Chapter 60: Something to Lose

’Hmm...’

Peace watched as Ralph finally put away the ale and rocking chair, pulling out a dingy, ripped-up blanket.

’His priorities are... something.’

In the game, one of the essential items for a Diver was a sleeping bag. It kept your characters and party members in the ’well rested’ state, giving them stat bonuses. Yet, instead of bringing sufficient sleeping gear, Ralph had brought a rocking chair. One that likely took up 90% of his bag’s weight capacity.

And that was one thing Peace was absolutely certain had translated from the game into this world. Maybe not the stat bonuses, but he could certainly see the need for sleep... both for physical and mental rest.

Peace himself wanted a night’s rest more than anyone else.

Unfortunately...

Peace needed to stay awake more than anyone else.

For if he fell asleep, it might be eternal.

Reaching into his bag, Peace pulled out one of the stimulants. A little needle he could inject himself with anywhere.

Ralph finally turned to face the party.

Letting out a loud burp, he said:

"What do you lot say about takin’ on the Light Temple this time around?"

Maura, lying on the grass and staring up at the bright blue sky, rolled her head to the side and narrowed her eyes.

"Huh...? Have you finally lost it, Ralph?"

"Lost it?! You of all people should know I’ve got nothing to lose! Besides..." Ralph glared directly at Peace. "Wouldn’t it be a warm welcome for our newbie? Give him a once-in-a-lifetime show?! Haha!"

Mid push-up, Volkar shouted:

"That sounds fun!"

Maura’s expression flattened.

"Oh."

The elf boy, who Peace had learned was named Yulis, adjusted his sleeping bag as he smiled at Ralph’s idea.

"For once, idiot number two has come up with a novel idea."

"Hey—"

Sliding the needle into a hidden flap of his waistband, Peace finally broke his silence. He stared directly into Ralph’s eyes and said:

"Those who claim to have nothing left to lose are often merely afraid to name that which they hold dearer than life itself."

Amid the ambient noise and distant chatter of other Divers, the air around the group seemed to still. Not because a fight was about to break out, but because Ralph had pulled something out of his bag and tossed it at Peace.

It was a portrait of a beautiful, noble-looking woman. Well-drawn and highly detailed; it was protected by a reinforced case.

’His wife...’

She had sleek, raven-black hair and piercing gray eyes. Her doll-like face made Peace wonder how someone as crude as Ralph had managed to win the affection of a woman who seemed the very epitome of refinement.

Peace nodded slightly as he studied her, his gaze eventually settling on the floral dress she wore.

"That’s certainly something to lose."

"I’d say... she was—"

Peace tossed the portrait back.

"I’m not talking about her. Nor am I speaking about something you’ve already lost."

Ralph caught it.

"Pardon?"

"The portrait itself."

Ralph began laughing as he laid out his raggedy blanket on the ground.

"Baha! Pariah, you’re as funny as you are doomed. If it’s taken from me, I still have the memory of her. And if I die, it’s not like paper and ink will miss me when I’m gone, will it?"

Chuckling, Peace shook his head.

"It won’t... But you’re missing my point. What if the portrait were destroyed? The beauty it preserves would be lost to the world forever. As you said, the memory of her would die with you. But if the portrait survives, then even after you’re gone, some part of her will remain and grace the world with her beauty."

Ralph shook his head, then fished out the ale he’d stored away only a couple of minutes ago. He downed the rest of it in one go, tossed the barrel he’d drunk straight from, then burped again and said:

"Quit trying to prove a point, kid... Who knows, it might be the last one you make."

Peace smiled as he pulled out and chewed on some jerky they’d prepared for him.

’Sheesh. Not even going to make it to the Light Temple anymore?’

From what he could gather, Ralph didn’t have any rash plans to kill Peace here and now. Not with so many witnesses around.

Ralph didn’t even seem to care about dealing the killing blow himself. Considering how openly he’d suggested hunting in one of the only spawning zones with Tier 8 monsters on the first floor, it appeared he was aiming for the monsters to do it for him.

’I guess causing my death would be enough for him.’

Volkar yawned, then said:

"I’m sleepy. Good night, friends."

Ralph smirked as he waved his hand and put away the painting. Pointing at Yulis and Maura, Ralph asked:

"Ah, whatever. Which one of you two wants to keep watch first?"

Without missing a beat, the young elf raised a hand, all while glaring daggers at Peace.

"I can."

’While I can say Ralph doesn’t have any rash plans... this one’s a little different.’

Peace couldn’t get a very good read on him.

Not in the way he couldn’t understand Maura...

But in that he couldn’t tell whether Yulis was driven by hate or fear. Would the green-haired Day Elf even be bold enough to try something?

’If so...’

Would Peace even be able to stop him?

His only true advantage was his oddly strong teeth...

But could he actually bring himself to bite someone? A living person?

In fact...

What about a fleshy monster?

Did Peace have it in him to bite something that would yelp and scream as he sank his teeth into it? To feel its blood, fur, and whatever else fill his mouth?

’Eugh...’

Even the thought dredged up bad memories from his monstrous hours.

’Let’s just... not think about that.’

Better to trust that Yulis was as feckless as he let on.

Shaking his head, Peace watched as Ralph and Maura got comfortable and laid their heads down.

Though Ralph still felt the need to stare directly at him.

"Not going to sleep?"

"Would you, in my position?"

"Heavens no!"

Clutching his stomach, Ralph rolled around, tossing his shaggy hair everywhere. When he finally calmed down, he wiped at the corner of his eye and said:

"Don’t try anything funny."

"Depends on what you consider—"

Ralph shouted:

"Gah, shut up! I don’t need to hear it. Geez... kids these days are weird. Or maybe it’s because you’re a Night Elf."

’I’m weird?’

Peace rolled his eyes as he tugged on the hem of his robe, studying the fully geared Ralph as he tried to get comfortable.

’Tch.’

Throwing the rest of the jerky into his mouth, Peace settled against his bag, bringing his eyes to the sky.

’This is so strange...’

Adventuring towards his doom? Walking into a known betrayal... No, not even a betrayal. Ralph had been quite clear in his intent since the beginning.

’Should I run away after all?’

He only had to face the consequences if this particular party found him...

The only problem was the forced party system. He’d have to join another before the next cycle or he’d be automatically called back to them.

’The government won’t help...’

He’d already made a request somewhat asking for assistance, and they’d been quite firm in denying it.

A few minutes passed, and Ralph’s snores began to mingle with Volkar’s. Maura’s breaths were quiet hisses. Yulis was sharpening arrow tips while sitting between his three allies and Peace, not so sneakily glaring at Peace whenever he looked away.

With little to do, Peace took out and opened Noble Path of a True King, finally able to study it once again.

And now that he knew how to write the language of this world a little better, he could tell the language in this diary was fundamentally different.

Midway through rereading the introduction of Ixion’s diary, Yulis asked:

"Did you love her?"

"...?"

Lifting his bright blue eyes from an arrowhead, he pointed the tip at the book.

"The diary. You said it’s an heirloom from your mother. Did you love her?"

Peace glanced at the sleeping people behind him.

Before Peace could say anything, Yulis added:

"Unless someone comes at us with an intent to attack, they’ll sleep through it. Answer me... did you love her?"

Peace smiled lightly as he closed the diary.

"I love her."

Yulis gulped lightly.

"And yet, you’re here..."

"What do you mean?"

Yulis slowly moved the tip of the arrow until it was angled right between Peace’s eyes.

"...You have quite the something to lose."