With Log Wall off the route, The duo was left with Scarlet to lead the way to freedom. Despite her poor state right now, her majesty was still the renowned princess, heir of the throne and the righteous future queen. If they succeed in aiding her obtain the kingdom's glory, surely, she'll pay the favor.
That favor... was her help so they could escape the Foggy Ring. With her authority by then, such requests are highly achievable.
However, that's for the future. Zyro needed to focus on the present.
Zyro woke up early in the morning only to be greeted outside by the sleeping princess. His been expecting to begin their journey soon, but apparently, their lead, Scarlet was asleep in her tent. He waited, then Pert shortly woke up, but as time went by until an hour passed.
The sleeping beauty remains asleep.
The two were standing outside her tent.
"Do you think she's dead?" Asked Pert half jokingly and half seriously. Scarlet isn't that easy to kill unnoticed, especially with Zyro around. Even in slumber, his training honed him to stay alert while resting. Any unnatural sounds around him could trigger his awareness. In fact, his conscious back when Scarlet entered her tent shortly after he decided to get out of bed.
Still, the situation's oddity was evident.
Zyro replied, tapping Pert's shoulder.
"Beats me, maybe you should check on her."
"Like hell I'll dare check the dragon's den!"
Pert denied in outburst, afraid of the vampiric beauty.
Zyro was conflicted, he didn't want to peek into a slumbering lady's bed either. Especially a dreadful one with enough strength to slaughter them if angered.
With a sigh, he gives up on the idea and walks away. He's pretty sure she's just sleeping anyway due to the barely audible sounds coming from within, implying her soft breathing.
"Let's leave her alone for now, it's day. Don't forget vampires are nocturnal. We'll probably begin traveling at night so take this time to rest."
Pert thought about it, before agreeing.
"Fine."
It made sense, too much actually. Back then when they visited the vampire village at daytime. The streets were desolate and all windows are closed with no one around, as thought it's midnight. Scarlet arrived at the camp nighttime too. Furthermore, venturing in the dark woods is safer than now.
After an entire day of waiting, dusk came enveloping the world with crimson light of the setting sun. Only then did Scarlet came out from her tent, greeting them with a smile.
"Good morning... Or should I say, goodnight?"
The campfire was once again set aflame by Zyro and Pert as they sat around it. Hearing her sweet greeting, Zyro glared at Pert. Earlier, the kid expressed his desire to communicate with the princess, but didn't know how and was too afraid to do so. So, as a responsible senior subordinate, Zyro taught him how to overcome his fear.
Pert hesitated for a moment, before responding politely.
"Good evening"
Scarlet smiled at him.
"I guess that's the right word. What's for dinner?"
Under her friendly feedback, Pert continued replying due to Zyro's silence.
However, he didn't know what they were having for dinner either. Zyro was the one who cooked it using the hunters supplies, but only knew Earth's culinary style. Therefore, the delicacy he made with what he could find were alien to others, and didn't know what to call it.
Not like that's important, all that matters is that it's edible.
Pert nervously said.
"Something?"
She gave the two a dubious look, before saying.
"Let's start eating then."
Although, she said that. Scarlet waited for them to fill their own bowl of the food first, Zyro and Pert didn't mind her doubtful act as they ate.
Pert consumed Zyro's cooking without hesitation. He trusted him enough to eat what he made, added, he had watching Zyro's the entire time, so he could rest assure that there's no poison involved in the ingredients.
After the first bite, Pert can't help but stayed quiet for a moment. Savoring the sensation, then, he said with awe.
"I didn't knew you could cook! This is really good!"
.
He had never expected the ominous fallen knight to be secretly a great cook. It didn't suit his ruthless yet mysterious character at all!
Zyro indifferently shrugged.
"You never asked"
One of the most important lesson in survival he learned was finding edible things, but most importantly, making it bearable to consume. Needless to say, Zyro had mastered the former and latter.
Seeing them safe despite consuming the suspicious meal, Scarlet began joining their dinner as well.
And indeed, Pert wasn't lying when he praised Zyro's cooking.
It's been so long since she ate anything tasty in the wilderness, only here did she once again taste it. Pleased, she said amidst her meal.
"I must say, you have quite the talent for cooking, Zyro. Perhaps you could work as my personal chef in the castle after some professional training."
It's an alluring offer, truthfully speaking. Not only does it obviously have a high salary, coupled with respected status and connection to the queen. Ensuring a bright future for him.
But nevertheless, Zyro mediately refuse. For his fate are already sealed to complete the STELLAR mission... Alone, no matter what.
"I'm terribly sorry, but I have to refuse your kindness for a personal reason."
'Besides. The life of a chef is boring, anyway.'
Scarlet didn't press on any further. After a difficult dinner, Zyro began talking regarding the upcoming expedition.
"Where are we going now?"
Was his first question.
Scarlet replied without pause, as if she had already thought about it long ago.
"As of now, there's no certain location. But I was hoping to find a secluded residence where the higher ups influence isn't strong, a territory they likely disregarded. I don't mind how small it is, as long as there's means of transportation, it'll do."
Zyro curse in his mind.
'What's with that confidence if you didn't know?'
The again, there's no point wasting time bearing grudge against the princess, no matter how naive she is sometimes. Instead, Zyro help her find a destination.
It just so happens he knows of a suitable place, fitting her preference.
"Then I would like to suggest a small village near the Mining mountain we previously worked at. However, the surrounding area is dangerous."
His referring to the vampire settlement where they delivered the magic ores from the Mine, and trade blood with an shady old vampire. Being positioned near Boss Boru's Mine, that stand at the outskirt of Foggy Ring. It's safe to say it's secluded enough to meet her expectations, furthermore, the settlement was too small to have major powerhouses from the castle greatly influence it, it's likely regarded as an insignificant asset due to its poor location and lacking size. As for means of transportation, the Mine carriage once gets there through a dangerous route. Even the solitary Mine had carriage, let alone a village. Additionally, he saw some carriages back then.
As expected, Scarlet threw him the following questions to obtain better details to consider. With Pert helping him from time to time to verify his answers, he eventually convince Scarlet to choose that small village as their destination. Which favored them, because it will not be Zyro and Pert first time venturing all the way there. Having done it before, they knew the routes, lurking beasts, danger zones and so on. It's much better to stride a known path than an unknown route.
With their destination decided, they quickly packed the necessary supplies and got ready to head out tonight.
Strangely, Zyro found it funny how they struggle to get here, only to return where they came from in the end. At the same time, it stings in the heart.
He noticed Pert acting a little gloomy as he pack his things, downhearted by the sudden turn of events. Needless to say, the future is unpredictable, it's something he had no control over.
'Damm luck'
Zyro curse his rotten luck for causing him to work so hard for nothing. That said, failure was progress in and of itself.
Sighing, he finished loading his luggage and prompted Pert to hurry up. Soon, the camp of the hunters was left empty, as the thieves head out. Carrying the hunters former belongings with them.
As they walk into the darkness of night under the vibrant crowns of towering trees, Zyro took one last glance at Log Wall's enormous wooden barrier.
It's such a shame he didn't get to at least enter such amazing structure. However, his relieved they didn't enter it, for the hope they're searching for wasn't within the wooden fortress, either.
That hope was an Airship. Now that they're coming back, he can't help but think about his drowned starship. Forget about old fashioned flying boats with an starship in hand. Heck, he could even destroy an entire village and Gricks fleets with its extreme mobility and firepower.
Looking ahead, he thought.
'I wonder how that elderly sage is doing.'