Chapter 132: Absorbing more energy
After the dinner, Rose offered to show them around, which they declined. They had spent the day traveling and would do so the next day. They parted their ways, agreeing to meet at the eatery at dawn.
"Isn’t it a waste of time to accompany them? Wouldn’t it be faster to continue on our own?" Hestia asked as soon as they were back in the room. Althea stood beside her, in silence, but her gaze was on Hex, seemingly asking the same thing.
"Perhaps," Hex replied, "but we still don’t know much about the actual situation in the outside world, do we? Who the people are, who the Governor will support, and whether there are candidates who will compete against us for our town.
Just look at this town. They haven’t even considered we are from further up north. They assume we are travelers from nearby or the south. Even the name of the town suggests that there is nothing up ahead."
Hex looked at the women as he spoke. His voice betrayed how agitated he felt by these things.
"Our existence is being denied or ignored. Only a few know about us and they keep coming each year. And even they won’t come after the winter. Without the outside trade, our town will decline even further. We need some friends, for the sake of our people."
Neither Hestia nor Althea had considered all these. They looked at Hex and slowly nodded. Hestia even walked up to Hex and gave him a short hug.
"You sound more and more like a true leader now," she said, giving him a warm smile.
Althea didn’t say anything, but when they were close, she whispered, "You are indeed becoming a true leader and commander."
Hex didn’t think he was a great leader but it felt great to hear it. He suppressed his smile and excused himself.
Through the window, he went to the roof. The night was cold but someone like him with the ice element wasn’t bothered by it.