Chapter 99

Under Zhao Mai's suggestion, the paladins acquired some new equipment, especially items that could save lives in the swamp environment. Although they were reluctant to replace their temple armor with lighter leather armor, they finally agreed to reduce their load and prepare some swamp boots with a larger contact area.

These ugly shoes, resembling duck feet, were hard for the female knights to accept. Moreover, they were even more unwilling to wear a "straw cloak" over their shiny armor. Zhao Mai explained to them that the local straw could effectively reduce mosquito bites and prevent a decrease in combat effectiveness due to illness. In emergencies, they could also lie on the ground and use the cloak to disguise themselves as a pile of grass, avoiding the sight of fierce beasts.

"We will not retreat," a tall female knight said.

"Towards victory, towards the heart," Zhao Mai smiled slightly. "Not towards beauty, not towards the trap."

"There's nothing wrong with being well-prepared. The cloaks and swamp boots are widely used here, which means they have their reasons," Hailor said. "Go and prepare, Sister Ileanne."

"Yes, Captain Hailor." The paladin named Ileanne, before leaving, tugged at the tall paladin beside her and pulled her out.

These actions did not escape Zhao Mai and Hailor's eyes, making them feel somewhat awkward. Zhao Mai scratched his head and then stood up. "Thank you for the tea, Lady Hailor. I've had my fill and now need to return to continue my meditation. I'll take my leave."

"Wait," Hailor said. "Do you think it's a good idea for Mr. Butcher to go out and gather intelligence?"

Zhao Mai nodded. "It's not a matter of whether it's good or bad, but the only feasible idea. I've tried, but the residents here are very wary of outsiders. They fear that any information they reveal might lead to harm from unknown enemies. To put it simply, the people here are in a very tense state. One wrong move could cause chaos. I think this is related to their constant battles with cunning goblins."

Hailor also nodded. "I have the same feeling. The people here have very weak faith. They don't believe that justice and goodness can bring harmony and peace. In other places, the paladins of Iomedae can easily get help, but here, it's probably not possible. Even if we offer money, it might be hard to buy genuine information."

"So, Butcher is our only and best choice," Zhao Mai said. "He never talks about his background, but I can see confidence in his eyes, the confidence to resolve everything. Because of this, I'm willing to trust him this time."

"I wish I had such confidence," Hailor smiled and waved goodbye to Zhao Mai.

The druid had barely left when the door opened again. The tall female paladin who had just left came back in, her face clouded with worry.

"What's wrong, Sister Camilla? Is something the matter? Have we run out of gold to buy equipment?"

Camilla bit her lower lip and shook her head, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Captain Hailor, do you like this druid, Mike?"

Hailor was taken aback, her face turning slightly red, but she said in a slightly annoyed voice, "Of course not. This isn't the time to discuss personal feelings. Why would you think that?"

"Ever since you met Mike, you've started to rely on him, sometimes following his every word. We are the goddess's expeditionary knights, and we have a mission. Bringing Mike has slowed us down, and now we have an unknown Butcher joining us. That man is fierce and almost caused a conflict with us."

"So what does that mean?" Hailor shrugged.

"It means you're gradually losing control of the team, and Mike has become the leader without you realizing it." Camilla looked anxious. "Hailor, this expedition is a test from the goddess. You absolutely cannot fail. This is about your promotion and gaining more power in the temple."

"I don't really like power," Hailor said, wringing her hands and pouting. "Of course, I know that a promotion can help me lead you better and complete the mission, gaining the goddess's favor. But ultimately, what we seek is the goddess's favor and the realization of our own value, right? And I don't think there's anything wrong with the current approach. Mike has always just been giving suggestions, not giving orders. I don't think he's trying to take over the leadership of the team."

"He's controlling you," Camilla put her hands on Hailor's shoulders and hugged her tightly. "I'm most worried that you're too young, haven't experienced love, and don't know that such feelings can be poisonous. At first, I thought Mike was low-key and not very useful, but for some reason, he has a great influence on you. He's just a druid apprentice, and there's nothing particularly attractive about him. Does he have some quality that makes you feel drawn to him?"

Hailor, pressed against Camilla's chest, struggled a few times before finally escaping the danger of suffocation. Fortunately, this roughhousing helped hide Hailor's flustered eyes and embarrassed expression. If there was anything special about the druid, it was his extensive knowledge and quick thinking, which allowed him to handle situations in unexpected ways. Hailor had only seen this quality in her father, the mage, but perhaps this was just the image of her father from her mother's endless stories? She was unsure about her feelings and attitude, but she was certain that her actions were correct.

"Sister Camilla, don't do this, I'm not a child anymore," Hailor pointed to the holy emblem on her chest. "I am still the goddess's paladin, and I will focus on the expedition's goal. I won't let other thoughts distract me. You need to have faith in me, don't question my orders, and don't doubt my motives, understand?"

"Understood," Camilla nodded but added, "When we find the Great Druid, will we no longer need Mike to follow us?"

"Maybe, we'll see how things develop," Hailor frowned, seeming to dislike the idea of leaving Zhao Mai. She defended herself, "Maybe... we've already found the Great Druid."

"You mean Zhao Mai? That's impossible."

"I have a strange feeling, a vague one. I'm thinking about what the Great Druid really means. Mike said that in the druid community, elders and strong ones are called druid elders, not Great Druids. Is it possible that the Great Druid is not measured by combat ability but by knowledge?"

"You can't seriously think Mike is a Great Druid, can you? I can't imagine such a situation," Camilla shook her head vigorously. "I believe the Great Druid is ahead, not behind. Even if we don't find the Great Druid, we still have the ability to complete the mission and destroy the monsters of Lamashtu!"

"The goddess's will is to find the Great Druid first. Don't change that."

"Of course, I won't question the goddess's will. I'm just expressing my confidence," Camilla said. "Captain, you need to fully trust your sisters. We are your sword and shield. Mike is at most a passerby and won't stay long."

"I understand. You can go now, Sister Camilla," Hailor said with a smile.

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