Chapter 189: Heading East
Having decided to accept Ula’s request, Rest set off eastward across the Plain with Yuri by his side. They boarded the carriage prepared by the Lavender Barony, taking a northern route to avoid the Wetlands as they made their way east.
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The carriage was enveloped in an odd silence. Inside the box-shaped vehicle, there were seats arranged to face each other. On one side sat Ula and her female attendant, while Rest and Yuri occupied the seats directly opposite them.
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(…Why do I feel like I’m being stared at? What is this pressure from her gaze?)
Rest shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of Ula’s stare upon him. She remained silent, peering at him through the curtain of her long bangs. Though he couldn’t see her eyes clearly, it was evident that her intense gaze was fixed on him.
“…Ula, do you need something from me?”
“Haah…”
“She fainted!?”
As Rest attempted to engage in conversation, Ula suddenly burst forth with a nosebleed and collapsed onto her seat. The attendant beside her quickly supported Ula’s shoulder and cast healing magic.
“Is she going to be okay?”
“She will be fine. It seems the young lady has suffered from symptoms of overconsumption.”
“O-overconsumption…!?”
Rest voiced his confusion at the attendant’s explanation. What on earth had she overconsumed? He hadn’t seen Ula eat or drink anything.
“Could it be that Ula… is physically weak?”
“…Count Clover, I am truly grateful to you.”
Despite Rest’s question, the attendant responded with words that offered no clarity.
“With your lordship missing and the lady of the house having vanished with the children, there is no one left in that household to care for the young lady. Day by day, her heart has been stripped away, leaving her devoid of emotions. However, since coming here, her expressions have become much more vibrant.”
“More vibrant…?”
To Rest’s eyes, Ula appeared almost expressionless. If this was her being expressive, he couldn’t help but wonder just how emotionally barren she had been before.
“Oh look, a herd of deer is running by… They look delicious, Rest.”
Meanwhile, Yuri leaned out of the carriage window, speaking cheerfully. She seemed to be enjoying herself, as if they were on a leisurely outing rather than a work-related journey.
“Should I go hunt one for dinner? I could catch up with a deer in no time!”
“…Don’t. The carriage will smell of blood.”
Rest sighed, chiding his carefree friend.
“More importantly… let’s discuss the job. Is one worm in the Wetlands sufficient?”
“Young lady, Count Clover is asking that.”
“Yes, yes.”
“It seems to be affirmative. As the young lady said… only one has been confirmed.”
“…………”
This felt like a redundant exchange. He wished the attendant would explain everything from the start.
“The worm… is a dragon. But… there’s mud. A pair.”
“Dragons typically have low reproductive rates, so they usually act alone or in small numbers. However, since worms make their homes in the mud of the Wetlands, it’s possible that there’s a pair hiding nearby.”
“The barrier… is active…”
“The Monster-Repelling Barrier has been set up, which has increased their activity. We must remain vigilant.”
“Worm… thick… strong, yes, yes.”
“Young lady… no matter how excited you are, a lady should not speak of such things in front of gentlemen.”
“Was that inappropriate!?”
Was she really interjecting such risqué comments into their conversation? Ula Lavender was turning out to be quite an intriguing girl, deepening the mystery surrounding her with each revelation. While it was fascinating, there was also an unsettling sense of danger, as if peering into a deep abyss.
“Oh, and there are wild boars too. It would be a shame to let such a plump and delicious-looking one go to waste.”
While the others engaged in conversation, Yuri continued to gaze leisurely out the window.