"So what do we do now?" Aldred asked. "Bacon guided us this way because he said he knew a shortcut, but now he's dead."
"I still cannot believe that he betrayed us," Bartrem said. "He said something about that ring you wear. What is it?"
"The empress gave it to me. She said I must not use it unless it's necessary."
Bartrem turned silent and did not pry for more information. Since the empress gave it to him, then there was nothing that needed to be asked, although he was slightly curious about what it could do. "Hide the ring. It seems like many people would kill you to obtain it."
Aldred nodded and put the ring inside his inventory. "Where do we go now?"
Bartrem grabbed something from his pocket. "Bacon has a map with him that he left in the carriage. Thankfully, it wasn't destroyed. According to this map, if we go further north, we should arrive at Mount Fargon soon. The problem with this route is that there is no river nearby."
"That's not a problem," Aldred said. "I have unlimited water with me."
Bartrem smiled. "I know."
After talking for a few more minutes, Bartrem ordered everyone to enter the carriages and continued the journey. The undead horses galloped through the flat land as the sun gave out heat in the sky.
Aldred slept on Mary's lap with a relieved sigh. "That was a close call. If Bacon decided to kill me instead of enslaving me, he would have succeeded."
Mary caressed his head. "We all survive because of you, Aldred."
Aldred shook his head. "I don't think I can do it alone. Without you guys, I'd be dead right now."
"Humph. Why are you acting so humble right now," Mareona said. "Did the heat fry your brain?"
The carriage shook slightly because they hit a rock. Mary's breast bounced up and down. Aldred kept on staring at those wonderful peaks as they moved.
Mareona flicked his forehead.
"Ouch. I did not do anything."
"Humph!"
"Mareona," Mira called. "Don't be too harsh on him. He just saved us. What he did is a heroic thing. Though I did not expect Bacon to betray us."
"What passed is in the past," Sophia said. "What we should think about is the future."
Mira, Mary, and Mareona looked at her.
"What?" Sophia asked.
"That's not something I would expect coming from you," Mareona said.
Sophia shrugged. "I'm a woman in love after all." She kissed Aldred on the lips. "Thank you for saving me, Aldred."
"Why does everyone keep thanking me. I already treated you guys as family. It felt weird, so stop saying thanks to me."
Meanwhile, the whole world was in turmoil as the news of the treasure spread from mouth to mouth.
Thrill-seekers and ambitious fighters all began to gather their forces and went to Mount Fargon in the hope that they would be the ones who obtained the treasure. They knew the chance was slim. They knew that path was filled with danger, but they still did it.
Nobles, rich men, and people of power sent out their subordinates. Using wealth and influence, their group set off to Mount Fargon with great strength.
Their movement caught the notice of adventurers all over the world, and soon enough they heard of what transpired.
For the first time in more than a hundred years, a large movement was happening in every corner of the continent. All for this thing that they called treasure. They did not know its name, they did not know its shape, but they did know its value.
Aldred was enjoying his sleeping time on Mary's lap until he recalled something. "Where is Pongo?"
"I haven't seen him," Mareona said.
Suddenly, they heard a voice coming from outside.
"PONGO!"
Aldred peeked out of the window and saw Pongo sliding on his belly at an incredible speed.
"Pongo pongo! (You fucking bastard! Don't leave me!)"
Aldred grinned. "Go faster."
"Pongo! (Fuck!)" the penguin vomited out something. It was a grappling hook.
"Where did you even get that?"
Pongo fired the grappling hook and it stuck to the roof of the carriage, pulling the penguin along with it.
Aldred was about to blast the hook, but Pongo pressed the button on the gun, and it pulled him forward. He landed on the roof and entered through the window.
"Cih,"
"Pongo (Why do you look so unhappy)."
"Because I am."
Pongo vomited out a fish and slapped Aldred with it.
"You're courting death!"
Mira stepped between them. "Now, do not fight among friends. I know Pongo loves to eat poop, but he deserves to be loved as well." Mira picked him up and brought him to her breast.
"Isn't that right, Pongo?"
"Pongo pongo." The penguin grinned at Aldred as he rubbed his head on her chest. He was happy with this treatment, though she still mistakenly believed that Pongo ate poop which was not true at all… cough cough.
Aldred bared his teeth at him. And they both stared at each other like two gorillas wanting to dominate one another to get a partner.
Time passed.
Aldred's caravan stopped in the grassy field. The sun was about to set, creating a soft orange light at the edge of the horizon. They were hungry, and it was time to eat.
They picked up some rocks and grass around the area, creating a bunch of small fireplaces before Aldred lit them up with his fire spells.
Aldred then ordered the system to send the supplies out. A dozen or more bags appeared on the ground. They were filled with equipment for camping such as food and tents.
The soldiers opened the bags. They had their own task; some made the tents and some cooked the food. Mareona assigned herself to the latter. Seasoning the food with her flowers.
Aldred wondered for a moment. If Mareona had been storing those flowers in her underwear, didn't that mean they'd been eating…
The boy blinked a couple of times as he thought about that.
