"Ohhh..." It seemed these people were more moral than I gave them credit for.
"What the hell? Why would we even—?! What do you think we are?"
"Pfft!" I nearly burst out laughing. It caught them all by surprise, and they looked at me like I was strange, but it didn't matter to me.
"I don't care what anyone else in this world says. You three aren't criminals in my eyes." I chuckled.
I had met worse people in the world, and compared to them, these three were simply saints.
"The offer still stands." I stretched out my hand to the trio. "Let's form an alliance."
I wasn't planning on getting involved in the political conflict that was currently taking place in this world, but I also couldn't ignore the obvious problems that would arise if we weren't teammates.
... As well as the obvious benefits that would arise from being comrades.
'Most of all, I like them.' I smiled, looking at the tree individuals before me.
In a way, they reminded me of my teammates. I knew they were different people with different personalities, but being in a group like this... it had a warmth I craved.
'As long as they don't slow me down, they'll be perfect.'
"I think it's a great idea." Larry smiled, his positive energy beaming across the room.
It spread to Drake and Aria who also shared similar answers to him.
"I don't see why not."
"It's a good idea."
And just like that, all four of us became a team.
After we created our partnership, I was able to learn more about the three individuals, especially Aria and Drake.
As expected, each of them also sought the miracles of the Arcanas for personal reasons.
Drake wanted to save lives, and prevent suffering by curing illnesses and bringing healing to the world.
It was quite a grand dream to have as a doctor.
However, considering how he had experienced a lot of trauma treating many patients who ended up dying or suffering despite being in his care, his wish was valid indeed.
A world without the need for doctors like him. That would really be something to see.
As for Aria, her desire was to bring down the corrupt people that were left in the world, both from the surrounding nations, but also the ones in other continents.
She wanted to liberate the weak while bringing equality to the world.
Also a noble aspiration, if I said so myself.
"What about you, Lewis? Why do you seek the Arcanas?" The question I was expecting finally came.
All three looked at me with curious eyes as they waited to see what I would tell them.
My dream wasn't as grand as bringing my family from the dead or saving the world.
It was far more selfish and personal.
"I just... want to save the woman I love. She's trapped somewhere I cannot reach, and she is suffering every second of every day." I smiled sadly.
In order to save her, I had to use the power of the Arcanas.
"That's why I need to find all the Arcanas. It's the only way to save her."
As expected, after my confession, the three wanted to know more about the woman I was willing to risk everything for to save, and I told them a bit about Karlia.
Of course, I left quite a few details.
Like the fact that she was a Succubus from another world... and that her prison was in the Root of Nether Realm.
********
After waiting out the commotion for a while, it was finally time to leave the cave, and so we journeyed out of it and went towards the direction of the strongest energy signature together.
It turned out, the same way I had my Googles and Map to help me navigate, Lewis used a Special Meter which he constantly referred to, while Drake checked rock patterns and various ores to see if we would be heading to a dead end.
As for Aria, her job was to sense approaching monsters and either avoid them, or fight them.
Their trio was pretty balanced, but inefficient.
With me in the mix, I simply used my special navigation map to locate the monsters around us, while also finding out the general direction that would lead us to our prize.
I pretty much made their entire shtick a bit irrelevant, but not completely useless.
I couldn't accurately determine paths, or tell them apart. In the case of two caves appearing beside each other, both with strong energy presences, it would be impossible for me to tell which one would be best traversed.
That was where Drake came in. As for Aria, since she was stronger than everyone present, she could defeat monsters for us.
'And Larry has the locations of all the Labyrinths, or at least a good number of them, recorded for use.'
The compass I was given by Jared only showed me their approximate location, so it was very reassuring to have an expert with me on the journey.
I could probably pull everything off on my own, but this way it was far easier... and less lonely.
To my relief, none of them slowed me down. In fact, the moment we started journeying together, we were on an endless roll.
Even Larry didn't stop to catch his breath. Apparently, he had a Magic Device that assisted his physical abilities, and this also wasn't his first exploration.
As a result, none of us weighed the other down.
It took another hour or so, but we finally reached what could be called the final challenge of the Khaos Labyrinth.
It was a massive gate made in form of a double door.
It seemed to be mad of stone, with engravings on it that rang of carnage.
"This is it, guys." I smiled wryly, sensing the most absurd source of energy I had ever perceived from beyond the gate.
"It's a purple marker."
*
*
*
