Ch. 50 The three Spirit Wolves had already run ahead and were waiting for them in the middle of the bridge.

Then he turned back and waved at the two. “It’s safe to cross!”

Mia trusted Wilden, and when he said it was fine, the young girl breathed a sigh of relief.

“Go back for now.” Mia patted Torrent, and the Spirit Steed vanished obediently.

Kalé also led Amia to the edge of the bridge.

The three Spirit Wolves had already run ahead and were waiting for them in the middle of the bridge.

Mia stepped onto the suspension bridge; it was barely wide enough for two people to pass.

She hadn’t taken a few steps before the wooden planks beneath the young girl’s feet creaked with every stride.

She immediately grabbed the suspension bridge’s railing ropes, nervously edging toward the side of the planks, trying to reduce the load on them.

Looking back at Kalé, he hadn’t stepped onto the bridge yet; he was putting a blindfold on the resistant Amia.

Looking ahead, Wilden was also advancing cautiously, one hand on the railing rope, only taking the next step after the previous one was firm.

These planks should be sturdy enough, since Wilden had already walked so far.

The muscles in the young girl’s throat trembled, but she summoned her courage and walked a few more steps forward.

She couldn’t help but look down, where the rushing river water roared as it flowed beneath the bridge.

Mia’s legs went weak, and she nearly missed her footing, throwing herself onto the railing ropes.

The best way to eliminate fear is to face it.

But for Mia right now, she clearly hadn’t faced the fear of “heights” enough times.

Even though she could now face miserable corpses without a flicker of emotion, or feast on roasted rats.

These were fears Mia had already eliminated by facing them; she had seen corpses many times, and rats many times.

But specifically, she really hadn’t walked across suspension bridges many times.

Mia was actually the type who was very reliable in critical moments, but occasionally embarrassing…

“Watch out!”

Kalé shouted.

“I’m fine!” the young girl shouted, putting up a brave front.

She tilted her head back and took a deep breath. If only she could fly.

Mia’s muscles were tense all over, trying not to look down, but the suspension bridge’s planks were still right below.

The loud, roaring sound of the river water below echoed in her ears, making it impossible not to have terrible thoughts.

The young girl walked forward stiffly, like a robot.

Suddenly, Mia heard a sigh beside her.

An arm suddenly wrapped around her, and a gentle coolness appeared in her palm.

“As the future Elden Lord, your unsightly behavior is truly shameful… Let this be the last time.”

Melina appeared beside Mia, supporting the young girl.

Before Mia could speak.

“I take a step, you take a step,” Melina said.

“Mhm…” Mia let out a sound like a mosquito.

Melina took her arm and walked forward.

For some reason, with Melina by her side, Mia’s fear subsided.

Even though she was still looking at the wooden planks beneath her feet and seeing the rushing river through the gaps, there was no more room in her mind to think about those things.

Melina’s cool voice came to her ears again: “Please relax a little…”

“Oh.”

Mia realized then that she was almost leaning her entire body against Melina, and Melina’s hand in her palm was being squeezed slightly red.

The further they walked toward the middle, the more the suspension bridge swayed. Wilden had reached the center of the bridge, and the Spirit Wolves were waiting for them at two-thirds of the way across.

Amia, wearing the blindfold, was almost catching up under Kalé’s careful guidance.

The suspension bridge remained sturdy.

“Amia!” Kalé suddenly shouted in annoyance.

Mia and Melina had already walked halfway. At this moment, everyone—including Wilden—turned back together.

They saw that the terrified little donkey had gone on strike after walking only a third of the way. It was lying on the ground, its belly pressed tightly against the bridge planks, not moving at all.

“Keep moving, we’ll be across soon!” Kalé couldn’t get angry at a donkey, so he could only persuade it earnestly.

“It’s more dangerous for you to crouch here!”

The group’s movement stopped at this moment.

Wilden turned back, preparing to walk back, seemingly wanting to help.

Just then, the barking of the Spirit Wolves came from further ahead.

That sound signaled uninvited guests.

Mia looked over quickly.

She saw that on the opposite side of the bridge, a shiny bald head had appeared at some point, holding…

Ah, no, a male Tarnished with a shiny bald head had appeared.

He was holding a spear, planting it on the ground, and supporting a tower shield with his other hand.

Mia saw him take a deep breath.

“This bridge was built by me, this road was opened by me! If you want to cross this bridge, leave behind the toll!”

“Patches Bandit Group! We have guests!”