The carriages did not have enough space inside to occupy a person since it was meant for transporting crude materials.
Jerouch didn't bother though, he even preferred to walk alongside others since he could see the path that led outside better.
Azel, on the other hand was relieved when he saw Jerouch's attitude. Things would've gone bad if this person beside him was a haughty fellow who wouldn't take walking on foot as an answer.
Not only was Azel relieved, but he also felt lucky and elated.
They didn't have to worry about any unknown attacker throughout their journey out of the forest.
They simply benefited more than enough from this deal, in his opinion.
Again, even though they were not deep in the forest, they weren't close to the edge of the forest either.
Low rank monsters could appear any moment, and with how drained their guards were, they would only be courting death.
He didn't even want to imagine such a scenario as it gave him cold chills.
Jerouch was glancing now and then, as they took turns and corners, while taking note of every path in his mind.
From what Azel told him, it would take about two days to reach the edge of the forest, and another two days to get to the city gate.
'' Umm, Sir, so what is taking you to klaris city? '' Azel finally summoned the courage to initiate a conversation.
His heart slightly tingled, seeing Jerouch looking lost briefly.
'' Mmm… '' Jerouch thought.
' Dammit, can't you all be less inquisitive? ' He pondered.
'' Well…''
'' I've stayed way too long in the woods polishing my skills, so I felt it's not that bad if I show my face again. '' Jerouch shrugged his shoulder and acted as though it was nothing.
'' Ah, so that's it. '' Azel nodded with bright eyes that were almost popping out.
'' No wonder Sir is so powerful. '' Azel showered him praises, completely missing the bluff.
The apprentices and the guards too nodded in understanding and their eyes shimmered.
'' I don't want attention to myself, so it will be better if you all can remain silent. '' Jerouch turned to his side, facing Azel.
'' If not… '' he smirked with a knowing look.
'' O-of course. '' Azel laughed. The type of laugh that one made when they freaked out after seeing a ghost and couldn't scream.
After travelling for several hours in the morning, they eventually decided to take a break as they saw the amber sun hanging on the distant horizon.
They found a region with shorter shrubs and trees that weren't too big, and they decided to camp there.
One of the apprentices who had short, dark brown, woolly hair, with large eyeballs was sent to fetch the group water, accompanied by three guards.
Two other apprentices, one dark skin and the other pale, were to gather dried woods which they would use to make a bonfire.
Furthermore, one of the remaining apprentices with tanned skin and platinum hair similar to Jerouch, although shorter, went with Azel, and five other guards to hunt a low rank monster to satiate their hunger.
This left only Jerouch with one apprentice and a guard.
They were to stay behind and guard the carriages.
The two gave Jerouch a wide space between them, trying as much as they could to avoid him.
When they waited for a while without seeing others returning, they ended up conversing in meaningless talks, which Jerouch wasn't interested in.
After about half an hour, the group that went to scout for water came back with five leather bags made from monster hide.
Not long after, those that went to get woods also returned, and the last group took about an hour more before they returned.
By that time, it was already dark, and the temperature had begun to drop steadily. The moon had come out too, enveloping the forest with its soft silver light.
Gentle breezes blew occasionally, which made the bonfire crack more.
The monsters they roasted were winged rabbits.
Their shapes were similar to the normal rabbit, as Jerouch remembered. However, they were bigger, each almost reaching a metre, with two large wings.
Just as Jerouch expected, they gave him the largest share.
He didn't reject it either, it was his moment and he would enjoy it to the max. He took the meat and had a first bite.
However, his face soon turned purple, as he felt the unpalatable burnt flavour.
' These fuckers are practically useless. ' He thought in annoyance.
'' You can't battle, neither can you cook, eh? Tsk. '' He clicked his tongue, showing his displeasure.
He took another bite to hold his hunger before eventually standing.
They all had baffled expressions as they saw him rise, but he ignored them.
' Time for the store to come into use. ' He mumbled softly.
Jerouch went close to the bonfire and grabbed the crude cooking utensils the group was using.
He brought out different fruits and herbs which he saw as they travelled. Of course, others didn't see him.
Although he didn't know their name or if they had any side effects, he could judge and sort them based on their smell and taste.
He roasted the fur of the winged rabbits on low heat using fewer woods, heqq then immersed it in a large bowl containing wild fruit essence and herbs.
The others had long stopped eating as they saw Jerouch's exquisite action.
They even offered to help, but he rejected them.
'' Cooking is a survival skill that you must excel at if you want to become a renowned mafia. ''
Jerouch remembered the voice of his old man, and how he would occasionally slap his back as soon as he made a mistake in the ingredients' proportions.
He macerated the flesh for a while before taking them to the bonfire, where he allowed each steak to roast sufficiently on low heat by keeping some distance from the flame.
It wasn't even ten minutes when the stomach of some guards started rumbling as they gulped mouthfuls of saliva.
Azel himself couldn't help but praise the appetizing aroma.
Jerouch arranged each roasted steak in a different bowl, and when he was done, there were a couple of steaks sizzling with oil.
' Ain't no way am I eating crap again after escaping two hellholes.' He thought and put enough steaks in a wrap for himself.
Looking at the puppy eyes of Azel and his group, he dropped the remaining steaks for them to munch on.
He took the first bite and moaned softly. He had long forgotten when last he ate something this soft and juicy.
'' Mmm. ''
He raised his head and saw the others humming as they tore the steaks without reserves. They had already dumped the burnt ones previously made.
—
'' B-big brother, I love you, the fish sauce is amazing. ''
'' When will you come back and make me more dishes, big brother? ''
Jerouch remembered the puppy-eyed kid with a timid voice who always worshiped him, his big brother.
A soft sigh escaped his mouth as he brought himself back to the present, clenching his fist briefly.
Afterwards, a sincere smile appeared on his face, seeing the others appreciate his cooking.
It had been a while since he felt this real to himself. However, when he remembered the tasks before him, he knew this part of him would rarely show itself.
The path of slaughter was what lay ahead and he would tread that path without hesitation.
Before that however…
---
Sorry for the late chapter.