Chapter 64: A Double-edged Sword
Park Noah’s decision to tolerate Adrian’s accompaniment was a double-edged sword; some times an excellent choice, other times, the worst. On the brighter side, he had taken care of the assassins in much cleaner and quieter than Kyle Leonard had.
Since his return, Muell never signaled a warning again. Using Adrian was the perfect way to deal with the persistent assassins, Park Noah thought. In that way, she eliminates her enemies without spending an ounce of energy.
Unfortunately, however, it has also caused considerable mental fatigue.
“If I’ve done a good job, shouldn’t you give me the promised pay?”
“That’s why I called you by your name. Adrian. Adrian. Adrian. Adrian.”
“Not sincere. Is that really what you meant when I could follow you?”
“What more do you want?”
“I thought you’d be as sweet as you used to be. For example, I’m allowed this close…”
Park Noah didn’t budge at the inching Adrian. Instead, it was Muell who pushed his chin away. “Go away. Noah hates it.”
“What do you mean no? She didn’t complain.”
“Noah gets tired of everything when she’s over the limit. You are a nuisance to Noah right now.”
As the days went by, the curly-haired child had become more talkative. And Park Noah found it scary that he had grasped her too well.
She descended from the train, leaving it up to the little boy to drive the blond man away. I managed to get to Battuanu.
It was her first time visiting the place. Two years ago, when she traveled to Sorrent, she had taken the train bound Central Edman.
Battuanu is the western part of Laurent and is also the westernmost coastal city on the whole continent. The moment she got off the train, she breathed in the salty smell of the sea. In the distance, shrieks of seagulls could be heard.
Immediately, she checked the train’s timetable for Tezeba at the train station. The express train to Tezeba departed twice a day: at noon and at six o’clock in the evening. Park Noah decided to go to the hospital first, stop by the Battuanu security forces and contact Kyle Leonard, and then leave tomorrow morning.
“There’s also a ferry from Battuanu to Tezeba,” Adrian interrupted.
“A ferry?”
Adrian seemed to have noticed that imparting useful information was a better tactic at earning a response from Park Noah than pestering her with endless stares.
“It takes a long time depending on the weather, but the facilities are no match for trains. The most expensive first-class rooms are more luxurious than most hotels. The accommodation is very good and they serve plenty of food.” He said, pointing at a map plastered on the wall.
“Hmm…”
The advantage of trains is their speed. Trains are the fastest of all the transportation modes in the world and can easily cross any rugged mountain range as long as there is a railway.
The downside, however, is the inconvenience, especially on long travels. Passengers could utilize their seats, but it would only be enough for a short nap. Furthermore, the meals served could barely fill an empty stomach. As a result, plenty of passengers would get off the train when it stops at a station, and return only on its departure.
In comparison, ships are definitely a more attractive choice in terms of facilities for their superb accommodations. Although the speed is slower than that of a train, the difference is only a day or two.
After a long thought of weighing the two options, Park Noah made a decision. “No, but it’s better to take another day off here and then travel by train.”
“Why?”
“There would be no escaping if there’s an attack on the ship. If something happens in the middle of the sea, the post-processing becomes more complicated than on land. And most of all…”
“Most of all?”
“I get seasick.”
“…A perfect irrefutable excuse.”
Truthfully, it was all Park Noah been thinking about. Then, they headed into the city in search of an inn. Adrian followed her all the way to the port, where nearly hundreds of passenger ships, small boats, and fishing boats were anchored in a row.
“I’ve been quiet but it’s been annoying me for a while now… Can you do something about that ringing sound? It’s very annoying.” She vented irritably at the loud alarm resounding from Adrian’s pocket.
“It’s because a lot of people are looking for me. They keep calling me and I don’t like it.”
“You must be very popular. Why don’t you go to the people who are anxiously looking for you?”
“I don’t want to go when I’m told to come. If I tell you to go, you would want to stay.”
“I’m sorry but I think I’m past the age of puberty.” What the hell does this man do? I was a fool to have allowed him to follow me. Well, he seemed to be good at handling the assassins of Yulem, but he’s not a master of all sorts after all.
Park Noah looked back and the man who was smiling brightly at her. Since they met, he had never done any harm to her except the first moment of their encounter where she gave him permission to attack her.
Yet, strangely, I don’t trust him.
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