange woman appeared in front of him. "I am surviving," she said calmly. "I am Strax, Strax Antares." Strax introduced himself first, bowing slightly out of courtesy.

"I apologize for not offering a worthy courtesy, Mr. Strax," she said, lowering her head slightly.

"My name is Evelyn."