Chapter 419 – I can’t leave you
Sherris’s sudden words surprised us all. She said she wanted to be a servant, but then we remembered what happened last time we tried to take her away.
“Sherris, you can’t leave this village, can you?” I asked. Last time, when we tried to force Sherris to leave, she suddenly disappeared halfway, which was very bizarre. We were sure she couldn’t leave.
“That was originally the case, but it’s not anymore. I understand now that the Master’s command to us was actually to guard the bodies of his wife and daughter. I knew since you returned that I no longer had to be trapped here,” Sherris said.
“Rather, I can’t leave you either, because I can’t leave their bodies. So I must follow you now. It’s useless even if you drive me away.”
Well, what a situation. This put us in an awkward spot. We had to take the remains of Lorna and Madam Shirley back, which meant Sherris would have to go back with us.
As if sensing our hesitation, Sherris added, “Um, actually, I’ve been able to do chores since I was young. Like carrying water, mopping the floor, and washing clothes. I can do a little of everything. I can learn anything I don’t know. Please don’t mind me!”
Looking at her uneasy demeanor, I almost wanted to laugh. But thankfully, I’m a pup now, so they couldn’t see me laugh. The previous Sherris had always pretended to be mature and calm, wary of us, and often hid crucial information, which was a headache for us.
However, after fighting together, Jayad saved her several times, we killed Moore together and avenged her people, and then provided enough meat for the villagers to get through the difficult times. Now Sherris completely trusts us and has opened up to us.
That’s why she honestly revealed the side effect of the Ghoul Book and worried that we would dislike her, saying she was willing to do anything, appearing nervous and awkward. Perhaps this was the real Sherris, not the calculating little ghoul from before.
Although she said she was willing to do anything, which made one’s imagination run wild, probably no one would actually want her to do “that” kind of thing. After all, Sherris, in her current state, was really not someone who would elicit worldly desires.
Sherris was now skinny as a rake, covered in dirt and dust. Her face was showing signs of mutating into a ghoul. After all, she already had half ghoul blood, had engaged in cannibalistic behavior, and used ghoul spells. It could be said that she was constantly moving in that direction.
If someone told me now that they could still feel desire looking at Sherris in this state, I could only tell them that while people’s fetishes are their own, I’d suggest they go see Amelia.
The villagers just now were also like that. Parasitized by the Formless Children, their body’s nutrients were all drained. After I drove away the Formless Children, they were all emaciated and listless.
They were almost the same as Sherris now, so they weren’t surprised or suspicious when they saw Sherris in this state, thinking she had just had a nightmare like everyone else.
“Wait a minute, it’s not that we don’t want to take you in, but is this really okay? This is your homeland, do you want to leave the place where you were born and raised?” Sebastian asked.
Sherris replied with a hint of sadness, “All my people are dead, and my home was burned down by Moore. So now I have nowhere to go. Besides, the villagers have all become like that, I have nothing to be nostalgic about.”
Sherris was right. In the past, this village was at least outwardly harmonious, hospitable, and had a very good atmosphere. Unfortunately, Moore broke that facade. Now the villagers had become greedy, stingy, and suspicious of each other. It would probably take a long time to repair, and it might never return to how it was.
It was normal for Sherris, having witnessed what happened just now, not to want to stay. She wanted her beautiful childhood memories to remain forever etched in her memory, unwilling to see them shattered in reality. This was also a choice.
Of course, Sebastian was just asking if she was psychologically prepared. After all, as long as the bodies of the mother and daughter were still there, Sherris had to go with us. The next issue was just how to settle her.
“Do you have any luggage to pack? We can wait for you,” Sebastian asked again.
“No, my home was turned to ashes by Moore, and I have nothing left. This is all I have to bring,” Sherris said, lifting the cloth bag she had been holding. It seemed she had decided to leave with us long ago and had already packed.
“Alright, then let’s get ready to go. Don’t go back too late, lest we be chased by monsters like last time. The monsters are especially active at night. Sherris, where will you sit?” Sebastian said decisively. He understood Sherris’s special situation and didn’t waste any more time.
“Uh, you don’t actually have to bring me. I can keep up on my own. After all, the Madam’s remains are in your hands. As soon as we leave a certain distance, I’ll be automatically teleported to your side,” Sherris said.
“It can do that!” I exclaimed. This was an unexpectedly ingenious method. However, Sherris was too humble, thinking she wasn’t even worthy of sharing a horse.
“Never mind that, you’d better choose a horse to ride. Magic is not safe or guaranteed. Using it too much can lead to mistakes at any time. And you suddenly appearing might scare us,” I advised.
Seeing the many reasons I listed, Sherris could only nod. She looked around and then chose our horse.
I thought to myself, no matter how Claire boasted about the Landstriders, anyone who had never tried them would have some worries in their heart. And the Landstriders’ small backs did not seem like they could accommodate three people.
Since we had decided, we tied our spoils to the horse’s back. Jayad tied me to his chest and then had Sherris sit behind him.
“Giddy up!” Jayad flicked the reins, and the packhorse galloped forward. Beside us, the Landstriders ridden by Sebastian and Claire kept pace.
Leaving this nameless village again, perhaps we wouldn’t return unless there was another matter. The group leaving this time was exactly the same as last time. The difference was that Sherris probably wouldn’t be teleported back this time.
Jayad had Sherris hold onto him and kept Detect Evil active, sensing her. They rode past the spot where she had disappeared last time and continued for a while. Sherris was still there.
Only then did we believe that she was indeed no longer bound to the village. However, in turn, she was now bound to us.
