Chapter 70 Abandoned Cathedral

After clearing the misunderstanding, Cleo and the girls proceed to gather information from the patrons.

Some were hesitant to talk to them at first but the Hallows Guild medallion soften their tongues. Anna's enthusiastic approach helped a lot as well.

Among the four of them Anna is the most comfortable striking a conversation from a stranger.

"Its good that you have a Crusader in your party. Most monsters in the abandoned cathedral are undead." explained by one of the elf patron. "Its better if you can hire a Priest or Monk but overall I think you lot can manage as long as you don't delve too deep." he added.

The elf has noticeably wrinkling forehead, meaning he's old enough even for an elf to have enough credibility in his words.

"Why is that mister?" Anna asked.

"Most parties that delve deeper didn't return. There are some survivors every now and then but the looks in their eyes were forever changed." answered by the elf patron.

Cleo and his party was speechless, they all felt goosebumps.

After mingling with the patrons the party decided to call it a day and return to their respective rooms.

The jaded elf's words stuck to Cleo's mind. He made a mental note of it to make sure they won't be at harm's way when they explore the abandoned cathedral tomorrow. After a few minutes of pondering, he closes his eyes.

"Good morning Cleo and Leah." Valerie greeted them with a mug of what looks and smell like coffee.

Cleo and Leah returned the greetings of the one eyed girl while receiving the drinks.

"Smells like coffee." Leah said, she can't help but to smell it since the entire room is filled with its aroma.

"Coffee?" Valerie wondered while tilting her head from the foreign word Leah uttered.

"Isn't this coffee?" Leah asked.

"No, this is ground navita seeds native to this village. The patrons told me that it'll help boost our energy." Valerie answered.

Cleo and Leah look at each other then proceed to take a sip from the mug. After giving it a taste both red heads gagged in unison.

"Why is it so bitter?" Leah asked while cleansing her tongue with water.

"Its an acquired taste they told us. I kind a like it though." Anna replied.

Cleo and Leah was kind a overwhelm all over again since Zirracania is way different from the Lavierre Kingdom. The latter they feel more at home due to it being somewhat close to their previous world while the former is more foreign in terms of culture and way of life.

He decided to grab a spoonful of honey and mix it with the drink to balance the flavor. Its the only sweetener available at the moment since sugarcane is also somewhat rare at Zirracania.

"What are you doing Cleo?" Valerie asked.

"I'm trying to balance the taste so I can finish this drink." Cleo answered.

Leah understood what he meant and followed suit. Not long after Valerie also did the same.

"Wow! Its like an entirely different drink!" Valerie said. "I don't know why the natives didn't thought of this before." she added.

"It's meant to be bitter you know and maybe its part of their culture not to ruin a perfectly fine drink." Anna smugly intervened.

She was easily influenced by the patrons and she also started talking like them but her smug attitude vanished once Leah glared at her.

The party finished their drinks and left the inn to travel once again. Since this is the last stop before the abandoned cathedral they made sure that they have enough supply so they stop by at some store along the way.

After almost half a day of traveling the party finally arrive at the abandoned cathedral.

Its what Cleo expected to look like. A very large building made of stone albeit the one their looking at have overgrown plants and ominous aura surrounding it.

"Make way! Make way!"

A party consist of five elves came out from the cathedral gates, carrying a lifeless body. The body seems fine at first glance but upon closer inspection there's blood coming from its eyes and ears. The onlookers made way to let them pass and load the body at the carriage.

"What happened to him?" asked by one of the adventurer preparing to explore the abandoned cathedral.

"We also don't know. We were exploring the first layer of the basement when suddenly a high pitch sound comes at our direction." explained by one of the elf that carried the victim.

"Did you see the attacker?"

"We only saw a silhouette since we panicked when we heard our Crusader screamed."

Cleo and the girls can't help but overheard their conversation.

"Darling maybe we just find a different hunting ground?" Leah said while clinging at Cleo's arms.

"I agree with Leah." Anna said.

Cleo also thought of finding a different hunting ground however this is the most efficient for their levels and they wasted three days traveling at this location. They also have Leah's God's Gift as insurance.

"As long as we stay away from the basement, we're gonna be fine." Valerie assured them.

"Besides we already came this far. We just need to stick together once we enter the cathedral." Cleo said.

Leah and Anna just resign and follow the two that are set on entering the abandoned cathedral.

The party then proceed to enter the gates. Anna didn't care anymore and stick to Cleo. Leah wants to shoo her away but she understood what she's feeling since she's feeling the same.

Cleo switch his 2nd stage Replicate ability from Reaper's Eyes to his recently acquired, or more accurately, stolen ability from The Empress, Draconic Protection. Since Leah is with him there's no need to have multiple person possessing the Reaper's Eyes.

Valerie is at the vanguard not only because she's the tank but she also has the most familiarity with the building's layout since she's a crusader. Most religious class like Crusaders and Monks spent their childhood studying under the church, Valerie was no different.