Endless Debt Chapter 1170 - 23: Guess_2

The imposing shadow of the wall fell, and the tangible shift brought Bologue a measure of relief.

"Shall we press on, Aimou? Or perhaps take a moment to rest?" Bologue inquired.

"I'm perfectly fine, let's keep moving. Our goal is to reach Gray Stone Town before nightfall," Aimou replied. "If we make good time, we might even enjoy dinner there."

"Hmm."

Bologue gave a slight nod, proceeding onwards with Aimou.

Though it was termed a hike, the journey felt more akin to a leisurely stroll, punctuated by conversation and the occasional skirmish with stray, mindless creatures.

Indeed, since the outset, Bologue hadn't faced any significant opposition. The collapse of the Wandering Crossroads had seen the demons that lurked within banished to the Abandoned Land, purged like a festering wound.

It had been some time since Bologue had encountered any demons within the city's confines.

As the two delved deeper into the rift, enveloped by an almost palpable silence, Bologue couldn't entirely shed his sense of caution. He maintained his readiness, a testament to his training as a field operative, even in what seemed like a routine excursion.

Beneath his lapel lay the Deceitful Snake Scale Liquid, while the Resentful Bite and Vengeful Saw Axe were secured in a specialized carrier on his back... It might even be said that Aimou herself served as an extension of his external equipment.

"You appear quite elated," Bologue observed.

Aimou's sprightly demeanor reminded him of their first meeting.

"Naturally! I'm finally free from those endless ledgers," Aimou declared with a grin.

She beamed at Bologue, but her smile faltered, replaced by a hint of hesitation.

"What troubles you?" Bologue inquired.

"Just contemplating something," Aimou responded enigmatically.

"What is it?" Bologue pressed. "Is it work-related? If you're truly unable to bear it, I can arrange a transfer for you. Your primary role is within the Special Operations Group, after all."

As the leader of the Special Operations Group, Bologue was beginning to appreciate the subtle advantages of authority. At the very least, when he tasked Palmer with mundane duties, the man complied without question.

"You wouldn't wish for your entire attendance record to be marked with demerits by me, would you?"

"Bologne, you've truly changed!"

Such exchanges were common at home. It wasn't that Bologue intentionally sought to intimidate Palmer; rather, Palmer's extreme laziness often tested even Bologue's patience.

"Ah..."

Aimou let out a soft sigh, then turned to Bologue with a smile. "Speaking of which, as an expert, you manage everything flawlessly, don't you? Almost to a fault, like a true perfectionist."

"That's generally accurate," Bologue confirmed with a nod.

"Then, from an expert's viewpoint, what should I do to find greater happiness?"

Bologue paused, his brow furrowed in thought. "Are you hoping I'll devise a method to delight you?"

"I never stated as much," Aimou replied.

With the meticulousness of a machine, Bologue weighed the potential motivations and consequences, ultimately arriving at a conclusion.

"Very well, I believe I understand now."

"Understand what?"

Aimou couldn't help but feel that Bologue understood precisely nothing. When this man became set on something, he was as unyielding as an ancient stone.

As this thought crossed Aimou's mind, Bologue suddenly reached out and took her hand, asking, "Is this acceptable?"

"Huh?"

Aimou froze. While she had considered the possibility, the actual act felt somewhat abrupt.

It seemed that whenever she attempted to probe the boundaries of the expert's understanding, he would, with an impassive expression, unerringly discern her true intentions.

Gently holding Aimou's hand, Bologue continued their journey, pulling her along. His pace was unhurried, as though he were concerned for her comfort.

"There's no one else around, so you needn't feel self-conscious."

"No, no, no, it's not a matter of shyness!"

Bologue turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Aimou. "Aimou, you're quite transparent with your emotions. If you wish to conceal your feelings, you should maintain a Steel Body state."

He then added, almost as an afterthought, "Though, the Steel Body isn't particularly remarkable."

His eyes precisely registered the subtle shifts in Aimou's expression.

"Your gaze is remarkably easy to decipher; it's practically written all over your face."

A flicker of something unreadable passed through Aimou's eyes.

...

Even now, despite their confirmed intimacy and the myriad of shared experiences connecting them, a subtle sense of restraint lingered between them. Fortunately, Bologue appeared unconcerned by this, echoing the sentiment often expressed by the Undead: he possessed a virtually infinite amount of time to pursue his desires, including the gradual deepening of their relationship.

Bologue held Aimou's hand as they walked the length of the Gray Stone Rift. He deliberately adjusted his stride, matching Aimou's pace to maintain their rhythm.

A carefree smile graced Aimou's lips, while Bologue, despite his outward composure, remained ever vigilant.

As the leader, Bologue held a considerable degree of personal authority, allowing him the freedom to independently authorize operational expansions. At this moment, his focus was set on conducting a thorough investigation of Gray Stone Town. Should the need arise, he aimed to neutralize the latent threat presented by the town at the earliest opportunity.

Presently, the Order Bureau grappled with two significant existential threats: the relentless emergence of the Night Race, shadowed by the Rebellious Royal Court operating in secret; and the increasingly precarious equilibrium within the Abandoned Land.

Any invasion of the Abandoned Land originating from Gray Stone Town, particularly if it forcefully disrupted the established balance, would precipitate a catastrophic outcome for Oath City. Such an event could either unleash Calamity upon the world or ignite an uncontrollable conflagration. Oath City had already endured far too much devastation.

As dusk began to settle, just before the last vestiges of daylight faded, Bologue's gaze fell upon the small settlement situated within the chasm.

A formidable iron fence had been erected by the townsfolk in front of their dwellings, seemingly positioned to impede entry from the Great Rift. Alternatively, it might serve to restrict movement from the town outwards towards the Great Rift. These contradictory actions piqued Bologue's curiosity regarding their underlying purpose.