Chapter 601 Into The Desert Again

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

~~~(Location: Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:31 AM)~~~

It's been 2 days since we departed. We exited the safari earlier this morning. The temperature has risen significantly on the sands. The dunes are high and rough on the horses pulling the carts and carriages.

However, they have no lack of cool water. Something that the Des'merta has an abundance of. The scorching sun is already high in the sky. Its rays of light and heat are beating down on us.

The carriage is open-aired. Xilo has taken the situation to dress down to nothing. Saying it's the best way to stay cool in the heat. She's sitting across from Sally and me naked. As comfortable as she can be. It's a little awkward.

Sally isn't a fan of what she's doing. I'm afraid there isn't anything we can really do about it. It's fucking hot. I'm not going to tell Xilo to put clothes on in this heat. While it's not affecting me, it's annoying as hell.

"Do you have to do that?"

I knew it wouldn't take long before Sally said something. I'm hoping things go easier than the last time a naked situation between all of us occurred.

Xilo opens her eyes and stops basking in the sunlight. Turning her attention to Sally, she has the same calm energy about her. I don't know if Xilo is capable of anger or hate. I don't get that vibe from her. I can't be certain, though.

Their eyes are locked on each other. Sally is starting to sweat. While she's resilient to most weather, that doesn't mean she's like me.

"Why don't you join me, Sally? You're obviously growing more uncomfortable as the sun gets higher. Taking off that armor could help. Even if it was created for the desert, we're going through a part where temperatures reach unbelievable highs."

That's a way of saying our armor won't be that effective at keeping desert heat out. Which they're designed to do. It makes sense that certain parts of deserts are hotter than others.

The blond-haired elf hardens her gaze. There is some tension growing here.

"There is no way I'm ever getting naked in front of you or anyone. That's reserved for Cera."

An edge of anger in her voice is enough to convince regular people of what she's trying to get across. Xilo isn't regular. None of the Des'merta are.

Giovanni is currently in another carriage with some pretty Des'merta women that invited him to ride with him. He didn't refuse the offer. I'm betting he's naked with them at this very moment. I shake the thought away since it disturbs me.

"I was hoping you'd have forgiven me by now, Sally. I'm not going to ignore the ways of my people to satisfy you. The Des'merta strip down when crossing Death Valley. It's a stretch of desert reaching almost 150 degrees Fahrenheit."

That's the part of the desert we're heading to. That's a temperature I can handle without any issues, but that's becoming too much even for Sally. Her limit is around 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Xilo brings up a good point too. It's something Sally and I discussed at length.

This is her people's way, and we must accept that. Even if we disagree with the more strange and unnatural customs of the people.

We were made Des'merta that night in Xilo's ceremony. It goes to show that they have their culture and customs.

Sally looks at me for some backup. But I shake my head at her. Not in a way that shows disapproval. Only that she's lost this particular fight.

,m "Do you like seeing her naked?"

The sudden question from my girlfriend takes me for a loop. I straighten up and look at her with raised eyebrows and worry. She hasn't been like this for a long time. Not since our talk back in the jungle. The jealousy is rearing its ugly head.

'

But I know I'd do the same if the roles were reversed. While not in such an insecure way, I'd still ask her not to look.

"Sorry... That was uncalled for..."

The apology is quick to come, and I accept it with no issues. I turn my attention to Xilo, and her eyes lock with mine.

"Look, it's weird for us. Surely, that much is understandable."

I try to get Xilo to at least put a rag over her private areas. However, she's having none of it. It's not like Sally, and I can fly off. We both want to see the Des'merta and learn more about Arch-Angel Michael.

The Des'merta holds information about my own history. That is, if I really do originate from The Ancients World. Or Gaia, as it should be called.

They have to take us there. We're not able to be told where it is and go there ourselves.

"It's my way."

That's a perfectly fair answer too. A sigh escapes my lips, and I lean back. Looking back up at the sky. No clouds in sight. Only the rolling heat coming off the sand and rising up.

"Sally, may you tell me why you're so uncomfortable with the naked body? It's the purest form of life. It's how we come into the world."

I'm not going to get in the middle of this anymore. If Xilo wants to press her luck and talk with Sally about such sensitive subjects, then so be it. I don't hear any response from Sally, and I doubt she'll talk about it with Xilo. There is no reason to.

Sally's history is tragic and complicated. Something that she's taken a long time to get over and accept that happened. She's doing her best to move past it, and she's made tremendous progress in my eyes.

"That's not something I talk about with people I don't trust or like, Xilo."

I wasn't expecting such a brutal and straightforward response from Sally. To be honest, I figured she'd ignore her.

"You were a slave, yes?"

Sally's history as the Elven Princess is known to the public, but not many know about her life before finding me. Around 80 years before I was born. It's safe to say no one knows that since everyone that does is either dead or is me and my family.

It means Xilo can tell by looking at her. Perhaps she has a special skill, or she can pick out people's past. I couldn't say.

"That's none of your damn business."

I almost sit up with that. However, I decide to let things play out and continue looking at the empty desert sky.

"Many Des'merta were once slaves too. Including me."

Now that causes me to raise my head and look at Xilo. I quickly look at Sally, and for the briefest of moments, I see a spark of concern and confusion. But it's replaced with the familiar anger and loathing since it's Xilo.

"You were a slave?"

This time, it's me asking the question.

"Yes, many of the Kingdoms in the desert that the Des'merta people are at war with have legalized slavery. I was liberated when I was a little girl, but by that time. I was already tainted, so to speak."

That's something that's all too familiar for Sally.

"However, in the eyes of the Des'merta. I wasn't. No one is tainted in our culture."

I find it interesting that in all the time that's passed. She hasn't brought up this war at all. This is the first time we're hearing about it. It's probably another secret that Giovanni wasn't allowed to hear since he's not one of us.

"It's easy for me to see anyone that's suffered at the hands of slavers. Men or women. You, Sally, have been abused, used, and controlled. Perhaps we can be closer after this. I share the same past."

This conversation took a turn that I wasn't expecting. I turn my head away from Xilo, and I look at Sally. Instead of her anger, she's looking down at her hands. Avoiding eye contact with Xilo.

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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.237][Tier-4]

[Exp: 72/100%]

[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: 440] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[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]

[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]