Rudy closed his eyes and pondered over the images that were shown to him by the Final Will.
'To finish this trial, I have to find the return gate, which I believe is at the blood church.'
'I am currently with all of the people that were shown in the images, and if I am right, that dreadborn would attack us once we reach that curve...'
He looked at Warrior from the corner of his eyes and thought, 'Warrior is an irregular, so he would be a great help against the dreadborn; the other four are also trained guards, otherwise they wouldn't be here.'
'What I do not know is the rank of that dreadborn... Logically, just like Warrior, it should be a Deviant or a Latent like me, but then what stage is it?'
Unlike irregulars, dreadborns were classified based on two categories: Rank and Stage.
The rank of dreadborns was similar to the rank of irregulars, but instead of ascension to divinity, it was based on descent to profanity.
The stages, however, were only for the dreadborns. They were based on the number of cores the dreadborn had.
The classification was from one profane core - Beast to seven profane cores - Calamity. As irregulars also had a single essence core, Final Will considered them as Beasts.
'We shouldn't have an issue slaying it unless it is above a fiend that has two cores.'
He finished analysing everything that he could, then he looked at Warrior and asked calmly, "How long would it take us to reach the church?"
A thoughtful expression appeared on Warrior's face, and he answered after a few moments, "With our current pace, it would take us two more days."
"I see." Rudy nodded. "Are we also going to move during the night?"
Warrior shook his head. "No, that would be too dangerous. I have scouted the path and forest around it to make sure that the young lord safely reaches the church, and during that, I found two empty caves where we can rest for the night."
"That would be good," Rudy commented while nodding his head in approval.
His lips lifted into a sweet smile, and he mumbled, "I cannot express how grateful I am for everything that you have done for me."
Warrior bowed towards him and stated, "It is an honour that I can be of use to the young lord."
Rudy smiled. Looked at the forest from the carriage's window and watched the trees that looked like they could come alive any moment pass.
There was nothing else he could do for now.
As the carriage advanced slowly, he began to hum under his breath.
The sun neared the horizon, and the carriage that was moving through the clear path, all of a sudden, turned left and entered the forest.
'This has to be the first spot,' Rudy remarked inwardly as many trees that were chopped from their very roots entered his gaze.
After moving for half an hour, the carriage came to a stop at a clearing that bordered a cave, which already had a camp setup beside its entrance.
Warrior and Rudy stepped down from the carriage, and Rudy was finally able to see the seventh figure that was with them — the carriage driver.
He was a slender man who wore an old dark purple tunic, dark purple trousers, wooden slippers, and a black cloth wrapped around his waist like a belt from which hung two leather pouches.
Similar to the guards, he also had a plain red mask that only had slits for eyes and holes for breathing, covering his face, and his gray hair was short and messy.
The four guards and the driver bowed to Rudy, and Warrior showed him his seat.
Following behind Warrior, Rudy entered the cave, and a surprise expression appeared on his face.
The cave wasn't just prepared for a night's rest; it was entirely furnished with beds to sleep on, chairs to sit on, lanterns for the light, and much more.
Looking around the cave, Rudy thought to himself, 'The order is going all out to make sure that I safely reach the church...'
He stood near the cave entrance, and seeing that he wasn't stepping further inside, Warrior frowned.
He walked over to Rudy and asked uneasily, "Is something not to the young lord's taste?"
Rudy shook his head, looked at Warrior, and said, "I wish to bathe."
"Huh?" Dumbfounded, Warrior stated, "That's not possible..."
Rudy turned towards him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "You had scouted the forest, right?"
Warrior nodded.
Rudy's lips arched upward. "Then you must have found a place where I can take a bath."
Warrior's expression turned anxious, and he mumbled, "I... did find a stream but... It's not safe to roam the forest during dusk."
"What is there to be scared of when you are with me?" Rudy commented with a faint smile.
Hearing the praise, Warrior fell silent.
Turning around on his feet, Rudy stated, "I must bathe before I chant the name of the divine."
Warrior remained silent for a few minutes. Afterwards, he nodded reluctantly and said, "Please do not leave my side."
A chuckle escaped Rudy. "I am neither stupid nor a child."
Warrior picked up a lantern and both of them exited the cave. Warrior then informed the guards about the plans of the young lord, and after that, they made their way towards the stream with two guards securing their rear.
Without the bright light of the sun, the forest appeared more dreary than before.
Soon, the sound of flowing water reached them, and their steps quickened.
A minute later, they reached the stream, and Warrior pointed at a safe spot where Rudy could wash himself.
"Thanks for listening to my childish demand," Rudy remarked as he took off his boots, rich wine-red coat, white high-collared shirt, and pants.
He ran his hand from his neck to his abdomen.
He stepped towards the stream and commanded, "You should also take a bath."
"But—"
"I do not want the carriage to smell of you."