Northern, seeing the direction the conversation was heading, removed his attention from the oppressed Reno and turned to listen to Helena and Raven.
From his point of view, there wasn't much difference between the two in height and stature, although Raven boasted a slightly taller physique.
However, Helena had more muscles, lean and taut, although most of her body was exposed while it was the other way around for Raven.
It was not possible to say if Raven's muscles were as tight as Helena's.
And Northern didn't think so; she still looked tender before his eyes.
Another difference was their faces. Helena had a wild, troublesome face, brunette hair, and beautiful brown eyes, even from the distance he stood.
Raven had jet-black hair—as black as Reno's—distinguished crimson eyes, and a genteel look with a subtle hint of catastrophe managing to weave itself around that gentility.
It was amazing how a straight-looking young girl could be so twisted.
Northern shook his head slightly as he watched both of them, just as Raven said:
"The Sleeping Mountains."
...And Helena began to sweat bullets.
The Sleeping Mountains? That was where they were going.
'I wonder if it's a mountain that sleeps,' Northern bemused jokingly.
He was still paying attention when a froggy chuckle reached him from beneath.
He looked down at the guy chuckling.
Reno was trying to get up and was laughing at the same time, which caused Northern to raise an inquisitive brow.
What in hell was funny?
"While I do admit that you two are a strong bunch... Raven Light and this man..." he coughed and paused.
"Going to the Sleeping Mountains is suicidal."
Northern looked at him with confusion, then he looked at Raven, who was standing opposite him.
His eyes were begging for an explanation.
What exactly were The Sleeping Mountains, to warrant such a reaction from a Sage... and the nonsense that this guy was spitting?
Raven looked at Reno and frowned.
"I intend to prove you all wrong."
...It made Northern utterly uncomfortable!
Because he could tell this was her being reckless again. She had not told him the complete story of what they were pursuing.
Stealing the map and killing a Maelstrom-rank monster were supposed to be the highlights of the beginning of this strange expedition.
But really, what was she chasing and why?
Even if it was the freedom of everyone, why was she choosing to do this?
There was an airship, isn't there... she had claimed there was and even said she would give it to Northern to find his way home.
His journey would be way easier; he would be able to avoid whatever horrors dwelled in the depths of the sea and continually attacked Central Plains's border.
But also, wasn't Raven concerned about going home?
Really, why was she doing all of this?
The question was so mind-boggling that prolonged thought made his head hurt.
He knew whatever she had planned was very dangerous, but maybe he was underestimating how dangerous it might be.
"I know that it doesn't matter what I say, you'll just end up doing what you want. Just like that time too."
Raven looked at Reno, who was now standing on his feet, slightly wary of Northern's furrowed brow and intense scrutiny.
"While I do appreciate you for your help, I also do not intend to become lackadaisical, lethargic, laid back, and comfortable like you guys. The only way out of this desolation is moving forward, whether it's the Sleeping Mountains or Sea of Horrors, be it the heavens or all kinds of hell. I will break through it to stand as the Supreme Victor and conqueror of Stelia."
Her words were resolute; the confidence she spoke with could almost be touched.
But Northern wasn't impressed in any way.
He had his opinion; he was just going to keep it to himself.
However, as if Reno read his mind, his mouth parted, asking the same question Northern had thought of:
"Why? Why are you so ambitious?"
Raven looked at him with a very blank expression. Anyone could tell, with the way she cluelessly tilted her head, that she was very lost.
She lingered for a while, then opened her mouth and asked:
"I don't understand your question. Are you not ambitious?"
Reno's expression froze. For a second, he felt like he was talking to a robot, a programmed, mechanized essence of existence with no common reasoning and emotion.
Reno looked around and freed an exasperated sigh.
"What is there to have ambition about, Raven? Look at us? We are surrounded by nothing but hollowness, horrors left and right. The only thing we can do is survive with whatever we have. Being ambitious in a place will ruin whatever is left of the life we have."
Raven was silent, thinking, then she opened her mouth:
"So... you are saying, rather than be ambitious even if it costs your life, you'll rather be a coward, a fool, living in the slavery of your own mind when you could be fighters and liberators who not only fought for the freedom of the life handed to them by a cruel bastard but also for the freedom from fate's gruesome grasp on them."
"I always knew everyone in Sloria was stupid and unintelligent, I just never thought it was this deep."
Northern's mouth fell open.
What was it with all the sharp words?!
Raven turned to Helena.
"I believe I have said more than enough... I know how dangerous the Sleeping Mountains are, but it is the only way forward."
She looked at Northern.
"Do you have the map?"
Northern nodded, then he turned his head to Reno with a deep frown.
"This guy here also tried to steal it."
His eyes, however, widened the moment he belatedly realized... the owner of the map was still standing amidst them.
And... and... and yet... Raven casually mentioned it like that?
Wasn't the entire point of this operation so that Helena did not find out she was stolen from?
Meanwhile, Helena, whose eyes were tightly closed, with a vein or two threatening to pop out of her forehead, turned to Raven.
Her black rod was already in her hand, grips tightening viciously around it.
With a seething but stifled voice, she said:
"Hey Raven... you." She paused, gripping the rod even tighter, her muscles rolling dangerously. "You... must be a very arrogant bitch."