"Like I said, you can't. You have to think about our supplies first. If we go help them, we will be left with only two days of supplies. Unless we can procure more during those two days, it will hinder our group's movement!" Margaretha complained while slamming the table.
"There are still two days, right? Isn't that fine? It's not like we need that much since it's easier to hunt!" Alexander shrugged.
"Have you forgotten where there is no demon for a whole seven days? If not for me rationing the supply, it would be bad for the group!"
"You're always thinking too hard." Alexander harrumphed.
"You are the one who should think first before taking action!"
Their bickering alerted the entire group as more and more people gathered just to watch them.
"What's wrong? Are they arguing again?" A middle-aged man asked Ray, who was also one of the spectators.
"Yeah." Ray nodded with a sigh.
"What's going on today?"
"Brother Alex wants to send some supplies to the main group due to the food shortage on the front. But our current supply is limited, so it might cause some trouble." Ray explained.
"Those Lenfeth guys again? As expected of Sam, he is doing it again. Well, I have been helped through that kindness of his too, so I guess I'm supporting him this time."
"What Sam?! It's Simeon, you freaking old man!" Alex suddenly stopped and berated the middle-aged man.
"He heard us?" The middle-aged man was surprised before chuckling. In the end, he shouted back, "Instead of thinking about the supply, why don't you two get a room first and deal with the problem later?!"
"What? Do you think I want to marry this bossy and spoiled woman? Who actually gave her this position?!" Alex looked very annoyed.
"What did you say? Do you think you are so great? You are just someone who thinks with your muscles, not your brain! All the nutrients you get from the food goes to your muscles. Why don't you try to develop your brain a little bit?!" She also didn't want to lose, and the two ended up glaring at each other.
All of them only rolled their eyes as the answers to all those questions were actually much simpler.
The one who gave her the position was Alexander. Meanwhile, Margaretha also knew that Alex not only had the strength but also great leadership that made people want to follow him.
Ray could only shake his head helplessly. It had been another three months after that night. His sister had indeed changed after that conversation.
She was more reliant on Alex and even helped him much more. She took care of all the logistics, which everyone had a hard time doing and became the brain of the group. In fact, everyone could see her admiration for Alex along with her desire to improve her strength to his level.
It was just the two kept bickering over all small things. And whenever that happened, they would always do the same thing.
"Fine. We'll just give half of our supplies. That should be fine, right?" Alex sighed while looking away. "I'm too tired to argue with you."
"We will be reaching a river soon, so it's fine. With that, we still have another seven days worth of supply, which allows us to be more flexible. Besides, I'm also too busy to argue with you." She harrumphed.
"See? This always happens. They just don't want to admit to each other." Ray didn't know what to do with these two anymore. They trusted each other, but their pride didn't allow them to acknowledge each other.
"What Ray? We'll be hunting today. Prepare yourself!" Alexander heard Ray's voice and immediately gave an order.
"Fine, fine." Ray shrugged. Ray had also changed. The timidness he had in the past completely disappeared. Instead, his eyes were brimming with confidence.
…
The group continued moving northward and eventually reached their original destination to settle down. Of course, they were setting up multiple things in the main group while Alex and the others remained in their position, protecting the main group from the demons.
Margaretha was standing on top of the hill, looking at the beautiful land, which they might be able to call home soon. They had been on the run for so long, so reaching their destination finally allowed her to feel relaxed for a bit.
"The darkness has spread on this land. However, the holy light has yet to disappear and illuminate a new promised land. Once hit rock bottom, humanity holds hands in the name of survival, love, and unity.
"Through this land, humanity will once again rule the entire world. It will be a long journey… not even a millennium will be enough to recover. Yet, with persistence, I strongly believe that the day will come.
"I hope that at that time, I will be able to see my descendants taking part in the world's revolution, etching their names into the canal of time." Margaretha closed her eyes for a moment as if trying to imagine the beautiful land that would once again be reclaimed by humanity.
"Are you here alone, Sister?" Ray's voice suddenly echoed from behind.
"Ray?"
"Yeah. Sorry, I overheard what you said earlier. But as you said, we don't have a lot of people… we are too weak and unable to protect ourselves." Ray made a sad smile.
"Indeed." She nodded in agreement. "I can remember everything like it just happened yesterday. But to think we've been running for more than a year…"
"I think it's time for you to be a bit relaxed, Sister. I know that you've been working tirelessly this whole time."
"No way. I still haven't even gotten my spirit yet. I'm not going to stop right now… at least, not until I beat that guy."
"Haha. I know you'll say that. Actually, I'm here to tell you that Brother Alex is calling you."
"Huh? Why would he search for me? I guess he can't do anything without me." A smug smile appeared on her face as if she was proud of her own ability.
"Is that so?" Ray only smiled and didn't follow her.
Meanwhile, she was moving across a lot of people. Unlike the first time they became a part of this group, the people had recognized her. From the spoiled little princess to a reliable superior, Margaretha had overcome all the challenges and earned the people's trust.
She ultimately reached a workshop where Alex had been isolating himself for the past two weeks.
"What's wrong? I guess you can't help but need me again." She smirked, teasing Alex right from the get-go. However, she abruptly stopped when she saw Alex concentrating his energy on a sword.
The sword looked beautiful. It had multiple runes on it, painting the dull white metal blade. The handle was a bit thinner as if it had been adjusted to someone's hand.
Alex, looking so focused like this, couldn't help but mesmerize her. In fact, Alex was handsome and the gallant figure made one feel they could rely on him. It was just that his mouth was a bit foul and his action sometimes was questionable. But when he just focused on his work like this, even Margaretha stopped talking and just watched him.
After a few minutes, Alex gradually opened his eyes and found her right in front of him.
He actually grabbed the blade and handed it to her. "Here you go."
"Eh?" She was dumbfounded, not knowing what trick Alex was playing at.
"I am merely granting you a reward for everything you've done so far." Alex snorted.
Another blacksmith who worked with him actually explained with a playful tone. "Just accept it. He has been working hard to produce that weapon. In fact, you are the first person to get a weapon. There must be some meaning… hehehehe."
"What are you talking about? I'm merely measuring everyone's contribution and she just happens to be the second. The second, you hear it? Her contribution is still far lower than mine!"
"Right?"
"What are you doing? Hurry up and complete those weapons!" Alex raised his voice before clicking his tongue.
"Alex…" This time, it was Margaretha that called him.
"What? If you're going to start an argument, then—" Alex stopped when he turned back to her and saw her face.
There was a smile on her face. This smile was like none other. It was filled with genuine emotion, sincere feelings, and just pure happiness.
From that mouth of hers, Alex finally heard something that he thought he would never hear.
"…Thank you."
Alex could feel that it didn't only express her gratitude for receiving the sword. It was also the culmination of their experience and everything she had received from him.
At that time, Alex simply froze, unable to do or say anything. This was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen and to think he would see it from her.
The workers inside were also astonished because this was the first time Alex couldn't fight back.
That sword might also be the trigger for her. After all, in just one month after wielding that sword, they received yet another good news.
Alex was walking through the crowd as they were surrounding Margaretha.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked as he eventually found her. And he was surprised because there was a pair of butterfly wings on her back. "You…"
Without hesitation, she jumped toward him and gave him a big hug. "Alex. I finally have my own spirit!"
Alex didn't know what to do. He couldn't say anything bad after seeing how happy she was.
"Kiss her. Kiss her!" One of the guys chanted and the others soon followed suit.
"Kiss her!"
"Kiss her!"
"What are you saying, you old geezers!" Alex gritted her teeth, glaring at them.
"What? Are you saying you don't like her?"
"I…" Alex looked away and said, "…don't hate her."
"Then, isn't it fine? You just can't be honest with yourself. You are fit to be a leader but not a lover, I guess. This is why the youngsters these days are… haa…"
Alex wanted to argue with them, but this time, Margaretha was the one who spoke. "Alex. Just like you said, the spirit would awaken when I find my goal. It turns out I already have that goal… I just never had been honest with myself. That goal is to build this land with you just like the one in your dream. That's why… I'll make you fall in love with me… fall so hard that you can't think of anyone else but me. Even if you push me away, I'm not going to give up."
Alex was speechless. If he hated it, he would have pushed her away. But after all the things they experienced together, Alex knew that she was also the reason why he had reached this far. The bud of that feeling had grown in his heart whether he realized it or not.
He just looked at the smile on her face, feeling it would be good if that smile lasted forever.
"I'm telling you that these geezers are the ones forcing me to do it. It's time for you to push me away!"
"Right? I guess I should add one more goal… I will make you be honest with me. I will make you tell me how much you love me in the future." She made a cheeky grin before lifting her head and moving her lips closer.
The moment they kissed, the entire group cheered as if they had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
