Fermowen sighed too. "When you're away from home, a roof over your head is good enough."
Ivan glanced toward the sea nearby, looking uncertain. "Do Sea Demons really exist?" When everyone turned to stare at him, he gave an awkward laugh. "I know they exist. I just wonder whether they'd really show up this close to shore..."
Ye Chuqi was the only one among them who had seen a Demon Beast. "Anything's possible," she said. "Especially if there's something to gain."
"Something to gain?" Nora didn't follow.
"Say there's a reason they have to come near shore. Look at us—we all ended up here for one reason or another. Don't get too hung up on where they usually live. What matters is why they came here."
"Oh," Nora said. "Honestly, thinking this stuff through isn't for me. I'll just do what I'm told."
Holly laughed. "You've finally figured yourself out."
"As if you're any different!"
"I figured that out ages ago. That's why I always do as I'm told." Holly knew better than to spout nonsense, too.
Nora lunged at her, hands raised like claws.
Kagel and Kailan nodded in agreement with Holly and Nora. Kagel especially knew that thinking things through wasn't his strong suit.
The stars were especially beautiful by the sea on a clear night. Sky and ocean took on the same color, and the stars scattered across the night sky shimmered in the water below. Where sea met sky, the view was enchanting.
They arrived at the remote, quiet fishing village beneath a sky full of stars. The village was desolate enough by day; at night, it felt lonelier still, without a trace of life stirring.
"It's so late. Everyone's probably asleep, right?" Nora muttered. "They'll hate us if we wake them up."
"Let's try that