Afterwards, the transport team continued on their journey without a hitch. There were no more foolish demonic beasts that tried to attack them again.

Everyone followed the route that they had previously planned on, and thus, they continued to move on and completed the traveling for the day.

When dusk came and the night was once again about to overtake the day, everyone stopped and, as theyve done many times already, started setting up the camp, started campfires and cooking, and set up the tents.

As always, it all happened without any issues and everyone did the same as always after they ate dinner. Those who were supposed to patrol, patrolled, and those who were supposed to do night watch kept watch. It gave a completely commonplace feel.

This night though, it was Shien and Melikas turn for night watch together.

As was previously mentioned, Melika did not reject Shien accompanying her. Thus, both of the stayed together that night before the campfire.

Only

Shien and Melika sat facing each other, but neither spoke to the other. Both sides fell into silence.

That scene had maintained itself for nearly half an hour already.

(So awkward)

Shien was feeling quite uneasy. He wanted to break up this awkward atmosphere, but he didnt know what to say.

Previously, Shien had already said that he would keep his distance from Melika and company. With such a prior promise already existent, it was naturally difficult for him to start a conversation.

Especially since Melika too was sitting uneasily. She gripped her staff tightly with her head lowered. Her entire face was red, and the appearance she gave was quite alluring.

However, it was exactly because Melika looked that way that Shien found it even harder to speak up.

(This is like a matchmaking meeting or something. Just what am I supposed to say here?)

Shien couldnt think of anything to say.

On the other side, Melika was getting more and more nervous. Her grip on her staff became even tighter, and her legs were bunched up with her knees toughing and unconsciously rubbing against each other. She was obviously very anxious.

(As expected, I wasnt mistaken earlier.)

Melika could feel the strange urges in her heart that wanted to get closer to Shien.

(Just whats happening to me?)

Melika was quite anxious, making her unable to even sit still.

If possible, Melika also wanted to break up the current awkward atmosphere and start a conversation with Shien.

However, just like with Shien, Melika was embarrassed to speak up due to their previous interactions.

(I had shown myself so obviously guarded against him, and I even admitted that I had other motives for gaving him that flower crown. Mr. Shien probably doesnt really want to talk to someone like me either, right?)

Melika thought that and her own mood fell.

However, Melika still could not control herself. Her gaze would still be constantly drawn toward Shien before she realized that she was peaking at him. Then her face would become even redder and shed hurriedly lower her head. However, not long after, shed end up looking up again. This cycle would continuously repeat itself without stopping.

It must be said that such a behavior from a beautiful and nubile girl only made Shien feel even more awkward. He too found it more and more difficult to speak up, so he too fell into a repetitive cycle.

The two of them just continued to maintain their awkward silence.

What neither knew though was that someone else had long since caught this scene.

Melika?

Because she was worried about Melika, Lumia still hasnt gone to sleep. From the tent, Lumia saw the red faced elf girl constantly peaking at Shien, and she was at a loss with what was happening.

That attitude

Vivian, who was getting ready to find Balon to confirm the planned route ahead, came out of her own tent and saw this scene too. She was also quite surprised.

Diere also happened to patrol nearby. She too saw this scene, and after a moment, she left while seemingly in thought.

Right after, in a hidden corner, Markray was shaking in fury as he stared at the blushing Melika. One of his hand made a fist and was ripping at the bark of a nearby tree.

Why is she looking at that guy like that? Why is she showing an expression like that toward that guy? Melika!?

Markray audibly ground his teeth together.

Over the past few days, Markray was also constantly looking for chances to get closer to Melika. However, due to the fact that Melika always had someone with her, he finally gave up and went back frustrated.

However, Markrays feelings toward Melika was unshakable. Even though he couldnt find an opportunity, he would still come by every single night in the hope of finding an opportunity to approach her. He continued without giving up.

Markray had faith that his feelings would one day reach Melika.

It couldnt be helped. Ever since the first moment he saw Melika back when he joined Vivians party, that pure elven girl had deeply shaken Markrays heart, and he fell for her head over heels.

Speaking of, Markray as a person might be reckless and proud. One could even call him naive and foolish. However, he was not completely without any virtue.

For one, Markrays natural born potential was quite high. He was also willing to put in effort to improve himself. That was how he managed to get to level 38 when he was only 16 years old. Within Lamdrion, even though he couldnt compare to Diere, he was still quite the famed prodigy.

For two, Markray wasnt a playboy like Leon. He wasnt like a number of other noble young masters who had tons of hidden lovers around town. His own prideful attitude was treated all women equally without any discrimination.

To Markrays mind, none of those women were worthy of him. He himself didnt even care to give them so much as a glance.

Thus, even though Vivian and Lumia were also quite beautiful, Markra didnt have any intentions toward them.

At the very least, to Markray, Lumia wasnt any different from any other woman. He even somewhat looked down on her for her timid personality. It was only because of Vivians own character and connections that Markray held back his own pride somewhat and treated her with some respect.

It was only Melika. When Markray had first saw Melika, his heart was completely stolen by her.

That purity, holiness, and unmatched figure and aura made Markray fall completely head over heels.

It was only from that moment on that Markray knew that from the start, he only looked down on those common women. Only those unbelievably pure and untouched elves could move his heart and make him fall.

From then on, Markrays eyes could no longer leave Melika. He madly tried to get close to her and to possess her. That was why in the end, he couldnt hold back anymore and tried to move on Melika when she was alone.

Unfortunately for him, at that time, Diere seemed to have seen though this thoughts, so she had kept herself nearby. In the end, she mercilessly cut off Markrays hands and feet.

Markrays inner terror whenever he remember that moment had never faded.

However, even so, Markray still wanted Melika. He still wanted to get closer to Melika. His obsession with Melika could make him abandon all other considerations.

For Markray, if he could get Melika, then hed be willing to even lose his noble status.

For a man who was so proud of his bloodline and status, the fact that he was willing to go so far for Melika showed just how obsessed he was, as well as how different he was from other nobles.

It was for that reason that Markray could no longer control himself when he saw that scene.

!

Markray saw red. Under the influence of his uncontrollable rage, he actually pulled out a tattered piece of parchment.

He actually planned to use Shiens own magic item to sneak attack him.