Yarra’s Adventure Notes

Chapter 37 - 37 27 Convergence_1

?37: Chapter 27 Convergence_1 37: Chapter 27 Convergence_1 “Finally got out of the Dark River.” Catherine stretched her waist with a sigh of relief, sitting on the ground and taking off her waterproof pants and boots.

“My legs are numb from the cold.

Why is the water in the cave so chilly?”

“This river flows out from the Frozen Lake in the Frozen Hell.

That’s the coldest place in the lower caves.

According to our route, our final destination is there,” Mr.

Pannis’s voice was still a bit unnatural after the silence just now.

“It’s a troublesome place, very troublesome.”

“What’s so troublesome about it?” Catherine asked, puzzled.

“Isn’t it just cold?”

“It’s not just the cold,” Pannis frowned.

“Let’s leave it at that.

After we find them, we’re still planning on exploring the Frost Realm first.

If we can’t find them there, we’ll consider other options.”

“You’re the expert, you call the shots,” Catherine reiterated her earlier statement.

“Let’s go.

We still have half the journey to go,” Pannis gathered his backpack carefully, discerning the path.

He acted as if nothing had happened.

“I’ve only been here a few times.

Few adventurers choose this route.”

“I’m sorry, Pannis,” Catherine suddenly apologized from behind.

“I asked a question I shouldn’t have.”

Pannis stayed silent for a long while before answering in a muffled voice, “It’s alright, I’m not angry.”

“But I won’t give up so easily.” Hearing Catherine’s words, Pannis turned back in surprise only to see her smiling playfully like a little girl, wagging her finger at him.

“Be careful, Mr.

Pannis.

You know what I’m after.

Our battle has just begun!”

“Nonsense,” Pannis scoffed, turned back around and continued on his way.

But the coldness on his face faded gradually.

“How about joining our adventure team, Pannis?” Even though she couldn’t see Pannis’ expression, Catherine perceptively noticed the change in atmosphere and redoubled her invitation.

“Not interested,” Pannis rejected her request without a second thought.

“Don’t rush to refuse,” Catherine laughed lightly and spoke enthusiastically.

“The benefits are great.

You get room and board, you get twenty percent of the adventure earnings, and when there are no missions, you can spend your time freely.”

“I’m not interested at all,” Pannis sounded impatient.

“We also have three beauties as your teammates,” Catherine continued tantalizing him, regardless of Pannis’ impatience.

“Think about it, three beauties revolving around you every day.

This is a dream come true for any man.”

“Beauties?” Pannis scoffed.

“I only see three girls who are still wet behind the ears.”

“Oh?

You’re into young girls?

That could be a problem.” Far away from Lina and Vivian, Catherine let down her caution, joking freely with him.

“But what about Vivian?

She might be a few years older than your preference, but she is still relatively young.

Would you like me to introduce you to her?”

“Enough already,” Pannis growled fiercely, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

“Hehe, alright, alright.” Catherine burst out laughing, she then immediately stopped, and said seriously: “But really, Pannis, haven’t you ever thought about leaving this painful life you’re living?”

“No, not at all,” Pannis replied decisively.

“I think everything is all right.”

“Yes, everything is all right,” Catherine said as she laughed out loud as if she’d just heard a funny joke.

“Trying to drink yourself into oblivion but failing, trying to numb yourself with different women but unable to forget that one person, torturing yourself but never being able to move past your regret and remorse.

Just how much do you hate yourself to think things are all right?”

Pannis kept his mouth tightly shut, not uttering a word.

“Actually, each of us has a past we don’t want to confront,” Catherine’s voice softened.

“You can’t imagine what Lina and Vivian were like when I first met them.”

Without waiting for Pannis’ reaction, Catherine continued, “Back then, Lina was like a timid little beast, always hiding herself in the darkness.

Day or night, she would draw her curtains tight as if doing so made her feel safe.

When alone, she would sit in the dark with a single lamp lit, reading her books.

As soon as someone approached, she would douse the lamp and immerse herself in darkness.

Even though she was scared of darkness, she kept a book with her all the time.

To her, those books were her pillar of strength and she only felt truly safe when she had a book to hold.

She didn’t know how to express emotions at that time and her expressions were often numb.”

There’s a pause before Catherine continues, “As for Vivian, she didn’t respond to anything at all.

She indeed was a genius and had wasted a considerable amount of time.

As a result, she had a lot of ideas she had to validate through experiments.

Therefore, she used all her time to think, even while eating, sleeping, bathing, and walking.

As long as she was awake, she was thinking.

And also, I know her condition quite well.

She was unique.

She was in so much pain, much like when a Mage overexerts his Vitality, yet she never showed it.

When you talk to her, she actually juggles three things – enduring the pain, keeping up with her thoughts, and carrying the conversation with you.

Needless to say, interacting with people was the least of her priorities.

So back then, for every ten sentences you say to her, she’d only answer ‘Oh’.”

“As for why they are like this, I’ve known Vivian since we were children, so I understand her a little, and Lina, I’m only guessing a bit.

But either way, we’re all gradually getting better.” Catherine clapped her hands passionately, intensifying the mood.

“So, Pannis, why not join us, and gradually step out of the shadows of the past with us?

What happened in the past

does not matter, what matters is what will happen in the future.”

“So this is your redemption?” Pannis’s tone was extremely calm, finally clarifying the intent of Catherine.

“Yes,” Catherine admitted directly, not hiding her thoughts: “This is my redemption, the knight’s redemption.”

Pannis chuckled softly and shook his head in silence: “It’s useless.”

“Why?” Catherine asked anxiously, “Aren’t you also longing for it?

You’re also yearning for redemption in your pain, I can see it.

Why won’t you accept it?

Isn’t it good to give yourself a chance to move on from the past?”

“You’re very kind, Catherine, I understand your good intentions,” Pannis sighed deeply and said solemnly: “But it’s useless.

You can’t redeem me, no one can.

I am a sinner, and this is the punishment I deserve for my sins.

Punishment will follow me until the day of judgment.

I can never, never be redeemed.

So, just give up.”

“Even if you say that, I can still feel your deep longing.” Catherine’s tone was still firm: “I won’t give up, you will be saved, Pannis.

In the knight’s creed, there is never an option to give up.”

“Well, do as you please,” Pannis uttered weakly: “No matter what, we need to speed up now, we’ll be there in over half an hour.”

“Alright.” Catherine did not dwell on the topic of redemption, and as per his suggestion, sped up: “I hope they are all safe.”

“There shouldn’t be any problems.

This area is rarely visited by magical creatures,” Pannis reassured: “And as a team leader, you need to have faith in the capabilities of your teammates.”

“But to me, they’re not just my teammates.” Catherine gave a bitter smile: “They’re family.

So even if I know they can handle any danger, I still worry.”

“Then let’s hurry, you’ll be at ease once you see them.”

——————————————————

“Catherine!” Lina’s joyful voice reverberated even before they caught sight of each other: “Vivian, Rachel, I hear Catherine’s voice.”

“Oh.”

Following the direction of the voice, after running through several narrow corners, Catherine finally got to see the girls again.

At this time, Lina, Vivian, and Rachel had only set up small defensive arrays.

Inside the light blue defensive array, the three of them were huddled around a crystal energy furnace.

“Catherine, come quickly!

Rachel’s cooking is really good.

There’s delicious food, we’ve saved two portions for you, hurry up and eat.

If you don’t hurry, I’m going to eat it all,” Lina’s voice was brimming with joy and excitement.

She turned off the defensive array, cheering ecstatically.

Rushing through the final passage, Catherine embraced Lina excitedly: “It’s so good to see you all unharmed.

Have you been attacked?”

“Of course not.

After hearing Pannis’s warning, Vivian quickly set up the defensive array, and we also had a concealment array, but I estimated you would arrive soon so I cancelled it for fear you wouldn’t find us,” Lina quickly explained, seemingly imitating a character from a book: “What about you two?

What happened?

Did you encounter any danger?”

Paying no mind to the two women huddled together, Pannis placed the bowl of food that Rachel handed him to one side and examined the boulders blocking the road: “I’ll eat in a bit, first let me see if we can clear this up.

Hmm, it should be doable, just need about half an hour.”

“Should we start digging now?” Vivian was still deep in thought, only Rachel noticed Pannis and stood up, “I’ll help.”

“No need,” Pannis also sat down beside the furnace: “We’ll just camp here tonight.

Catherine and I will take care of it later.

You’re injured, and the two of them are from the caster profession and may not have the physical strength, so you all rest.”

“Thank you for taking care of us,” Rachel thanked him: “Then let’s rest now.

You two have come a long way.”