Chapter 20

I was sitting in the back of the village chief's wagon. This place had become a paradise for my mind as it was crammed with hundreds of bottles and packages.

"Try this, Kaito!"

I can't deny that the food Madam Valerie prepared was worthy of the gods. As a token of her gratitude, she presented us with a basket full of these exquisite delicacies.

Thus, we left the village with our pockets and stomachs full.

"Wow, Amber, you have a voracious appetite, don't you?" I commented with a chuckle as I watched her enjoy her meal. Sitting across from me, she playfully tried to shut me up by shoving a skewer of roast beef into my mouth.

She puffed out her cheeks like a hungry squirrel in search of nuts and replied between chews, "Hmph, shut up. I travel a lot. I am constantly raiding to clear the map of monsters. I don't have time to rest properly. So when I can, I treat myself to a good meal―not gluttony, definitely not!"

Meanwhile, outside, the sound of rain pounded mercilessly on the canvas roof of our wagon, and the road had turned into a muddy swamp.

Since adventurers were not bound by schedules or obligations, we were free to engage in commissioned missions whenever we pleased. On this occasion, we had agreed to the village chief's request. To transport packages and bottles to the nearest village.

We were not directly responsible for driving the wagon, that was the job of an old man who knew how to handle the reins. Amber and I acted more as escorts. Our mission was to make sure each load reached its destination without the slightest scratch.

I had been in this world only a few days, or even less, more like a day. I didn't have much money, and what I had would run out in a matter of days. Missions became my best chance for survival. So they were more than welcome.

Amber plopped down next to me after finishing her dinner. Even though she was also an adventurer, doing missions for the Knights of Favonius, she didn't have that sweat-filled smell, but she still had that sweet and delicate scent, like fresh flowers.

"Ah, in the end, we couldn't take you to the flight test," she said with obvious disappointment in her voice. It was obvious that she deeply regretted not being able to give me that opportunity.

"Well, it's pouring rain out there, so there's not much we can do about it."

The words had barely left my lips when I felt a sudden pinch on my arm. I turned my eyes back to Amber, who was scowling at me and snorting with disdain.

"Kaito, why do I get the feeling that deep down you're relieved that you don't have to take this test?"

I tried to keep an innocent expression on my face. "Huh? Of course I want to! Especially to fly with you."

At my reply, Amber stuck out her tongue in a mischievous gesture. "You're a squeamish cheater, Kaito. Um, deep down, you wished the flight test would fail."

"Me? How could you think that about me?" I put my hand to my chest and pretended to be offended. "You know I love challenges and tests. I don't know where you get these ideas."

She narrowed her eyes, scanning my expression for signs of deception. Then she let out a sigh. "Sometimes, I think you're worse than a little boy, Kaito. Always finding a way to duck out of things you don't want to do."

I chuckled, not bothering to deny her accusations.

'Miss, to think we've only been together one day for you to know me so well...'

The wagon shook and clattered to the rhythm of the horses' hooves on the road. Suddenly, the wagon began to shake more than usual as it crossed a particularly rough stretch of road.

Amber momentarily lost her balance and leaned against me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Looks like the road got worse..." I commented, gently putting an arm around her to keep her steady.

"Mmh~"

To my surprise, Amber didn't pull away, but sat down more comfortably and let out a small sigh of contentment. And before I knew it, her eyelids began to close slowly and her breathing became deeper and more rhythmic. She had fallen asleep.

'Is this a sign that she trusts me...?'

I looked at her peaceful face, her expression warm. I carefully slid my arm around her shoulders and drew her down so that her head rested on my lap. She snuggled up against me and smiled a faint smile of contentment.

It was an image that looked like something out of one of those romantic stories I used to love when my mother read them to me in the hospital. And in a way, I felt like the hero of one of those stories.

Hardly a few minutes had passed when the car began to slow down until it finally stopped. I was wondering if we had reached our destination when the driver's voice echoed from outside.

"Excuse me, young Kaito, there is a person here who wants to see you, what shall we do?"

A person who wants to see me? Here, in the middle of the rain, when we were still on our way? I had no extra acquaintances in this world, and I doubted anyone had come looking for me. I turned my head to look at Amber, but she seemed to be fast asleep, curled up against my thigh.

"It's okay," I replied, "Tell them to wait."

As I tried to carefully arrange Amber's head so that she could continue to rest comfortably, I reached for my spear, bracing myself in case there was trouble. But just then, the curtain at the back of the wagon opened and a figure stepped inside.

"Huh...?"

I froze, not knowing what to expect. Did this person have no tact?

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