Chapter 325 - Helda Asking Questions

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Temporary Home, Border City)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:44 AM)~~~

Helda sits down on the single couch in the room, and her companion joins her. "This is my partner, Melimora. She'll be helping in the process of smuggling you guys to the other side of the border." This is the person that was spying on us earlier. She'd not be seen by many, but I noticed her following Sally and me when we got our food.

She was a little overconfident in her ability to blend in, and it was impressive to me. Most people, Player or NPC, don't blend in that well. "It's nice to finally have the name of the spy who's been watching us." Her expression remains neutral, and I won't be getting any reactions from these two. They're centuries older than all of us combined. 

While we're stronger than them, it's only due to our classes and the power scaling between them. "Melimora and I have been working together for over 200 years, and she's the person I trust most in this world." There is a fond tone in her voice. Being in her line of work... It must be hard to have a consistent group of friends too who you can relate to.

Living for over 200 years... That's just how long they've been together. I don't know how old they truly are... I couldn't imagine living that long... But because of who I am. I might end up having to. "You both have stories that I'd love to hear. I've only been alive for a little over a hundred." Sally speaks up, and I'm impressed with her forwardness.

It might help since their treated like outcasts among the elven community too. Their reputation isn't something that I'd consider great among the elves. "You must be a half-breed... Many wouldn't be so open with us unless they were discriminated against..." The way Melimora says that... It tells me she's exactly like Sally in terms of her blood status.

Sally being here is proving to be far more helpful than I ever anticipated. Having an elf with our group is helping Helda and Melimora be more comfortable with us. "Are you a half-breed to, Melimora..." Sally's rather blunt question can rub them the wrong way, but they keep their expressions unreadable. Their voices betray them, though.

The girl in question slowly nods her head, and her hands grip hard for a split second. "I try my hardest not to make it obvious... It's hard being treated the way we do... The scum in the elven society... Pure blooded elves have it so much easier..." The resentment in her voice is obvious, and it has a small effect on Helda. That's interesting...

Based on the ever slight flinch, Helda must be a pureblood elf. Not suffering from discrimination, only mistreatment for her crimes. "You two don't have to talk about it... There are times and places for these conversations, and now isn't one of them." I'm quick to shut down the progress of this topic. Not wanting anything to develop out of my control.

~~~(POV: Melimora)~~~

~~~(Location: Temporary Home, Border City)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:59 AM)~~~

The only man in this group... Cera... He's a control freak, but not violently and dangerously. He's subtle about it and only about things that threaten the progress set to his goal. Reading people and learning about them is one of my best gifts, and he's a hard one to read. His thoughts and inner desires are plastered on the surface.

If I want to find out what drives him, I'll need to listen to the things he says very carefully. Not just him, either. It's not hard to see if you look, but Sally and Cera have a relationship. Sometimes, a person's motivation can be driven by another. They could be trying to get into the Elven Kingdom because it's something that Sally needs.

His eyes slowly scan over us, but it's not in a perverse way. Not in a way that men would. It's more like he's also trying to get a better read on us. "How do you two feel about Slayer Zern?" Now that is a random question that I didn't expect to hear. Why he'd ask this is something I don't understand from the little, I learned from him.

I don't feel a particular way about the Angel, but I know that the royal family is searching for him and have a huge reward for whoever brings him in. "He's of no concern to us. I doubt that we'll ever see the man in our long lives..." Helda speaks for both of us. I sorely doubt we won't ever meet him. To be honest, I don't really want to.

Knowing such a powerful and known figure won't be good for our business. "Why would you ask something like that, Cera?" The youngest-looking girl, Jasmine, asks a question to the male of their group. He remains silent and lightly taps his knee with his finger. He's contemplating something, and he closes his eyes and shakes his head.

His arms fold as he leans back against the rotten wooden crate. "Nothing that's important. I just wanted their opinions on something that could affect the entire Elven Kingdom... They don't seem to care about their people, which is good..." My suspicions spike as he finishes speaking. That's a very odd and specific thing to say...

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Temporary Home)~~~

~~~(Time: 9:09 AM)~~~

Cera must not want to talk about who he is at this point. That's a good idea. Not even Jasmine knows who he is yet, revealing that now can cause problems for Helda and Melimora. They might refuse to take us across, even with the dagger at stake. "You're not someone I trust, Cera." The heavy bluntness of Melimora's words makes me speechless.

Out of all the ways I'd react, Cera does none. Showing how different we are, despite that we're siblings. "That's good, Melimora. Cause I don't trust you either. You and Helda are strangers to me, and I to you. I'll be saying cryptic things like that often, so you'll have to get used to it." Her eyes harden, and she stiffens up. 

The way he talks almost makes him sound arrogant almost. There is a cautious sureness in his voice that takes away the arrogant potential of his words. "I'd appreciate it if you refrained from speaking that way to us. Having clear and concise conversations will benefit both parties." Helda chips in, speaking like a true noble. Trying to level things out.

There is an awkward silence. All of us are waiting for a response from Cera. "Now I understand the light resentment Melimora has for you. You're a noble, aren't you? A pureblood that has a long family history." For the first time, we started talking, they both react, and they scowl. Helda harder than Melimora. He saw something that I failed to see.

They recompose themselves, and Melimora makes a small sigh. "I don't resent Helda, and I never will. Noble bloodline or not, she's my best friend." Her words are solid and true from what I can see. Cera smirks and looks up at the ceiling. Seemingly dropping the subject. He's still better than me when it comes to seeing people and reading them.

Jasmine looks at everyone awkwardly, and she nervously rubs her elbow. She doesn't like tense rooms. "I'm going to go out for some fresh air... Does anyone want to join me?" I instantly stand up, also wanting to get out of here. Sally will remain by Cera's side, and Helda and Melimora are boring holes into him with their eyes. He keeps his calm grin. Getting out of this room sounds good to me.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.193]

[Exp: 3/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 30] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 4x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl..77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]