“Farina, breakfast is ready.”
Joe walked to the bedroom door with a plate of bread and a small piece of cheese, raising his hand to knock on the door.
In the two months since the Red Moon appeared, their lives could be described as extremely simple. He prepared three meals a day and then went to work at the administrative hall. Farina rarely came out, mostly staying in the house motionless, occasionally asking him about the recent situation in Hermes. Only at such times would the two chat a few more words.
Joe didn't know what Farina was thinking, but being with her was already a great fortune. Besides that, he didn't dare to ask for more.
However, there was no movement behind the door today.
“Farina, are you awake?”
Joe knocked a few more times with some doubt.
“Um… It’s time for breakfast.”
“Farina?”
Still no response, as if the room was empty.
Joe's face changed drastically, and he suddenly thought of the worst possible scenario—
Damn it, weren't things clearly turning for the better little by little?
He put down the plate and slammed his shoulder against the door!
With a bang, the door opened.
The most terrible scene did not appear—there was no rope hanging from the beam, and no blood flowing by the bed. This made Joe breathe a sigh of relief. As long as she was still alive, things wouldn't be irreparable.
But this relief lasted for less than a breath before his heart sank to the bottom.
The furnishings in the small bedroom were clear at a glance. There was no sign of Farina. The wooden bed, table, and windows were carefully cleaned, looking very tidy.
—As tidy as when they first moved in.
Joe slowly walked to the table. Just yesterday, this table was filled with books about the church and Greycastle Weekly, but now, the table was empty.
She… left.
When this thought entered his mind, Joe felt a great sadness.
Obviously, this was not a sudden decision made by Farina.
She even wiped the dust off the corners of the table, but did not leave a single message.
Was it to avoid troubling him to clean up the mess…
Joe sat down numbly at the table.
Where would she go? Hermes? Her former hometown? Or would she end her life in a deserted forest?
Of course, he could go looking for her… But, in such a big world, how many chances would he have to find Farina? Moreover, she didn't leave any news, clearly wanting to disappear completely. Even if he could find her, what then?
Thinking that there would be no more of that woman in his future life, Joe felt as if there was a hole in his heart, and his thoughts were brought to a standstill, as if his brain was resisting thinking any further…
In the end, he couldn't change anything.
“Good morning, Joe.”
Why didn't he notice this sign earlier, why was he complacent because of a peaceful life?
“Joe?”
After all, it was just to satisfy his own needs, he never thought about what the other party really needed—
“Joe!”
It wasn't until a hand turned Joe's face that he noticed someone behind him at some point.
“What are you muttering about alone?”
Joe blinked.
It was Farina.
She was frowning, looking him up and down with a scrutinizing expression, “Is there something wrong with your head?”
“You… didn’t leave?” Joe grabbed her arm in disbelief, “Or, did you decide to stay again?”
“Huh?” Farina's expression became even stranger, but she didn't shake off his grip, “What are you talking about, leaving? I just went to the administrative hall.”
The two looked at each other with big eyes and small eyes for a while, and Joe awkwardly said, "Then… what did you go to the administrative hall for?"
“To inquire about registration qualifications,” Farina's tone became serious, “I saw the notice in the Greycastle Weekly about Neverwinter City recruiting truck drivers and wanted to give it a try.”
“Tru… what?” Joe asked, stunned.
“I don’t know what it is, but judging by the description, it should be similar to a carriage. Whether it’s riding a horse or driving a carriage, I’m very good at it, so this might be an opportunity.”
Opportunity? That elusive feeling floated into Joe's heart again. He unusually didn't let go, "Why did you suddenly want to apply to be a truck driver?"
Farina was silent for a moment before speaking, “After thinking about it for a while, I’ve figured it out. First of all, the original intention of the church was indeed to save the world from danger and lead mankind out of the darkness. This is not only the church’s unilateral propaganda, but Roland Wimbledon also admitted that it is not a lie. However, the betrayal of the upper echelons led it down the wrong path.”
“And then…”
“Then the next question is, whether the King of Greycastle is really fighting for humanity as he says he is. In Neverwinter City, I have already seen the Red Moon symbolizing divine will, prosperous and thriving citizens, and witches who are no different from ordinary people. These are basically the same as the propaganda. The only thing that cannot be proven is the demons who are trying to destroy humanity.”
“But Lord Taktol did mention the existence of demons in his will,” Joe muttered.
“That’s right, it’s just that I haven’t seen them with my own eyes. Roland’s army is fighting against this enemy from hell.” Farina nodded, “I don’t want to make the same mistakes as before. Only things that I have seen with my own eyes can be confirmed.”
“Do you want to go to Wolfheart?” Joe widened his eyes.
“Yes.” Farina said frankly, “Being from the church, I can’t pass the First Army’s review, so I can only change my approach. Truck drivers need to transport supplies to the front lines of the battlefield, and there, everything will be confirmed.”
So she went to the administrative hall to inquire about the identity requirements for drivers…
Joe asked cautiously, "What if it's confirmed, and what if it's not?"
“If everything is true, I will spend the rest of my life compensating for all the sins I have committed,” Farina replied without hesitation, obviously having thought it through, “Although I have never personally captured a witch, it doesn’t mean that everything the church has done in the past has nothing to do with me—as a member of the Inquisition Army, I am also a tool of the betrayers.” She paused, “If these are all lies, then I will return to Hermes and see if I can help the new church do something…”
This is the answer she has been immersed in until now.
Joe slowly let go of her hand. He couldn't find a single reason to dissuade her. She was not escaping from past mistakes, nor did she give up Taktol's deathbed instructions, and she based the path she would take in the future on a solid foundation. She was stronger than he expected. At this time, any excuses or attempts to keep her were just ruining her.
But the outcome still hasn't changed.
Once she becomes a driver and goes to Wolfheart, she naturally won't continue to live here, so she cleaned up everything in the room.
Farina… is still going to leave him.
“I…” Joe took a deep breath, afraid that the stabbing pain in his heart would suddenly overflow his throat.
“By the way, I have one more request,” Farina said first, “One truck requires two drivers. I hope you can go with me.”
“Eh?” He couldn't help but be stunned.
“To be honest, I’ve been out of touch with the outside world for too long and I really don’t have the confidence to achieve this goal alone.” She turned her head away somewhat embarrassedly, “But you can refuse me… After all, you already have a stable job with decent pay. I know I shouldn’t ask this, but…”
“But what?” Joe asked subconsciously.
Farina paused for a while before looking at him directly and saying, "It's just that I need you."
These were the words Joe once blurted out, and it was the first time he had heard the other party say that.
The needed becomes the needer, and the needer is still the needed… right? Confusion and emptiness disappeared, and this feeling of mutual fulfillment instantly filled his chest.
“Let’s have breakfast first, it’s getting cold.” Joe let out a long breath.
“Hey…”
Actually, there's no need to ask him this question at all.
They had endured wandering to Wolfheart together, let alone driving with the main force?
“After we finish eating, we’ll go sign up together.” He said with a smile.