Chapter 235: Parting With Kim’s Army
Jonas wasn't sure what he would have found the most surprising that morning: Aquis apologizing for what he'd done, the competition ending early and sending all the contestants back, or Lance deciding to not have the army continue accompanying them.
Lance had seemed determined to follow Kim around, based solely on how she'd been seen leading the others into combat back when his home was under siege on the night of his sister's birthday. Kim certainly hadn't liked others looking up to her like that, let alone following her. Nor had she been able to convince any of them to leave her alone.
Yet suddenly Lance seemed to have made the decision to take time to train the army, rather than continue on with Kim. An action that felt like it was completely out of the blue. Even Elin, Kim, and Elmo seemed just as surprised about this turn of events as Jonas was.
"Once we're ready to help, we'll find where you're at and come straight for you," Lance assured them.
"Is this because of how I didn't have time to discuss whatever it was last night?" Kim asked, sounding rather uneasy for some reason Jonas couldn't figure out.
Lance merely shook his head. "Not really. I guess in a way it is, but not directly. It's just that someone else mentioned about how the army could use a bit more training to prepare for things like that shadow. So, if we continued on with you, we'd only hold you back."
Jonas couldn't be sure, but he had a feeling that Lance glanced at Elmo when he mentioned 'someone else.' He couldn't be sure that it happened, especially when he wasn't sure what it would have been about, but it wasn't like he had any reason to say anything. Even Elmo did have a hand in this turn of events.
"Okay, well, good luck with all that," Kim merely replied, looking rather uncomfortable.
No need to sound so broken up about it, Jonas thought to himself as he looked away, smiling.