"I have been waiting here ever since everyone left. Baz monitored me at first, but because he was too bored, he left for a while and only returned later."
Baz was about to protest, but then he thought that Riven might be lying to test him. He paid attention to everyone's expressions, but no one seemed unusual.
"After that, I had to kneel here for a very long time. I am not sure how many hours it was, but then a divine and solemn voice echoed in my head."
Hearing this, everyone became even more curious. They had indeed never tried kneeling there long enough to confirm. It was not uncommon for powerful beings to have trials of perseverance and sincerity.
"Your pure and noble love has moved my frozen heart. Go inside and find the Heavenly Heart Wood to save your father-in-law."
The excuse was so ridiculous that everyone felt like Riven had just dragged their intelligence across the ground. Even Farrdin felt a slight urge to punch him.
Sylvie, having heard many cheesy lines from Riven, had adapted a bit and was no longer as embarrassed as before. This made Riven secretly happy because he was no longer being rejected.
No one questioned further. Everyone had secrets, and since he didn't want to talk, asking more would be useless.
"Baz, what happened to your back?"
Sylvie saw Baz's injury and asked worriedly. After all, he was a guard who had followed her for a long time.
"I just fell, my lady. No need to worry."
Sylvie went to Baz, raised both hands over the wound, and a holy white light radiated out, gradually healing the injury.
Baz suddenly felt that being injured wasn't too bad. He turned to look at Riven with a provocative attitude. However, Riven didn't care much, making Baz feel like a clown.
When Baz was finished being treated, although the wound was not completely healed, it could be said to be much better. The treatment was extremely painful because the nature of recovery magic was to restructure the wound, but Baz did not make a single sound, which surprised Riven.
Keeping face in front of a girl can truly boost one's spirit.
Finally, when everything was done, Lan kept looking at Riven as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare open her mouth. Her hands were clenched tight.
Although worried, Riven was very confident. So what if she suspected him? He already had a scapegoat, so his face showed an innocent and confused look, as if asking why she was staring at him.
Seeing this, Sylvie knew her friend couldn't say it herself, so she spoke for her. She looked at Riven with a serious gaze.
"She had a very important item stolen and saw a vague black-haired figure flash by."
After speaking, she observed Riven's reaction. After all, only Lan and Riven here had black hair, so it was obvious the suspect was Riven. She called it an important item to prevent the thief from being someone outside the group, which would protect her friend's honor. Furthermore, this matter had to be investigated as she felt terrified having a pervert in the group.
Hearing Sylvie's questioning, Riven tilted his head to one side, his index finger lightly touching his lip. His body did not tremble, his heart rate was steady, and he asked innocently.
"Huh? So you suspect me? But that's impossible. I've been kneeling here all night. Baz can testify for me."
Hearing this, Baz couldn't easily disagree because he had just gone along with Riven's act, so he could only silently bear this burden.
"Didn't you just say that Baz disappeared for a while?"
Riven's limbs began to tremble. He clutched his cloth bag and slowly backed away, saying warily.
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me!"
Farrdin quickly suppressed Riven and searched him thoroughly, but found nothing but a few copper-zinc coins and two pieces of moldy bread.
Seeing this, Sylvie quickly ran out to help him up and said.
"Sora, I'm sorry for doubting you. It's just..."
"It's okay. I understand. Being an outsider, it's natural to be suspected."
Sylvie turned to Lan, signaling for her to apologize as well. Lan also understood she had lost the argument because she had groundlessly suspected someone, so she reluctantly bowed her head.
"I... I'm sorry."
Riven laughed secretly in his heart and then tried to appear calm again, saying.
"It's fine. The important thing now is to find the thief. If this drags on, it will only cause us to distrust each other and the journey ahead will only become more difficult."
"I feel that Sora is right. If we don't find the internal problem first, it will be hard to move on."
Canis was the first to support him, making Riven wonder if he had guessed wrong.
"Since the priest has said so, why don't you set an example for everyone?"
Farrdin saw this and said.
"Canis went scouting with me and never disappeared."
Hearing this, Canis raised his hand and said.
"It's fine. If everyone is to be searched, I cannot be an exception."
Canis handed his bag to the group for inspection. Baz also peered in. Although he respected Canis, if Canis really wanted to kill Riven, wouldn't that be an attack on the lady? At that time, let alone the young master's best friend, he wouldn't even show respect to the young master himself.
In the end, there was no magic amplification item as Baz had thought. Inside were only things a normal priest of Wesland would have: food, water, a few magic stones, a bracelet, and a holy book of the creation god, Lumines Cetera.
But at that time, no one noticed, except Riven. Others might not know, but the RPG Dungeon allowed Riven to have full information on items, from their origin to their function and rarity.
Riven had already seen that the bracelet was a magic power amplifier. This was like people selling adult toys on Amazon disguised as thermos flasks. Even more chilling, this man had a Level 18 Knight puppet. Although it out-leveled Farrdin, an inanimate object would likely struggle to win against an experienced hunter.
Canis's earring was also a rare item, but the information was completely hidden. Perhaps the RPG Dungeon limited information display if it was too far from the owner.
Sylvie and Lan also had one or two items Riven couldn't see through. These were likely life-saving items or something similar.
There was no doubt that the attacker was Canis, but Farrdin mentioned Canis never went solo, making Riven wonder what trick he had used. However, this world had all sorts of strange skills, so it wasn't impossible that it was caused by his special skill.
Sylvie was ruled out from the start, so only Farrdin and Baz remained.
Inside Farrdin's luggage were only essential items, various traps, and a few short knives. But suddenly, a strange object, as wide as a fist and 20cm long, made of rubber, fell out of his bag.
Seeing this, both Lan and Sylvie turned away blushing. Baz backed away in fear, recalling times Farrdin had cared for him, and felt a chill down his spine. Canis and Riven looked at him with strange expressions, though they said nothing.
Farrdin's face remained cold and expressionless. Without any shame, he slowly picked up his things. Riven went over and patted his shoulder twice, saying.
"Isn't this good? If we encounter a succubus, we already have someone who can counter them."
Finally, it was Baz. He presented his luggage confidently. Seeing this, Riven looked at him with pity. Lan didn't suspect him much either. In her view, if Baz stole underwear, the person stolen from would likely be Sylvie, not herself. However, everyone still had to be checked to ensure fairness.
As soon as the bag was opened, a pure white object carrying a faint fragrance was the first thing to fall out. Canis, Riven, and Farrdin quickly closed their eyes. Baz was still dazed and didn't understand what was happening before he was punched by Lan.
He certainly had the ability to dodge, but he didn't dare. In the current situation, there was nothing to explain. No matter what he said, it would be useless. This infamy had to be accepted. He stood still and took the beating.
He wondered why, and then a refined face with pure black hair appeared in his mind. Gritting his teeth, he screamed in his heart.
Soraaaaa!!
Sylvie did not stop Lan. She felt disgusted by Baz's behavior. However, after seeing Lan hit him long enough, she stopped it before it became life-threatening. After all, this was the person who had protected her since childhood.
Resistance was futile. With Farrdin standing right there, Baz could only comply.
"I have dishonored the lady. I accept any form of punishment."
He held out both arms.
"These are the two arms that did that dirty work. Lady Lan, if you wish, I will disable them immediately."
Lan's mood had somewhat balanced out. She still knew some basic principles. She picked up the cloth and said.
"Syl, he's your subordinate. You handle it."
Baz's face was severely bruised. One must know that Lan was an archer. To be an archer, arm strength and endurance must be many times stronger than a swordsman's, as drawing a one-meter longbow and maintaining that state to aim required a massive amount of health.
Sylvie looked at him with a complex expression, told Baz to stand up, and said.
"What you did today has dishonored the Azula family. For the sake of your long service, the death penalty is waived, but you will be banished from the family forever."
Hearing this, Baz's eyes were a bit red. Although he didn't shed tears, everyone knew he was trying to hold them back. He knew the lady had been lenient. Considering Lan's status, even seeing her bare feet was a capital offense, let alone stealing underwear.
At this moment, he even forgot his rage toward Riven, feeling only empty and lost. The man who had almost died without a tear now had red eyes because he was being kicked out. He lowered his head, his red hair hiding his expression so no one knew what he was thinking.
The atmosphere was a bit heavy. As everyone gradually went into the cavern, only Riven stood there. He lightly reached out his hand, but it was once again pushed away by Baz. The man looked at Riven with hatred, but also did nothing to him.
"??????"
After hearing Riven's words, Baz's expression changed immediately, as if wanting Riven to confirm what he had just said.
Seeing this, Riven shrugged and went inside with everyone, leaving one sentence.
"Is there any point in asking those things? Won't you see it with your own eyes and verify it?"
Hearing this, his gaze became determined. The hatred for Riven was still there, but there seemed to be something else in his eyes.
Baz followed behind but kept his distance from them. He knew if he got too close, it would not be good.