Chapter 43 43 – The Lunch

“I know that,” Frei answered my question. “I know oil is dangerous because it is used to burn forests to make farmland. However, I can’t ask the animals and monsters to take care of it, take it away, or destroy it. I’m afraid that the oil will be spilled and, for some reason, cause a massive fire.”

So, Frei is a careful person? Or is she just being too paranoid? As long as there is no ignition source, the oils will save.

“But, if left unchecked, it will be hazardous for your forest, Frei.” I put on a smile. “Some people want to use it as fuel to destroy the crop fields. Your goals and those people align, but their methods are against yours.”

Frei raised an eyebrow. “You have a safe way to get rid of that cursed oil from my forest?”

“Maybe.” I shook my head and approached the goddess of nature. “But, before I say my plan. I have a question. I heard from one of the guys down here that there weren’t any big monsters attacking the plantation, right?”

“That’s right.” Frei’s forehead furrowed even more. “Controlling the giant monster is not impossible, but there must be special criteria. For example, the monster shouldn’t be too wild and so on. The problem was that the big monster near the plantation didn’t meet those criteria. So, I only sent small ones to chase away the humans.”

I put on my smile. “I see.”.

***

It took some time for Gina to stop crying. The sun was already rising, but Elise and her two companions had just come out of the forest. The female warrior walked with a blank stare while Checo led the way, carrying Diego’s body wrapped in a sheet of brown cloth.

Behind them, Gina pulled a chain tied to Dani’s bloodied body. The difference in the handling of the two bodies was so contrasting. One was handled with respect, the other left to be dragged on the ground and covered in nothing. Anyone can see her pathetic condition.

Even so, Gina kept walking, even with her eyes so puffy. She had been crying all night.

“Ah, you still refuse to listen to me, huh?” Raymund sighed in frustration. He didn’t know if his servant was listening to him or not. Elise continued to walk in silence, even though Raymund had asked her to signal if she understood his plan. “You were really shaken by that incident, weren’t you, Elise?”

Raymund was about to threaten his servant again, but he wasn’t sure it would work. He had to string together new words.

The group stopped when they met several other guards. Checo was in charge of explaining what had just happened to them. Seeing the condition of Dani’s corpse, they looked surprised, especially when they saw Gina dragging her.

“He’s a traitor.” Gina gave a genuine-looking triumphant smile. “Even she almost killed me.”

“Let me help to carry it.” One of the guards approached Dani’s corpse.

Gina blocked the person’s steps, then said in a cold tone. “No, she is mine.”

“But, you look tired….” The guard’s words were cut short when he received a glare from Gina. “Well, suit yourself.”

No one dared to stand in the way anymore as Gina’s group continued their march. Checo will reply to anyone they meet on the village streets that Diego is the hero, while Dani is the villain. Since it was still early in the morning, not many people had left the house yet, and they were all praising Checo and his friends. Several times there were also those who offered to help Gina carry Dani’s body. Still, the mage always refused, even though her breath ran out and she was sweating a lot.

And finally, they arrived at the large and luxurious house with intricate carvings in the village. The people guarding the building were also shocked when they saw Dani’s body. After hearing Checo’s explanation, one of them immediately entered the house.

Not long after, that person came out with Jorge, the big boss.

“What a great sight!” Jorge looked so enthusiastic. He came to Dani’s body.

Gina didn’t move at all when Jorge stepped on her best friend’s head. “So, this is the traitor who ran the oil theft operation?”

“That’s right, sir.” Gina flashed her best smile. “I thought she was my friend, but now that I think about it, I don’t know about her. Sometimes she would come out of our room at night or separate herself from me on a mission. When I asked her why she did that, she never answered…. Ah, sorry, I just caught her now, sir…. Before this, I still felt she was a friend, so I let her be…. Because of my negligence, she killed one of your best men. Diego fought really well. He was also the first to confront this bitch… Too bad we haven’t been able to find the oils she’s been hiding….”

Suddenly, Jorge hugged Gina’s body tightly. The mage could only freeze with his mouth agape.

“It’s enough,” Jorge said in a warm tone. “I know what it’s like to be betrayed by someone like that.”

Gina’s tears fell again, but her face was filled with immeasurable anger this time.

***

In Jorge’s palm-lined backyard, Elise just stared at the steak on the table. Meanwhile, Gina was eating like a madman. The mage looked like someone who hadn’t eaten in days.

“You haven’t touched your food.” Jorge, who sat opposite the three people, raised an eyebrow. “Is that not to your taste?”

Sitting on Elise’s side, Checo replied, “Ah, she did the finishing blow to that traitor. It was the first time she killed a human.”

Jorge nodded. “Well, my first kill was tough too. It took me days for the shaking in my hands to go away. But don’t worry, the second kill and so on will be much easier.”

Elise winced. Her hands trembled even more.

There were super-fast footsteps coming from the house. A woman ran over to the table where Jorge and the three were sitting.

“What’s the matter, Gabriella?” Jorge didn’t show any annoyed or angry expression despite asking such a question. “Can’t you see that I’m having lunch with these three heroes?”

The woman named Gabriella paused, then answered with difficulty breathing. “Sorry, Don Jorge. I know this is rude, but I have important news! Someone managed to find where the oils were hidden! The volume is huge! They must be planning to make a big fire right away, so it’s hard for people to put it out!”

Gina and Checo froze in an instant.

Jorge pounded the table and laughed out loud. “You’re right, that’s great news! Today is the day of our victory! Bring the person who found the oils here!”