Northern did not struggle to see at all.
At first, when they started walking into the cave, he had suspected that perhaps Raven was lying, maybe it wasn't as bad as she claimed.
Because how was he supposed to believe that she made an entire plan based on a speculation that he would have great eyesight due to the beauty of his eyes?
He wasn't going to buy it at all!
Something had to be fishy!
And so Northern pressed forward, carefully leading her with Terence on his back.
Aside from the distracting fact that her breasts were pressing against his back harder with each step he took, he also had her strangely rising temperature to worry about.
But he had a feeling that he shouldn't speak, not in this eerie darkness.
He could perfectly see through with no difficulty, but there was something in the darkness of this cave that created a stark difference from the usual darkness he was used to.
Even in the night, [All Eyes] could see minute details down to dots.
And without much strain.
But here, it was like his sight was limited.
Trying to see deep into the darkness felt tumultuous, like a strong veil was blocking some distance beyond from being pierced by the prowess of his eyes.
The farther he went, the farther this veil went.
It was like the ratio of details he could see was limited by a certain distance.
And beyond it was an impenetrable darkness, not even by his own godly eyes.
It felt strange and upsetting, that Northern, at a point, silently gritted his teeth.
His eyes were, of course, limited by distance usually, but it was a tremendously far distance that he never thought they'd be any use to be worried about it.
He could even see as far as five kilometers ahead.
Suddenly being limited by this little darkness was disgusting and endearing.
It made him sure that there was undoubtedly something about this darkness.
Something he'd not mind unraveling.
'Should I use the Unseeing Eyes?' He thought at some point.
That was, after all, the ability of his unique eyes that could unravel the mystery of the strings that wove reality.
But that, of course, would be very unwise of him.
Raven was behind him, and Terence was on his back.
There's no telling what could happen from using an ability like that before them, most especially Raven.
Northern didn't want any of his secrets spilling into her hands, any at all!
So he'd just suck it up and silently pass through this strange and difficult darkness.
As they continued, another thing Northern got to discover was Raven's sincerity.
At times when he was careless, thinking she'd maneuver it somehow, the young lady was like a helpless sheep, almost stumbling from stones.
When it first happened, Northern had thought she was just putting in an act, but then it happened again and again.
Then he began to feel like a bad person.
His mind demanded several questions.
Most of which revolved around how senseless and disturbing he found her existence to be.
She really planned her entire journey based on the things that he could do.
'Does she have an ability that can make her see my abilities? Cause, how can she be so sure...'
There had to be something.
Northern was filled with so much confusion that he even almost faltered his steps.
That was the moment he reorganized his thoughts and decided to focus on successfully traversing the darkness.
After that, his thoughts were silenced. A couple of minutes later, a slight glint of light appeared afar.
Immediately it came into view, he heard Raven's voice.
"Eh? That fast?" He unknowingly blurted out his thoughts.
Raven smiled, "Would you like me to keep pretending I was blind so you can hold me a little longer?"
Northern frowned, a forced smile parting his lips in the darkness.
"How strange, I never knew an oddball like you had a sense of humor."
"Oh, I really needed to grow one; I could just go insane in this place, you know."
She patted his shoulders and walked forward.
Northern's frown deepened as he watched her go.
Again, he felt like he had just been violated somewhere.
'What the hell is wrong with me?!'
He hurried forward, his voice running ahead of him.
"Hey, you better come take your girl!"
Raven did not stop and just trekked forward.
She then stopped and raised her right hand wordlessly, causing Northern to wear caution like a robe as he slowly approached her.
"We are closer to the entrance; we have to be careful there's no scout in sight," she responded to him in a low tone.
"Oh, I see..." Northern nodded.
Both of them stood closer to the bright entrance, drenched in grave silence.
A couple of minutes later, Northern leaned his head closer to her and whispered:
"I'm curious, though... you seem super cautious of these spies. This stronghold of Sloria, how special is it?"
Raven looked at him, a slight show of surprise reflected on her face.
"Master Annette didn't tell you about it?"
Northern scrunched his entire face.
"Uhm, no, she didn't. And the level of your specifics has me questioning why, of all people, you mentioned Instructor Annette."
"She is always around you?"
"You've been watching me?" His brows were slowly closing towards one another.
"Isn't that a given? I intend to need you, and I was paying a huge sum to you. Even though you'd be taking a very valuable item from me."
"Wait, wait, wait, let me get this," he chuckled a little, "so you've been watching me since when? And wasn't it you who offered the airship?" At this point, Northern's voice grew a bit louder.
Raven immediately placed a finger on her lips, looked front, and was silent for a few seconds before she then said:
"After we talked, and I said I was going to get back to you, I intentionally delayed because I wanted to have some time to see if you truly had what I needed."
Northern frowned grimly.
"Okay, I don't find this pleasing at all. And I didn't even know? How were you able to do it?"
Raven looked at him, "The black bird..."
Northern and Raven were silent after her last statement.
There had to be something to it. He wanted to know!
But wasn't that just calling her to hover upon his matters?
He had to be meticulous and extremely careful, should not act as a fool and give himself away any more than he probably has.
Which was why he chose to stay silent and not ask anything about the bird.
They had an entire expedition; there was no reason to rush. Who even knows how long they could be on this expedition?
Northern breathed and looked away from her.
"So... when exactly are we going to step out of this place?"
Raven's statement stopped midway as she suddenly widened her eyes and swung her face to Northern's back.
She suddenly threw her hand towards the person he was carrying, but before it could make it, Terence's head was already raised, a loud sickening shriek soared out of her mouth, filling the entire darkness with a frightening dread.
And of course... announcing their presence.