Chapter 122 - Perfect Plan?
Chapter 122 - Perfect Plan?
As he could not deal with him, how about letting Belle's father deal with him instead?
If he managed to persuade them to stay and continue the Quest, an 'accident' might happen, and at that time, all he needed to do was to put all the blame on Leon. He knew that Belle's father would believe him as he already gained his trust long ago. That was also the reason why he allowed him to become her bodyguard.
He smiled inwardly as he thought that his plan was already perfect.
Belle knitted her eyebrows as he did not like Delo deciding anything for her. However, just as she was about to berate him for it, she suddenly heard Leon's calm voice beside her.
"Alright then… but, you must remember, it's your duty to protect her, not mine. Earlier was just an exemption."
Delo's spine went cold the moment he heard Leon's reminder. It's as if he already knew of his plans and that he just got warned that if something happened to Belle, he would not take responsibility. He already cleaned himself even before Delo could smear him some dirt.
What Delo did not know was that Ban was actually not thinking about that when he said those words. What he wanted to say was that if worse comes to worse, he would prioritize himself without question.
Delo forcefully calmed himself a moment later. Even if Leon said it that way, he knew that her father would still believe him in the end.
He produced a smile as he confidently reassured, "Of course, I'll protect her at all costs."
Ban nodded his head towards him deep inside him, he was actually shaking his head from his shamelessness. 'How could you protect her if you could even just barely protect yourself earlier?'
How shameless!
The words that were about to escape Belle's mouth were not stuck under her throat. She wanted to deny it but maybe because a part of her also wished for them to continue the Quest, she just decided to go along with their decision.
Leon also no longer confirmed her decision again as he just took her silence as a yes.
"Alright, let's go!" Ban said as he led the way.
In fact, he did not expect that they would still continue the Quest even after seeing that terrifying Beast earlier.
Nevertheless, even if they don't want to continue the Quest, he would still remain on the Yellow Desert to continue hunting for Boney Porcupine. The spot that Joana provided was on the same location as that of the valley, but now that they could no longer go there due to the Century Centipede, he could only look around for alternatives.
They have already strayed far away from their destination and the Yellow Desert map that Belle and Delo provided was only for that specific valley of sand earlier.
Fortunately, the map given to him by Kuys was still in his Dimensional Storage and he could retrieve it any time if they ever got lost.
For now, he just focused on searching for possible clues regarding the Wood Swallow and the Boney Porcupines.
The sun was already in the middle of the sky, and the temperature was already hot, especially in the Yellow Desert that does not have any trees.
As it was already noon, Belle could no longer take it as she requested that they should stop first to rest and eat.
Ban and Delo did not oppose her as they nodded their heads in agreement. Ban was also getting hungry again so it was just time.
To his surprise, Belle actually took another Storage Pouch, though it was smaller in size than the one he lent to him.
She opened its top and took a white tent from inside it. She then set it up fluidly as if she had done it a dozen times already. She clapped her hands to get rid of the sands on her hands while looking at the tent proudly. She felt proud of herself for being able to set up the tent quite easily this time. She then laid some kitchen equipment around before starting a fire on the ground with the dried woods that was stored inside the Storage Pouch as well.
Ban looked at her dumbfoundedly as he did not expect for her to have another Storage Pouch and its contents were just the tent and the other materials that are used for cooking.
He just shook his head lightly after seeing that but deep inside, he was actually feeling jealous and also felt ridiculous at the same time as he did not think of this idea before. However, he already learned his lesson and he would surely buy his own tent when he came back.
Delo also took out a Storage Pouch that was just slightly bigger than a fist. It was quite pathetic to look at but in fact, Delo was actually regarded as one of the richest Silver Rank Adventurers due to this Storage Pouch.
As if he was already prepared for it, Delo also took out a huge carpet from his small Storage Pouch. He knew that Belle would not share her tent so he could only improvise and bring his own, although it was not a tent as it would cost too much space on his Storage Pouch.
He then laid it on the sand not far away from Belle's tent. He then sat on it as if it was the most comfortable place in the whole world.
He then took a glance at Leon and upon seeing that he was only sitting on the hot sand, he could not help but produce a victory smile while giving him a salute as if saying, 'Enjoy the hot sand.'
Ban could only shake his head upon seeing his smug face. For the first time, Ban was really tempted to smash his face. However he just decided to ignore him a while later as the Noble Moth Cloak he was sitting with shielded him from the hot sands anyway.
However, before Delo could celebrate his victory any further, he suddenly coughed his lungs out when he heard what Belle had just said.