Chapter 137 : I Did Something Terrible

“Actually, I always wanted to be an adventurer.”

Oh?

Milly raised an eyebrow. If she wanted to be an adventurer, it meant she wasn’t planning to part ways at the station. She would follow her into the forest, clinging to her like a leech.

There was no need to shake her off.

To reach the demon territory, Milly had to cross the entire border forest, deep into the forbidden zone. Tifna had said that adventurers rarely went past the middle, and anyone who ventured into the core was essentially courting death.

Legends spoke of a Fallen God’s bones buried there, its magic giving rise to deadly monsters. Her exposed demonic form was probably one of them.

How many Shadowblade Beasts and worse creatures lurked there, Milly didn’t know.

And she had a feeling that as she approached the demon territory, she would face unknown obstacles, things that would try to stop her.

Alone, with her powers sealed and only limited abilities from the contract, reaching the border wouldn’t be easy.

Since someone was determined to cling to her, she might as well use it. Who knew what she would encounter on the way? That person would have to find a way to deal with the monsters, or use their presence to scare them off. They would have to find a way to hide their interference.

Milly just had to watch the show.

“Suit yourself.”

“Eh?”

Lisa hadn’t expected that answer. She had prepared a speech for rejection, even a whole plan to follow her secretly. She was stunned by Milly’s quick acceptance.

Milly’s reply made Lisa falter. She almost missed the turn.

“Really? I promise I won’t cause any trouble.”

Milly nodded. She knew Lisa wouldn’t.

She needed Lisa’s unseen puppeteer to clear the path for her.

Lisa relaxed, the familiar chatter returning. She spoke of her ordinary life, her admiration for adventurers who sought the unknown.

She was lucky to have met Milly. Now she had a chance to be an adventurer.

Lisa kept looking at Milly, checking her reaction. Milly just smiled, listening, nodding occasionally to show she was paying attention.

The sunset painted the sky red. Lisa handed the reins to a sunburnt man. He looked stiff, like a marionette.

And the entire station felt strange. Not like the last time she was here.

Everyone was like a controlled puppet, their movements jerky.

She used her appraisal skill on them. No text appeared.

Damn it…

This only confirmed her suspicion. If she had run into Starlight City adventurers, it would have been a problem.

But the atmosphere here was unsettling. It was too quiet.

Lisa hadn’t changed back into her true form. So, she was likely still hiding. And when had she done all this? She hadn’t left her side. She hadn’t felt any magical fluctuations.

It must be someone else.

This was so typical of her.

But it solved a problem. She had been worried about adventurers from Starlight City. Now, they were all occupied.

The Pope hadn’t shown up, either. Was it because he was busy preparing for the final battle?

The crimson numbers on her vision changed again. The countdown was accelerating.

The Pope being busy might be related to the countdown.

“Girls, be careful.”

The strained voice of the man broke her thoughts.

“I know.”

Lisa smiled and grabbed Milly’s hand. “What do we need to prepare? Tent? Rations?”

Lisa’s words startled Milly. She remembered her first encounter with Tifna. She had just sat there, watching them prepare. Now, she had to do it herself.

Rations weren’t a priority. She had food in her stomach. The tent… wasn’t essential.

Lisa produced a bulging backpack, as if by magic. “I came prepared!”

Milly’s lips twitched. Didn’t she notice how unnatural her actions were?

Lisa was oblivious. “Milly, what kind of quest are we doing? Monster hunting, or gathering rare herbs?”

“We’re going to the other side of the forest.”

“Eh?”

Lisa’s surprise seemed genuine. Even the puppeteer must not have expected that.

“There are some things I need to confirm.”

The wind carried Milly’s soft words away.

Lisa’s body stiffened for a moment. She must have understood.

Her voice changed, losing its youthful cheerfulness. It was the cold, familiar tone of a woman in charge.

“It’s getting late. We should travel a bit further before dark.”

The setting sun cast their shadows long on the path. They walked into the forest, their shadows merging.

…

Night fell. Moonlight streamed through the trees. Lisa looked up at the stars, the fire casting shadows on her face.

They had found a suitable spot. Lisa set up the tent while Milly gathered firewood and started a fire. They sat opposite each other, eating dry rations.

Lisa was unusually quiet. She didn’t touch her food, just stared at Milly. She seemed to be struggling with something.

Milly didn’t ask. She continued to eat, planning tomorrow’s route. Tifna had said that crossing the forest would lead to the demon territory. But she didn’t know the way. If she got lost, she would be stranded.

If only she had a map, or if her God’s perspective could cover the whole forest.

“Milly…”

Lisa finally broke the silence. Her voice was soft.

“I… I did something terrible.”

Milly paused, her dry ration falling from her hand.

“I… I made someone hate me. They will never forgive me.”