Chapter 40 40 – A Friend’s Request

“Fuck you!!!” Diego’s curse was like a roar.

Dani launched his second spike, which went straight through the man’s heart. This time, he could do nothing but spit blood from his mouth.

“Arrrghhh!” Dani pulled the chain with all his might, forcing Diego to fall forward.

Elise winced in horror, seeing the pool of blood from Diego’s wound. The man’s body twitched a little, then stopped altogether. Gina came over, crouched down, and put two fingers on that man’s neck.

“He’s dead,” Gina spoke in a calm tone as if she wasn’t handled a corpse.

Elise felt like her stomach was being shaken hard. A murder had just happened before her eyes.

Sighed, Checo sits on one of the big roots. “You must have a lot of questions, Elise.”.

Gina passed Elise to check on Dani again. The female warrior just stood with an expression still full of terror.

“They’ll be suspicious if I show up with a wound like this.” Dani winced in pain as Gina started to clean her wound.

“Don’t complain, Dani.” Gina took out a few things from the waist bag she was carrying. “You’re always like this when you feel pain. You always cry.”

Dani wiped the clear liquid from the corners of her eyes. “I can’t help it. It hurts so bad.”

Checo chuckled when Elise didn’t ask any questions. “You don’t seem like the kind of person to start a conversation, do you? Alright then, I’ll just tell the story. Maybe you already guessed it. We are the ones who receive the stolen oil and store it in the forest, bit by bit.”

“Honestly, we’re pretty surprised you chose Checo. Whoever is with you should check the situation before attacking you.” Gina added. “And as you can see, we failed to detect Diego’s whereabouts.”

“Your group doesn’t just consist of three people, right?” Elise finally asked, even though the words came from her master. “A lot of people helped you? One of them was Carlos, who was caught and killed?”

“You’re right.” Gina started to bandage her partner’s wound. “The ones managing the guard groups are also our friends. So, we always get the ideal area near the forest at the furthest edge of the plantation. So, we can move freely to collect the oils.”

“Including a ‘forest expert’ who said that there are a lot of carnivorous plants in this forest, right?” Elise gulped, still imitating her master’s words. “That area isn’t really safe from monsters, is it?”

“We started by eliminating people who entered the forest.” Checo rubbed his face. “You know, setting traps to catch the guards who came here… After that, we said that carnivorous plants had sprung up in the area. Monsters won’t come from here, so the number of guards near this forest has been reduced for efficiency.”

“Then how do you make it happen? Keeping those monsters from coming to this forest area?” Elise kept asking. “It’s not an easy thing, is it?”

Gina helps Dani lean against one of the trees. “I once said that I like history and legends, right? In the past, on my journey through a ruin, I found an ancient artifact that could ward off monsters and beasts. Only humans and non-aggressive animals will be able to approach it. The thing is, the method to make that artifact is gone. So, people will not suspect that someone is using it here.”

Raymund gave a round of applause, even though no one could hear him but Elise. “They are amazing, able to think of plans to such detail.”

Elise looked at the three people in turn. They looked so tired. Either because of fighting or their low morale. Their long plan must have required a lot of time and sacrifice. Unfortunately, one of their key players is dead, the oil thief named Carlos.

“So, what should we do after this?” Dani asked in a heavy tone.

Gulped, Gina approached Elise. “You were sent by God to answer Checo’s prayers, right? You must have a plan to destroy that cursed plantation?”

Elise’s chin dropped. She doesn’t even know the mission and goals yet. Her master hasn’t said anything else yet.

“Yeah, she did fall before me after I started praying to god again.” Checo rose from the roots he was sitting on. “However, that doesn’t mean she’s really a servant of God.”

“Then, how about this?” Gina suddenly tapped Elise’s shoulder guard, causing the female warrior to flinch. “You heard this, right? It’s clearer when tapped and has distinctive sounds! You guys heard something like this when I tapped on that ancient artifact of my collection, right?”

“There could have been a method of making metal like that in the past, so that doesn’t mean it has to come from a god’s place. Then, that method disappeared with time like a lot of the ancient magic you talked about, Gina.” Checo answered while massaging his forehead. “Maybe Elise just bought that armor from someone who successfully replicated it.”

“Then, how about this stretchy material!?” Gina sounded desperate, slightly tugging at the garment on the female warrior’s stomach. “After all, there is nothing in the world that is close to this thing!”

Checo shook his head. “Maybe it’s the same. The method of making that material was lost with time, and someone found it again.”

Getting even more frustrated, Gina brought her face closer to Elise’s. “Hey, Elise! Answer my question! You really are from God’s place, right!?”

“Just tell me the truth, Elise,” Raymund said again after a long silence.

Elise was about to answer when Dani got up with the help of the tree she was leaning on. “She doesn’t show any special abilities either, Gina. Yes, her armor was magically enhanced, and my weapon couldn’t penetrate it, even though I had reduced my strength that time. However, armor like that can be bought in this world, even though it is costly and rare.”

“But….” Gina was at a loss for words. She could only clench her fists and bit the corners of her lips.

“We have to focus on what we have to do next.” Dani continued her words. “Like I said, I can’t hide my wound, and Diego is dead from the wound from my weapon. People can tell that Diego’s wounds are from my uniquely shaped weapon.”

Gina looked at her friend with eyes filled with tears. The muscles in her face tightened, and she shook her head in a rigid motion. “Don’t you dare to say whatever is in your mind.”

“You guys have to kill me.”