Given what had just happened to the team, Adam was surprised Zell wanted the gold contract. "Party idiot" indeed, perhaps. He also wasn't thrilled Lucy had no ideas on where the cube could go, but he still appreciated the letter. Second Chance could at least send the cube to the Academy now. And speaking of the party idiot, they should probably examine his new sword as well. Who knows what it could do; it could enable the ninja to spy on them, or more optimistically it could have some special ability they didn't know about. Probably the former, but you never know with stuff like this, especially in this new world.


"Thank you Lucy, we'll be sure to follow that advice," the Druid sincerely responded. As he spoke, he noticed MacKensie smiling at him; the man had no idea what he could have said that prompted this, but he felt warm and happier seeing the way she directed her attention his way at that moment. That did not last though; the Ranger also wanting the gold contract left him feeling less warm. Yes, he admired her bravery, but this felt more reckless than that. No, he didn't want everyone to die. However, what right did he have to speak up? He was lost in his head, thinking those kind of thoughts, when a tug on his sleeve pulled him back to their current situation.


[quote=Lillianna Steiner][color=gold]"Adam! You've just as much right as anyone else here to help decide. Besides, if anyone decides to do anything rash we-"[/color][/quote]


For a split second, Adam was surprised Lillianna was talking to him directly like this, but he snapped out of it remembering that he still owed her for what happened in the Hillocks. "It's fine," the man replied with forced cheer. Continuing to speak, this time more seriously and genuinely, he added "we should talk later though. It's important." The Druid vowed to himself that he would be true to his word and would do whatever it took to make things right. This feeling was reinforced by the woman's perspective on the contracts. It was nice knowing someone else wanted to be cautious as well, though he had to wonder just how connected she was to the spirit she spoke to earlier.


Fenna's desire for a gold contract was less nice. At least she didn't want to [i]take on diamond and platinum contracts while splitting the team[/i] though! Whether or not he was on the team, Adam felt that was simply suicidal, though he didn't think anyone else would want to do that. Even Zell. James spoke next, and thankfully it wasn't to say he agreed with that idea.


[quote=James Sirius][color=6ecff6]"Hey Adam, could you grab the letter? You defeated the big skeleton so it makes sense you talk with the lady, plus, I know it will be safe with you"[/color][/quote]


The team leader's request surprised the Druid though. He did not agree with the idea of someone like him guarding such an important document, but it was a sincere request and he owed him for the spells at Hommas and the Hillocks, so the red-eyed man nodded in the Cleric's direction and placed the letter in his jacket for safe keeping. More surprising, given he saw James heal Lillianna's extensive damage, was that he decided to proceed with the gold contract. Did he not realize that they could be in a similar situation again? And they wouldn't be delivering the cube tonight? That just felt wrong. People's lives could be on the line! It wasn't worth sacrificing that for a little sleep. Still, what right did he have to talk about people's lives? His actions caused Arthur and Clive to die, after all. It would be hypocritical. And so with visible sadness and a little anger, the red-eyed man didn't say a word.


Instead, he simply listened to Lucy explain their contract. It was a little surprising to hear her talk of things like death with the tone she used; then again, things like this were probably common in Mytheria. There was an evil Witch Queen, after all. Even so, Adam told himself he wouldn't become desensitized to death. He then thanked Lucy for all of the information she provided and grabbed the maps, examining them so he would be sure he didn't miss any useful information. Whatever happened next, the Druid would do his best to be prepared for it.