Chapter 126: On The Journey and New Skills

"Ouch!...Ouch!...my butt hurts," Viper grumbled as her feet touched solid ground. Flying for more than sixteen hours had taken its toll on her.

Even Aron, who can endure more, and Thyra, accustomed to riding wyverns, felt the fatigue settling in, especially with night already fallen.

Currently, the group has established a camp in a clearing within the vast forest. They would require at least another day just to reach the forest's outskirts. It was a reminder of just how immense this ancient woodland truly was.

"Stop complaining and help me here," Kasumi exclaimed, gesturing towards a pile of firewood she had gathered.

"Easy for you to say," Viper retorted. "I didn't exactly have a cozy spot in the shadows like you did."

Kasumi rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. If I could trade places with you just to be closer to my master, I would. Now stop complaining and lend a hand; you should be grateful."

"Fine," Viper groaned but complied, knowing that helping with the camp chores would distract her from the discomfort in her rear. She joined Kasumi, gathering firewood and arranging it neatly near the fire pit.

Meanwhile, Victoria was cooking something over the fire, her skilled hands deftly preparing a hearty meal for the weary travelers. The scent of roasting meat and herbs filled the air, promising a delicious reprieve from their long journey.

As for the master and disciple, Thyra tended to the wyverns, feeding them some raw meat from her storage ring and ensuring they were ready for the next day's travel.

Aron, on the other hand, was scouting the perimeter of the camp. He used his word of power to isolate the area. Despite his precautions, he remained vigilant, scanning the woods for any potential threats lurking in the darkness.

Several minutes later, Aron returned to the camp, finding the food ready and everyone waiting for him.

"Master, here you go," Kasumi promptly served him a bowl of stew and meat as he settled down by the fire.

"Thank you," he accepted the bowl with a nod of gratitude.

As they sat around the crackling fire, enjoying their meal and the warmth it provided, conversations were less but flowed easily among them, discussing the plans for the next day.

Thyra estimated that if they set out at first light and pushed the wyverns a little harder, they could reach the forest's borders by nightfall. From there, their path would lead them northwest toward Frostguard Keep, another day's journey away.

Normally, the journey from the forest border to the keep would take at least a week or two. Not due to the distance, but because the path was a mountainous route filled with perilous cliffs and narrow passes that could spell doom for the unwary.

"Go and get some sleep; I'll stay and keep watch," Aron declared as he finished his meal.

"M-Master, you need rest. I can stay and watch instea—" Kasumi tried to offer to take the first watch, but Aron cut her off with a soft look.

"It will be alright, Kasumi. You need your rest as well. We have a long day tomorrow, and I require minimal sleep. Go, get some rest."

Kasumi hesitated for a moment, her expression a mixture of concern and determination. She finally bowed her head slightly in acceptance. "Very well, Master. But wake me if anything… happens."

"Are you sure about that?" Thyra suddenly asked. "I know you require less sleep than us to function, but that can be detrimental to your mental health."

Aron smiled warmly, grateful for his mentor's concern. Despite Thyra's unpredictable and harsh nature, underneath lay a soft and kind heart, something Aron greatly appreciated.

"Thank you for your concern, Thyra," he replied sincerely. "But I assure you, I'll be fine. I'll take some time to rest once we reach our destination. For now, it's important that all of you get some rest."

His reassuring tone, coupled with the gentle smile, seemed to quell Thyra's concern somewhat, though a hint of worry still lingered in her eyes. She nodded slowly, her gaze flickering between Aron and the surrounding darkness.

"Very well," she conceded, her voice softer than usual. "But if you feel even the slightest bit of fatigue, wake me immediately."

By now, Victoria wasn't surprised by her Lady's change in behavior around Aron, and she wouldn't even be surprised if they ended up together in the future, something that Victoria secretly hoped for at least she would get to be with her sister if that happens.

However, in her heart, she felt a twinge of jealousy. The way Thyra treated Aron was something Victoria wished for herself for so long. Despite years of unwavering loyalty and devotion to Thyra, she couldn't elevate their relationship from master and servant to something deeper like friendship.

As she gazed into the flickering flames of the fire, Victoria couldn't help but ponder what it would be like to share a bond with someone. She had her sister, but beyond that, there was no one in her life.

'Let's not think about it too much,' a sigh escaped her lips, barely audible over the crackling fire. She understood her place very well.

"Oh, Victoria," Aron called, interrupting her thoughts. He turned to her with a genuine smile. "Thank you for the food; it was excellent."

"!!!" Victoria's heart fluttered at Aron's words, a warmth spreading through her chest at his genuine gratitude. She returned his smile, feeling a sense of validation wash over her.

"You're welcome, Master Aron," she replied, her voice soft yet filled with sincerity. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Hmm?" Kasumi narrowed her eyes, observing her sister's reaction to Aron's compliment. When she noticed the blush on her cheeks, she displayed a mischievous grin.

'Oh my poor Onee-sama, I'll take care of you and make sure to find love…hehehe~' 

While everyone settled into their bedrolls by the fire, Aron quickly checked on Raum, who was sleeping comfortably in one of the saddle pockets after being fed by Thyra.

After that, Aron spent about twenty minutes patrolling the perimeter of the camp before returning. He sat by the fire alone, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. Not truly tired, he took his time going through the system notifications that he had neglected previously.

[Congratulations on breaking the Second seal]

[Rewards: +100 in health and Mana / +10 points in all attributes]

"Hmm...a nice stat upgrade, but I was hoping for a skill. What else?"

[A memory detected]

[Rediscovering two skills]

...

[Skill: Symphony of Steel; "By Blood and steel I'll carve my way"

Passive skill: Mastery of Instruments: You possess inherent expertise in all weapon types. You can wield any weapon with practiced ease, suffering no penalties for unfamiliarity. This allows you to adapt your fighting style to any situation, also you possess a better and quick understanding of new and unfamiliar instruments]

...

"Ohh! This is perfect," he exclaimed, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "This skill set will be incredibly useful, considering I like to use different weapons"

He continued reading, his excitement growing. 

...

[Skill: Echoes of the Forgotten wars "Whispers across time, they offer their steel. Their purpose, mine to wield."

Active skill: Able to create a field of spectral weapons from forgotten conflicts. These weapons respond to your will, allowing you to wield a diverse arsenal for a brief period.]

...

"How convenient," he mused, "the two skills work in perfect harmony."

Aron smiled, pleased with the new skills he had acquired. They would undoubtedly prove useful in the battles to come.

"Hey system?" he called out, his voice barely a whisper.

[Yes master?] The system responded promptly.

"How's the analysis process going so far?"

[Smoothly, Master. So far, I managed to recover a wide range of information on various topics like tactics, geography, biology, magic, and much more]

[With this knowledge, I can greatly help you in your next quest]

"Good to hear," Aron replied, nodding in satisfaction. "Keep up the good work."

[Thank you, Master. Is there anything else you require?]

"Not at the moment…oh, in fact, I want you to focus on organizing any information about castle defense and training soldiers"

[Understood, Master. I will prioritize gathering information on castle defense and soldier training. Is there any specific aspect you would like me to focus on?]

"Yes, I want detailed strategies for fortification, including defensive structures, troop deployment, and siege tactics. Also, gather information on effective training methods for both regular soldiers and specialized units."

[Understood, Master. I will begin compiling the requested information immediately. Is there anything else you require?]

"No, that will be all for now. Thank you, System."

[You're welcome, Master. Rest well, and I will notify you once the information is ready.]

With that, Aron leaned back against the tree log by the fire, remaining vigilant, his senses attuned to any sign of danger. The crackling of the fire provided a comforting backdrop to his watch, casting flickering shadows across the clearing.

Kasumi, having awoken a few hours later, offered to take over Aron's watch, but he kicked her out back to sleep. Despite her protests, Aron remained firm, unwilling to let anyone else shoulder the burden of guarding the camp.

As dawn's gentle light chased away the remnants of night, a renewed sense of purpose settled over the camp. They were already prepared for the journey once again. The crackling fire, now reduced to embers, seemed to whisper farewell to the departing travelers.

Another day passed swiftly, with the group reaching the forest's borders, and setting up camp there for the night. This time, however, Thyra insisted on taking the first watch. With no choice but to accept, Aron spent the night in his bedroll, finally getting some sleep.

The third day mirrored the second, with the group finding a suitable hill to set up camp at night. However, the fourth day marked the end of their journey.

With the help of the wyverns, the group finally entered Fenris territory. Thyra landed on a clearing inside a small forest, careful to avoid drawing attention.

"Alright, this is where our journey together ends," Thyra's voice echoed in the forest as the wyverns landed softly.

"Thank you, Thyra. Without you, we wouldn't have made it this far," Aron expressed his sincere gratitude.

Thyra nodded, her gaze softening momentarily before returning to its usual intensity. She pulled out two items from her ring and handed them to Aron.

"The scroll is the royal decree; keep it on you. Frostguard was already informed of your arrival," she explained. "The black orb is a special communication orb. Using it, you can contact only two people: me and my sister. Use it wisely."

Aron accepted the items with a grateful nod, tucking them safely into his inventory.

"Thank you, Mentor. Your assistance has been invaluable."

Thyra tilted her head slightly, a hint of pride glinting in her eyes. "Remember, Aron, Frostguard must not fall. I have faith in you."

Aron's expression softened as he reached out and patted Thyra's head, surprising not only her but the others as well.

"Thank you, Thyra," Aron said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "For everything."

Thyra's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the unexpected gesture, but she quickly regained her composure, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. Clearing her throat, she nodded, her usual intensity softened by a rare hint of warmth.

With that, Aron stepped back, allowing Thyra to jump back on the saddle. Victoria, on the other hand, was having a warm farewell full of hugs with her sister, before jumping on the other wyverns and taking off, leaving Aron, Kasumi, Raum, and Viper alone in the forest.

Aron turned to his companions. "Let's head to the village and get horses. After that, we'll make our way to the Keep."