Chapter 152: Fire Riddles

The sun was beginning to set as the caravan followed the path between stones and mud, broken by the long wooden wheels of the carriages. The environment was calm, and the whole atmosphere pointed to a peaceful night under a starry sky.

The sounds of tired horses were clear; it had been about six hours since they had resumed their journey, and everyone was exhausted, especially after all they had been through. Evelyn's horses were in much worse shape than Strax's. Her carriage, pulled by two robust black-coated horses, advanced at a steady pace, the creaking of the wheels occasionally breaking the prevailing silence.

Strax was leaning back in a cushioned seat, trying to relax with Monica sleeping on his shoulder. His energy was gradually recovering, but he could still feel the lingering fatigue, his gaze occasionally turning to the passing landscape outside the windows.

The sun was slowly setting on the horizon, painting the sky with orange and pink hues, creating a peaceful aura that contrasted with the tension inside the carriage.

Monica looked at him with a worried expression. "Are you okay? You seem a bit..." Strax smiled slightly, trying to ease her concerns. "Yes, just a little tired. The soul exchange with Tiamat was more exhausting than I expected. But I'm well enough to continue...

I'm just thinking about some things for the future."

Monica nodded, still concerned but relieved to see Strax trying to stay calm. "If you need anything, let me know. We don't want you pushing yourself beyond your limits."

The sky began to darken, and the first stars started to appear, gently twinkling on the horizon. The carriage moved at a steady pace, and the road ahead seemed endless but also full of possibilities.

A few minutes passed, and the carriages began to slow down...

The carriages started arriving at a quiet clearing in the forest. The place seemed perfect for spending the night...

"Hey! Let's camp here!" One of the soldiers shouted to Carlos, who nodded and got down from the reins of the horses. Apocalypse followed the carriage faithfully without anyone guiding her. She knew well why Strax was tired, and she understood it was a good moment to show what she was capable of.

Gradually, the weather began to close in, and night started to fall... "Looks like we'll spend the night here," Samira said, stepping out of the carriage and stretching her arms. She had been sleeping for a long time and was completely numb.

Not just her, but the three women also got out and looked around. A large open area surrounded by tall trees and a small stream flowing nearby.

"Ah, finally, some rest and fresh air!" Monica exclaimed, stretching, raising her arms to the sky as she stepped out of the carriage. "I was beginning to think we would travel non-stop until we reached Eldoria," Beatrice said, interrupting their moment of rest.

Monica rolled her eyes, but with a smile on her lips. "Let's try to enjoy this moment of peace. And please, no more wishing for the destruction of our camp."

The tension in the air began to dissipate, with the jokes and teasing helping to lighten the mood. Strax, though still irritated with the system, started to relax a bit...

"Okay, okay, let's all calm down and make the best of this camp," Strax said, raising his hands in surrender. "And no more kicking, please."

"No promises," Lyana replied.

With the camp finally set up, everyone gathered around the fire that Strax had lit. The comforting warmth and the dancing flames brought a sense of camaraderie, as if, for a brief moment, the worries of the outside world had faded away.

"So, what will we do when we get there?" Beatrice asked, holding a mug of hot tea. "Play spy games? Guessing games until we find the infiltrator?"

"We're going to find Jhonnatan, an old... acquaintance," Samira suggested, picking up a skewer with meat that was roasting over the fire. "With luck, we'll find that idiot—he owes me a lot," Samira said as she ate the roasted meat.

Strax, sitting on top of the carriage, held his drink and watched the group gathered around the fire. The flames flickered, casting shadows on the surrounding trees and creating a cozy atmosphere, almost as if they were back in the old days of simpler adventures. He was enjoying the moment of rest but also reflecting on the next stage of their journey.

"An old acquaintance, huh..." Strax murmured to himself, keeping his voice low enough not to reach their ears, taking a sip of his drink. "I wish I could understand why you're trying so hard to hide your past, little fire." He said while continuing to sip his drink.

[Mission Chain Unlocked: The Past of a Burning Fire.]

"So there's something there, huh... no surprise," Strax muttered as he pondered, while Samira continued her conversation with Beatrice and Monica, unaware that Strax was more observant than usual. The mood around the campfire was relaxed, with laughter and the typical banter of a camping trip. Beatrice was telling a funny story about a disastrous date she had years ago, making the other two laugh.

But Strax couldn't take his eyes off Samira. The flickering flames reflected in her eyes, but there was something more, something he couldn't quite decipher yet.

"Well, looks like I'll have to unravel this mystery, little fire," he murmured to himself, a slight smile forming on his lips. The challenge ahead didn't bother him; in fact, it intrigued him even more. He knew she wasn't lying to him—she just didn't want to talk about it.

He took a final sip of his drink, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through his body. "Let's see where this will take us," he thought as he allowed himself to relax a bit more, lying down on the roof of the carriage and gazing up at the stars.