A large number of people had gathered before the huge gates of the imperial capital.
Large carriages, finally dressed merchants, adventurers with armors, swords, spears,
and magicians in their robes were gathered.
Behind them was a bustling market. People were buying and selling different things at different stalls and shops.
The gates were small compared to other gates in the cardinal directions as they were just for the use of the merchants like them to exit the city in large groups.
People weren't paying much attention to them as it was a sight they were used to.
The caravan was divided into six different groups.
Every group contains its own different merchant leaders, workers, and adventurers.
Monster body parts belonged to the merchants after the exploration and if a core or skill stone was miraculously found then, they can sell it to that merchant if they want.
These were simple things and everyone knew about them.
In the second last place, a man wearing a plain white mask stood beside a girl with normal brown hair and brown eyes.
They both stood by the leader's carriage, which clearly stood out the most. Just like the other five.
Everyone in the group maintained their distance from the masked man in the blue robe.
This was a normal reaction from the people after seeing this masked man.
His visible red eyes were the reason everyone in the capital knew about him. Knew about the crazy (Red-eyed hunter).
But the girl standing by his side was... weird.
She talked with him as if they know each other quite well.
He held a very high rank among adventurers present so no one tried to bother them.
"Huu... looks like we will be departing soon. Brian~, please take good care of me."
"Do not worry miss. This won't even be that big of a deal.
In any case, just stay by the carriage. The barrier is strong enough to stand against even yellow ranked beasts."
He was calm and confident.
Earlier, he unconsciously got too excited and at exactly that moment, I arrived.
His eyes met mine and, that excitement instantly turned into seriousness.
He was serious about protecting me.
He... wanted, to protect me.
It meant that he was starting to accept the truth.
He was fighting with his lonely past. Fighting for hope... fighting to accept the present.
This was a very positive sign.
"WE WILL DEPART IN FIVE MINUTES!"
Someone shouted from the front and brought me back.
"Miss Nolen, it looks like I will have to go and check up on the leader for now.
Please wait for me, I will be back as quickly as possible."
Even he didn't know why he was saying that right now.
As one of the top adventurers, he should stick to the leader's side but he told her he would come back to... her?
Though unconsciously, he said what he wanted.
But, I shook my head.
"You won't have to~. I am here as the leader's assistant so, I will be with him all the time."
Her cheerful, happy smile made him blush under his mask.
I noticed the changes and an excited smile appeared on my face instantly.
'I want to see that face! Those cute red expressions, him hiding behind his hand, that tough face, and... ahem! If I want, then I should, no?'
"Then let's go~"
I grabbed his hand and dragged him inside the large, spacious carriage.
There, a middle-aged man with a thin body and black mustache was sitting silently reading some papers.
He had unique dark green hair, like dark leaves.
His eyes, however, were simple brown.
Upon noticing us, he put the papers down and stood up.
He gracefully bowed his head and introduced himself in a respectful voice.
"Greetings, miss Nolen. Hello to you too sir Brian. I am the merchant leader of the fifth group, Cody Cortez. Thank you for joining me on this small journey."
He spoke respectfully, which was... very, very strange.
'Why would a merchant leader bow to someone like us?
Is it because I'm famous or is he just that much polite.'
A confused expression appeared on his face.
I could see the confusion in his eyes.
Though I instructed this old man to act as if he don't know me, he was the only one that could have helped me in this way.
He was a kind, loyal, and sharp person among these groups of merchants. He was also someone I could trust.
"Hello sir, It's nice to meet you too. We will be in your care for the time being."
Replying to him, we all sat down on the soft carriage seats.
The interior of the carriage was quite spacious. It had space equal to a small room.
It was a good large space even though, we were sitting on the same seat.
I was neutrally happy with this development but, he had different thoughts.
'I h-have to protect her, that's w-why we are sitting on the same seat. Y-yes! That's the reason.'
He didn't know why but, his body moved by her side on its own.
He convinced himself and calmed down.
After a moment, the carriages started moving.
The creatures pulling the carriages were close to horses but they had much larger bodies than any normal horses.
They were mana beasts called [Lesser earth horse].
I didn't know much about them but they were commonly used by rich people like these merchant leaders.
'Now, our trip starts.'
He thought. Excitement is clearly visible in his eyes.
'Let's see how this goes...'
I pressed his hand which I was holding from when we entered the carriage.
Not minding us, mister Cody silently read his papers.
***
By a large road in an open area, a large camp was set up.
Bonfires were starting in many different places one by one.
People were cooking food and talking loudly.
Everyone seemed cheerful as they all had a bright expressions on their faces.
This was the first camp of the caravan and a good place to make new connections and friends.
Here, on a corner of the campsite, three people were sitting around a finely set campfire, waiting for the masked person to finish cooking.
He was making a simple chicken stew but, the aroma oozing out of the pot was mouth-watering.
Even people from different groups near them were blankly staring at them with envious eyes.
If only the fragrance was this good then... how good the taste would be?
People wanted to go and just steal the pot from this person.
but... everyone here valued their lives.
Not a single one of them was capable of going against a (tier-5) magician.
The person in question though noticed their gazes, he didn't give a damn to them.
Right now, he was extremely focused on making the food for a single special someone.
He took the best ingredients, made the best fire with magic, and cleared the whole place so that it would be the best campsite one has ever seen.
He did all that without knowing why he was doing that. But, he was satisfied with it.
After a long wait, the fire slowed and the aroma coming from the pot intensified multiple times.
The water in the bystander's mouth increased but... with just a single glare, he chased everyone away.
Serving the thick, orange-red stew with big chicken pieces in a bowl, he decorated it on the small table before the two individuals sitting by the fire.
The young lady picked up her spoon and knife with a very calm expression.
The meat, like butter, is sliced in an instant.
It was perfectly cooked.
She took a small bite of meat and thick broth in a slow, anticipating look.
As soon as the food entered her mouth, like an exploration, many different flavors exploded in her mouth.
A very surprised expression clouded her face.
She had eaten with the royal family in the royal palace but, this thing right in front of her was on almost that level.
Still, there was something more about this.
Something she had only felt at home.
Like her mother's cooking but, still a bit different.
'Cooking of the person... you have fallen for?'
Maybe...
With an anticipating gaze, he asked.
"How's it? Do you... like it?"
He was nervous, like her word meant the most to him and not the captain sitting beside her.
'I like it? I love this! I love you too...'
She was just... happy. This was a special moment for her.
If just there weren't so many people here, she might just have...
Calming herself, she looked at him with a serious gaze.
"Brian... do you really think this is, cooking?"
Her serious gaze was a piece of bad news for him. At least he thought it was.
"Y-yes?"
He was very confident in his cooking so he wasn't discouraged or disappointed.
He was confused. What was she trying to say?
She then shook her head and, happily explained.
"No, Brian~! This is sorcery. How can something so simple be so good?!
I really love it.
I am going to eat it all~!"
He released a long breath.
Smiling brightly, he thanked her.
And then... he finally looked at captain Cody.
He was eating his food with a bright smile.
He was elegant while eating too.
When the one to cook such a delicious dish looked up at him, he only gave him a small thoubs up.
Without saying anything with a delighted smile.
He was embarrassed but, happy.
Her happily eating face... made him happy.
This was a candle, burning brightly in his darkness.