Chapter 329 Past Mistakes

Dave was confused by Suzuka's friendly approach, her acting as if they knew each other. Before he could respond, Isaac said, "I'll be off then, Helen. We'll meet at the inn, and we can talk there." With that, he drove off, with Olivia playfully waving to Suzuka.

Dave turned to Suzuka, still puzzled.

 "Do I know you, miss? Because surely, I would remember a face as lovely as yours. A beauty like that? Impossible to forget. You must be mistaken if you think a guy like me could miss a princess walking by," he said, attempting a flirtatious tone.

His grin grew wider, his voice dropping as he continued his attempt at flattery, believing every word to be irresistibly charming.

 "You just tell me what brings a goddess like you around these parts, huh? 'Cause I’ll tell you right now, a sweet thing like you shouldn’t have to lift a finger. You need someone to take care of you, babe. Lucky for you, I’m just the guy."

Dave’s gaze lingered on Suzuka, his eyes tracing the curves of her body with blatant admiration. The leather armor she wore hugged her form in all the right places, revealing just enough skin to make his pulse quicken. Her toned abs, arms, and legs spoke of strength, while her ample breasts, barely contained by the tight armor, seemed to draw him in like a magnet. She looked like a warrior princess straight out of a dream, her physique honed to perfection, and his mind raced with thoughts that strayed far beyond respect.

Dave, already leaning too close, couldn't resist giving Suzuka a once-over with his eyes, lingering on her body like a man who'd just seen water in the desert. His smirk widened as he puffed up his chest, clearly thinking he was in control of the situation.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” he drawled, voice thick with innuendo, his eyes shamelessly scanning her curves. 

“Gotta say, you wear that armor real nice. Bet you could crush a man with those thighs of yours, huh?”

He chuckled, his tone heavy with suggestiveness as he leaned in even closer, practically whispering now. 

“Maybe after your long day of fighting, you need someone to help you, you know, relax a bit? A fine woman like you - well, you shouldn't have to do everything alone, right?”

His eyes dropped back to her chest, and his grin widened as he noticed the necklace resting in her cleavage.

 “Oh, what do we got here?” he said, voice low and greedy.

 “Nice little necklace you got hidden in there... but don’t you worry, sweetheart. I don’t mind getting a closer look.” He tried to brush his fingers toward the pendant, his eyes hungry.

But then, as the light hit the badge, the realization hit him like a slap to the face. The five-star MBPU badge gleamed at him, practically mocking his audacity.

His smugness faded in an instant, replaced by a stammering nervousness.

 “W-wait, that’s… that’s a five-star badge. You’re… oh gods… You’re one of those? One of the MBPUs? Just as Sir Isaac! A Great Mage!”

He gulped, trying to backtrack, sweat beading on his forehead. 

“Uh, I mean, not that I didn’t know, of course! I, uh, I was just, y’know, trying to be friendly. Real friendly. N-no harm meant! I swear!”

Suzuka chuckled, a smirk playing on her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest. She let him squirm for a moment, clearly enjoying the way Dave’s cocky attitude melted into awkward panic.

“Oh, Dave,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy, “you haven’t changed at all, have you?” She gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, laughing lightly. 

“Still the same old flirt, huh? Can’t see a woman without your brain turning to mush.”

She took a step closer, her grin widening as she noticed him visibly tense up.

 “I gotta say though,” she added, leaning in just enough to tease, “you were real bold going for the necklace. I was beginning to suspect that you were going to fondle my breasts. Are you sure you want to ‘help me relax’? Because, if I remember right, last time we sparred, I had you flat on your back in under a minute. You sure you want a repeat of that?”

"Miss, I think you are confusing me with someone else. Truly, today we met for the first time. And again, my apologies for being so casual, miss. I did not recognize that you are one of the Great Mages. My sincere apologies. Now, what might we help you with? Information? Pointing you in the right direction? Some kind of escort maybe?"

In the world of magic, 5-star mages were rare and held in the highest regard. They were powerful individuals, often wielding a magic so potent it could reshape landscapes or destroy towns in mere minutes. Their skills were not just feared but revered, and their presence commanded respect wherever they went. Such mages were few, often seen as the pinnacle of magical prowess. Their titles and badges opened doors that were firmly shut to ordinary people. Nobles and rulers alike sought their counsel, and their influence stretched far and wide. To cross a 5-star mage was to invite ruin, but to earn their favor was to secure a powerful ally.

As Dave realized the significance of Suzuka's badge, his attitude shifted completely. He knew that aiding her could bring great honor and possibly favor. Failing to do so could spell disaster.

Suzuka smiled, noticing Dave's sudden change in tone. 

"Relax, Dave. I’m here on personal business, not to summon storms or move mountains. I just need a private minute with your grumpy partner. Can you help me with that?"

Dave nodded, confusion etched on his face. 

"Of course, miss. Anything you need. I will continue with my patrol and leave you two alone. Good day, miss."

With Dave gone, Suzuka approached the guard who was leaning on his spear a few steps away, staring blankly into the distance.

 "Hello there, Antonio. It's been a while, hasn't it?" she greeted.

Antonio barely reacted, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he mumbled, "And what does a great mage of five stars want with nobody like me? Or better yet, how do you even know me? We haven't even met before."

Suzuka flashed a smile, her red eyes glowing fiercely. 

"Oh, Antonio, maybe the name Jacob joggles your memory?"

Antonio turned his head towards Suzuka, his face coming into full view. Suzuka took a close look at how the years had changed the once handsome face she fell in love with. He looked terrible as if he had never had a moment of rest in his entire life.

"Did that bastard send you?" he asked angrily, but his face shoved little emotion.

 "What does he want now, after all this time? I told him I would do no jobs for him ever again. Tell him he can go and screw himself. I'm not interested in what he has to say."

Suzuka came closer, her face almost touching Antonio's as she spoke. 

"Oh no, no. He did not send me here. I came here on my own." Her lips brushed against his ear as she whispered, "I came to talk about a little girl named Suzuka. Well, If you even remember her, that is."

Antonio stirred at the mention of the name.

 "What? Did that bastard Jacob tell you about her? Are you going to threaten me now or something? Do you think I will dance to your tune in doing your bidding just because you threaten to expose me or something? Don't make me laugh. I'm nobody, you get nothing from me in doing so. So I suggest finding yourself another puppet to play with, I'm not interested in your bullshit."

Suzuka chuckled menacingly.

 "Oh no, I'm not about that. How about we take a little stroll? To a small campsite with a campfire by the broken tree, hmm? You know the place very well, and I will tell you all about it. How about that, hmmm? Do you want to know more? If so, then follow me, don't be shy."

Antonio couldn't tell that she was Suzuka. She looked and sounded nothing like she did before her transformation after absorbing the werewolf powers. Her voice, appearance, and even height had changed dramatically. She was a completely different person now.

 Intrigued by what she had to say, he reluctantly followed her to the campsite - the same campsite where he had handed her over to Jacob for Derrec's sick experiments.

As they walked, Antonio's footsteps were heavy with the weight of his past decisions, his mind racing with the thoughts of what she might reveal. As they reached the camp, Antonio asked eagerly, "So? What is this all about? What do you want? If Jacob did not send you then what is it?"

Suzuka turned around to face him. 

"First, before I tell you my business with you I would like to know one thing. Why did you do it? Why did you drug a little girl and give her away to some sick fucks to experiment on? Why Antonio?"

But Antonio showed little emotion or reaction, only looked down with a sad expression.

 "What does it matter now? She is long dead and nothing I do or say will ever change that. I won't go preaching or begging for forgiveness with empty prayers and useless apologies. It's too late for that. And no excuse will be enough to be forgiven for what I did. The reason why I did that won't change or make anyone feel better. So if that is all you got to ask, I am leaving. Do what you want. I got no time for this."

With that, he turned to leave, but Suzuka said in a serious voice, "It matters to me. I am Suzuka, Suzuka Garner, Anton, and I am standing right here, right now. So I say it again, It matters to me. I want to know why you did that to me. Why?"

Antonio stirred by her words, he turned around and took a good look at her for a few moments, then with an angry tone asked, "Is this some sick joke? Do you think this is funny? If so, it is not. She died. That prick Jacob showed up a few months after the kidnapping, looking like shit himself, half dead. He told me he and his whole team, Suzuka included, all were slaughtered by some monster. From how miserable he looked, there was no doubt he told me the truth. So you better come up with better jokes, because what you are telling me is not funny."