We were doing our best to move forward. Evading hordes became natural for us. We had no problems for a while.

  Unlike the time when I lacked experience in leading and pathfinding, now I feel much more mature in that regard and Raven had fewer opportunities to take the reins in my stead.

  In fact, he made no comments on my commanding abilities and hasn’t given me any advice for a while now.

  When I asked him privately, he said that I was leading reasonably well. If I were to make an action that seemed like a mistake to him, he’d say so.

  In other words, if he were silent, everything was good. No news is good news.

  I felt much better after he clarified it. For a moment, I feared I was hopeless in his eyes and wasn’t worth his scoldings…

  Since when have I become this sensitive about how he sees me?

  From time to time, I flirted with him. The only occasions I could do so were before we went to sleep or during our night guard.

  Just some minor actions like trying to hold his hand, staying close to him or having my chest touch his side. He gave me no reaction when I did my moves.

  How boring.

  Was he mad at me or something? Did he demand a stronger experience?

  Given our situation, trying something more intimate was too risky. I wouldn’t be against it otherwise.

  I deeply regret the fate our compatriots faced at the beginning and especially mourn Alason’s death, but I can’t change the past. I can only run for the future.

  I pray that their sacrifice wasn’t in vain.

  We had no major problems since our goodbyes with Vanessa and her group until the end of the third month since our travel began.

  We managed to cover most of our distance. If we continue at the same pace, we’d be out of The King’s Territory in less than two weeks!

  Afterwards, we could relax and finish the delivery without fearing the constant undead and return safely to our homes.

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  How good it would have been if it were that easy…

  Yet, fate didn’t allow us to end this hellish journey that easily. Problems were on the horizon.

  They made me realise that the blissful future was far, but the present was at hand and needed my full attention. We were yet to be far from the constant danger.

  Dark clouds were in the sky.

  I thought it was just another rain. It might be a heavy one, but after the last constant rain that lasted for around a week, I was mentally prepared.

  Most of the time, while we were travelling, the clouds couldn’t block out the sun.

  Now, however, we could see a black sky coming in our direction. A strong wind was also blowing our way.

  “We'd better find a place to use as a shelter,” I proposed after contemplating the information nature was giving me.

  The rest silently agreed and began inspecting the surroundings more intently than usual in search of a haven to save us from the storm.

  Looking around, we had a plain with nothing on it, a forest nearby and a mountain. If we go now, we might find a cave in which to stay until the storm passes.

  The possibility of enduring the rain and continuing forward also existed, but it had its cons.

  For one, walking all day in the rain is tiring and hard. It would also be a challenge to be soaking wet all day long, potentially making us sick. Let’s not forget the reduced ability to hear our surroundings. And the list goes on.

  However, despite the numerous cons, if it were only normal rain, I might have opted to weather it out and continue until we saw a suitable shelter rather than frantically search for one.

  The problem was that it doesn’t always rain water here. Acid rain was a frequent occurrence.

  We were lucky to encounter none thus far, but I wasn’t going to gamble with that also being the case this time. We have come too far to make such a blunder for such a simple reason – my incompetent leadership.

  For the past times rain approached, there was always a suitable shelter nearby and I always decided to take it. Ever since the first time rainy clouds were on the horizon and Raven explained the danger they posed to us, my decision was made.

  I couldn’t risk our mission ending due to my incompetent order to walk in acid rain, could I?

  Two acid rains may have different acidic strengths, but either way, both are dangerous to humans and the undead.

  Nature often suffers the hardest hits from such rains. They leave too large an amount of harm to be determined.

  The undead would evade such a hazard, as it would often result in their end.

  After searching for half an hour, we managed to find a cave as the clouds were barely over our heads and drops of liquid started to fall from the sky.

  When a raindrop touched my skin, I felt slight pain. It was indeed acid and a strong one at that.

  Sure, a drop or two from it wouldn’t harm me, but getting drenched would be a danger to my life.

  I was glad to have made my decision.

  We had no other choice but to end the travel for the day.

  We decided to take a rest around the entrance.

  As it was the middle of the day, no one was tired and we found it too early to set a proper camp. The slight light from the cave entrance was good enough for the time being.

  We were having small talk. Even the initial hostility towards Raven was mostly gone.

  Seemed like he and Lily might have even become friends!