Chapter 14: From Regroup To Revelation - Part 1

"Don't worry, Hannah. I'll put an end to your suffering right now..." "Oi!..." "What is it, Mr. Arezu?" Besides her misleading words, the current situation leads Arezu to assume that Lynn intends to end Hannah's suffering by ending her life rather than healing her injury. In front of Arezu, Hannah sits unconscious on the ground, supported by Liz. Lynn crouches in front of Hannah, holding a dagger in a reverse grip, as if she's about to stab her—this time without missing her heart. "You're going to heal her, right?" Arezu asked, worried and seeking assurance. "What else do you think I'm doing?" Lynn replied, puzzled by what she saw as a ridiculous question. "Like you're about to end her suffering forever!" Lynn had once claimed to be capable of using divine blessings like Hannah. As for the dagger—according to her, it was an ancient relic that amplified the effects of divine blessings. Even Liz seemed to trust Lynn's abilities as a self-proclaimed priestess. But Arezu couldn't help worrying, feeling powerless in their current predicament. "I appreciate the concern, but could you stop doubting me already, Mr. Arezu?!" Placing emphasis on the final words, as if giving herself a cue, Lynn pulled the sword lodged in Hannah's chest—swiftly, yet carefully. Before a drop of blood could gush from the wound, she raised her dagger and invoked her divine blessing: "Heal" The dagger emitted a faint glow, and the wound on Hannah's chest—visible through the torn fabric of her vestment—began to slowly close. Hannah's pained expression relaxed, and her breathing grew steady. Liz finally calmed down after realizing Hannah's life had been saved. Lynn, however, appeared weaker, her breathing more erratic and labored than before. Arezu quickly moved to support her, placing a hand on her back before she could collapse. Grateful for his attentiveness, Lynn gave him her most genuine smile—free of her usual mischief and smug pride. So she can smile like that, Arezu thought, quickly looking away to hide his embarrassment and flushed face as he turned his gaze to Hannah. Annoyed by his sudden lack of attention, Lynn reverted to her usual mischief. "Pervert." "Oi!" Arezu snapped, turning back to Lynn with a baffled expression, demanding an explanation. Avoiding his eyes, Lynn accused him with a teasing smile. "Stop looking at Hannah's exposed chest, Mr. Perv." "I'm not!" Arezu's denial was as immediate as Liz's reaction—covering Hannah's chest while glaring at him with the kind of disgust reserved for something found in a trash heap. "Seriously, I'm not!" "You're not looking at Hannah's chest, or you're not a pervert? Which is it, Mr. Arezu?" "Both!" Their lively bickering betrayed the severity of the situation they had just endured—and were still enduring. They were all exhausted, pushed to their limits. Most were injured, Lynn being the exception. One of them had barely survived. Worst of all, they'd been forced to leave one of their own behind—in a goblin-infested cave. After retreating and hiding in the forest at a safe distance where they could still monitor the cave entrance, Hannah's treatment took place. Now, with a moment of peace to rest and recover, the strange events of what should have been a simple goblin-slaying quest began to settle into their thoughts. "Not just those goblins... What exactly happened to him?" Arezu asked Lynn, who was tending to his wounds, though he hesitated to bring it up. "Are you sure you don't need my healing blessing or a potion, Mr. Arezu?" Lynn asked, genuinely concerned about his injuries. "It's not like I'm seriously hurt. Just focus on recovering yourself, Lynn." Pleased by his concern, Lynn sat beside him after finishing the bandaging, and addressed his earlier question. "I have a general idea about those goblin flashers—and what happened to Alex. But to complete my theory, I need Liz to reveal something." Liz, who hadn't left the unconscious Hannah's side, turned to Lynn warily. "What exactly are you talking about, Lynn?" Noticing Liz's growing caution, Lynn couldn't help but grin mischievously. Arezu saw that grin and realized Lynn was up to something—likely something problematic. "I'm referring to the nature of Mr. Hero Candidate's divine gift... Ms. Elizabeth Von Envier." Arezu knew nothing about a hero candidate or the noble rank of Von Envier, but the shocked look on Liz's face—quickly turning threatening—told him Lynn shouldn't know any of that. "Lynn... Who are you? And how do you know that?" Though she didn't draw her weapon, Liz took a stance, ready to. Still lounging comfortably on a blanket, Lynn responded with an innocent smile. Don't make things worse—explain yourself, Arezu wanted to say, unaware the misunderstanding had already escalated. "Is Mr. Arezu your accomplice?" "Who knows?" "Oi! Don't drag me into this mess!" A brooding tension swept over the group—only to be broken by Hannah stirring awake. "Don't be like that, Liz. Lynn saved me—and Arezu protected us, didn't they?" Hannah said, still lying down on the blanket Lynn had prepared for her. "But still..." Liz lowered her stance at Hannah's request but continued eyeing Lynn and Arezu warily. "...you two are suspicious." Taking it upon herself to clear the air, Hannah explained how she and Liz had run background checks on Lynn after she requested to join their party a month ago—and again on Arezu after Lynn introduced him. Aside from Lynn's one-year adventuring record, they found nothing. The same applied to Arezu—just two months of records as an adventurer. "Who exactly are you two?!" Liz demanded, glaring at them. "We're just a master and her servant," Lynn said cheerfully, glancing at Arezu for confirmation. "We've known each other for less than 24 hours," Arezu clarified, addressing Liz and Hannah while deliberately ignoring Lynn's antics. Despite lingering doubts, Hannah somehow convinced Liz to reveal their identities—including the nature of Alex's divine gift. "Let me properly introduce myself. I'm Elizabeth Von Envier, second daughter of the Duke House of Von Envier." After introducing herself, Liz introduced the missing—and technically abandoned—Alex as Alexius Von Voler, fourth son of the Baron House of Von Voler, which operated under her family's patronage. Forcing herself upright, Hannah reintroduced herself. "I'm Hannah. I'm not of noble blood, but from a commoner family serving the Duke House of Von Envier." So she's just a regular priestess and a retainer, or so Arezu thought. "My, my... How humble of you, Ms. Saintess Candidate." "You!..." Arezu turned pale. "Just how much do you know?!" Liz shouted, now drawing her longsword and pointing it at Lynn. "Stop, Liz!" Hannah intervened, doing her best to calm the situation. "Pfft! Hahaha!" Lynn burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying the chaos, as if it were the most entertaining part of their strange adventure.