They continued walking for a few more hours until they reached a cliff edge. They looked down to see a village packed with houses.
They saw demons moving around and some domestic creatures walking as well.
"Seems like we made it," Bael said, looking down at the village.
Shin caught up to Bael, still panting a bit. He looked over at him.
"A few hundred meters, huh," Bael said under his breath, loud enough for Shin to hear.
Bael then went over to Shin and grabbed him by the collar. Shin looked a bit worried. Then, out of nowhere, Bael jumped off the cliff, taking Shin with him.
Shin did not have the energy to scream or move and just let himself be dragged down by Bael.
"Hey Bael. What did you see a few hours back?" Shin managed to ask as they fell.
Bael looked at him, then looked away.
Yeesh. You'd think he'd share things since we're traveling together.
Shin looked down and saw the ground getting close enough to safely land. Both of them managed to land on their feet and walked out of the crater they had made.
They continued walking until they reached the village, which was much bigger than they had originally thought.
They walked through the crowded streets until they reached an inn. Bael walked up to the counter.
Shin sat at a nearby table.
"I'd like a room for two," Bael said.
"How many nights?" the innkeeper asked, walking toward a shelf filled with keys.
He scrolled through the keys and pulled out one: Room twelve.
"One night," Bael finally responded.
The innkeeper turned and faced Bael, placing the key on the table.
"That will be three hundred zen," the innkeeper said, holding out his hand.
Bael nodded and handed over the three hundred zen. He walked over to Shin and pointed toward the corridor leading to the rooms.
Shin got up, and both of them headed down the corridor. They walked for a bit and then arrived at room twelve.
Bael opened the door, and the two entered. Shin dropped the bags and plopped onto one of the beds, lying face down.
Bael looked at Shin with a look of indifference. He dropped his own bags and stared at Shin.
One spell and he's down. What does Satel see in him?
"Hey Shin. Who are the strongest people you know?" Bael asked as he plopped onto the bed as well.
Shin lifted his head and looked at Bael. "My former brother and best friend Bjorn, Emma, and my lost—or potentially dead—brother and best friend, Jack."
"Lost?" Bael said in shock.
"Yeah, he disappeared a year after Bjorn left the orphanage. Luckily, Bjorn and his wife kept me company until I got out," Shin said, throwing his face back into the pillow.
Bael nodded, then looked up at the ceiling. He was lost in thought once more.
Shin fell asleep rather quickly, leaving Bael to his thoughts.
That mirror mask.