What are they?! Crazy?! Somnu questioned, feeling a sudden warmth rush to his head. They’re making out when we could launch an attack at them any second?!

  While his shock was resonating with his serpent companion, her embarrassment was leaking into him too.

  Nevertheless, Henry and Carmella’s romantic escapades had made quite a few things clear to him now.

  They either are very confident in themselves, or they’re really just stupid… Somnu thought, doubting the latter option immediately. They’re going to stop, right? They aren’t going to… I’ll need to keep watching for reconnaissance purposes… In case they let something useful slip… That’s right, I’m not some pervert who likes to watch… The scarecrow lampooned to himself.

  His reputation was constantly being tested, and although he could do nothing about his naked circumstances, he couldn’t let anyone know about his current predicament.

  ‘“Hey, what’s going on?! You’re turning completely red! Tell us!”’

  ?!

  Lulu’s voice invaded his ears as she shook his shoulders.

  Crow-Shit! Can’t she just wait?! This is dangerous… He thought, making sure to create a thicker layer of straw over his lower body and using [Rooted Vigil] to ground himself. Naga’s feelings are messing with me too… I can’t keep this up for long…

  “Shall we head back?” Henry stopped, gently holding Carmella’s chin up to meet his line of sight.

  “Do we have to?” She muttered, licking her lips with a slight smirk. Her lightly tanned cheeks were taking a pinkish undertone.

  “...”

  “Ugh…”

  ?!

  Suddenly, Henry grabbed the nicely dressed woman by the face, pushing into her cheeks with his fingers.

  “Have I not told you not to question me in front of others?” He asked, his hold not allowing an answer to follow. “If I decide to head back to the fort, we head back. Don’t you ever challenge my authority again.”

  THUD!

  The tall, bulky man pushed Carmella away from him, leaving her to hit the ground with a little too much force.

  “Get up. They should be done now.” He ordered as Black and Blue seemed to follow him without a command.

  “...”

  These two… They’re not right in the head… Somnu commented, watching one last disturbing scene.

  Carmella was getting back up, wiping the blood leaking from her nose.

  A wide, almost crazed smirk took over her lips.

  ***

  “Let’s see what they want.”

  Somnu got up, and summoned his sickles for just an instant before canceling them again. The action alone conveyed his alertness to his ally.

  “Understood.” Mathros gave him a head nod before turning to where the other party would come out of.

  “What’s wrong with her?” The scarecrow asked, seeing Lulu standing a distance from them now, refusing to look their way. “Did something happen?”

  “It’s best you don’t press that, brother.”

  I didn’t give her an answer when she asked me that question, but that can’t be why she’s acting weird… I think…?

  He quickly gave up on trying to figure out that mystery and joined the lizardman’s gaze.

  “Are you all done?” Henry asked, stepping over a massive tree root.

  Black and Blue were on his heel, and a few seconds later, Carmella appeared. While her cheeks still seemed a little puffed, there was no trace of any blood or injury.

  She’s hiding it well… Somnu narrowed his eyes slightly. He did that to her just because she had asked if they could head back to the fort after finding us… And she liked it.

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  “Take a seat, let’s talk.” The explorer lizardman stepped forward, then gestured to the campfire. “We only prepared three seats so-”

  “It’s fine. One will be enough.” With a slight smile, Henry cut him off, then took a seat on one of the prepared rocks. “First, confirm your identities for me.”

  “Right. I’m indeed Mathros, and this is Lucy, as you already guessed.” The lizardman took a seat, added a piece of wood into the fire and continued in a low tone. “We lost both Benji and Almon.”

  “My condolences.” The bulky guy lowered his head slightly with closed eyes. “It’s a cruel place we find ourselves in.”

  Carmella walked to his right side, remaining at arm’s length, while behind him, the other two stood side to side with perfect postures.

  “Their night has ended. May they find fulfillment in whatever world lies beyond.” Mathros added, tracing over the scar on his neck.

  “...” Lulu stood to his side with crossed arms, her eyes looking away.

  Although there had been one more seat to take, it had been positioned between the two party leaders facing each other. The campfire had been originally built for the three-member party, after all.

  Somnu decided to simply walk behind Mathros and make two quickly-put together straw chairs using his [Straw Storm] Skill. One for himself at Mathros’ right, while he pushed the other one behind Lulu to the left.

  Although the bunny girl questioned it for a second, she ultimately took a seat.

  “Heh.” Henry chuckled at the action, then faced the lizardman again. “You do realize we were specifically sent to find you, yes? There is no need to be so hostile towards us.”

  “That remains to be seen, I’m sure you can understand.” Mathros made slight eye contact with Somnu to his right, then turned back forward. “You know about us, so I assume you’re all coming from the fort.”

  “That’s right. The Mirewalker Fort is currently a day or two from this location.” Henry glanced over at Carmella, who gave him a nod of confirmation. “Assuming it hasn’t moved faster in the time we have been gone.”

  “It moves?” Somnu asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Carmella.”

  “Yes, it does.” The nicely dressed lady spoke upon hearing her name from the side. “The fort is constantly moving on the First Layer of the Nightmare Realm. While not without its dangers, it welcomes any Sleeper into a safe haven, with a few conditions.”

  “Those are?” The scarecrow leaned in, ignoring the eyes of his friends from his peripheral vision. I know, I could've asked you later, I have a plan!

  Whether it was a plan or his curiosity getting the best of him, knowing as many details as possible was always beneficial. Carmella didn’t seem to have a problem with explaining either.

  “To fight together against the Nightmare Creatures, work for the good of everyone, and maintain the peace and harmony within the fort at all times.” Without realizing it, Carmella had reached for something between her eyes, but quickly realized there was nothing there and played it off by brushing her hair away.

  “Sounds like a nice place. Thanks for giving me a thorough answer.” Somnu fixed his posture and put on a slight smile.

  “It might have been, once upon a time.” Henry spoke again, making everyone look his way. “Mathros and Lucy, you two were sent to hunt down a murderer. A mission straight from the Fortmaster. What came of it?”

  “... Nothing.” After a moment of silence, Mathros spoke up. “We couldn’t find them. We got trapped in a cursed lake instead.”

  “Oh? I would like to hear about that some other time.” The bulky guy tilted his head with slightly wide eyes, then immediately narrowed them. “However, that doesn’t come as a surprise. Even after you left the fort, the string of murders never stopped.”

  “... How bad is it?” Mathros asked, his brow furrowed and his fists clenched tight.

  “The murderer has been consistent. We find a body every day or two. The most we have gone without finding one is four days, only for two others to turn up somewhere else.”

  “And there are still no clues?!” Lulu finally voiced her frustration.

  “Nothing. Just the usual symbol.”

  “?!”

  At that, Somnu’s ears perked up.

  Is it the same grinning skull symbol…? Is John Doe really going on a murdering spree even in this place? Somnu gritted his teeth.

  While the notion wouldn’t surprise him, when he fought John Doe, the murderer gave him the feeling that there was purpose to the murders and actions he was taking.

  As much as Somnu wanted a confirmation about the symbol, since his two friends hadn’t been reliable in that department, he didn’t ask about it. He had an image to uphold at the moment.

  “Just so we are on the same page…” Mathros trailed off, inviting the one seated in front of him to answer.

  “Yes, it’s the same symbol.” Henry confirmed. “A skull with a wide grin, drawn with the blood of its victims.”

  “...”

  Without realizing it, Somnu’s face had twisted into a frown. Perhaps his lizardman friend didn’t have the best timing.

  “You.”

  “...?”

  “So far, you have asked us quite a few questions, don’t you think?” Henry glanced over at Somnu with his sharp blue eyes.

  Crow-Shit! Did he notice my frustration was more than the others? Somnu questioned, forcing himself to stay calm on the outside. “And?”

  Just in case, for a brief moment, Somnu switched his vision to that of Naga as she hid further away behind the new party.

  However, Somnu didn’t see anything unusual, no weapons had been drawn or hidden in the back. Still, he kept his familiars around the area.

  “I didn’t catch your name yet. What is it?”

  Is that all? You didn’t need to look so hostile for that, buddy! The scarecrow sighed inwardly, then let out in a nonchalant tone. “Ah, sorry about that. It’s Somnu.”

  “I see, so it is true.”

  “Hmm?”

  “White and black hair, purple eyes, scar over the left eyebrow… Yes, we seem to have found you.” Henry analyzed for a moment, then added. “Your siblings have been tirelessly looking for you.”