Unbeknownst to Ash, a mischievous princess was also making her way to Grumhald.
Vanessa Meridonia has always heard stories about the honored and powerful orc warriors, who protected the weak and fought injustice from her mother. Her mother, before marrying her father, once lived close to the orcs—she was an elf.
Unlike humans, who usually had a hostile relationship with the orcs, elves maintained a mutually beneficial alliance with them.
She told stories about them to her when she was a child. Because of that, a dream of knowing those powerful warriors, and maybe even fighting alongside them was born within Meridonia's princess.
Vanessa was young but was already an exceptional healer. Her trait was an SSS-rank [Saint], which made her healing spells much more effective.
But because she had almost no fighting power and her older sister was overprotective of her, she never had the chance to go so far away from the kingdom. At least not until today, because she just ran away with her maid, an Ascended ranker.
"Princess, do you really need to do this? Let's go back! Your sister will have my head when she finds out!" pleaded Athena, Vanessa's maid, friend, and protector.
Vanessa—a striking, pink-haired half-human, half-elf—turned to her with a mischievous smile. "Of course we're going. We're seeing the orcs! You're welcome to turn back, but I'll go alone if I must!"
Both Vanessa and Athena wore hooded robes to avoid being recognized.
Vanessa's slender figure was accentuated by the way her robes clung to her frame, the fabric flowing gracefully around her yet failing to hide her generous curves. Her ample chest added an air of allure, contrasting with her otherwise delicate appearance.
Athena's figure was sensual even beneath the flowing robes. Her short, vibrant blue hair framed her face perfectly, with a few rebellious strands slipping free to brush against her smooth cheeks.
Athena sighed. "You know I can't leave you. But did you even bring any money? The orcs live far from here—how exactly are you planning to get there?" she asked.
Vanessa grinned. "Aren't you well-paid, Athena? Lend me some, and I'll pay you back when we return, hehe."
Athena looked at her, dumbfounded. "Do I have a choice?"
"Not at all! Let's go," Vanessa said cheerfully. "Now, if we want to get there, what's the best route, Athena?" Vanessa rarely left the royal castle, so her knowledge of the world beyond was limited.
Vanessa sighed, knowing the days ahead would be challenging. "Let's find a merchant caravan. Most merchants have passage rights anywhere, as long as they pay enough. We can pay one to take us there."
—
Under the dim moonlight in Meridonia's capital, Ash sat on the sidewalk, contemplating his next move.
'I went all-in on a one-way trip to the orcs' territory, but if they refuse to train me, I'm screwed. Well, if it doesn't work out, I'll figure it out when I get there,' he thought. 'I still have some money, at worst, I'll just come back to Meridonia .'
'For now, let's find a cheap inn to sleep in tonight, tomorrow morning the merchant will leave for Grumhald. Not a good idea to sleep on the streets—better to spend a bit on a cheap place, hopefully with breakfast included.'
Ash spent a few minutes asking around and searching until he finally found a cheap inn for just six copper coins a night, with breakfast included. He didn't expect much, but as long as it was edible, that would be good enough for him.
After paying in advance, he headed upstairs to his room. Inside, there was a single bed, a small table with a wooden chair, and a narrow window. There was no private bathroom, but a communal one was available at the end of the hall.
Ash took a look around and smiled to himself. 'Good enough—I actually expected worse.'
He set his backpack beside the bed and lay down. The bed creaked under his weight and sagged slightly, but held firm. As he settled in, his thoughts drifted to his little brother waiting back home, and a pang of guilt surfaced for the lie he had told. 'When I get back, I'll tell him the truth, no matter how this trip turns out.'
After a few minutes, he slept.
When morning came, sunlight pierced through the window, warming Ash's eyelids and waking him early. It gave him just enough time to eat, take a quick shower, and reach the spot the merchant, Guilherme, had mentioned ahead of schedule.
When Ash arrived, he was stunned by the scene before him. Thirty large caravans stood in a line, surrounded by mercenaries who, to Ash—who wasn't even an Inferior ranker, the lowest level possible—seemed incredibly powerful.
In front of each caravan stood two beasts resembling horses, but three times their size. Ash didn't know their names, but they looked powerful enough to pull the caravans all day without rest.
He spotted Guilherme up front, talking with two hooded women with striking figures. They handed him two gold coins, and Ash guessed they were like him, looking to head toward Grumhald or perhaps somewhere along the way.
It seemed the sly merchant had managed to charge them even more, but Ash kept his thoughts to himself and waited for them to finish their business. It wouldn't be a good idea to stick his nose in other people's business and risk losing his ride.
After the women left, Ash approached the merchant. "Hi, Guilherme."
"Oh, hello, boy. You can head to the second caravan; there's room for you there," Guilherme replied with a wave.
Ash nodded. "Okay, thanks."
Before he left, curiosity got the best of him, and he asked, "What are those beasts in front of the caravan?"
Guilherme chuckled. "You're not from around here, are you? Those are Ineans—pretty strong beasts. Strong enough to be considered Superior rankers."
Ash was taken aback. 'Superior rank? One of those could probably take down dozens of me without a sweat.'
"I see. Thanks," Ash said, trying to shake off his disbelief as he made his way to the second caravan, just as Guilherme had suggested.
When Ash arrived and climbed into the caravan, his eyes landed on the same two women sitting on a wooden bench fixed to the wall. There was an empty spot next to them, so he walked over and took a seat beside one of the women. Trying to be polite, he greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hello, nice to meet you."