BXBX NOVEL Chapter 152: Fire Riddles
Strax was leaning back in a cushioned seat, trying to relax with Monica sleeping on his shoulder. His energy was gradually recovering, but he could still feel the lingering fatigue, his gaze occasionally turning to the passing landscape outside the windows.
The sun was slowly setting on the horizon, painting the sky with orange and pink hues, creating a peaceful aura that contrasted with the tension inside the carriage.
Monica looked at him with a worried expression. "Are you okay? You seem a bit..." Strax smiled slightly, trying to ease her concerns. "Yes, just a little tired. The soul exchange with Tiamat was more exhausting than I expected. But I'm well enough to continue...
I'm just thinking about some things for the future."
Monica nodded, still concerned but relieved to see Strax trying to stay calm. "If you need anything, let me know. We don't want you pushing yourself beyond your limits."
The sky began to darken, and the first stars started to appear, gently twinkling on the horizon. The carriage moved at a steady pace, and the road ahead seemed endless but also full of possibilities.
A few minutes passed, and the carriages began to slow down...
The carriages started arriving at a quiet clearing in the forest. The place seemed perfect for spending the night...
"Hey! Let's camp here!" One of the soldiers shouted to Carlos, who nodded and got down from the reins of the horses. Apocalypse followed the carriage faithfully without anyone guiding her. She knew well why Strax was tired, and she understood it was a good moment to show what she was capable of.
Gradually, the weather began to close in, and night started to fall... "Looks like we'll spend the night here," Samira said, stepping out of the carriage and stretching her arms. She had been sleeping for a long time and was completely numb.
Not just her, but the three women also got out and looked around. A large open area surrounded by tall trees and a small stream flowing nearby.
"Ah, finally, some rest and fresh air!" Monica exclaimed, stretching, raising her arms to the sky as she stepped out of the carriage. "I was beginning to think we would travel non-stop until we reached Eldoria," Beatrice said, interrupting their moment of rest.
"Don't get too excited," Samira said, trying to hide a smile. "We don't know what it will be like there; it's better to enjoy these first moments before we arrive at that place... I just hope there aren't too many complications..."
Strax watched the three women as they prepared to set up camp. The clearing was perfect, and the soft sound of running water created a calm atmosphere, almost as if the world were at peace—something rare in the journeys they usually faced. He knew they needed this break, both to rest and to prepare for the challenges ahead.
Strax got out of the carriage, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten a bit as he breathed in the fresh forest air.
"Ah, we can finally breathe a little," he said, smiling at the women as he stretched his arms above his head. "I think a night under the stars will do us good."
[Mission Chain Initiated: A new variant has been added...]
"You've got to be kidding me, right?…" Strax thought as he read the message. "I'm already sick of this damn trip, I can't wait to get back to civilization, and now you're forcing me to keep going? Just teleport me already! Damn it! I can't stand dealing with people anymore!" Strax roared in his mind, and the system went silent… "Useless piece of crap," he muttered.
"I take back what I said, I hope a meteor crashes into this damn clearing!" Strax said, kicking a rock. "Ow, damn it!" He felt a slap on the back of his head. "HEY!" he shouted, seeing Lyana looking completely startled. "I tried talking to you, but you weren't listening!" she said, kicking his leg. "Ow!! What's wrong with you?!" Strax yelled, enraged.
"Lyana, stop picking on the weaker ones," Evelyn said as she passed by them. She was already walking reasonably well, unlike her previously paralyzed state where any step could have been her last. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Miss," Monica said with a slight bow. Unlike the others, who were more easygoing, Monica knew how to handle different people, especially those of higher status.
"I guess we didn't properly introduce ourselves. I'm Monica Antares, the wife of this big idiot I call my husband," she said with a light laugh. "I see, I'm Evelyn… Master of the Super Idiot and carefree Lyana," she said. You couldn't see her face, but it was clear she was smiling.
Strax felt a mix of pain and frustration as he rubbed the leg Lyana had just kicked. "Do you have steel feet or what? And why are you so worked up?" he grumbled, still angry at the system and now with the situation in general.
Lyana, arms crossed and with a stern look, wasn't too moved by Strax's complaint. "Maybe if you paid more attention and stopped muttering to yourself like a lunatic, you wouldn't have to go through this."
"You have no idea how frustrating this trip has been," Strax retorted, still trying to process the series of events that had culminated in this forced camping.
Evelyn, watching the scene with a slight smile, shook her head. "It looks like you two need a break. Lyana, why don't you try being a bit nicer? Strax, you too. It won't help if you two end up killing each other here in the middle of the forest."
Monica, always the diplomat, tried to ease the tension. "It's understandable that everyone's a bit on edge. These trips are exhausting, but at least we're all together. Besides, this clearing is a good place to rest. It could be worse, right?"
Strax, trying to lighten the mood, let out a tired laugh. "Yeah, it could be worse. We could be fighting another giant monster or trying not to starve to death. But honestly, a meteor crashing down here right now wouldn't be so bad."
Monica rolled her eyes, but with a smile on her lips. "Let's try to enjoy this moment of peace. And please, no more wishing for the destruction of our camp."
The tension in the air began to dissipate, with the jokes and teasing helping to lighten the mood. Strax, though still irritated with the system, started to relax a bit…
"Okay, okay, let's all calm down and make the best of this camp," Strax said, raising his hands in surrender. "And no more kicking, please."
"No promises," Lyana replied.
With the camp finally set up, everyone gathered around the fire that Strax had lit. The comforting warmth and the dancing flames brought a sense of camaraderie, as if, for a brief moment, the worries of the outside world had faded away.
"So, what will we do when we get there?" Beatrice asked, holding a mug of hot tea. "Play spy games? Guessing games until we find the infiltrator?"
"We're going to find Jhonnatan, an old… acquaintance," Samira suggested, picking up a skewer with meat that was roasting over the fire. "With luck, we'll find that idiot—he owes me a lot," Samira said as she ate the roasted meat.
Strax, sitting on top of the carriage, held his drink and watched the group gathered around the fire. The flames flickered, casting shadows on the surrounding trees and creating a cozy atmosphere, almost as if they were back in the old days of simpler adventures. He was enjoying the moment of rest but also reflecting on the next stage of their journey.
"An old acquaintance, huh…" Strax murmured to himself, keeping his voice low enough not to reach their ears, taking a sip of his drink. "I wish I could understand why you're trying so hard to hide your past, little fire." He said while continuing to sip his drink.
[Mission Chain Unlocked: The Past of a Burning Fire.]
"So there's something there, huh… no surprise," Strax muttered as he pondered, while Samira continued her conversation with Beatrice and Monica, unaware that Strax was more observant than usual. The mood around the campfire was relaxed, with laughter and the typical banter of a camping trip. Beatrice was telling a funny story about a disastrous date she had years ago, making the other two laugh.
But Strax couldn't take his eyes off Samira. The flickering flames reflected in her eyes, but there was something more, something he couldn't quite decipher yet.
"Well, looks like I'll have to unravel this mystery, little fire," he murmured to himself, a slight smile forming on his lips. The challenge ahead didn't bother him; in fact, it intrigued him even more. He knew she wasn't lying to him—she just didn't want to talk about it.
He took a final sip of his drink, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through his body. "Let's see where this will take us," he thought as he allowed himself to relax a bit more, lying down on the roof of the carriage and gazing up at the stars.