CHAPTER 648: CHAPTER 434: I SAW THE OVERLORD’S EGG_2

"Captain Sali! And... Captain Gus? You’re back?"

The mercenary’s greeting pulled Sali out of his thoughts. He suddenly glanced nervously at Elsa. He knew exactly why he was anxious—he was afraid that she would make a big deal out of leaving the group, which would be awkward for everyone involved.

To his surprise, Elsa actually gave the greeting mercenary a faint smile and nodded, saying, "Yes, I’m just back to get something."

At that moment, Sali finally realized and admitted the change in the young woman. If it were before, she might have just bluntly stated her purpose.

You’ve really grown, Elsa.

The two of them walked towards where Elsa used to live, while the mercenary who greeted them stood frozen in place, after a moment remarking:

"Did Captain Gus just smile at me?"

A true departure doesn’t need to be flamboyant; it can be as simple as coming quietly and leaving quietly.

Elsa responded to the greeting mercenaries as she used to, but added a few more smiles, and casually went to check on the Charging Team. Unfortunately, some people she knew had already left, and she wondered if she’d have the chance to see them again.

Before her enchanting smile could attract more people, she finally entered her former dwelling to pack her things.

There wasn’t much she needed to take. She wasn’t lacking in supplies and tools, so she only planned to take things with sentimental value, like the first novel she read in Bed City. In the end, she packed just a small bag, which she could sling over her shoulder.

Thinking over whether she had forgotten to take or see anything, she could only think of one last thing.

"Do you want to see the Captain?" Sali suggested.

Elsa’s hands paused in their movement, hesitating over this one issue.

If one were to leave the Light Eagle Group, it was customary to return the emblem that represented their identity as a mercenary in the group to Eliphas. Even those who left on bad terms had done this. Elsa had also intended to do so, to face Eliphas directly.

However, she hesitated now because...

The deja vu that Eliphas brought, similar to Griffith, made her feel uneasy.

Especially since in the Painting World, she had constantly been thinking about taking down Griffith, and there was still a hurdle in her heart. If she met Eliphas now, she feared she wouldn’t be able to hold back.

Let’s leave it at that; her last encounter with Eliphas was during the battle against Pope Shalivan’s Phantom, when he pushed her to take the hit.

"Can you give the emblem to him for me? I won’t go."

Sali opened his mouth but in the end said nothing more.

People’s thoughts need time to change. For now, he still stood with the Light Eagle Group in spirit, and maybe in the future, he’d understand and leave as well. But for now, his thoughts hadn’t changed.

Just as Elsa pushed the door open to leave, there was a clamor outside.

He directed his gaze over and immediately let out an amazed sound, saying, "What are you all doing?"

Outside the door, a large group of mercenaries had gathered, creating a boisterous atmosphere.

Sali’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that the mercenaries had learned of Elsa’s departure and had come to see her off?

However, the mercenaries all had star-struck expressions, regardless of gender, surrounding Elsa with expectant looks. Though she didn’t know what was happening, she returned their gaze with a polite smile.

As soon as she smiled, the mercenaries erupted as if a kettle had boiled over, letting out screams.

Sali’s eyelid twitched, his face full of dark lines.

So it turns out this group of people was just star-struck by Elsa’s smile...

"Alright, alright, so there’s no task today, huh? If you’re still loitering around, be careful I might send you on patrols outside the city!"

Finally managing to disperse the mercenaries, Sali laughingly scolded, "Unruly bunch."

Elsa also laughed, taking her steps towards the path of departure.

The two walked one after the other, and it seemed that Sali intended to escort her beyond the camp’s boundaries.

Falling leaves drifted in front, the grassy path beneath their feet rustled, and small flying insects occasionally passed by, like tiny meteors.

Sali watched Elsa’s back, feeling a sudden urge to say, "I’ll go with you." However...

Elsa’s footsteps came to a halt.

The footsteps opposite them also stopped.

Sali almost bumped into the girl but turned his head to see the scene, his expression immediately turning to shock.

"Cap-Captain!"

Standing in Elsa’s path was Eliphas!

It wasn’t just Eliphas. Following him were the captains who went with him to the Royal Palace, and even guards from the Royal Palace.

At this moment, the sky was gradually transitioning from dark to light. Eliphas and his party had probably just returned from handling matters at the Royal Palace.

Oh no, they ran into them right here! Sali’s face reflected trouble.

Eliphas and the others weren’t blind. As they saw Elsa’s luggage and the bare spot on her chest where the White Eagle emblem used to be, they understood everything.

"Gus, are you leaving? Leaving the Light Eagle Group that feels like a warm home?" said the assault team captain, furrowing his brows.