Because the opportunity was rare, his hands were still involuntarily shaking with excitement and exhilaration even after he was seated in the mech.

*

On the seventh day in the Blackwood Forest.

Desolation decided to enter the mist with Hannah and the rest.

Gregory Lawrence had rested for a night and was back to his talkative self.

He was no longer bothering Hannah and Arnold Simmons but began pestering Desolation instead.

Barraging him with all kinds of questions.

"How old are you this year? Where are you from? Did you come to Blackwood Forest to hunt for treasure? Did you come alone? Is this your first time here?"

Desolation maintained his silence, only responding with, "Shut up," when he was annoyed beyond tolerance.

His voice cold and particularly hoarse.

Anyone else would have taken the hint and left, but Gregory Lawrence was different.

He was shameless.

He wasn’t bothered by being disliked; he feared being without someone to talk to.

Before, when he was alone, he would chat with Da Bai, asking it what goose tasted like and if it was good sliced.

He also asked if it ever thought of tasting its own flavor.

Several times, Da Bai got so angry that its wings fluttered furiously, chasing Gregory Lawrence all around the yard.

Yet, the more this happened, the happier Gregory Lawrence became.

Like a carefree fool.

However, now, Da Bai and Jinlian had been temporarily put away.

For their safety.

"Desolation, why are you always so silent? Is it because you’re not used to talking?"

"Didn’t you have anyone to talk to before?"

"Do you only ever say two words just to seem cool?"

Desolation lost his patience, "Scram!"

Gregory Lawrence clutched his chest, walked in front of him, moved backwards with his hands folded behind his head, "Desolation, won’t you chat with me?"

He was unaffected.

Hannah and Arnold Simmons walked side by side behind them.

Hannah still held Desolation’s longsword, using it to slash the wild grass on the roadside.

Hearing the noise, Desolation would turn to look back.

As if to ensure that his longsword was still intact.

"Aren’t you planning on returning his sword?"

Arnold Simmons glanced at Desolation who was walking in front.

Hannah shook her head, "Let’s talk about it once we’re in the mist."

She still harbored a bit of a grudge.

Arnold Simmons understood her ploy and couldn’t help but smile.

Hannah looked up at him, "What’s so funny?"

Arnold Simmons shook his head, instantly behaving, "Nothing."

Hannah huffed, grabbing the hem of his clothes, "You’re not allowed to side with anyone else, understand?"

Jinlian had informed her that Arnold Simmons had a long conversation with Desolation the previous night.

Even though they were talking about matters in the mist, Hannah was still a little upset.

The wind under the sun was chilly, as if carrying the coolness of last night’s rain, blowing over the treetops, making the leaves shiver and fall to the ground.

Arnold Simmons took her hand, saying, "I know, I won’t side with anyone else."

...

It took less than half an hour to walk from the cave they stayed in the previous night to the edge of the mist.

The sun still hung in the sky, with sharp bursts of sunlight, while clouds covered the azure expanse. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Cicadas were screeching atop the trees, their shrill cries were almost headache-inducing.

Gregory Lawrence tugged his clothing down, "It’s so hot."

Despite the chill of an autumn day when they set off, it now felt as though they had suddenly entered the height of summer.

Hannah also felt a bit hot but it was still within an endurable range.

She had encountered even worse climates before.

Arnold Simmons remained stoic, merely switching places with Hannah, shielding her from the stifling and blinding sunlight.

Gregory Lawrence, unable to bear the heat, took off his jacket, wearing only a short-sleeved shirt.

Turning back to see Desolation still wrapped in his black robe made him feel even more uncomfortable.