The marching horses made its way to the uneven dirt road of the forest.

The trembling Darwyn paid no heed as he was fixated on the on his front.

“Thank you for letting me join you. I honestly don't know what to give in return.” The apologetic Shen lowered her head as she was sitting across Liliana.

“No don't worry about it! The more the merrier, right Darwyn!” The ever buoyant Liliana reaffirmed Shen while letting out a hearty smile.

Darwyn did not reply but he jounced his heavy metal helmet.

“I have a rough idea of how the conversation went to the two of you.” An involuntary giggle escaped from her mouth, she imagined a scene where it was Liliana who did the talking constantly.

He-he-he! It sure sounds fun!

After the night of the attack, Shen was invited to join them. Normally, it was unthinkable for her to join any party as she was extra cautious about her surrounding. But well, I guess its fine this time. Her eyes caught the sword and scale combination plastered on the shield of Darwyn.

One of the wheels caught a pebble to big to ignore and the carriage jumped. The turbulent provoked a small shriek from Liliana and a gentle “Oh, my...” from the graceful Shen.

“What the hell is that? It's like this road was didn't used for like, ages.” Liliana grumpily arranged her wizard hat and slightly tilted it to the other side.

“I think so too. This must be an abandoned road or something.” Shen muttered worriedly. Well, that was not good. Most abandoned roads are abandoned for a reason.

The violet bead bracelet on Shen's wrist joggled at the movement of her hand made when she did a weird gesture from it.

“But to think that I would meet the two of you here, it must be the will of your goddess then.” Shen glanced at the silent back of Darwyn. “Hhmm... Most likely, not.”

The two women changed their expression into a difficult one, confounded by his words. They expected to say something like “Yes, my goddess that did that,” but Darwyn blatantly denied it.

“Divine interventions are rare, even at the church, only a few people are confirmed to be helped by Aversia. Ah, but miracles are different things since they are one step closer to the territory of magic.”

“Heeh, so Darwyn becomes talkative when it's about religion,” Liliana said teasingly. “Hhmm...” Darwyn replied shortly. His answer furthered the grin of Liliana.

“But that's surprising,” Shen said. “I am sure that religious people love when others praise their gods.” Shen then tilted her head, caressing her red lips with her fingertips.

“I won't deny that. Even I, will be happy when someone is offering their prayers to my goddess. But that doesn't mean that I should accept everything, for I am given a brain to think about what is right, and heart to feel what is wrong.”

“I see. I didn't know that you have some wise words hidden beneath that armor Darwyn.” Liliana said in amazement.

Shen smiled faintly, “Indeed, you could convert someone into your religion with those words.”

“No. Spreading faith with words is the job of the priest, while we paladins do it by action.” Even when lecturing, his voice remained calm and collected.

“Is it true that devout followers of gods received blessings from their deity?” Shen rested her back to the carriage and hugged her knees.

“Yes. But not all. Just like how not everyone can't use magic, most people can't handle the divine power of the gods.”

“Then! Did you get some kind of power Darwyn!” Liliana jolted out from her seat as she leaned on Darwyn. Her eyes were brimming with expectation and curiosity. Her bum wiggled left and right as she was standing all four.

Shen was reminded of a dog because of her action but she dare not to say it. Without looking at her, Darwyn spoke. “I have the power to discern which is good and evil, I can use it 18 times after a long rest.”

“Whoa!” Liliana fell on her behind while muttering something to herself. “Is that why you can tell that Shen is a good person?”

“Yes.”He nodded, then he continues. “Evil creature smells like rotten meat while good creature sounds like a heavenly ring.”

Evil creature smells, and good people sound? That's a weird way of putting it. Shen thought. Ah! Then as if remembering something, Shen said something. “I didn't smell like rotten meat?”

“No. You don't smell like that.” Darwyn muttered. He gave a good whip to the reins. The horses regained its speed.

“T-then, do I smell?” Shen scratched her cheeks embarrassedly. Certainly, it was not a question to be asked to someone on the opposite sex, but she did anyway.

Darwyn remained silent at her question, causing her to blushed even further.

“Hey! Darwyn! At least lie about it!” Liliana frowned. “That I cannot do,” Darwyn replied. His honesty cut like a sharp dagger through Shen's heart.

“So I do smell!” Unexpectedly, Shen exclaimed her complaint. Liliana was in a state of shock and panic while Darwyn goes back into his rock-like behavior.

Maybe her being sheltered in the monastery kept her innocent in some ways?

“Nononono! She doesn't smell right Darwyn!” Liliana waved her hand, trying to calm down Shen.

“I-it's fine...! I didn't take a bath these past few days after all...” She hid her face deep into her knees. Yes, it was no one's fault. It was just she did not find some river to bathe with, not with this cold weather.

“At least help me out Darwyn! You're the one that started this problem!” It was needless to say that the party was merrier than before.