Chapter 154: Getting Ready

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Getting Ready

"You were only bluffing when you said you could stay and keep stabilizing Frostveil."

"Was I?"

"Yes."

She didn’t hesitate.

"First, you love adventure too much."

Damon paused.

"That’s true."

"And second, helping with Tempest Hollow is the smarter choice."

Damon raised both hands.

"Alright, you got me."

Caelia smiled.

"I knew it."

"But I could still surprise you."

"You could."

She nodded. "But you won’t."

Damon laughed.

Caelia wasn’t finished.

"So when are you leaving?"

This time, Damon didn’t joke.

"I was thinking tomorrow morning."

Caelia’s smile disappeared.

"Tomorrow?"

"At dawn."

"That’s soon."

"We don’t have much time."

Caelia knew what he meant.

They had only just returned from Frostveil, and neither of them had really rested yet.

But after hearing what the representatives had said, waiting didn’t make sense.

The mutation in Tempest Hollow had already spread too far.

The Zone Heart could already be corrupted.

If that happened, finding it would become even harder.

And even if they found it, stabilizing it would be another problem.

Caelia sighed.

"You’re right."

Damon nodded.

"I want to get there before things become worse."

"Then you need to prepare."

"I know."

Caelia stood.

"I’ll have someone help you pack."

Damon looked at her.

"That sounds convenient."

"You’ll need it."

She smiled.

"You’re going to be gone for a while."

Damon nodded.

"Probably."

Caelia walked toward the door, then stopped.

"Get some proper rest tonight."

"I will."

"Promise?"

Damon smiled.

"I’ll try."

Caelia turned around.

"That’s not the same thing."

Damon laughed.

"Fine. I promise."

"Good."

She finally left.

Damon watched the door close behind her.

Then he looked around his room.

"Tomorrow already..."

He wasn’t nervous.

If anything, he was looking forward to it.

Still, there was work to do.

A servant soon arrived to help him prepare everything he might need for the journey.

Damon didn’t take long.

He sorted through his belongings, checked the supplies he had brought with him, and made sure nothing important was missing.

By the time he finished, his supper had already arrived.

Damon sat down and ate.

Of course, he didn’t forget his spirits.

He made sure Freya, Sylphie, and Shiro all received what they needed before finally heading to the bathroom.

A warm bath washed away the remaining tiredness from his body.

Damon stepped out, dried himself, and walked straight toward the bed.

He didn’t even bother thinking about everything that had happened today.

He was too tired for that.

The moment he lay down, Freya moved closer.

Damon pulled her into his arms.

"Tomorrow is going to be busy."

Freya gave him a soft response through their bond.

"I’ll help."

Damon smiled.

"I know."

He gently rubbed her fur.

"I’m relying on you."

Freya seemed pleased by that.

"You can rely on me."

A gentle breeze moved through the room.

Damon looked over.

Sylphie had also come closer.

He smiled.

"You too, Sylphie."

The wind spirit gave him a proud response through their bond.

Damon chuckled.

"I know. I’ll need your senses tomorrow."

Tempest Hollow was a Lightning and Wind elemental zone.

If they wanted to locate its Zone Heart, Freya and Sylphie could be extremely useful.

They could sense changes in both elements and help him find what was hidden beneath the chaos.

Just as Shiro had helped him in Frostveil.

Speaking of Shiro...

Damon felt another response through the bond.

"I’ll keep everyone safe."

Damon smiled.

"Good. I’m counting on you too."

Shiro’s presence felt calm and steady.

That was exactly what Damon wanted.

With all three spirits around him, he finally relaxed.

The warmth of their bodies made the bed feel even more comfortable.

Damon closed his eyes.

"Let’s see what Tempest Hollow has waiting for us tomorrow."

Sleep took him quickly.

The night passed without trouble.

Soon, soft light entered the room through the curtains.

Morning had arrived.

Freya was the first to wake him.

She gently tapped Damon.

"Wake up."

Damon groaned. "Already?"

He opened one eye.

Then he remembered. Today was the day.

Damon sat up.

Right.

He had to move.

He quickly got out of bed and started preparing.

His tiredness was already disappearing.

The more he thought about the journey, the more excited he became.

Tempest Hollow was dangerous.

It was unstable.

And somewhere inside that massive zone was a Zone Heart that could already be corrupted.

There were plenty of problems waiting for him.

Damon smiled.

That only made the journey more interesting.

But before the adventure could begin, he still had to get ready.

And he wasn’t planning to waste the morning.

Damon moved quickly now

He rushed through the breakfast that had been prepared for him, making sure to share some with his spirits as well.

The servants had clearly started early.

Everything he needed was already prepared, and Damon appreciated the effort.

"That was fast," he said after finishing.

A servant smiled.

"Lady Caelia asked us to make sure you wouldn’t be delayed."

Damon smiled.

"Of course she did."

He quickly took a bath, changed into his clothes, and checked his luggage one more time.

Everything was ready.

Or so he thought.

Just as he finished getting dressed, the familiar sound of the door opening suddenly came.

Bang!

Damon turned around.

Caelia stood at the entrance.

Again.

He stared at her.

She stared back.

Damon couldn’t help smiling.

"At this point, I’m starting to think you actually want to see me naked."

Caelia’s face immediately turned red.

"What? No!"

She quickly looked away.

"I just wanted to make sure you were ready."

"By barging into my room?"

"You could have overslept."

Damon laughed.

"Right. That’s definitely the reason."

"It is."

"Of course."

Caelia avoided his eyes.

Damon shook his head as he finished adjusting his clothes.

She was getting easier to tease.

Caelia watched quietly while he prepared.

She seemed to be taking in everything, almost as if she wanted to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.

Unfortunately for her, Damon finished a little too quickly.

He picked up his luggage and started checking it again.

Caelia’s eyes followed him.

Damon noticed.

"Something wrong?"

"No."

She quickly looked away.