Without any choice, Nova used his Sonic Boom skill. He obviously didn't want to attack Amelia, but he had no choice.
Amelia's attacks were very brutal, if he didn't restrain her, Rock had to rest in bed for a week.
While using his attack, Nova used a very little amount of spirituality, so that Amelia wouldn't suffer any damage.
Just like Nova intended, Amelia, paralyzed, stood like a statue. Shane and Head recovered from their shock, they came towards Amelia and dragged her back.
It didn't take long, for Amelia to recover from the shock, but her anger dissipated a lot, or at least she didn't try to attack Rock anymore.
"Amelia, calm down. We can talk things through, it's not the end of the world." Nova stood between her and Rock, to avoid any conflict.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia sat down in her place.
Nova went to Rock and lifted him. After inspection, he sighed in relief. Just from the little information he gathered about the King, he knew the battle would be hell, if someone gets injured or some misunderstanding, the outcome would be a tragedy.
The group again formed a circle, but everyone kept their mouths shut. In the silent atmosphere, only the sound of burning wood echoed.
'It's my fault, I shouldn't have told them.' Nova slapped himself on his head.
Amelia noticed his action and raised her hand,
"..."
She wanted to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth.
"Okay, everyone stop being weird. It's my fault, I will take full responsibility and Nova don't blame yourself, instead, I should be thankful to you."
Finally, Rock broke the silence. He smiled cheerfully and patted his chest.
"Since we know their attitude towards us and about the King, we can prepare ourselves. Don't think anything negative."
"Yeah, we should listen to the captain. We will slay the King and emerge victorious." Shane also joined Rock and cheered.
Everyone nodded and looked toward Amelia collectively. They already accepted the reality and decided to face it head-on
Only Amelia seems to be unconvinced about their decision. Her brows furrowed, and she gritted her teeth while clenching her fists.
After a few minutes under their intense stare, she finally opened her mouth, "Why are you all staring at me? Do you all want to get beaten up?"
Shane and Head's eyes widened in surprise and they immediately turned away. Nova saw this and followed their action.
Only Rock was staring at Amelia. They didn't start a staring contest and Rock initiated the conversation.
"Amelia, I'm really sorry. This was all my fault, but don't worry, I will make sure everyone gets out alive, even if it means offending the nobles."
"Rock, I get your point, as a teammate and your wife," Amelia paused and stared intensely, " but I cannot accept that as a mother."
Everyone in the group, including Rock, was flabbergasted at her answer.
'What, she's pregnant?! Why the hell did she come to the labyrinth?' Nova wondered as he couldn't comprehend her mindset.
The tax system, as much as it was very strict and inhumane, to the point where the death penalty was given as a punishment, had one merit.
Pregnant women don't have to pay any form of tax, which includes their entire family. So, Nova doesn't understand why she came into the labyrinth while risking not one, but two lives.
The labyrinth was never a place that one can get used to, even the most powerful person can disappear silently, without leaving any trace, not to mention the Shark Team.
"AMELIA, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME BEFORE ENTERING THE LABYRINTH?"
Instead of surprise or happiness, Rock enraged and yelled at Amelia loudly, while clenching his fist tightly.
"Why? It's my choice. I want my children to grow up in luxury, so I wanted to hide the news as much as possible. If only you listened to my advice, nothing would've gone wrong." Amelia didn't back down, but her words pierced Rock's heart.
Nova, Shane and Rock left the campfire quietly. This was not their place to intervene, it was their family problem and they had to sort it out on their own.
'I can only hope this situation didn't form a misunderstanding between them.' Nova sighed heavily and moved towards Dave's tent.
Upon reaching their camp, Nova found no one outside, even though the fight between Rock and Amelia can be heard clearly.
"I guess they don't want to get involved in this mess."
Nova sighed and called Dave out, "Sir, can I talk with you now?"
"Get in." a voice called.
When Nova got inside, he saw Dave was sitting cross legged with his eyes closed. Nova didn't disturb him and patiently waited for him to complete whatever he was doing.
'Is this a simple meditation or some sort of Noble's exclusive secret arts?'
"So, what do you want to talk about?" After completing his meditation, Dave asked.
"Sir, when will we set off and what sort of monsters we are going to hunt?"
"After your group sorts things out, we can set off, but we will mostly hunt common monsters that are in group and a few elite monsters."
"Remember, we are only doing this because to develop understanding and trust, I don't want anyone to get injured."
'Then, why don't you go and stop the couple's fight?' Nova thought in his heart, but he didn't say that loud.
"Okay sir, after compromising them, we will come and meet you."
"Don't worry about us, we are all ready, come to me anytime you want." Dave smiled and reassured him.
But Nova didn't feel good about this. Just when he thought that he could understand them a little, their personality changes entirely.
'Maybe their sincerity is a facade too.'
Nova sighed and left the tent. On his way, he didn't hear the voices of Rock and Amelia, which reduced a little burden in his heart.
Nova saw Amelia and Rock sitting near the campfire. Neither of them a word; they just turned their back against each other.
Shane and Head stood behind them, but they avoided eye contact with Nova, simply staring at the sky.
'Are they feeling guilty?' Nova wondered.
As a brother and best friend, more importantly, as a teammate, they should've stopped Amelia, but because of their carelessness, they didn't do anything.
'Things are getting more and more complicated.'
Nova went and sat between the couple. He didn't say anything, and they too kept their silence. The air around them feels heavy, Nova wanted to start the conversation, but nothing came out of his mouth.
'This won't do, we need to get ready as soon as possible.'
Finally, taking a deep breath, Nova said, "Captain, they are all ready and waiting for us. We need to get ready as soon as possible and develop our understanding with them."
"Nova, don't worry about us, we can set off immediately, we need to worry about our lives right now."
Hearing Rock's answer, Nova smiled in relief. He didn't want Rock to forget about his position and responsibilities as a leader under tension and frustration. With years of experience, only Rock could lead them better.
'Since he's going to be a father soon, I think he won't take risks anymore and will be conscious of everything.'
After getting orders from the captain, everyone dismantled their tents and packed up their belongings.
Within ten minutes, the group gathered and arrived at Watson Aristocracy's camp.
To their surprise, everyone from the Aristocracy group is sitting around the campfire, waiting for the Shark Team.
Their tents were nowhere to be seen and their backpacks were already loaded, with weapons in their waists and arms, and faces full of seriousness. Especially Dave Watson, the captain and organizer of the entire event, was intensely staring at the fire, his usual smiley and friendly face completely disappeared.
'So, they are in serious mode, huh? I wonder if it's enough for the hunt?'
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