Chapter 151: The Burning Holy Emblem

Ron wasn’t too sure about any "Heroic Spirit." But he did indeed have a fierce warrior with a greatsword on his side.

"Me? A Prophet?" Sera was brought over. Already confused, she became even more baffled after hearing Ron and Spike’s explanation.

"Are you kidding me? I have nothing to do with prophecies or anything of the sort."

Sera crossed her arms. "Back where I’m from, only a handful of Shamans have that kind of ability. Do I look like some doddering old crone to you?"

In reality, back in the Ocher Tribe, the Shaman who served as Sera’s right-hand man was also a formidable warrior, strong enough to wrestle a tiger. But after coming to the south, to make it easier for others to understand, she would often describe her tribe’s Shaman as a withered old man.

If he ever heard her say that, he would surely want her head. Whenever she brought the matter up after a few drinks, Sera would always break into a foolish giggle.

"You’re an extraordinary warrior. I could never imagine you looking like that," Spike said hurriedly. "But I’m not the one saying this—it’s the information that crazy man gave us."

"If you want to know more, I suggest you come with us."

"Ron?"

Sera didn’t answer Spike immediately, instead looking to Ron. She didn’t think this was worth a trip, but the final decision wasn’t hers to make.

"We have to save them. After all, this is more or less our territory, not to mention they’re people we know," Ron said after a moment’s thought. "But honestly, we just got back from the depths of the Delusional Land today. Leaving right now would be too hasty."

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, you’ll lead the way."

"I hope Wilson and his group can hold on." Spike gave a bitter smile, but there was nothing he could do.

As a fellow Adventurer, he understood that Ron’s request was reasonable. But as a companion to Wilson and the others, he truly hoped Ron would set out for the rescue as soon as possible.

Right now, besides that crazy so-called "Prophet," no one knew how much longer Wilson and his group could hold on.

Ron had no intention of deliberately stalling for time. His people simply needed to rest and prepare—a place that could trap a standard Adventurer Squad was not somewhere to be entered rashly, lest they meet the same fate.

"And here I thought I’d have some time to study some Magic," Silvia had the strongest reaction when Ron informed the others. "We went through all that trouble to find an opportunity to learn more advanced Magic from that Green Dragon’s lair, and now I can’t even find the time for it."

"Believe me, I know how you feel." Ron sighed. ’As a fellow Mage, how could he not know that a Mage’s confidence stems from long hours of study and preparation?’ But saving people was a race against time, and resting for even one night was a decision they were forced to make.

"You just got back and you’re already preparing to leave?" Constance asked hurriedly. "Then when will you be back?"

’She still wanted Silvia to continue teaching her Swordsmanship!’

"Who knows. If we end up in a ditch somewhere, we might not come back at all," Silvia said with a casual laugh. "But don’t worry, it probably won’t be too long."

"If you have any problems in the next few days, go find Seymour. He’ll help you."

Carlos and a few of the other young men were eager to go with them, but Ron and his group firmly refused.

"We don’t want your first adventure to be your last," Aive said, half-scaring, half-persuading the greenhorns to stay behind. "An experienced Adventurer Squad got trapped in there. If something unexpected really happens, we won’t be able to look out for you!"

When Ron and his group gathered outside the trading post early the next morning, they discovered that Carolina’s people had already dismantled their tents and left.

"They sure ran off quick. Afraid we were going to kick them out, huh?" Delaford said with disdain, observing the tracks they’d left. "They’re all gone. Twelve people in total. The footprints and scents match up. It doesn’t look like they intended to ambush us."

Ron and his group had been extremely wary of these people, remaining on high alert to prevent them from attempting another assassination like last time.

"They must be afraid of you, too," Spike said with a smile. "This is your territory. The longer they stay, the less safe it becomes for them."

Victoria ignored their conversation, her attention focused on a thicket of trees not far away.

The Holy Emblem was growing hot, scorching her skin. The Priest believed this might be Heim warning her to pay attention to something.

But to be honest, she didn’t see anything at all.

"You seem a bit distracted," Silvia remarked as the party traveled, gradually approaching the waterfall. She had noticed Victoria’s unusual behavior along the way. "You’ve been staring off somewhere else this whole time. Did you find something?"

"No, I haven’t seen anything," Victoria said, a hint of confusion in her voice. "But that’s precisely what worries me."

She held Heim’s Holy Emblem in her palm for Silvia to touch. The Vampire Descendant had barely extended her finger before she recoiled. "What is this? This is the first I’ve heard of Heim being hostile toward a Half-blood like me!"

"It’s not hostility, it’s a warning," the Priest said, frowning. "Ever since we set out, I’ve felt like something has been watching us, following us. But I can’t find a single trace of it. It’s so strange."

"Maybe you’re just on edge?" said Aive, who was walking at the very front, as she turned back. "After all, we barely got any rest. It’s normal to be overly vigilant."

"If you didn’t grip your Holy Emblem so tightly, it wouldn’t feel so hot."

"I hope so," Victoria muttered. After one last glance at an old tree in the distance, she put the Holy Emblem away.

"This is it!" Spike and his companion, who were walking ahead, pointed at a waterfall. "It’s right behind there!"

This was the upper reach of the river near Ron’s territory. Here, the waterway from the southeast, outside the Delusional Land, dropped off abruptly. Rushing water plunged downward, carving out a river in the Delusional Land.

"So where’s this ’Prophet’?" Sera looked all around but couldn’t find any sign of the so-called Prophet. "Don’t tell me you were tricked. You think that guy murdered them for their money, sent you away on a wild goose chase, and then bolted?"

"That’s not possible," Spike said, shaking his head, though he too was confused as to why the man had vanished. "Before we left, Wilson and his group were definitely still alive. I can guarantee that."

"Could it be that he saw we were taking too long and went back in himself?"