The second female lead Dual Cultivates

"I could take you there but we won't be coming back out alive if I did. There is the leader of devils in there and it'll get us if we venture closer. I won't subject my brother to this fate" the elder brother sounded vindicated and for all the right reasons.

The fierceness in his voice was something Maria had only seen in cornered animals before. The elder was pushing past his comfort zone to confront Nao on her impressive decision.

Even more so for him since? Maria could see him trembling in fear in front of Nao. Suna looked startled as well but her mind looked to be miles away. One of these days, Maria was going to cut into her brain to see what brought about these changes.

"You don't have to come with us if you don't want to. You just need to lead us to a position from where we can navigate ourselves. I think even you can manage that much" Nao replied with a straight face. She had not even flinched at the full glare being aimed her way. It made her come across as cold-hearted.

Nao was likely scaring the pair of brothers but even Maria knew it was all empty talk.

Probably.

"It's still too dangerous" the elder brother screamed before realizing his situation. Nao just raised an eyebrow at the display of emotions but did not make any move to harm the sibling pair.

And it must be scaring the pair in front of her. They had no idea what was about to happen next and they had no preparation as well. It truly was a situation between a rock and a hard place.

"*You* do not have to come if you don't want to. I'm sure your younger brother can show us the way" Nao's bargain caused all kinds of reactions. The younger brother curled upon his brother's lap in fear while the elder looked even angrier at the prospect of harming his younger brother.

"Keep your hands off of my brother or else-" the empty threat was left hanging. They all knew there was nothing the elder brother could do to make the situation any better. Nao was the one in control and had one hell of a determined mind to back it up as well.

The trio watched the elder brother struggle with himself to come up with a solution but they all knew his fate had been sealed the second he had been discovered by them. He neither had the power, nor the means necessary to upset the trio.

"Fine. I will help you but only till the entrance. And my brother stays here" the elder brother bargained as he clutched his young brother tighter in his arms.

There was real concern and desperation in his eyes that made the trio agree without hesitation. They had no real need of the kid and he would be a distraction if they took him along.

"Fine. We leave in the morning as soon as the area clears out. Suna, set up the parametric spells for tonight so that we can have some rest" Suna agreed without delay. Her magic washed over the house and secured it.

It was deadly quiet after that as the noise from outside got cut off abruptly. Suna had made sure that nothing passed between her barrier and outside so they could be as loud as they wanted tonight.

"I would like a formal introduction to know who I'm dealing with. My name is Samuel and this is Denis'' the elder brother replied once he relaxed a little bit. Maria was sure that the tense air and the awkwardness between them would never really go away.

But at least this was a start of a friendship Maria could see blooming into something grander in the future. Now, if only the siblings stopped trying to fear for their lives and start trusting their group.

"Maria, Nao, and Suna. Make sure you remember our names" Maria introduced. She kept it to the bare minimum to not give anything away and if the sibling pair suspected anything, they did not indicate it.

The night was the quietest they had in a while. No noise penetrated the barrier and everyone except the two brothers slept like a baby. Somehow despite the current situation, this was the easiest situation they had faced in a long time.

The morning was dry and pleasant and the trio was ready to head out with Samuel while Denis stayed behind. The younger brother was not happy with the arrangement but he did not make things difficult for the group either.

The trio set out with Samuel carrying a familiar bow that had started it all and Maria could not help but be amused.

Not to mention, the small shadow following behind them in secret was adorable. The kid was trying so hard not to get noticed by them and Maria allowed him to follow. Everyone in her group had noticed the kid following behind but decided to indulge the little kid.

After all, it was safer with them than to be alone in the town. And since the trio had taken away the kid's brother, it was only fair that they protected the kid as well.

"Do you have a feeling like we're being followed as well?" Samuel finally asked once they entered the valley. Suna had been the one that had subtly alerted them about their adorable stalker and the three watched in amusement as the teen tried to figure out where their stalker stood.

The kid was more than good, even by adult standards and Maris felt like he would be even better with a little training. She could see potential and so could Nao. Maybe she could coerce her friend into teaching the kid for a while.

"Following? Ah yes, your brother had been following after us for quite some time now. What about it?" Suna asked as she quickly scouted the area. She was quick on her feet as she hopped around the area.

No one missed the flinch and building rage in the elder brother's body and Maria had to dodge the flying fist coming toward her face. She did not want to deal with an emotionally compromised adult who was their ticket into going inside the canyon.

"Y-You bastard. You could have told this me beforehand. He's just a kid and should not be here at all" Samuel tried to hit Maria and Nao decided she had enough. She hurried and picked Daniel up before his brother could lose it fully.

"Calm down. Here, catch him" Nao shoved the kid toward his brother and it finally allowed Maria to get away.

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