The Against All Odds

CH 41 - Taking Risks

"I didn't expect it to all be like this." Said Barla, who was sitting on a slow-moving horse carriage, her expression full of anxiety.

"it's all my fault." Glint who was sitting next to him looked down, regretting his actions. "I shouldn't have fallen asleep at that time."

Barla was touched by her sister's words, but she tried to comfort her by embracing her tightly. "Devidently, you were the only one who fell asleep at the time." Barla spurred her horse to move faster, she stared at the light that also moved in the direction of the horse carriage. The light looks so bright in the dark of the night. "I'm sure, Leo must be fine, so you don't have to blame yourself."

Glint only fell silent, feeling comfort in the grip of his brother's powerful arm, though his worries still hadn't gone away. They continue their journey with a heart full of hope.

Meanwhile, the light moving in the darkness of the forest came from an oil lamp carried by Arne. After a debate with Alisha, her efforts to provide help were finally accepted. Arne has promised Alisha to help find her missing friend.

"Alisha, wait!" Arne yelled as she tried to chase the two women who were getting further away inside the increasingly dark forest.

"Leo!"

"Mr Leo Demhian!"

The two women continued to walk into the forest while calling out the name of her lost theme. Arne already understood very well how dangerous this forest was, he did not want the situation to become more complicated. "Can you tell your friends to stop for a second, it could be dangerous if we lose track of them." Arne spoke to a woman who was walking beside him.

"It depends." Belladona answered briefly.

"What do you mean?" Arne was unhappy with Belladona's sharp answer.

From the beginning of their meeting, Belladona was already suspicious of the presence of Arne who suddenly appeared and immediately gave them free help.

"I mean, what makes me so sure, Arne? You showed up all of a sudden and instantly helped us unconditionally. We don't even know who you really are." Belladona continued to illuminate every tree beside her with a magic wand, hoping to find her friend.

Arne is frustrated by Belladona's distrust. "I'm tired of explaining to you over and over again, you might be right if we don't know each other yet. But I also can't turn away when I see you guys in trouble. Believe me, I'm not your enemy?"

Belladona looked at Arne with a suspicious look. "Oh for god's sake, really? You can't just persuade me, Arne."folded his hand as he walked - "In addition, how can you wake us from Banshee's magic? That's very suspicious."

Arne, starting to feel annoyed, finally decided to stop his steps suddenly. "Enough!" he said with a firm tone. "I arrived here with good intentions, and I won't waste time proving it to you. You might be scared, it's natural. But if we stay caught up in this debate, we're all at risk."

Belladona just yawns, feeling not surprised at all when Arne snapped at her.

As Arne began to open her mouth to speak, Alisha and Matilda arrived at the place. They saw Belladona and Arne facing each other with very different expressions.

Alisha occasionally exchanged glances with Belladona. Belladona was still the same, with an expression as if unconcerned. Alisha understood this situation, and she did not want to make it much worse.

Arne smiled amiably as she nodded, "There are so many things I can do." He glanced at Belladona.

"Alright, but first we go back to the horse-drawn carriage. I don't want the decision to be taken unilaterally, Barla and Glint need to know too."

Belladona, who still suspects Arne, fears that Alisha's decision may be too naive. With a serious expression, he whispered to Alisha, "You sure, Alisha? We don't know anything about this guy."

Alisha raised her hand with confidence, hinting Belladona to believe him. With a steady look, he whispered back to Belladona, "We must believe, Belladona. Leo needs our help."

Not wanting to waste any more time, the four of them immediately returned to the horse carriage. There Barla and Glint were waiting, not the result they expected, but they were ready to accept it, Leo was still not found. Even so, Barla still welcomes the arrival of her friends with enthusiasm.

Alisha, Arne, Belladona, Barla, Glint, and Matilda gathered beside a horse carriage surrounded by a dark forest.

Arne took out a cigarette from inside his robe and started lighting it up, sucking in a hint of smoke before he began his explanation. Barla sat on the train with her body upright, showing her vigor in response to any talk of the plan. Glint sat next to Matilda anxiously and somewhat confusedly, trying to digest all the information given. While Alisha was watching their every conversation, but her gaze drifted towards the forest fog that enveloped them.

Everyone listens to an explanation from Arne who gives advice to go to the goblin village, where they can ask the goblin for help to find Leo.

Arne spoke, his cigarette smoke pervading him as he explained, "I know what many people think of goblins, but you have to believe me. They're not actually as bad as you might think. They are also beings who have feelings and understand the meaning of friendship."

Barla immediately refused with a stern expression. "No," he said in a stern tone, shaking his head as Arne tried to explain. "I will not risk our lives by following this plan. I know everything about goblins, they're sneaky and unbelievable thieves."

His body was upright, and his eyes were filled with firmness. Barla knows how dangerous goblins can be, and she won't agree to go on an adventure that presents unnecessary risks.

"It seems like there's really no one woman who fits me here." Arne thought as she heard the firm rejection from Barla.

"I understand your concerns, but this is one of the best ways to find Leo. The goblin village is not a bad place, and I'm sure we can get some help there, I have some friends there too." He spoke with a strong determination, trying to convince all of them.

After hearing Arne, there was a brief silence within the group. Each of them mused about the possible risks of following Arne's plan. Except Matilda went to bed first.

Suddenly, Belladona stood up and held onto Alisha's dreamy shoulders. Strictly speaking, he said, "I don't like this, but we have to take every risk to find Leo. We can't just sit and wait. Leo is our friend, and we have to do our best for him."

Glint tried to speak, "But, maybe there's another way? Do we really have to go to the goblin village?"

Barla re-embraced her sister, Glint, so tightly that her glasses almost fell off. He sighed for a moment, "Alright, we will definitely find Leo, and everything will be fine!" A burning spirit re-emerged from Barla, causing a faint smile on the faces of her friends, including Alisha.

Alisha raised her head, her once daydreaming eyes now filled with determination. "All right, we're leaving."