…
The next day, Marco and his friends waved goodbye to the inn owners. They are now bound to the north, to continue their journey. But there's one problem: their lack of vehicle.
Their next destination is the Kingdom of Alidia. Technically, that kingdom serves for their steppingstone before going further to the north. Based on Aily and Nina, the distance that they must cover, however, will take more than ten days to reach the kingdom mentioned. That's why they're going to need a ride if they want to reach there faster.
"I thought we could start as soon as possible, huft…" Marco sighs in disappointment. "Heh, you're keen to walking anyway, Marco. Why'd use a vehicle."
"Oh, seriously, dude?" Marco said funnily, "The distance is passing through a huge plains and a thick forest. Though, I'd prefer to avoid going through that forest, actually," Nina added. "That forest is scary," Aily added as well.
"Hm...? Boy! Yeah, you! Where are you going?" Somebody called Marco from the distance. It's General Rhun of the Naprean Vanguards.
"Huh? Oh, er... Sir Rhun! Yeah, well... we're going due north." said Marco while approaching him with his friends.
"Hm... you're leaving already, eh? I apologize on behalf of my kingdom for being unable to give the best services to you."
"Huh? Whaddaya mean?" asked Marco while frowning.
"Hohoho! Sir Drugo had told me everything first hand apparently," the old man replied while rubbing his thick gray beard. "You people were visitors that just came here not so long ago, correct?"
"Well, that's true…" Marco sounded unsure.
"Marco, when will we get the ride?" said Aily muttering unhappily at the explorer. "Please wait a little bit longer, Aily, we'll find a ride, soon." Her sister soothed her. "Gaaaah…" Aily proceeds to babble inaudibly.
"Judging by your belongings, you people are going north, eh? You young'uns are heading toward Alidia, yes?" ask Sir Rhun politely like a legit old timer.
"Uhuh, that's righty-o." Marco replied casually. "....but, we don't have a ride, hehe. That's why we're going to look for one before going," he added surely.
"Ah! Then might I suggest you to go along with Sean-boy."
"Huh? Sean-boy? Who?" Marco wondered.
"Ach, it's Mr. Sean Williams, my boy. The vanguard prodigy, that's who he is," Sir Rhun explained.
"Oooooh!" Marco realizes and remembered who Sir Rhun was talking about. "That green haired guy?" Marco wanted to reassure.
"Yup, that good ol' boy is indeed covered with greenly hairstyle all over his head. We'd say it's a unique style unlike most humans, that is. Besides, he's not from 'our' world."
"He's not?!" Marco said shockingly followed by Scias. "O-Oi, y-you're not bluffing, are you?" he asked stuttering.
"Well, that's the truth. He knows a lot about those 'Dragonia' race thingy, who would've thought that he is really a legitimate Naprean-born?" Rhun stated meekly. He explained that Sean is actually NOT a Naprean or a person from the world of Tellus. In fact, he is from the world of Gaia.
"That's shocking news… then? What's up with that dude?" Marco asked again.
"Well, not so long ago he proposed to go on a mission at Alidia Kingdom. Obviously he will ride a vehicle to go there, a wagon, to be precise."
"Whoa-ho! Is that for real? Can we go with him?" Marco sounded excited.
"Ah, no worries. He'd be glad to help, moreover, this is at least the thing I can give to you in return for helping us save our home." Rhun stated.
"Psst, Marco," Scias whispered without covering his mouth. Yet his voice can still be heard by Marco and remained stealth.
"What, what, Scias?" Marco turned around at him and asked.
"Don't you remember how's that cranky green head like when we first met him? You sure to go with that guy?"
"Well, yeah, I know that, man. But the thing is I cannot deny this offer he gave me! Besides, we don't have any other ride than this, right?"
"Well, yeah, of course… it's just…"
Marco turns around at the Naprean General and accepts, "We'll go with him, old man," Marco showed his thumbs.
"Very well, then. He's at the north gate. I'll let him know that you're tagging along."
Marco felt glad to hear that. "Thank you, old man. Truly." said Marco while shaking hands with Rhun Roderick.
"No, boy..." Rhun pats the explorer's shoulder with both hands, "It is I... who should be thanking you. Allow me to say it once more..."
Rhun bows in front of Marco and his friends.
"…On behalf of my people and my king, I thank you, thoroughly. May your journey be blessed... and may the heavens shine its light to you, safe journey, young one."
…
..
.
"Oi, you there." someone called Aily, whose carrying a big sack with her. Aily looked at the green-haired vanguard, "Uwaah…" she said brightly, "It's the cool-armored green-haired vanguard!"
Reticence.
"…That's a freaking odd way of my impression, honestly." Sean replied. "Ahahaha~ well, I'm sorry, I didn't get to remember your name, ehe," said Aily jokingly.
"At least remember my name, will ya?! Damnations… Anyway! General Rhun had told me, you guys are heading the same destination as I do, right?"
"Yeah, that's right!" said Aily cheerfully. Shortly, Marco and Nina join them both.
"Woah! Sir Seen! There you are! Good to see you, mate!" said Marco while waving his hand.
"Yes, good to—eh? 'SEEN' You say?! It's SEAN! SEAN, DAMMIT! Gah!" he retorted loudly. Everyone around his wagon can hear his loud voice.
"O-Oh, right, heheheh, sorry, mate."
"If it's not for your record, I might decline taking you lads with me." said Sean in upset.
"Pardon their attitude, Sir Sean…" said Nina smiling.
"Yeah, I know, I get it. Bah…" said Sean while sighing in aggravation.
"Anyway, lads. 'Tis here is our ride—don't you want to put that heavy bag 'ere?" Sean felt insecure as he sees Aily carrying the bag by herself. Even though she wears a red dress covered in a shining armor, still she's a 14-year-old girl.
"You assholes, you're her friends, right? Why not help her carry that big sack of goods, ah?" Sean swears at Marco and Scias for not helping Aily.
"Hey! I can carry this by myself, no worries!" Aily bragged, although her voice kinda pitched because of her lifting the weight on her shoulders.
"Enough! I'll help you out!" Sean jumped down from the carriage and helps her to get the goods on the wagon. "Geez, I told you I can do it!"
"I can't stand if a young lady had to carry heavy weights like this." Sean stated boldly. "Ahh, if I say I can do it, then I can do it! Don't bother yourself! Hmph!" Aily dumped him and heads onto the wagon with her sister.
"…hah? What did I do wrong?" Sean muttered. "She really dislikes getting spoiled too much, dude." Marco reasoned. "Yeah…" Scias added.
"What an odd lady… whatever. Get your arses on board."
…
A few minutes later, everyone has gotten aboard the wagon. They're ready to go now.
"So... is everyone aboard?" said the wagon coachman. The wagon isn't solely taken by Sean alone. It is driven by somebody else.
"I guess we're set." said Aily. "Let's go!" She's excited to adventure again, but Marco's excitement is even greater than the sun, he's superbly pumped up to adventure again!
"Okay, coach! We're ready to blast off," said Marco excited and spirited.
"You heard him, mister." Sean stated to the coach whom beside him.
"Ayup! Let's-a-go. Hiya!" The coachman spurs the two horses in the front to move the wagon.
The wooden wheels began to rotate on the brick road. Through the tattered walls of Napre they go, past the gates and into the plains to the north.
"Yeehaw! Alidia, here we come!"
And so... they began their journey to the north... towards the Kingdom of Alidia.