Despite the forest being mainly uninhabited, there were quite a bit of traps even in the shallow parts. Tucker nearly ran into a bear trap twenty minutes in, but was saved by Mr. Reginald pushing him back. Then he almost got caught inside a classic rope trap, but was jerked away by Mary, who somehow felt that there was a trap near. Even Mr. Reginald admitted he didn't know the trap was there. Finally, there was a line of rope that if stepped on activated spears to be shot at you. Luckily, I had Ms. Mya to stop me from stepping on the rope. Tucker wasn't so fortunate but his dodging skills are quite sharp due to pissing off Mary enough to throw a knife at him every other day.

I thought about telling him maybe he should stay behind everyone but knew he wouldn't listen and claim he needs to be in the front because, and I quote, "Adventure."

I had the compass to lead the way, but for some reason it seemed that Mr. Reginald pretty much already knew his way around and so it wasn't really even needed. Mary was keeping an eye out for danger and Tucker was doing his best not to die.

The topic of conversation ranged from wondering what the Amazons were like, to how nice nature is, to Tucker please be careful, to Tucker please don't die, to Tucker get in the back. I'd feel bad for him if he wasn't so headstrong.

"But man, this is really nice. I wonder how It'd feel to live out here" Tucker said.

"It would probably be pretty cool," I noted.

"The bugs would suck," Mary said.

That made me smile a little. Sometimes I forget that under the cool and stoic nature that is Mary she can be a pretty typical girl. Albeit with enough power to kill an army.

"It's quite nice out here, isn't it? Reminds me of better days," Reginald said.

"Oh? Do you have a history with nature Regi?" Tucker asked.

Reginald looked lost in thought for a second and then laughed. "Ahah, I guess I do. Never really thought about it."

"Do tell man. You got a story?"

Huh, when I think about it, for all the years I've known Mr. Reginald, I don't actually know anything about him. But I guess that's the same for pretty much everyone. I don't really know anyone save for Tucker.

Mr. Reginald gave us a soft smile. "I'd rather not, it's a pretty sad tale. It's not really worth sharing."

"Oh..." Tucker said.

"You should have plenty of good memories too, right Mr. Reginald?" I interrupted. I had to make sure the morale didn't weaken before we even got to the Amazons. "Surely you have quite a few happy memories as well right?"

Hearing this, Mr. Reginald almost instantly perked up. "That I do Arthur," Mr. Reginald said, putting his fist over his heart. "I have many pleasant memories here that will never be forgotten."

"That's good to hear," I said.

"Yeah Regi, just remember the good stuff. Isn't that what nostalgia is all about? Remembering the good and forgettin' the bad?"

"I don't think that's how it works, Tucker."

"What, of course it does Arthur! Haven't you heard the 'back in my day' people? That's all they do."

"How does that relate to Mr. Reginald though?"

"Well isn't he, ya know, like, on the older side?"

"For your information Tucker, I'm only thirty two years old."

"Wait, what!? I could swear you were at least forty!"

"Oww!"

In a flash, Tucker got a quick slap on the back of the head. "Quit being rude," Mary said.

"I wasn't even trying to be rude though."

"It's quite alright Mary. I'm aware my mannerisms and the way I speak certainly paints me as more mature than I actually am. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"See, even Reginald said it's ok."

A sudden force hit Tucker on the back of the head again.

"What was that for!?"

Ignoring the usual bickering between them, I looked down to the compass to see it still pointing straight. I guess that means we're still going the right way, I thought. Well, if my father's words could be trusted anyway.

I looked around us to see how our surroundings have changed. We were still surrounded by trees, but they looked a lot older and taller than the trees near our house. The ecosystem also seemed to change. Before, most of the animals were fairly harmless but now I saw rattlesnakes, anacondas and poisonous insects. I'm pretty sure I even think I saw a jaguar, although I might've been seeing things. I looked up at the sky to see a mellow orange-ish color rather than blue, which probably meant the sun was setting soon.

"Maybe we should set up camp soon," I said.

"That would probably be best," Mr. Reginald said. "It is getting quite late."

"We can't camp here though. Too many dangers," Mary said, looking around.

"It's fine. I know a place that is most likely safe. Though we might have to deviate from the compass for a second." He looked at me. "You're our navigator Arthur, you tell us if that's okay or not."

I shrugged. "It's fine with me. It's not like we can keep walking forever."

With that being said, we followed Mr. Reginald, who started walking to the right. And then left. And then right again. At a certain point, I didn't know which direction we were going again. I wouldn't be surprised if we backtracked all the way to the mansion.

Eventually we stopped in an area that was unlike the rest of the forest. There were no trees and instead it was replaced by a grassland area, with a myriad of unique flowers blooming.

Honestly it was a perfect place to camp. The grass wasn't tall enough for me to be wary of, there was a slight breeze and it was devoid of dangerous animals or plants from what I could tell.

"This area is perfect! Regi, man, how did you find such a perfect area?"

"I'm curious too. How do you know about this place?" I asked.

"This is...or should I say was, the village where I was born and raised."

We all went silent.

Mr. Reginald let out a deep sigh. "It's fine. I've had many years to come to terms with it. As you said Arthur, hold the enjoyable memories close to your heart right?" He looked at me and put his first over his chest.

"A-ah, yeah, you're right."

"Now, let's set up camp before it gets dark. Who knows what predators lurk in the darkness."

"But wait, who has the tents?" Tucker asked.

"Why, Mary does. They're in her backpack."

Mary sat down her admittedly large backpack to pull out four compressed tents in small cases.

"I'll go find firewood," Mr. Reginald. "You guys just focus on blowing up the tents."

And with that, Mr. Reginald left.

"Well I guess I'll set up the tents," Tucker said. "You two do whatever."

"That's awfully nice of you." I noted. "What's the catch?"

"What? Do I have to be scheming just because I'm being helpful?"

Kinda, I thought, but that goes under the long list of things I can't say.

"I guess I'll go explore a little then."

"Stay close, Young Master. Or you may end up getting lost."

"I'll be careful."

I walked up ahead just a bit to surround myself with the wildlife. I closed my eyes to vividly hear the sounds around me. The insects creeping, birds chirping, winds grazing the grass. It felt wonderful to be here. Much more comfortable than the mansion if I had to be honest.

But then I heard a loud hissing noise around me and I jumped. I opened my eyes and looked around me but I couldn't see anything through the trees. Yet I could hear this loud hissing noise.

My mind started getting taken over by the mysterious voice again.

You can't die. Can't die. Can't die. Can't die, can't die, can't die, she would repeat over and over again. It was like a horrible headache that wouldn't go away. I wanted to vomit.

I was about to grip my head to retain some semblance of my sanity, but instead I grabbed Essentia, turned around, and sliced what I assumed to be air. Then, the voice went away.

When I looked down, however, I found it was much more than air. It was a green anaconda of at least eight feet, probably longer.

That's terrifying. Well at least I thought it was until I saw how it was cut. I somehow cut it straight down the middle, splitting its mouth and half of its body in two. Yet, like snakes do when they die, it wriggled.

Sigh, a voice in my head said. I guess since you won't be cutting any people soon I may as well take control of this snake. It's better than starving.

Well, thank you very much.

Huh. For what, I didn't do anything.

But didn't you take control of me and slice the snake?

No, I didn't do anything. I merely watched.

Then how'd I kill the snake? I don't have that good reaction timing.

She yawned. There is a lot about yourself you don't know.

I looked down again and the snake's body. It was fully repaired, and looking up at me, although I doubt it would attack again with Ms. Mya under its control. It slithered back into the forest.

"Young Master."

I turned around to see Mary idly studying me.

"Hm? What is it Mary? Did something happen?"

"No, I just wanted to be sure you were safe."

"What about Tucker? Is it okay to leave him all alone?"

"He'll be fine. If he's any danger I trust he'll run towards us."

I studied Mary a little bit. It's still odd seeing her in casual clothing. She was wearing a dark red t-shirt with blue jeans and red and black platform sneakers. Honestly, it made me laugh a little, much to Mary's confusion.

"Did I do something funny?" Mary asked dryly.

"No, it's just, it's so weird seeing you in casual clothing after only seeing you as a maid for years. I couldn't help but laugh a little. I didn't mean to be rude."

"I see..."

Maybe this could be a rare chance to get to know about Mary a bit. I always thought she was one of the more interesting people in the house.

"Well, should we head back?"

"Actually, I was thinking of enjoying nature a bit longer. And I'd like it if you did it with me."

"Is that an order?"

"No, it's a request. I'd rather not give you any orders if I can help it."

For a second, I felt like I saw Mary let a smile slip, but upon doing a double take I concluded it must've been my imagination, as she still retained her usual apathetic expression.

I sat down and leaned back on a tree. Mary sat next to me, but she was far more alert than I was. I was going to tell her to relax but then I remembered getting attacked by a giant snake moments ago. On second thought, maybe she should be alert.

I closed my eyes once again and listened to the sounds around me. It was nice not hearing a hundred maids and butlers scurrying around, Tucker whining about someone almost killing him for pissing them off and Ms. Cecilia bickering at us, mainly Tucker. It can be so hard to get peace and quiet in that mansion.

I looked over to Mary, who was holding a flower in her hand. Her expression was a lot softer than I was used to. She looked deep in thought but at peace at the same time.

"Rosemary." I said.

Mary turned to me without saying a word.

"That's the flower you're holding right?"

"Yes it is. Sadly it's not the flower I'm looking for."

"What flower would that be?"

"Red Sage. I want to give it as a gift to someone."

"How thoughtful."

"Sadly, it doesn't seem to be around here."

"Let's work together, then."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, rather than you looking for it all by yourself, it would be nice to have more people to help right?"

For a second Mary's face was of surprise but quickly shifted back to her stoic demeanor. "I can't ask you to do that."

I smiled at her."I insist. We'll even get Tucker to help. That way we can get it in no time."

For a few seconds, Mary didn't say anything. Instead, she twirled the flower in her hand.

"Thank you," she said in a low tone.

"No problem. You can always ask us if you need help. We're your friends you know."

"I'll consider it."

"...By the way Mary."

"Yes?"

"...Would you be willing to talk about what happened after Mr. Reginald, Tucker, and I got stabbed?"

"Is that a request or an order?"

"Would you tell me if it was a request?"

She shook her head.

"Then I'm better off not knowing."

Mary didn't say anything.

"I'll wait until you're comfortable to talk about it."

I looked up at the sky and saw it was getting pretty dark. I jumped up and offered Mary a hand.

"Shall we go?"

To my surprise, Mary started talking about the possessed incident.

"After you three got stabbed, I got upset and lashed out on all the possessed in the room."

I sat back down and continued to listen. I watched how devoid of any and all emotions she was as she spoke. I know it's pretty normal for Mary but right now it was even less so than usual.

"Despite being so many of them, their movements were pretty easy to follow. Unfortunately, some of them I was better off just killing than trying to knock them out."

Just like what Tucker said, I thought.

"That really sucks," I said.

"The problem arose," she continued, "when the staff were all taken care of. The blade resurrected and possessed you three. Then it had you three attack me. I hate to admit that you would probably be dead by my hands if it weren't for that blade healing you."

There was nothing I could say to that. I didn't know that happened.

"Tucker and Reginald are also unaware of these events, so it's not just you."

Without thinking, I put my arms around Mary and gave her a nice, caring hug. As expected, her skin was soft and she had the lingering scent of...rosemary?

"...Arthur?"

Mary didn't necessarily resist, but that didn't equate to consent. I came back to my senses and saw what I was doing. Panicking, I scooted back.

"Umm, I'm so sorry. I don't know why I just did that. I just hated seeing you look like you were in pain and my body acted on it's own."

Why did I randomly hug her? I don't hug people. Have I been infected by Sophia or something?

Mary's expression softened, but she wasn't quite smiling yet. "I see you've been hanging around Sophia too much."

"Is she known for hugging?"

"Those she cares about, yes. To most people she can be indifferent and cold."

That sounds like someone else I know, I thought, looking at Mary.

There was an awkward silence between us for a moment. Then, Mary sprung up and dusted off her jeans. She offered me a hand.

"As you say, it is getting late. If we stay here too long it'll be easy to get lost in the darkness."

I took her hand and got up from her ground. We started walking back but Mary's voice broke my train of thought.

"Arthur."

"Yes?"

"Please don't tell Reginald and Tucker about the incident."

"Don't worry. I won't say a thing."

Back at the campsite, Mr. Reginald and Tucker already had a campfire going, although I question both where Mr. Reginald got the logs and how they started the fire.

"Hey, we were about to go looking for you two. Where ya been?" Tucker said.

I shrugged. "Enjoying nature?"

"That is a thing, isn't it?"

"How's 'adventure' been for you so far?" I asked.

"Aside from the times I almost died, great! Bein' in the wilderness is so cool. There's so much you get to see you can't observe from inside the mansion."

"Oh? Please do tell," Mr. Reginald interrupted.

"I saw some wild dogs earlier. Or were they wolves?"

"Don't you think you should've told us? That's quite alarming news." Mr. Reginald said.

"Well they didn't see me so I didn't think much of it."

"In that case, we should pray they still aren't around. Because they will most definitely be lured by the fire."

"It'll be fine."

"That nonchalant attitude is what almost got you killed three times," Mary noted.

I mean, she's not wrong.

"Whatever. If that's the case we should hurry and eat before they come."

"I agree. If we don't eat we'll be too weak to do anything." I said.

Tucker and I pulled out ham and turkey sandwiches from our backpacks Tucker made for everyone beforehand, along with chips, cookies, and water bottles. We all sat around the fire and ate. Well, except for me who first felt the need to pray for our protection to the twin goddesses.

After some time, Mr. Reginald sat up straight and cleared his throat. "I think it's time for me to talk about this place, which used to be my home and how I ended up working in the mansion.