Chapter 32 - An Important Decision

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It was natural for Rei to question Laili moments after noticing her forced demeanor. As if that attitude was an attempt to apologize for the tense atmosphere of the previous conversation she had with her companions.

Despite the boy's logical deduction, that was only his point of view. Not that it was necessarily correct or anything like that.

The way he asked was cautious, making sure his words wouldn't offend her in any way.

— I apologize for what happened — Laili responded a few seconds later, her eyes equally tired.

With a still soft and low voice, she continued her meticulous explanation: — Yesterday, my companions ended up insulting you and your friends in some way. The atmosphere became tense because of their actions, and I apologize on their behalf.

— I hope you can understand our side as well. We found you at a time when we had lost important people in our lives. Those minutes felt like hours in which the pain of loss blinded us, and we just wanted to feel some relief, even if it meant blaming the world or acting indifferent and cold toward you.

Finally, she politely said: — Well. That's all! Even though our behavior was deplorable at times, I hope you can understand our suffering and the way we chose to react and endure.

— ...

After listening to Laili's statement, the boy turned his face to the side in surprise.

He couldn't react immediately. It took him a few seconds to find the right words before he deliberately said: — Come on, are you messing with me, Laili?

Hearing his words, the woman's eyes widened slightly, her head tilted slightly to the side, and her lips curved into a crooked smile, a gesture of confusion.

Up until that point, Laili had thought everything was going as she expected. But after hearing Rei's answer, which was beyond her imagination, her mind froze.

— Uh... What? — the young woman asked confused.

Seeing her embarrassed reaction, the boy glanced in her direction and spoke with confidence in his eyes.

— Laili, you're a brave person, no doubt! I admit you have something, but I don't think you should explain it to me.

— Explain what? Why not? What do you mean?!

— Do you remember what I told everyone yesterday? — the boy asked, as if he already assumed that she probably didn't.

When he fixed his gaze on her, Laili let out a small sigh and shook her head in denial.

— No, I don't remember! What are you getting at?

— Laili... we are strangers. We don't know each other, so there's no point in you trying to explain what happened to you during the invasion - he admitted.

Then he continued, his voice firm: — I don't blame you for how you acted, but you know what? I don't care, I never did! When we get out of this forest, we'll be complete strangers again.

"Lately, people have been acting really emotional, what happened yesterday wasn't even a fight."

"So why? Why are they explaining themselves so much? I really don't get it. Maybe it's to justify how they acted?"

"Well, it doesn't matter anymore."

The student declared in his thoughts as he continued the conversation.

Listening to Rei's answer and his reasoning, the young woman realized that in a way, everything he said was true. Then she remembered what he had said at the campfire: "We're not close enough for that."

At that moment, she was lost in thought, only snapping out of it when her companions called her name from a distance.

And finally, noticing the movement, the boy added, ending the conversation: — Do you understand now? You were in a difficult situation, but you came to us in the middle of the night and demanded some kind of forced solidarity when we were in a similar situation to yours.

After the boy's answer, Laili forced a small, crooked smile and turned back to her companions. She didn't even have a retort for Rei's words.

On the other side, Zeryn and his friends, ready to leave, their tent dismantled and their few belongings packed, watched from a distance as Laili returned.

When Laili reached the others, she began to explain the whole situation to her companions while waiting for Rei and Kazuki's decision regarding the sanctuary.

...

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When Kazuki finally woke up, hours after resting, Rei informed him about the current situation. The two agreed and decided to follow the same path to the place that was supposed to be the home of the elves.

Both were hesitant, but under the circumstances, they had no choice. After all, it was better to seek temporary shelter in a place that was technically more protected than to continue towards the capital, — a road that was likely to be infested with monsters.

From his conversation with the strangers, Rei realized that the capital had neglected some of its administrative duties. One could deduce that it would be some time before the Emperor's subordinates would intervene. Until then, the road would remain blocked, making it too dangerous to even attempt to cross.

After a short exchange of ideas with Kazuki, the two began to move. They dismantled the tent and woke up Takayo and Mia who were lying next to them. They decided to leave the grills behind because of the path they were going to take.

— Well then. We'll go with you — Rei said in an animated tone as he approached Laili and Zeryn minutes later.