Chapter 93 Grassland Graces (4)

"But that isn't… haven't I already helped you out in finding the others?" Rhea protested. "This is quite unfair! You said you'd help me once I finished my end of the deal."

For some reason, Lukas could almost imagine the wobble in her lips as she said it. Probably because he'd already seen a vision of her in his dreams.

"That's true, but the world isn't quite fair… and I don't exactly know what will happen when I set you free. I'm presuming that the crystal you've been sealed in restricts your powers so you'll end up more powerful once I let you go."

"..."

"I'm right, aren't I?"

"Ptooey." Rhea said. "I would have spared you and your friends."

"I don't believe that. We're the only people here in this radius and you'd be bound to end up feeding on us. At least in this state, I can still keep you in check–and besides, I'm going to make it that you can only feed on my dreams."

"Huh? Your dreams?" Rhea blinked and then gasped. "You're… you're not going to make me act out a lewd dream are you? So that's the reason–you wanton pervert! You just want me to fulfill your fantasies! How shameless!"

"Um, no–but that did give me an idea just now." Lukas coughed and scratched his cheek. He tried to become more serious and cleared his throat. "You will be helping me get stronger mentally. Who knows what other kinds of mental attacks are available?"

"Various, really. I've heard that some creatures from other planes can instantly make you go insane by just seeing them–incomprehensible things that will warp your mind and such. We're kind of related in a way."

"... You've made my decision seem more like a wise choice than ever." Lukas sighed.

"Well, this is something I'll have to live with. My circumstances aren't so bad as long as I get a steady supply of dreams from you–it's frankly much better than hoping that someone gets stranded in the desert and using them all up."

"Is that so?"

"U-uh, yeah… desperate times. Desperate times, Lukas. I'm sure that you understand."

In most cases, Lukas would have already fretted that he was working with someone who may have potentially or likely murdered several desert wanderers, but Drusilla herself probably killed more than Rhea… and wait a second.

"The Guildmaster said something about Vampires' return rate numbers decreasing. And from what I know, they have to pass through the desert to get to human territory too. Did you and your people have a hand in this?"

"...maybe? I haven't seen many Vampires on my side–honest!"

"That's not the answer that I like." Lukas thought about it. If it weren't Dream Eaters that were taking down Vampires, then it meant that Humans were really the ones at fault and what could they have that would tip the chances to them?

"Well, don't worry about it for now–you've already got a lot on your plate. Three girls and then some, you know?"

"Yes, I do have a lot on my plate… and what do you mean by three girls and some? I'm taking care of Chaerin and I'm here to save Lily. I don't know what you're trying to say."

"Please. And you call me the dishonest one?" Rhea made a raspberry sound in his head. "I've seen your dreams–and well, I can also sense my environment too. You like this Stacy girl."

"I mean yeah, but it's not like like." Lukas countered.

"Even I'm in awe of that usage you've used. That sounds quite childish–why don't you just admit it to yourself? You're one heck of a womanizing…"

"I'm not." Lukas crossed his arms. "And if you don't stop this at this instant, I'll chuck you out right now or maybe dig up a new hole. Actually, what do you feel about a rabbit's poop pile?"

"You wouldn't!"

"I would, and I'd leave you here to fend off for yourself."

"But… honestly. That Midnight from earlier?"

"Yeah, what about it? Do you not have a thing for bunnies? You've got to have seen one before, if not in person but in dreams, right?"

"... Something just felt a bit off. Maybe I would have been able to tell it better if I wasn't stuck in this–"

"So you're just making excuses?" Lukas said and shook his head. "No can do, Rhea. You can think of lies but that's not going to set you free at all. I've got to practice my combat skills anyway and then we'll talk after this in my dreams."

"But–"

Silence.

It was a cool thing for Lukas to be able to use his newfound abilities to be able to quiet down Rhea and luckily Drusilla wasn't much of a friendly individual either. He summoned the dagger and there were no protests.

For now, he wounded up practicing his swings and imagined himself facing an invisible enemy.

"Maybe I should ask Theodore for some help?" Lukas murmured and glanced behind him. The guy was still awake and was by the fire too. Maybe Lukas could share some insights on the Dream Eater thing as well?

Some might have felt a little awkward to ask help–and maybe in another time, Lukas would have preferred to learn it on his own, but there was nothing wrong with reaching out and asking help from time to time.

"We'll start with the basics then." Theodore curtly said. "I use daggers from time to time, they're more perfect for close quarters combat than anything, but I suppose this dagger being special means it's still usable anywhere."

"Right, thanks, thanks. I didn't think you'd be willing to help me." Lukas was a lot more relaxed now that he didn't have to pull Alexei and Theodore from strangling each other.

"... as long as it helps in ensuring that our mission is a success. I don't see why not." Theodore started to show him some moves and Lukas copied him.

The two were unaware of something peeping through low bushes.