Chapter 69: First Thrown Out

POV Eliza

After the boss fight we returned to the surface. This time the meeting was short and I left the tent. However, I suspected that they had sent me away so that they could continue speaking undisturbed. So I walked around the tent and crept closer again. At the back I cast the air spell to improve my hearing. Then I gently lifted the tent below and could hear the heroes clearly.

“… calm down, Eli.” <Cornelius>

“But I don’t want to calm down.” <Eleonore>

“What bothers you so much about her? She does her job very well.” <Ansgar>

“Then why was I almost killed earlier?!” <Eleonore>

“It’s my fault too. I should have protected you better.” <Cornelius>

“No, you are not to blame. You do what you can. Why did we bring an ordinary woman into our group? But only so that she can serve us.” <Eleonore>

"That's true, Eli." <Cornelius>

“Besides, I was suspicious of her from the start. She's definitely up to something. Don’t you see how she always looks at us?” <Eleonore>

“Hmm, you’re not entirely wrong. I noticed that too. She also seems to be hiding something. I sometimes feel like she’s more capable than her status suggests.” <Javier>

"Real? Well, she’s very capable.” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, don’t you ever notice how little damage she takes in battles? Also in the boss fights? I noticed this particularly against the lichs. With as many spells as she gets, she should have a lot more problems.” <Javier>

“Yes, yes, exactly!”< Eleonore>

"Hmm, also in the last boss fight I saw how she even managed to dodge some elemental bolts." <Javier>

"That's what I mean. She can’t be a normal person.” <Eleonore>

"Do you think so? But how is that supposed to work? Only people and slaves live here.” <Cornelius>

“What do I know? I was taught in my studies of the teachings of Lumos that particularly dark fellows have the ability to hide and disguise their true nature. That certainly works with the status too.” <Eleonore>

“Hmm, I have appraisal at master rank. But then she must be very good at concealing her status. I don’t know if that’s even possible at her age.” <Javier>

“Then she was tricking us about that too. What do I know!?” <Eleonore>

“The age she gave us matches her appearance. I would have thought she was even younger.” <Cornelius>

“Corni, whose side are you actually on?” <Eleonore>

“Now calm down, Eli. Of course I’m on your side.” <Cornelius>

“Then prove it and throw her out. I don’t want to see her anymore.” <Eleonore>

“How do the others see it?” <Cornelius>

“I don’t really care, even if it would be a loss because of her abilities.” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, it will be difficult to find good replacements, but the most important thing is that the four of us stick together. Everything else is irrelevant and she is just an exchangeable servant.” <Javier>

“Then so be it. We'll tell her tomorrow to leave the group." <Cornelius>

“Why not today?” <Eleonore>

“We can’t abandon her in the middle of the night. Tomorrow will be enough.” <Cornelius>

“Hmph, if you have to. You have too soft a heart towards women.” <Eleonore>

“I’m sorry, but that’s just how I am.” <Cornelius>

I barely heard the last words and quickly disappeared towards my tent. There I grabbed my backpack, packed everything necessary and valuable and waited for the night. Luckily I had the night to equip myself with the bare necessities.

I waited until everyone had gone to sleep and peace had returned to the camp. I thought for a long time whether I would allow myself to be thrown out in the morning or actively escape at night. I had finally decided to escape. On the one hand, I could find food and other stuff in the camp, and on the other hand, I sowed doubts and perhaps even paranoia in the group of heroes, which could hinder their further development. In addition, they may even pursue me and therefore give up further dungeon exploration. A third and equally important reason was my pride. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of being able to make decisions about my life.

I will base my further actions on their behavior. I planned to grab a horse and run off towards town. Then I wanted to turn southwest and cover my tracks. There should be enough time to return to camp and watch them from a hiding place in the forest. Depending on whether they pursue me directly or go further into the dungeon decided how I proceeded. If they chased me the next morning, I tried to enter the dungeon the following night and do at least one boss fight solo. I also wanted to level up there. On the other hand, if they stayed in the camp, I wanted to go back to the city and come back later.

I crept out about two hours after midnight. First we went to the supply warehouse. There I stocked up on food for a week and water for three days. Next I turned to the materials warehouse. Here I was able to find another good dagger and some basic tools. Then I got the feeling that I should hurry up. So I went to the horses.

There was a guard here, so I couldn't get any closer at first. But I was lucky and the guard disappeared shortly afterwards. I immediately took advantage of the opportunity and crept closer to the horses. With a carrot in hand, I went to the horse provided for me. I had to assume that all the other horses had an owner and therefore wouldn't let me lead them. My animal handling skills were high enough that the horse could be attracted. I gave the horse the carrot and stroked his head. Since it was a military camp, the saddles were in close proximity to the horses. I grabbed the appropriate saddle, attached it to the horse and grabbed the reins.  Then I slowly walked around it, packed my gear into the saddlebags, and untied it. As soon as I was behind a tent that protected me from the guard's view, I mounted the horse and rode off. Slowly at first and then faster and faster. As soon as I heard the first screams behind me, I started galloping.

I rode for about 10 minutes before I left the road and, following my plan, headed south around a hill and disappeared out of sight. The forest was in reach and I rode straight towards it. I had long since left the noises behind me when I reached the forest. Here I slowed the horse and dismounted. Then I led the horse back to camp. As soon as I could see the lights of the camp, I tied the horse to a tree and approached the camp under cover within sight. The camp was in turmoil.