Chapter 8 Act V-1

The sweet smell is mixed with the burnt smell of Dongliang. Is the honey bread burnt? If so, then the bakery that makes this bread is ridiculously generous. But Lawrence soon realized that it wasn't the smell of burning things. It's a smell reminiscent of fire. Taste of the beast. "…………Well……" Open your eyes, and there is an infinite starry sky in front of you. Although it is not a full moon, the beautiful moonlight that is almost full moon floats in the air, as if lying on the water. It seemed that someone kindly covered himself with a blanket, so he was lucky not to have to suffer from the cold with a shivering body, but his body seemed strangely heavy.

How much wine did I drink before I passed out? While thinking about it, I propped myself up.At this time, I finally discovered the reason for my heavy body. Lift your face and throw back the blanket. Holo, who was wiping soot on her face and forehead, was sleeping soundly on top of her. "So it's this..." She must have had a rough night. The beautiful bangs were burnt a little, and every snoring snort smelled of burnt.Occasionally, Hero's unique sweet smell and the smell of tail are also mixed in it.Is this what I smelled in my dream? Moreover, the sleeping Holo was not wearing a cloak, and her ears were sticking out.

The fur of the flying squirrel fell beside her, and it seemed that she had tried to cover it up. Since I haven't seen those who grew up under the dogma of the church rushing over with guns, it should be because they didn't do it themselves.Lawrence let out a sigh of relief. Loosen the strength on the neck. Then, he reached out his hand from under the blanket and placed it on Holo's head. Holo's ears jerked and her breathing stopped. Then, trembling as if about to sneeze, curled up. After moving his hands and feet indiscriminately a few times, his face finally moved as well. His chin rested on Lawrence's chest and he raised his face.

The eyes peeking out from under the blanket were still half asleep and watery. "You are so heavy." Lawrence said.Holo ignored it, and buried her face again and trembled snoringly, as if she was yawning heavily, but judging from the fact that she deliberately grabbed the melon seeds on Lawrence, she should have woken up. ’ After a while she looked up and asked: "What's wrong?" "Good weight." "Our body is very light, there should be something else that seems particularly heavy." "Do you want me to say... you have a lot of feelings?"

"Isn't it like we forced you to say it like this?" Holo chuckled in her throat, rubbing her cheek against Lawrence's chest. "Really...then, did you wear clothes?,, "Do you mean who do we have sex with? Hope she can use the word bedmate.Lawrence thought to himself. "Well, there shouldn't be any. After all, everyone was having such a good time. Hehe, I wish you could come along." "...probably conceivable...but I don't want to get burned." Reaching out to play with her bangs, Holo closed her eyes comfortably.This one seems to have been cut a bit.

Lawrence was about to warn her that she had gone too far, but Holo spoke up first. "We heard some things about the north from those girls. I heard that they just came back from work in Nyushira. From what I heard, it hasn't changed much from before." Holo opened her eyes as she spoke, looked at Lawrence's fingers right in front of her, and rubbed her face against his chest like a cat coquettishly. but.This should be just to wipe off the emotion that was about to flood his face.Looking at her current expression, she deliberately felt that she was desperately enduring the surging emotions in her heart.

"A guy who likes to be brave." Hearing Lawrence's words, Holo flinched. It's like a child acting like a baby. "However. Judgment can be taken slowly. We are just looking for traces of Eb." Holo was pressing her hypersensitive ear to Lawrence's chest, so must have caught the fact that he was laughing. She clutched her claws on Lawrence's chest in protest, and exhaled through her nose with a "hum". "However, can you move away a little? Our throat is thirsty." I drank a lot of wine before, and my throat felt like it was on fire.

and.I also want to know whether it is midnight or it is almost dawn. Holo remained motionless as if mischievous, and it took a while to finally pull herself up. Then, she sat on Lawrence and yawned towards the moon in a barking position. This scene had a gorgeous atmosphere, but also revealed an intangible sacred brilliance, which was so incredible that Lawrence couldn't help but stare dumbfounded. Opening her mouth happily towards the moon, Holo closed her mouth and looked down at Lawrence with a little tear in the corner of her eye. "Sure enough, we are more suitable on top."

"Someone pad your ass." Under the moonlight, Holo's wolf ears shone green. Every time I flicked my ear, the powder of moonlight flew with it. "We want some water, too... umm? Where's our cloak?" What do you see wrapped around your waist? - Lawrence swallowed the words he wanted to say in a mischievous manner, and looked up at the sky leisurely. It was about midnight.If it's a monastery, it's time for the monks to get up and sing the 'Day's Opening Prayer'. But even at this hour, some people are still awake.with those like cow dung Unlike the sleeping people lying on the ground in a mess, several men were sitting in a circle around the fire.

"Aya—mile!" One of the men spotted Holo and raised his hand and yelled. Holo also smiled heartily and waved her hand. "what happened?" "This is an ancient way of greeting, and it is said that this tradition is still preserved in the vast forests of Roever." Holo told Lawrence. Obviously the one who taught Holo the rules and habits of this world was me.Thinking about it, Lawrence began to really feel that he was already in the north. This can be said to be Holo's territory. Lawrence couldn't help but think back to the side face of Herona, who was immersed in the memories of the past that could no longer be reversed, staring at the north beside the wheat field that day.

Wish I could say it. You want to suspend your plans to go to Kenrouba, don't you? but.If she said it, she would definitely be angry. because.Not even Lawrence himself wanted to hear that if he could. "Oh. The kid is up." Holo's words interrupted his mischievous meditation. Although everyone slept in their own places, sleeping in a mess, they basically gathered in the same place, and at the very edge, a small figure was moving. In the eyes that still smelt of alcohol, it looked like Holo was there. It's Col. "What are you doing?" "Hmm...it seems to be writing something." Under the reflection of the moonlight, although the outline was very clear, Lawrence's eyes couldn't even see clearly what he was doing with his hands. Maybe it's because I'm too free, so use studying to pass the time. "Forget it, let's talk after drinking the water... my throat is almost burnt." "Hmm." Lawrence took the leather bag that Holo got from someone, walked to the river, and unwrapped it. The rope on the mouth of the bag. It was empty inside, of course, but the mouth of the bag was full of tooth marks, almost chewed to pieces. Lawrence cast his eyes on Holo, who looked away immediately.Maybe she actually has a habit of biting things, but she just doesn't show it in front of Lawrence. Is it because he cares about maintaining his beast habits in a strange place? No, it should simply be that this kind of childish behavior doesn't fit the image of a wise wolf. Lawrence smiled, a smile that was barely visible under the moonlight.He packed the river water in leather bags, and the river water in the cold winter night was as piercing as newly melted ice. "Goo..." He poured a sip of water into his mouth, and the cold pain spread in his mouth. The first sip of water after drinking can be said to be worth the dry gold. "Give it to me quickly." Holo reached out and snatched the leather bag from Lawrence's hand, gulped down the water and rice, but soon seemed to be punished, and coughed violently. "So, did you hear anything interesting?" Lawrence reached out and touched Holo's back, who was coughing, and found that she was only moving her shoulders exaggeratedly.If you want someone to care about you, just say so.Although he thought so in his heart, Lawrence didn't tell the truth.point "Ahem!... Huh... Interesting thing?" "Didn't you ask about Niu Xila?" "Hmm. No one knows the place name of Nyushira, but the story of the bear who hunts the moon Yes, many people have heard of it. " Since it is a monster that Lawrence has also heard of, it is strange that people around here don't know about it. After all, it was a furbolg that had been chanted hundreds or even thousands of years ago. Lawrence hesitated for a moment, and said what was in his mind. If Holo gets mad, just think she's having a drink to get mad, "Still, you will be a little jealous, right?" In terms of being constantly recited by people, Holo cannot be compared with the bear of the moon hunting. ． Of course, even children would know Holo's name if it was in the village of Passrow.But this is completely different from the level of the bear of the moon hunting. Since we live in the same era, there should be a sense of competition, right? No.Holo's words may have surpassed such boring thoughts.While thinking this way, Holo spoke. "Who do you think we are?" With the leather bag in her right hand and her left hand on her waist, Holo puffed up her chest and said. She is Holo the Wise Wolf. Asked a stupid question.Lawrence smiled self-deprecatingly, and was about to answer casually "That's right", when Holo interjected as if trying to block his words: "We are late bloomers, and we will show our strengths in the future." After speaking, she bared her teeth and smiled.They have already lived for hundreds of years, and they dare to say that they will show their talents in the future, and they have thick skins. Wise Wolf or not, Holo is Holo. "Although we don't like being worshiped everywhere, if there is a book to record our deeds, of course the thicker it is, the happier we will be." "Haha. So, shall I write for you?" There are surprisingly many people who are businessmen but write books and biographies. Of course, without learning grammar and embellishment methods, it is impossible to write gorgeous articles, but if you have spare money before you die, it is better to find someone who is good at this to write something for yourself Not a bad idea either. "Hmph. If you were to write it, you would spend a lot of space on your travels, right?" "Of course." "That's a headache." "why?" When Lawrence asked, Holo coughed. "Compared to smearing ink on books, you will be more keen to smear our face." "...do you think it's a good thing for you to say?" Holo snorted and laughed. "Because people like you don't lie without blinking an eye. There must be some random writing. Really. What kind of book are you going to write?" Holo looked up. The expression on her face seemed to be trying to suppress a smile, as if she hadn't noticed Lawrence's stupid idea. It's like I know what's in my heart. Lawrence is also a businessman after all. After he fully understood what she meant, he opened his mouth and said: "Are you trying to say that my skin is as thick as a book?" Holo laughed silently, shaking her shoulders, and slapped Lawrence's arm. What a boring conversation. "However, the only thing that can be inquired about is New Sheila. It is said that few people will come to Roever's Hill.Because it's not a good place. " "Well?'' Lawrence asked reflexively. Although Holo's face was smiling, it felt like a big hole had been opened in her heart. Holo likes to be tough. When she is unnaturally cheerful, she always hides something. However, she didn't seem to hear Lawrence's question. "There are more than 20 places where hot water emerges. The surface is cracked, and steam is ejected, showing A scene like the end of the world.It's the same as before.However, I am a little dissatisfied. We used to find places that only we knew about, but now many people know about them.That It is a hot spring in a very, very narrow valley, and we can only use this posture to I can go in..." It is said that there are elves in the hot springs, and the harder it is to reach the hot springs, the elves will see the person's efforts to heal the injury or disease as soon as possible. So, if you want to ask why people from Nushila would make a special trip to that kind of place.More than half of them are looking for hot springs. If this is the case, it will be discovered sooner or later. Although Holo showed an extremely unwilling expression, Lawrence knew it was just acting. The words that Holo said unconsciously. Mount Roever is not a nice place. It's too careless. This is also a matter of course. What do the boatmen say up the Roever? A mine where copper gushes out like a spring, and copper is abundant enough to mass-produce distillation machines made of copper plates. and.Ragusa also brought a large amount of copper coins from the upper reaches of the Roma River. What is used to make these copper coins? Needless to say, it is naturally copper, and there is also a large amount of firewood, or coal called black gems. Holo probably got the news from the group of traveling buskers. If they said that the vibrant mining town was bad, they definitely didn't mean that the town was too deserted. It should mean that it is not suitable for human habitation. Bare forests and dirty rivers. Floods and landslides are commonplace, and robbers are everywhere. The traveling busker girls may just say that the quality of the guests is not good, but the quality of the residents in a town is determined by the surrounding environment. It is also recorded in the holy scriptures that a bad tree can only produce bad fruit, and a good tree can only produce good seeds. "Hehe. No way, this kind of thing can't be hidden from you in the end." While Lawrence was still hesitating what to say, Holo suddenly spoke. "There have been such things as digging in mountains before. It's just that as the years go by, there are more people. We are still mentally prepared." This sentence does not seem to be sincere. Holo had been in Pasrow Village for hundreds of years, so she should know. When people no longer need gods, it means that their wisdom has progressed. "But, you—" One step, two steps, Holo walked on the crossing stone placed on the creek, and when she reached the third step, she turned her head and looked in Lawrence's direction. "This is something we should worry about. Once you show that expression, we won't be able to calm down and worry." This sentence is too arrogant. ——It’s easy to refute like that. but.Lawrence couldn't speak. First, I can't help but worry, and second.I'm afraid the situation will be even worse when Yoiz is found, and Holo will be hit hard. But even so, Holo didn't take it as a shame to become like that, instead It feels very natural. Moreover, she also believes that after lamenting, she can stand up again. Thinking of this, Lawrence couldn't help reflecting. Holo is not a girl who can be judged by her appearance. "Forget it, if there is an emergency, you can lend us your chest at that time. You have to make an appointment." Hearing this sentence from a girl like Holo, naturally she had no choice but to answer "It's an honor". "Hehehe. Then it's your turn. Have you heard anything interesting?" Under Holo's urging, Lawrence followed and walked forward, looking at the group of men who were chattering loudly and talking about something. "...What is it?... It seems that Mr. Ragusa said something..." Maybe it was because I heard it when my consciousness became blurred under the attack of alcohol, but I couldn't remember it.Obviously, he usually organizes everything he hears and sees like an account book.Lawrence reached out and poked himself on the forehead a few times. , "I remember... there seems to be something funny...but I can't laugh..." "Is it about that kid?" Holo pointed with her finger, and saw that Cole was still staring at the ground under the moonlight and fiddling. Memories began to revive in the brain. "Ah, yes!...Eh...is this the case..." "That's the kind of thing you can talk to that boatman about. Besides, the two of you must be fighting again." "We didn't argue. Mr. Ragusa seemed to really want the kid." The onslaught after reaching Kenrouba began to come to mind. Even if you study canon law, let alone whether you can learn it to the end, even if you are lucky enough to complete all the courses for a while, you don't know whether you will be able to become a high priest smoothly.Taking this into consideration, Lawrence also felt that it would be better to be an apprentice under Lajansa, but this was just a judgment made by an outsider without authorization. As he thought about it, he suddenly realized that Holo was looking at him intently. "You?" "Me? Me..." Lawrence avoided Holo's eyes ambiguously, and didn't say anything further. Cole's words.I am indeed willing to accept him as a disciple. It's just that it was too early to come here, and most importantly, he had other unspeakable reasons. "When we were in Passrow Village, we were always waiting for travelers who could help us, but the lucky encounters never came. In terms of character, you can trust our vision." When he came back to his senses, at some point, he actually held hands with Holo. "Besides, although he has a very good relationship with us, don't worry, he is not enough to become your enemy." Hearing these words, Lawrence obviously turned his face away, and let out a long breath of white air. Holo giggled. Lawrence also looked forward in a little bewilderment.Did Holo find out? I really doubt the reason why Holo deliberately gave Corse to her. "However, it seems that everything is going well now. When I heard that the boat couldn't go, I thought there would be a big fuss." "...You are looking forward to it, right?" When Lawrence asked, Holo just looked up with a complicated expression. No nods, no shakes. Just staring into the distance, he said thoughtfully: "Although I was looking forward to a leisurely journey at the beginning, there are always troubles when I am with you. Once I have a little time, I will think about it...... Ah......" Holo crooked her fingers and counted the days of the journey, recalling her thoughts along the way. Indeed, whenever I have time, I will cranky. That being the case.Maybe it would be more enjoyable to just get involved in some big event. However, Lance felt that it was too unusual for such words to come from Holo's mouth. So, he deliberately made Holo angry and said: "Too smart is not necessarily a good thing." After hearing this, Holo will definitely refute like this, and then she can say this and that push back.Lawrence began to think about the next move in his mind, but Holo still didn't Make a sound. Lawrence felt strange, so he looked at Holo, who was frowning deeply. "Too smart?" Lawrence knew right away that she wasn't saying it out of anger. From the look on her face, it was deliberately clear that she just couldn't understand. However, because of this, Lawrence did not understand why she had such a reaction. The two sides were silent, and after a while, Holo let out a soft "ah!" Come. I always feel that the sentence just now became the fuse. Lawrence finally understood the reason for this unnatural atmosphere. Then, the eyes of the two met. The two stopped at the same time, and after a moment of silence, the embarrassment on their faces was swept away. Sora tensed his face instead. "Isn't it, we only ask about things about the distance because of interest, should you Won't there be any strange misunderstandings because of this?" Lawrence was speechless, raising half of his eyebrows. Of course, Lawrence hoped that his worries were unfounded, but at the same time he already Be sure to have guessed the truth. "That's why you showed such a strange expression at that time. Your worry is too much." Just because he believed in his own judgment, he blurted out at this time: Rebutted: "I'll pay back that sentence. You are so enthusiastic about making Cole my apprentice." The reason, anyway, is for the same reason. " This time it was Holo's turn to retract his chin with a grunt. Sure enough, I guessed right. Maybe it was because of good intentions when he helped Cole at the beginning, but later he doted on him in every possible way, helped him tirelessly, and even asked Lawrence to accept him as his apprentice, but it was because of other reasons. and.If the rule that Holo's actions were all for Lawrence's sake was applied, what would happen? In the blink of an eye, it was possible to conclude that what Lawrence was worried about was actually what Holo was worried about. The two stared at each other, leaning shoulders and elbows against each other. It seems to be advocating - "The weak one is you, I must protect you". How stupid. Because what the two of them thought in their hearts turned out to be the same thing. "Really...so, is there anything you want to say?" Lawrence was the first to give up.He lowered his arms, sighed, and asked.heck Lo also sighed. "Once there is extra time, it seems that we are not thinking about any good things." "Instead, put your own business aside." Holo smiled and squeezed Lawrence's hand again. "I know that it is useless to think about the future, but it is still hard not to think about it. think. " "I think it's a problem not to think about it at all...but it's really hard..." Especially if it feels like you are at the height of your happiness right now up. . Because no matter what, the future will be darker than the present.Even if the two parties are just acting for each other I am worried that as long as this topic continues, there will be no cheerful words to say. Perhaps aware of this, Holo spoke: "Forget it. Let's stop this topic." Lawrence agreed. "It's rare to wake up at this time, it's freezing cold, call that little devil, let's go together Have a few drinks. " "Want to drink again?" Lawrence couldn't help being stunned, but Holo who walked out just moved the button under the cloak. ear, no answer. "But can't these guys sleep better? Get in the way." Everyone fell on the ground like a random divination from the sky, sleeping It is so disorganized that it is difficult to move forward in a straight line. , This is an open river bank, so it's a bit better, if you sleep like this in a small hotel, you will definitely be complained. As long as everyone lies side by side, they can obviously sleep comfortably with their hands and feet stretched out, but they like to sleep with their hands and feet shrunk and take care of themselves. Because of this reason, Lawrence also had the experience of seeing the hotel right in front of him but not being able to go in so many times, and could only spend the night under the cold night sky. Lawrence recalled the memories of this trip, and suddenly felt that something was wrong. Looking back at the sleeping postures of the boatmen and merchants. Sleeping appearance, orientation, number of people. What was this strange feeling? Lawrence poked his head, which hadn't fully recovered from the alcohol, but bumped into Holo who had stopped suddenly. Holo stared at him fiercely, and the question in his head suddenly flew to the sky. "Boy Cole." Just like Cole likes to cling to Holo, Holo seems to like Cole very much, Fox, bird, uncle, Holo basically never wants to call other people's names properly Lawrence also began to search in his memory to see if Holo had ever called his name. , Maybe I yelled once or twice, but now I recall that scene.Still feel a little embarrassed. "Huh?" Holo made a slightly puzzled sound.It seemed that he called his name, but there was no response. Could it be that he fell asleep? Holo and Lawrence couldn't help but looked at each other, and approached Cole who was squatting there. I saw him wearing Holo's spare cloak, holding a twig in his right hand and drawing something on the ground, probably not asleep. Maybe it was too much concentration. Holo was about to shout again, but when she noticed footsteps behind her, Cole suddenly turned her head around, "what--" It was Lawrence who yelled, and Holo just stayed there. Because Cole was too engrossed, she just turned her head unconsciously.He stared at Lawrence and Holo with a terrified expression, then hurriedly picked up something at hand.Judging from the slight metallic sound, it should be coins.Moreover, when he stood up, he blocked something with his feet. Holo wasn't the only one with sharp eyes. Lawrence also turned his gaze over there, and saw what he wanted to cover with his feet, which seemed to be a painting on the ground. What exactly is it? Before he had time to ask, Cole wiped the thing off with his foot, and said: "What's wrong?" Holo seemed to be saying "We're the ones asking you" from the tightly clasped hands.That shouldn't be my overthinking. It was all too clear that Cole was hiding something. "Hmm. The time we wake up is a bit different, so why don't we just drink some wine." "..." Cole's expression suddenly darkened, and it didn't seem like he was joking that he hated alcohol. Because he was drunk by Ragusa just before, he fell to the ground and couldn't get up. "Giggle, you're joking. Are you hungry?" "This... ah... a bit." What Cole was drawing was a small circular painting. It seems that there are several circles lined up side by side to form a pattern, but because of the erasure, it can no longer be confirmed. "Well, Ru, isn't there a lot of food?" "Huh? Ah, yes, yes..." "Is there?" Lawrence shrugged and replied: "Eat it and you'll be gone." Holo patted Lawrence's shoulder lightly: "Then it's decided. It's better to be by the fire..." "If you go there, you will definitely be entangled by them, so let's borrow a fire and come here to eat." "Well, then please find our luggage..."