Under Vivian’s instruction, Xi En and the others dug the embedded roots out from under the earth, which had been scorched by the magic flames, to fully get rid of the Bloodsucking Vine.
The roots of the Bloodsucking Vine were similar to normal plants. They did not move like the vines and would not entangle themselves with anyone else. They only absorbed the blood which had seeped into the soil and disseminated the seeds for reproduction. As the roots were not very deep, Xi En and company managed to remove all of them shortly with the assistance of their weapons.
Later, they gathered all the roots of the vines together. Under Vivian’s order, Meilica used the magic flames once more to burn the roots before their task was considered done.
“The guild will send someone to verify this. Let’s go on to our next quest location, the Mangal Mountains.”
On Vivian’s command, the group departed to their next location.
This time, their journey was smooth sailing. If one must be precise, then it was the atmosphere in the horse carriage which was now livelier after Xi En kept his distance. Perhaps, the others did not feel his presence as much.
After the earlier work, Meilica’s nerves appeared soothed as she got a little more chatty, prompting Diyeer and Lumiya to talk as well. Since they no longer remained silent, the talking livened up the mood slightly.
Obviously, the conversations did not include Xi En.
Xi En could care less about the girls’ interactions as he gazed out the window with thoughts about magic occupying his mind.
This went on until the horse carriage took them to the Mangal Mountains. By then, it was already evening.
“Alright, we’re here.”
Vivian stopped the carriage at the bottom of the mountain and called out to the group, telling them to alight from the carriage. In the meantime, she gave the horse some salt and water.
Once he got off the carriage and casted his gaze afar, Xi En saw the stretch of mountains. It was the Mangal Mountains.
“We don’t have to go deep inside but the sun’s about to set. Besides, it’s not advisable to go into the mountains now. We’ll camp here then.”
Vivian verbalized her plan.
“Camp?”
Xi En looked over to her.
“That’s right.” Vivian’s eyes met his. She said patiently, “Most dangerous monsters are active at night and the visibility on the mountains is quite low at this time. It’s best to refrain from any untoward accidents.”
Xi En was silent, recalling the ten days he spent in the forest with the monsters and how he had to suffer through each night.
“Yup, let’s camp. Camping is the best. I like camping!”
By the time he snapped out of his reminiscing, he had already blurted out the words.
Vivian’s mind was filled with questions as she looked at Xi En whose attitude seemed to have changed out of the blue.
Soon after, Diyeer and the other girls came down from the carriage.
“Are we camping? Vivian?”
Lumiya asked meekly and took a peek at Xi En before fright tinted her expression.
“There should be inns around here. Can’t we stay in one?”
Meilica expressed her thought and similarly glimpsed at Xi En. The anxiety she showed a while back was now on her face again.
As for Diyeer, she did not utter a single word but tilted her face up to glance at Xi En under the hood.
“?”
This time, it was Xi En who was puzzled.
Naturally, when the questions surfaced, it meant that he was not the one with issues. It was them instead.
When the word ‘camping’ was mentioned, why did they steal glimpses at him? Were they scared of a night ambush?
Xi En was about to retort when Vivian, sensing the discord, quickly stopped the situation from escalating.
“We’ll only arrive at the nearest inn around midnight even if we rush to get there. We’ve got to dash back here again the next morning. We’ll waste a lot of time. And if we miss the active period of the magic source, another day will be wasted. All things considered, it’s best we camp out here.”
Vivian brought down the luggage from the carriage’s cargo bay. Later, she passed a few pieces of black curtain fabric to them.
“Set up the tents. I’ll feed the horse. Please?”
Vivian did not give the girls any chance to reject her.
“Vivian.”
Diyeer spoke up, her tone tinged with a rare reprimand, as if she was voicing her dissatisfaction regarding Vivian’s decision.
Vivian leveled her gaze at Diyeer.
“I thought you’d understand.” Vivian admonished her, “He’s done nothing wrong.”
Diyeer was muted. It was not just her, Lumiya and Meilica were silenced too.
When the three of them glanced at Xi En again, their gazes did not feel as hostile as before. There was even a sliver of apology in Lumiya’s eyes.
All the three girls quietly went to the side, carrying the fabric with them to erect the tents.
The fabric had magical powers. With mana infused into the fabric, it would expand and automatically set itself up into a tent. Hence, even without Xi En’s help, they could set up the tents on their own.
Xi En looked at Vivian after watching the girls leave.
“Sorry, you must be upset,” said Vivian apologetically. “In the past, our team had a few male Adventurers who were assigned by the guild. While we were out camping, a few of them…”
After listening to her, Xi En understood the situation.
“That’s why they’re so guarded against me,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry,” Vivian again apologized and sighed before saying, “It’s not our intention but we’ve been getting too much attention from men and male Adventurers for whatever reason. Besides, we’re Adventurers too, so we can’t really evade all troubles.”
“That’s why I formed this team of female Adventurers who may have encountered troubles in whatever aspect, hoping to disrupt the ill intent of some people in some way.”
Vivian was honest and candid in dishing out the truth.
“I understand.” Xi En splayed his hands and said, “Be it you or the guild, aren’t you guys a bit too trusting to allow me into the team?”
“Maybe.” Vivian did not rebut him but said with a smile, “We’ve considered the cons too, but we still came to this decision in the end. It proves that you’re of value to us.”
“Value?” Xi En looked back at Vivian and replied as if he was making a joke, “What value could I carry? Could I have been a Warrior?”
“A Warrior?” Vivian paused and laughed at that. “We’d have a headache instead if you’re a Warrior.”
Her words made Xi En pause as well.
“Why?” He gasped, “Don’t you guys wish for a Warrior to appear and beat the Devil?”
Vivian was stupefied again.
“Wasn’t the Devil defeated a long time ago?”
When the words escaped her mouth, the air went still.
Xi En’s expression froze as his eyes widened. His shock could barely be covered.