"Finally out of the dark river. Catherine stretched her waist with a sigh of relief, sat on the ground and took off her waterproof pants and leather boots: "My legs are frozen and numb, why is the water in the cave so cold?"

"This river flows out of the Lake of Permafrost in the Frozen Hell, where the coldest part of the lower caverns is, and the last target is placed there according to our route. After the silence just now, there was still some unnaturalness in Pannis's voice: "It's also a very troublesome place, very troublesome. ”

"Why the trouble?" Catherine asked, puzzled, "Is it not just cold?"

"It's not just cold. Pannis frowned and said, "Forget it, after finding them, let's go to explore the Frost Realm first as planned, if we don't think about other places." ”

"You're an expert, you have the final say. Catherine repeated what she had said.

"Let's go, there's still half the way back. Pannis packed his backpack, carefully identified the path, and made a casual gesture: "I've been here a few times, and few adventurers will take this way." ”

"I'm sorry, Pannis. Catherine, who was following behind, suddenly apologized: "I asked a question that shouldn't have been asked just now." ”

Pannis was silent for a long time before replying, "It's okay, I'm not angry." ”

"But I'm not going to give up. Hearing Catherine's words, Pannis looked back in surprise, and saw her smiling, and the little girl-like playfully raised her index finger and shook it gently: "You have to be careful, Mr. Pannis, you know in your heart what my purpose is, the battle between us has just begun!"

"Boring. Pannis snorted coldly and turned back to continue walking, but the indifference on his face slowly subsided.

"Would you like to join our party, Pannis. Although she couldn't see Pannis's expression, Catherine was sensitive to the change in atmosphere and sent out an invitation even more vigorously.

"Not interested. Pannis refused without thinking.

"Don't be too busy refusing it. Catherine chuckled and said briskly: "The treatment is very good, you can get 20% of the income from the adventure, and when there is no task, you can spend your time freely, completely free." ”

"No interest at all. Pannis's tone was impatient.

"And three beautiful women as your teammates. Catherine ignored Pannis's impatience and continued to seduce: "Think about it, three beautiful women revolve around you every day, this is how many men will wake up laughing when they dream." ”

"Beauty?" Pannis scoffed, "I only saw three little girls who were not weaned. ”

"Oh, you like little girls who aren't weaned? Leaving Lina and Vivian, Catherine seemed to let go of her usual steadiness and maturity, and joked lightly: "But how do you look at Vivian, although she is a few years older than your request, but it's still close, why don't I introduce it to you?"

"You give me about the same. Pannis shouted a loud rebuke for a headache.

"Hee-hee, okay, okay. Catherine covered her mouth and snickered, but quickly retracted her smile and said solemnly, "But seriously, Pannis, don't you really think about getting out of this miserable life?"

"Not at all. Pannis said categorically, "I think it's good now." ”

"yes, that's good. Catherine seemed to hear some joke, and laughed back and forth: "Desperately trying to get yourself drunk but never being able to get drunk, desperately using different women to numb yourself but never being able to forget that person, desperately torturing yourself but never being able to get out of the regret of the past, hehe, how much do you hate yourself, will you think this is good?"

Pannis kept his mouth tightly shut and said nothing.

"Actually, each of the three of us has a past that we don't want to face. Catherine's voice softened, and she whispered, "You can't imagine what Lina and Vivien were like when they first met. ”

Not expecting Pannis's feedback at all, Catherine took it upon herself: "Lina, like a timid little beast, hides herself in the dark all day long. Day and night, the room is closed with thick curtains, as if this is the only way to get a little sense of security. When there is no one around, light a lamp in the house, hold a variety of books to read, and as soon as someone approaches, immediately turn off the light and hide yourself in the dark. But she is afraid of the dark, so every time she hides in the dark, she has to hold a book. For her, books are the strength that supports her, and only by holding them can she feel truly safe. And at that time, she didn't know how to express her feelings at all, she could only say some simple sentences with a blank face, and other than that, she was forever numb. ”

After a slight pause, and seeing that Pannis didn't mean to interrupt, Catherine continued, "If Lina just doesn't know how to react to your communication, Vivien just doesn't. She is indeed a genius, and she has wasted a lot of time before. So she has too many ideas that need to be tested by experiments, so she spends all her time every day thinking, eating, sleeping, bathing, walking, whenever and wherever she is, as long as she is awake, she keeps thinking. Moreover, I still know her situation, she is really special, she endures a severe headache similar to that of a mage's mental power overdraft every day, and refuses to show the pain. When you communicate with her, she is actually trying to do three things, endure pain, keep thinking, and communicate with you, and communicating with others is the lowest priority. That's why I used to say ten words to her at the beginning, and she would only answer one 'oh' at the end. ”

"As for why they're like this, Vivien, I've known them since I was a kid and know a little bit, and Lina, I've only guessed a little. But no matter what, we're getting better little by little. Catherine clapped her hands vigorously and accentuated her tone: "So, Pannis, why don't you join us and join us in slowly stepping out of the shadows of the past?

It doesn't matter, what matters is what happens in the future. ”

"Is this your salvation?" said Pennis, in a calm tone, finally picking out Catherine's intentions.

"Yes. Catherine also did not hide her thoughts: "This is my salvation, the knight's salvation." ”

Pannis chuckled softly and shook his head silently: "It's useless. ”

"Why?" Catherine asked, puzzled, "you're longing for it, aren't you?" Why don't you accept it? Isn't it good to give yourself a chance to get out of the past?"

"You are kind, Catherine, and I understand your good intentions. Pannis sighed deeply and said in a deep tone, "But it's useless. You can't redeem me, no one can redeem me. I am a sinner, and this is the punishment that my sin deserves. Punishment will stay with me until the day of judgment. I will never, ever be saved. So, you might as well give up. ”

"Even if you say that, I can still feel the longing in your heart. Catherine's tone remained firm: "I will not give up, you will definitely be saved, Pannis, in the knight's creed, there is never an option to give up." ”

"Well, whatever you want. Pannis said weakly: "No matter what happens in the future, now we have to speed up, and we will be there in more than half an hour." ”

"Okay. Catherine no longer dwelled on the question of salvation, and sped up as she said: "I hope they are all well." ”

"There shouldn't be any problems, there are very few monsters in this area. Pannis reassured: "And as the head of the regiment, you must believe in the abilities of the regiment." ”

"But they're not part of the group to me. Catherine smiled wryly: "They are family." So even if I knew they were capable of facing any danger, I would still be worried. ”

"Then go quickly, and you can rest assured when we meet. ”

――――――――――――――――――

"Catherine!" Before she could see the figure, she heard Lina's joyful voice ringing out, "Vivian, Rachel, I heard the voice of the eldest sister." ”

"Oh. ”

Following the direction of the sound, continuing to rush through a few narrow corners, Catherine finally saw the maidens again, as she wished. At this time, Lina and Vivian Rachel only set up a small defensive circle. In the light blue defensive circle, the three of them were sitting around the Crystal Source Furnace.

"Come on, Catherine, Rachel's cooking is very good, there are two delicious ones, I have two servings for you, come and eat, if you don't come again, I'll eat them all." Lina did not hide the joy and excitement in her voice, closed the defensive circle, and cheered in oblivion.

Rushing through the last passage, Catherine hugged Lina excitedly: "It's great to see that you're okay, haven't you been attacked?"

"Of course not, after hearing Pannis's prompt, Vivien immediately supported the defensive circle, and there was a hidden circle before, but I estimated that you should almost come, so I canceled the hidden circle, I'm afraid you won't find it. Lina explained very quickly, and she didn't know which book she was imitating the main character of the book: "It's you, what happened next?

Ignoring the two women hugging each other and muttering, Pannis handed Rachel a bowl of food aside, observing the gravel blocking the road in front of him: "I'll eat later, I'll see if I can open this place first." Well, it's okay, it takes half an hour to get the road open. ”

"Shall we start digging now?" Vivien was still in deep thought, only Rachel could still notice Pennis, and stood up at Pannis's words, "I'm here to help, too." ”

"No need. Pannis also sat down by the fire: "Let's camp here tonight, I'll do it with Catherine in the evening, you have injuries, they are both not strong in the casting profession, so let's rest." ”

"Thank you for taking care of me. Rachel thanked: "Then let's rest for a while, you have worked hard for such a long detour." ”