Although Pancake lady made sense, he just feels something isn't right, and with her leaving, they take even more casualties, or worse, she will be the casualty as she tries to go back with no one but herself.
"Look..." The ironclad slayer inched closer. "I know that this for you, going deeper into this tower is fruitless for your rescue mission but the rest of us have a duty here."
"Our duty here is to find out what makes the animals in the forest very hostile and aggressive," he inched closer.
"And kill greenskins." He said under his breath.
"You saw it yourself. The happenings here is no longer normal. The creatures... they have mutated to something more sinister, and if we can't stop it now, the odds of you finding where your 'missing' mates will be nigh impossible. You heard what the townsfolk said these creatures had become stronger, coordinated, and vicious." He is only a few steps from Linea now. "We promised to help you find your mates, but it would be difficult for us to help you if you won't help us as well, especially when the creatures running rampant are becoming increasingly dangerous by the day."
The ironclad slayer extended his hand. "What do you say, Linea Starboard, ain't that a reasonable goal to help us?"
Linea shook her head. "Don't say things as if this is my responsibility. I am not a-"
Suddenly stopped, a critical question arose in her mind. Then what was her responsibility? Finding the missing agent. Yes, it was her mission. What about her responsibility as a member of CSA?
Helping others?
Sounds silly, that was not an elite agent like her are tasked for.
Yes CSA existed to make the world a better place, it was a noble goal and she took that to heart like any other agent, but it wasn't supposed to be like this; hunting beast in a middle of nowhere, clearing a dilapidated fortress like a common adventurer.
Would she say that in front of her mentor?
Maybe the only trait of her mentor that she didn't really fond of was her selflessness. Jazdia, de jure leader of CSA accepting a guild quest, helping townsfolk to clear their forest, and subjugate monster so people who often view CSA in a negative prejudice can sleep soundly.
What was she doing that for?
Reputation? While many kings ruling in fear under her thumb?
A thrill? For a person who prefers to manage a fancy restaurant?
Wealth and fame? ...don't even think about it.
And what about her? Why did she take this mission? Was it really to help people who were not even her acquaintance? No. She did it so she can earn acknowledgment from the dear mentor. Not so very noble, wasn't it?
The iron-clad slayer extended his hand, but Linea disregarded his gesture and inched back to lean against the wall.
"Not so very convincing, aren't you? I am not that stupid wandering in that vile forest alone in the dark. And you can't guarantee the madness will stop after we cleared this tower."
She opened her thermos and gulped her slightly-warmed tea like someone parched.
"And the assistance you promised... it's not really reassuring. You know that, right?"
"My mentor, she will certainly help you, but you know they said a disciple can't forever mimic their mentor." Linea let out a sigh and put her termos back into her bag.
"What the hell. I will help. Because that's what my mentor would do and I am not yet ready to break away from her shadow. Just let me rest for a little bit more."
Linea stayed with the team and ready to move to the next area whenever everyone ready.