Chapter 335: Come Eat Some Roast Meat!

Celia didn't say anything more; she just gently squeezed his hand back.

“Mm, I've always believed in you.”

“It's time to go back to sleep.” Ansu stared at her cheek, which looked slightly pale under the moonlight. “You need to get plenty of rest.”

During these days of travel, Celia had barely stopped for a single moment.

During the day, she would search through documents in the carriage while on the march, and at night, she researched endlessly, trying to analyze this Crimson Plague while constantly improving the formula for the inhibiting serum.

But this state of anxiety made it very easy for the Crimson Plague to take advantage of her weakness and erode her sanity.

Whether out of logic or emotion, he couldn't let Celia stay up any longer.

If anyone else was affected by the Crimson Plague, they could still suppress it, but if Celia were affected, there wasn't a single person in the entire camp who could defeat her...

Once Miss Witch completely lost control under mental pollution, it would be equivalent to collective suicide.

“I...” Celia, pushed all the way to her tent's entrance by him, finally let out a sigh of resignation.

“Alright.”

She lifted the curtain and looked back at him. “Don't patrol too late either. Get some rest early.”

Ansu smiled and nodded.

“Don't worry.”

Afterward, he took another lap around the camp, his footsteps unconsciously leading him to the stables.

In the cold night, Radish was restlessly pawing at the ground, puffs of white steam snorting from its nostrils.

This usually gentle horse couldn't stay calm under this crimson canopy either; its ears twitched constantly, and it swished its tail anxiously.

Ansu walked over, reached out to rub its massive head, and pulled out one of its favorite carrots from his pocket.

Perhaps comforted by its master's presence, it finally began to calm down.

Radish lowered its head, gently nudging Ansu's palm with its snout, and then focused entirely on munching on the carrot.

“Why are you so magical... Radish?” Ansu murmured to himself unconsciously.

Radish, of course, did not answer. It just kept its head down, munching away, occasionally looking up at him with its gentle, dark brown eyes.

Once it finished eating, it quietly waited for Ansu's next feeding.

“Once this journey is over, I'll bring you back to Benalu City to retire,” Ansu patted its head and handed it another carrot with a smile. “I'll build you a huge pasture then. You can eat all the highland grass, vegetables, and fruits you want.”

Radish understood this time, snorting excitedly and tapping its front hooves on the ground.

Ansu stayed by its side for a little longer, added a handful of hay for it, and then turned to walk back to his tent.

Just as he was about to head inside to sleep, his footsteps paused again.

By the campfire, Altina was still sitting there.

Her posture had barely changed since this afternoon.

The firelight reflected on her pale face. Her emerald eyes stared at the amulet in her palm. The dry rations and water Vera had left by her side remained completely untouched.

After a moment's thought, Ansu walked over and slowly sat down beside her.

Altina did not look up, but her thumb resting on the amulet paused slightly, clearly noticing Ansu's approach.

Ansu's gaze fell upon the amulet. It was crescent-shaped, as delicate and small as a pendant, glowing with a faint, warm luster under the firelight.

Altina traced the intricate patterns on it over and over again, as if trying to draw some invisible strength from it.

But in truth, it was merely an unconscious habit.

“Your amulet...” Ansu spoke up curiously, hoping to find a reason for small talk.

“Is it something related to the God of Nature? Similar to Freya's holy seal badge? I notice you always like to take it out and fiddle with it whenever something happens.”

Altina remained silent.

Just when Ansu thought she wouldn't answer, she gently shook her head.

“No.”

She slowly tucked the amulet back into her collar.

“Oh?” Ansu followed up on her words. “Then where did this amulet come from...”

“This is my guardian god,” Altina replied.

“Can I take a look?”

Altina merely turned her head slightly, her gaze falling back onto the dancing flames as she lapsed into silence once more.

Ansu didn't press her, nor was he in a hurry.

He stood up and left for a moment.

When he returned, Ansu set up a simple grill over the campfire.

Although the dried meat they brought in the carriage was long-lasting, it was hard enough to chip teeth and wasn't suitable for eating right now. Instead, he retrieved a large piece of fresh meat from his 【Warehouse】, which he had restocked before leaving Norvigel.

Ansu used his dagger to slice a few moderately thick steaks and placed them on the fire, slowly turning them.

Altina quietly stole a glance at Ansu, unsure of what he was trying to do.

When Ansu looked back, Altina averted her gaze.

“You haven't eaten. Perfect, I'm feeling a bit hungry now too, and I wanted a late-night snack.”

“Oh...”

Altina said softly, “Thank you, but I'm not hungry, and I don't feel like eating.”

Ansu glanced at her. “If you're not hungry, then just watch.”

“...”

Soon, grease dripped onto the charcoal, making a sizzling sound.

Under the licking flames, the steaks gradually turned golden-brown, tiny oil bubbles surface on their skin, and the aroma drifted with the night wind.

The curtain to Vera's tent was instantly pulled open.

The young girl clearly hadn't fallen asleep either. She had been keeping an eye on her brother's movements, and seeing him making a little something extra, she immediately ran over wrapped in her blanket.

“Brother...!”

Ansu smiled at her and waved her over. “Come eat some roast meat!”

“Yay~”

Ansu picked up a skewer of meat that had been brushed with seasoning and was sizzling with oil. He didn't hand it to Altina, but gave it to Vera first.

Vera's eyes curved into crescent moons of joy as she took it with both hands. “Thanks, big brother~”

She took a small bite, and her eyes instantly lit up.

The outside was slightly crispy, while the inside was tender and juicy. Moreover, the sauce Ansu prepared was savory and spicy. The moment the fat melted on her tongue, Vera's eyes widened in sheer bliss.

“Delicious! It's really delicious!”

She cried out with her mouth full, quickly taking another large bite, her cheeks puffing up.

“Of course. Anything I make is bound to be delicious!” Ansu had quite a bit of confidence in his grilling skills. “Eat slowly, eat slowly. Don't rush, it's all yours!”

Those emerald eyes flickered.

Altina's gaze slowly drifted away from the dancing flames, first landing on the sizzling grill, and then on Vera, who was eating with great relish.

Inside those hollow eyes, something seemed to soften ever so slightly.

...