Chapter 260: 259 “He will definitely come. Chapter 260: 259 “He will definitely come. “Rumble…”
In a daze, Tielle seemed to feel a slight vibration.
It appeared to be an earthquake coming from a far-off distance that lightly reached here.
Because of this faint tremor, Tielle woke up and opened her eyes.
As soon as she opened her eyes, Tielle heard a familiar and gentle voice.
So, Tielle turned her head and looked beside her.
There, Vivian, who had leaned her shield against the rock wall, was looking at her with a smile on her face.
Upon closer inspection, multiple spots on Vivian’s body were stained with blood and dust; she seemed unharmed but looked very weary and disheveled.
Beside her, Lu Muya and Merica were leaning their heads against each other. Like Vivian, they were covered in blood and dust, utterly exhausted as if they had just been through a fierce battle.
And, of course, Tielle was the same.
At that moment, Tielle leaned against the rock wall like Vivian, with the most blood and dirt on her, looking the most tired and disheveled among them all.
This scene instantly reminded Tielle of everything.
They had fallen into a trap.
They had fallen into the trap set by those Nobles who wanted her life, and that’s why she and everyone from Vivian’s Team had wound up deep in Artlu Canyon, looking the way they did now.
Tielle vaguely remembered those Nobles, filled with hatred, commanding their guards and Knights to charge at her and her companions. They had desperately resisted, nearly fighting and fleeing at the same time for a whole three days, before they temporarily shook off their pursuers and found this relatively hidden cave, where they all collapsed in exhaustion.
Remembering this, Tielle fell silent for a long time.
“It’s my fault that I’ve dragged you all down.”
After a long silence, Tielle spoke those words.
“Don’t say that,” Vivian replied with her usual tenderness. “We are companions, after all.”
Clearly, Vivian didn’t want Tielle to take all the blame upon herself.
But Tielle wouldn’t accept it.
“I mean it, I’ve dragged you all, my companions, down.”
Tielle murmured this, looking at the ceiling of the cave.
“Of course not,” Vivian insisted. “As companions, there’s no question of dragging anyone down. Otherwise, Lu Muya and Merica would feel guilty.”
Tielle could hear the unspoken meaning in Vivian’s words.
Because, in the past, Tielle, as the strongest member of the team, had often taken care of Lu Muya and Merica.
Lu Muya and Merica had felt ashamed more than once for this, and it was only because of the Adventurer’s creed that “companions should help each other” that they had accepted Tielle’s care.
In such a situation, if Tielle continued to insist that she had been a burden to her companions, then perhaps Lu Muya and Merica would indeed feel guilty.
“…Then let me put it another way,” Tielle said with a pause, and then she sighed. “Thank you, Vivian.”
This thank you was something Tielle had to give.
After all, the reason they had been able to hold out for three entire days in this canyon was all because of Vivian’s protection.
It was because Vivian had always stood in front of them, attracting all the attacks and bearing all the injuries that Tielle and the others had been able to survive until now.
Although, it seemed, they had now reached their limit.
At least, Tielle realized that Vivian’s Magic Power was on the verge of exhaustion.
If her Magic Power were drained, then even Vivian would no longer be able to use her incredible defensive power to shelter her teammates.
Of course, there was always a smile on Vivian’s face that completely hid this fact.
“No need to thank me,” Vivian said, as if to soothe her, “and don’t worry, we’ll escape.”
This gentle and kind Team Leader kept caring for Tielle’s fragile heart.
Surely, Vivian also knew, didn’t she?
Knew about the unease in Tielle’s heart.
Tielle wasn’t afraid to die.
In fact, Tielle had always been prepared to face death.
Because she was very clear about the difficult situation she was in and even clearer about how strong That Person she wanted to challenge in her life was.
Facing such adversity and such a formidable foe, it would not be surprising at all if she died at any moment.
So Tielle had long been prepared.
But if the people by my side are implicated because of me and ultimately die, then Tielle could not escape the blame.
That was Tielle’s anxiety.
What if we are attacked again?
What if someone in the team is killed for being associated with me?
It’s not a pity if I die, but the people by my side should not have to suffer because of me.
That’s what Tielle thought, which is why she felt anxious.
Perhaps Vivian had sensed this anxiety, which is why she had comforted Tielle, right?
(This person, as always, is gentle and perceptive…)
Tielle could only smile bitterly within her heart and then speak up.
“If need be, you all can abandon me and run.”
By doing so, perhaps those who hated her wouldn’t make things difficult for Vivian and the others, right?
“Do you think I would accept that?”
For the first time, the gentleness vanished from Vivian’s face, and she stared intently at Tielle with a burning gaze.
Tielle dared not look at such a Vivian.
Because she feared Vivian would be disappointed in her.
In this world, the people Tielle cared about were few, and Vivian was one of them.
This person had protected Tielle from myriad malice for many years and was the one Tielle trusted and even depended on the most.
With that in mind, Tielle couldn’t bring herself to look Vivian in the eye.
“I really don’t want to see any of you die because of me.”
Tielle couldn’t help but voice what was in her heart.
To this, Vivian had but one response.
“I don’t want to see you die before me,” Vivian said, gazing at Tielle with a smile. “Therefore, I will protect you, I will protect everyone, and ensure all members of our team leave this place unharmed and return to the Royal Capital.”
This was both a pledge and a determination.
Vivian spoke to Tielle in this way.
And incredibly, it was these words that subconsciously gave Tielle peace of mind, a sense of reassurance.
There was no other way, for if the Kingdom’s Guardian God made such a promise, she most certainly could keep it.
“I can feel that as long as we persist, That Person will indeed come before us.”
The words softly spoken by Vivian caused a flash in Tielle’s eyes.
She knew who Vivian was referring to.
The Hero who was entrusted with her high hopes and the one in whom she placed her own wishes and hopes.
Tielle murmured without realizing it.
Vivian smiled sweetly and nodded, her voice ringing out strong and clear.
“He will certainly come.”
Perhaps this was merely a baseless idea.
But Vivian, for some unknown reason, firmly believed it.
Her strong tone instilled hope in Tielle as well.
If it was That Person, he would undoubtedly be able to lead them out of this predicament.
As for herself, it didn’t matter at all.
But Vivian and the others, they couldn’t die here.
Therefore, Tielle too made up her mind.
“Until he arrives, we must hold on no matter what.”
Even if it meant resorting to “that move,” she would not hesitate.