Chapter 694: Seeing Through
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 694: Seeing Through
Ariel felt she had always been quite steady in her actions.
Up until now, the most she had done was beat up some gangs, raid a few ancient ruins, raise a little hell in the Holy City, and wipe out a handful of demon tribes in the Abyss. It really wasn't that big of a deal.
Of course, she might have added a bit of a gambling element to her methods from time to time, but even her gambling followed strict principles.
She only took those risky paths when she felt her success rate was higher than fifty percent. Because of that, she had only lost two tiny rounds in all her bets so far.
"And even for those two rounds, I’ll settle the score one day!"
Ariel finally stopped crossing her arms and instead clasped them behind her back, a more habitual gesture for her.
Though she was no longer intentionally flaunting her figure, the way she stood with her back straight still made her curves look striking.
She was tired of the perpetually gray sky of the Abyss. Her gaze, which seemed to have weathered countless emotional struggles and partings, fell upon the distant horizon with a look of profound experience.
"But this has nothing to do with adventure, and it has nothing to do with gambling. Right now, there are dozens of brave, strong, and beautiful girls waiting for me to save them. How could I possibly just sit back and watch?"
Anyone who casually abandons beautiful girls has no right to complete their dream Crystal Palace!
This time, she would act decisively. She wouldn't make the same mistake she did with Liya!
Simmering a frog in lukewarm water was a move for cowards; this time, she was going to turn up the heat and finish it fast!
"I’m going to infiltrate that Gutons Fortress place and save those girls!" Ariel declared immediately.
"What?"
The others were stunned by her words.
"Are you insane? Those people have already been taken into a demon fortress. That’s the demons' headquarters! With just you..."
Dolan frowned deeply, thinking this girl was just spouting nonsense.
However, to his surprise...
"I... I’ll go too!"
Roya, who seemed much more mature and steady, thought for a moment and actually stepped up to stand beside Ariel.
"Miss Ariel, I’ll go and help."
"Wha—"
Before Ariel could say anything, Temier let out a cry of shock, looking at Roya in utter disbelief.
"Sister Roya, what are you saying?"
"I said, I’m going to help Miss Ariel!"
Roya took a deep breath and spoke again with conviction.
Though it had only been a short time, she had indeed made a major decision.
Going to a demon stronghold to save people was certainly dangerous, but seeing such a fearless, selfless, and reckless hero going to save others, her heart couldn't help but swell with endless courage.
Her strength might not be exceptional, but as support—as a healing mage—she could definitely be of use to the Hero!
Roya stole a glance at Ariel, her cheeks flushing a deeper red.
"Aren't you going to think this through?"
Bult’s expression was grim. Despite his ferocious appearance, he seemed genuinely concerned for the group. "I have a special route. If you follow me, we can leave the Abyss and reach total safety in just three days."
"Ex... exactly! Sister Roya, wouldn't it be better if we left the Abyss together? Why do you want to follow this crazy woman who just appeared out of nowhere..." Temier stepped forward and grabbed Roya’s hand tightly, his face full of worry.
"Come with me. You’ve been defending this person since the start, but she’s just a stranger..."
"She’s not a crazy woman! And she’s not a stranger!"
Roya shook off Temier’s hand and said seriously, "None of you understand. Miss Ariel just saved me, and now she wants to selflessly save others. She is a true hero!"
"Eh? Sister Roya, you..."
Temier stood frozen where he had been pushed away.
He looked at his hand, unable to believe that Sister Roya—who had always been gentle to him, caring for him like a big sister next door—would treat him so roughly.
She hadn't even treated him like this when she caught him reading erotic books!
They had only been apart for a short while; why did he feel the illusion that Sister Roya had already drifted far away from him?
For a moment, even though the cold winds of the Abyss continued to howl, Temier felt a strange, inexplicable warmth radiating from the top of his head.
"Is it all because of you?"
Temier’s eyes reddened as he glared at Ariel through gritted teeth.
"What kind of spell did you cast on Sister Roya to make her... to make her... Sister Roya has never relied on me like that! What gives you the right..."
"Temier!"
Roya frowned and stepped in front of Ariel again. "Stop acting out! Miss Ariel really is my savior!"
"Sister Roya, you..."
Seeing this, Temier’s body shook as if he’d been struck by lightning.
Why? Why?
It was one thing to be cold to him, but why did she have to protect her like that?
Could it be that their ten-plus years as childhood sweethearts couldn't compare to a meeting of less than half an hour?
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
Even though that person was also a woman, why did his heart ache so agonizingly?
Thinking of the shy, bashful expression he had just seen on Roya—a look he had never seen before—Temier felt as if needles were being driven into his soul.
"Stop arguing. Let’s set this trivial matter aside for now and talk later."
Bult looked at Ariel with even greater concern. "You need to think clearly. In a dangerous place like the Abyss, opportunities for a safe exit don't come often. As long as you leave with us, I don't think even a Demon General could catch us."
"So what? Do I look like someone who’s afraid of a Demon General?"
"Don't be stubborn. Such a good opportunity—"
"Alright, alright. No matter how much you say, it’s useless. I’m not leaving."
Ariel tilted her chin up slightly, projecting three parts disdain, three parts nonchalance, and ninety-four parts pure swagger.
That elegant, gentlemanly demeanor sent Roya’s heart fluttering once again.
But suddenly, Ariel’s tone shifted. "You two don't need to be so enthusiastic. I know everyone has different opinions—some want to 'go,' and some want to stay. But regardless, I don't think we’ll be parting ways just yet."
"What do you mean?" Bult asked, frowning.
"I’m not going to go off and die with a naive fool like you."
"You certainly don't seem like the type to go off and die with me. In fact, if I just dropped dead, you’d probably be quite happy."
Ariel finally stopped striking poses. Her hands hung naturally at her sides, her fingers lightly tapping against the hem of her clothes.
"But unfortunately, if I want to sneak into Gutons Fortress, I really do need a couple of demon guides. I wonder if you two would deign to help me out?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
The short-tempered Dolan roared in anger. "You really are a lunatic! There aren't any demons here. If you ask me, you're the demon!"
"Still pretending?"
Ariel sighed softly and gently raised her hand to cover one eye.
Her other pupil rapidly changed color, turning into a transparent, blood-red hue just like a demon's.
However, that splash of crimson was slightly different from a demon's eye; it was clearer, like a shimmering ruby.
"You’ve been faking it for so long, the stench of demons on you is making my eyes sting."
"The Eye of Truth!!"
Bult and Dolan’s expressions changed instantly.
"How could you have something like that?"
"Oh my, I didn't expect it either. I didn't think I’d see through you quite this fast."
Ariel made a peace sign and flicked it in front of her eye, acting mock-bashful. "But the spoils I got from wiping out a demon tribe a couple of days ago actually came in handy so soon. Isn't that just a coincidence?"