When night fell, Chione decided to set up camp so everyone could rest.
She also instructed Ada, her servant and friend, to cook food.
Once the meal was ready, Chione invited the knights to eat.
'Where is Elric?' Chione wondered, noticing Elric was missing.
She asked a knight, who told her that Elric had stopped by a nearby river they passed.
Chione quickly went to the river and soon spotted Elric just climbing out of the water, holding some fish tied together.
"Miss Chione? What are you doing here?" Elric asked, puzzled.
"I came to call you for dinner..." Chione replied, averting her gaze and blushing.
She knew Elric was only 19, a year older than her, but his body was well-defined from daily training.
Elric walked over, picked up his clothes from the grass, and put them on.
They walked back to camp together.
Elric smiled, noticing that unlike other nobles who often didn't provide food for their men, Chione made sure her people were fed and rested. He appreciated her humble attitude despite her noble status.
Elric cooked the fish, and he and Chione ate together.
The next day, they resumed their journey early.
They passed by a tall mountain, and the temperature was quite cold, so Chione wrapped herself in a silk fabric she had brought.
She glanced outside and looked at Elric.
He seemed calm, vigilantly watching the surroundings, unaffected by the cold.
Chione felt a pang of sadness. She had initially been curious and interested in Elric, but now she didn't understand her feelings.
After a few minutes, they suddenly stopped.
Ahead of them was a group of bandits blocking their way.
Elric knew bandits were on a different level compared to gangs.
He felt alarmed but quickly calmed himself, knowing he had five professional knights with him.
He swiftly moved to Chione.
"W-what's happening?" Chione asked.
"Bandits..." Elric replied calmly.
"How many...?"
Elric looked ahead and gave his assessment.
"About 30 people, but there might be more hiding," Elric said.
Chione grew anxious. She hadn't expected to be ambushed by bandits, considering they were relatively close to the city and she had only hired knights to deal with wild animals along the way.