Sara slowly walked forward, holding her sword with one hand. Sparking bluish energy could be seen on the blade.

'Is this so called aura?'

Nate didn't admire it for long though. He was trying to process the many things that just have happened.

'If she wanted to kill me, I already would've been six feet underground. This attack was a warning and looking at the state of the goblin it is quite clear what she was warning me about. I was fooled by her...'

Meanwhile Sara was already close to Nathaniel and finally stopped in her tracks. She stabbed the ground with her sword and placed both her hands on it. Her expression was neutral and it was impossible to guess what she was thinking. Nate's face similarly didn't show any emotion.

They both stood there in silence and only after a minute of this standoff a change occurred. Sara smiled slightly and Nate immediately replied in kind.

"Have you talked with it?"

"Talk? Didn't you say yourself that goblins can't be reasoned with and only know how to kill?"

"Oh?"

After this short exchange another period of silence ensued. The smiles on their faces were slowly growing in size and this time it was Nate that broke the silence.

"I was lucky you showed up and saved me from it. I can't imagine what would've happened if you didn't show up in time and if there were more of those "bloodthirsty" goblins around"

"Hmm... I guess you are right"

"Then should we go back to the camp? I am quite tired after all this scouting and traveling earlier you see"

Nate didn't wait for the reply and walked past her. She didn't stop him either.

"Nathaniel"

Sara said his name and Nate turned to look at her as a response. A clear sign of insanity could be seen on her smiling face.

"You are interesting"

"How so?"

From the tone it seemed he was not really interested in the answer but his smile quickly betrayed the opposite.

"Hmph!"

She sneered after seeing his expression but answered him nonetheless and even seemed excited.

"Let's see... When we met, I instantly understood you were different from how people described you to be"

"And by that you mean?"

"You were portrayed as kind hearted and noble but it was quite clear to me you are simply good at hiding your true self"

"Is that not normal? Everyone often hides how they truly feel"

"Perhaps... but I am quite good at reading those hidden emotions and what I sensed... It was pure hatred"

"Tsk... And are you any better? Pretending to be crazy, lying to me about goblins and attacking me out of nowhere"

"Pretending to be crazy you say? Lying to you? Attacking you?"

Her eyes widened; her smile turned almost demonic.

"Do you think I lied to you? The goblins can't be reasoned with when they are dead no? And when did I attack you? Didn't you say yourself that I defended you?"

Nate chuckled a bit when he heard her response.

"I see... I wasn't fooled by you It was me that misunderstood. You really are crazy just in a different way I thought"

"Hahaha!"

Sara simply laughed when she heard this. Nate didn't seem too amused though and frowned slightly.

"Now a lot of things seem clearer to me but some I still can't understand"

"Oh?"

She finally stopped laughing but a wide smile was still present on her face.

"And what do you not understand?"

"Let's start with my meeting with the emperor. He informed me I would travel with a small group of holy knights but somehow, I was assigned to someone like you? Was it arranged for you to gauge my character? I can't accept it as a valid reason. From what little I learned about the emperor he was keen on control but this... seems chaotic, you're chaotic"

"You are smart. Indeed, at first you were supposed to follow a small group on their... patrol"

"What do you mean by saying this like that?"

"Simple really. Since you, a "kind hearted" hero never killed anyone and it was assumed you would be unwilling do so just because you were ordered to, some things were put in place to change that... flaw of yours"

"What are you saying?"

"Bandits, criminals, just some scum that was arranged to be killed in order for you to get used to it"

Nathaniel's mind was full of confusion.

'Kill humans? Why would the emperor want me to kill people?'

"But why? I don't understand. Wasn't I supposed to fight demons?"

"Demons? You are funny. This world is dominated by powerful empires and theocracy. Demons sure show up from time to time and initially it was true they wanted to simply use you to kill them off but it's not like your presence changes the fact they could still be easily wiped out without you. They are far from a threat to the human hegemony in this world"

"So, I was a cheap solution to an annoying problem. Then what changed?"

"Your talent. It was assumed you would become powerful but it was also assumed it would take you some time. Yet with the speed you are progressing... It seemed you would become and unmatched master in less than a decade but they were wrong"

"Wrong? How so?"

"I can sense the amount of mana you have. Aren't you close to the fourth awakening? If you keep up with that speed you will become frighteningly strong in half that time"

Nate slightly sneered when he heard this.

"Tsk... It's annoying to be seen through like this. But I think I understand everything now"

"Really?"

"Yes, I think I do"