Chapter 228 - VERONICA'S PLAN

Arthur looked at her with a gloomy expression. "I think I forbade you not to go there. Once they find out you are alive-"

Veronica interrupted him before he could finish his sentence, "They already know I'm alive. Not everyone may be aware of it but at least the Head Priest is, and he already declared that I'm dead. He is on my side,"

"Ah… yes, he must have known it since they lied." 

Arthur grabbed his head. He still didn't approve of this plan. There was too much risk in it. His heart couldn't agree to her request.

"We are not in a hurry, are we? Why don't we leave this discussion for tomorrow?" Zinnia suggested. "Let's sleep already. I'm tired."

As she yawned, Darius followed suit and stretched his arms.

"That's true. I'm feeling sleepy already. Let's call it a day," saying that he took a bowl of warm water outside to clean his face.

Arthur looked at Veronica. "You worked hard. Don't you want to rest?"

Veronica pouted. "You don't want to send me there and that's why you are avoiding this topic, aren't you?"

The corners of Arthur's lips lifted ever so slightly. He leaned closer and nuzzled his nose against hers.

"Who said I'm avoiding it? I just want you to plan everything with a clear mind. Don't make any reckless decisions."

"Do we have any other choice than not being reckless? I hope there is." Veronica exhaled deeply.

"You will come up with new ideas if you let your brain rest."

Arthur made a bed for them. She reluctantly helped him.

Ironin went out to guard. He always took the first watch.

Veronica couldn't sleep no matter what. She was restless.

Lying by her side, Arthur could feel her discomfort. He pulled her closer.

"Can't sleep?"

Veronica buried her head in his chest. His warmth transferred to her body and she gradually felt warm. 

"Hmm. I can't clear my head. Moreover, Darius is snoring too loudly. I want to go out for a walk."

Both of them heard loud noises coming from Darius. When he drank too much, he would snore like that.

Tonight was one of those deadly days.

It was surprising how Zinnia was able to sleep beside him.

Arthur raised his head and looked outside the cave. "But it's snowing outside."

"It always snows here. Are you tired? Do you want to join me?"

"All right." Arthur didn't want to let her walk alone. So, he agreed.

The two of them went out without disturbing the other two.

Arthur wrapped the side of the warm cape he was wearing over her and kept her close to him.

While walking, he mentioned, "You didn't sleep after going back to the temple, did you?"

As she walked beside him, she replied truthfully, "I didn't. Why do you ask?"

Arthur smirked as she fell in his trap.

He commented, "Then, I can assume you didn't have any vision or dream about the dragon's nest."

Veronica paused. Even in the cold, her palms began to sweat.

'He found out. What am I going to say now? Another excuse?'

Arthur stopped beside her and turned to face her.

"It's okay if you want to hide since it's related to the temple but I'm curious. I just wanted to tell you that." His voice was gentle as he spoke.

Veronica lowered her head in shame. She realized that there was no point in hiding it. She let out a deep sigh.

"It's not that I wanted to hide the truth. I was worried that Darius would do everything in his power to enter the dragon's grave."

"Dragon's grave?" Arthur thoughtfully said. "I presume you went to the dragon's grave and found the dragon dead."

Veronica was speechless by his assumption. "How did you…"

Arthur pointed out, "Just today, you mentioned dragon's nest. After coming back, you said the dragon is dead. Just now you mentioned 'dragon's grave'."

After a pause, he added, "Don't worry about Darius. Even though he is a troublemaker, he is aware that certain things are out of his reach."

Veronica told him, "I didn't mean to go to the dragon's grave. I fell on a grave and found it was the dragon's grave."

"You fell?!" Arthur instantly became alert. "Are you hurt?" He turned her around and examined her body up and down to check if she was okay.

"I fell on the snow. It was so odd that it still feels like a dream. There was a golden bowl with blood. I drank it."

"You drank the blood of something you don't know?" Arthur covered his face with his left hand. He wanted to make sure if he heard correctly. "Nica, did you really drink the blood of an unknown origin?"

Veronica didn't think he would react this way. She shared her opinion, "I think it's the dragon's blood. It was especially warm in the cold grave. After drinking the blood, a strange light engulfed me and I went back to the temple."

Arthur heard her story and calmed down. "You want to say that the blood sent you back to the temple. But, what if the blood was from a human? A human could hide there."

"The entire cave was taken by the dragon. It's a huge animal. There was a wall beyond that. There was no way a human could stay there without my notice."

"And light? What kind of light engulfed you?"

"It was pure white light. It's like when I use my healing power."

Arthur rubbed his temple. "I see. I hope it's nothing suspicious. What did the Saint say when she noticed that you fell into a cave? What did she say about the dragon?"

"She didn't know that I fell down and I didn't tell her that I found the dragon. She wasn't cooperating with me. Don't you find that suspicious?" Veronica glanced at him.

Arthur was taken aback. He knew Veronica wasn't someone who would distrust people that easily. For her, it was easier to believe in people than anything else.

He carefully inquired, "Are you sure you want to doubt her actions? She is the Saint."

Veronica tilted her head. "Why are you surprised? Aren't you the one who is always suspicious of everything and everyone?"

Arthur shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to trust people. In our line of work, we can only rely on ourselves. The moment you let your guard down, someone will attack you. This is the way we survive. But you…"

"What about me? What are you worried about? I know now that I can't blindly trust anyone. The person I show kindness to may kill many innocent people."

Veronica clenched her fists and continued, "It's really hard to trust people. I already learned my lesson. I won't make the same mistake again."

Arthur placed his hands on her shoulders. "Not everyone is bad. You don't have to do this if you don't want to. If you feel like it, you can trust people. If something happens, I'll protect you."

Veronica vigorously shook her head. "I can't do that. I have you. What about others? Because of me, they will be killed. Even if I take revenge afterward, I can't bring them back. I have to bear the burden for the rest of my life. I'd rather not trust people than have to live like that."

Arthur calmly said, "As you wish, I will agree with you anyway. If you want to doubt the Saint, I won't stop you. But I want to know if you are okay with this. What if she is on your side and you regret it later? That feeling isn't that good either."

"I know I will be regretful but what choice do I have? I trusted her and went to her but she wouldn't tell me anything even though she knew. She is leading people in the wrong direction because she is bored and tired. That's not how a true Saint should act."

Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you planning to take her responsibility?"

"I will take my responsibility but not like her, remaining caged in the temple. I'll go out, meet with people, talk to them, and try to change their minds. I will help them to devote their souls to the good side."

In the snowy mountain range, the moon was covered by heavy clouds. When the clouds parted, the moonlight caressed the mountain range.

Veronica was staring at Arthur. Her head was raised to the sky. The moonlight fell on her face. Her green pupils were impressively glittering like emerald stones.

Looking at her determined expression, Arthur resigned himself. He knew he wouldn't be able to change her mind and he had no interest in controlling her.

He was happy that she wanted to do something on her own without others telling her what to do.

"I'll grant your wish. As long as you want, I will support you. If you need my help, you just have to ask. I'll assist you. If you need an army, I will give you hundreds of soldiers. If you need power, I'll give you that.. Whatever you want, you will get it from me. In return…"