Chapter 15 – Going to Leafmight
Third person POV
The next morning came, and after breakfast, Russell and Azalea were leaving the village in Russell's bus. Their belongings were stowed away in the bus's baggage compartments. Almost all of the villagers gathered up at the road southeast of the village, saying their goodbyes and giving their farewell gifts to them. Russell is overwhelmed by the number of their gifts, but he has to accept them because he deserves them for his efforts to save their mountain, snowy village. Azalea's family told Azalea to be careful and safe in the outside world.
"I will, mom, dad, grandpa, and grandma," Azalea responded with positive assurance.
"I'll take care of her and make sure that she is safe and sound," added Russell, now in his three-color, bus driver's uniform.
He had returned his peasant's clothes to Azalea's family shortly after breakfast and before he and Azalea would depart.
"Thank you for everything you have done for us," one of the village elders replied with deep gratitude.
"Come back and visit us any time, Russell-san," added another elder.
"Sure, we will, sir," Russell replied with a deep and quick bow.
With that, he and Azalea hopped into the bus as the villagers said their goodbyes and farewells to them. Inside the bus, Azalea settled down on one of the comfy seats, while Russell sat in the driver's seat and used his ignition keys to turn on the engine. Then, he closed the door and shifted his gear to Drive, before pressing on the gas pedal to start driving. The bus then left the village as the villagers gave their last farewells and goodbyes to them. Meanwhile, the royal spies are watching the whole thing, and they decide to follow them on their horses.
As they journeyed together, Azalea was looking at the view from her bus window, happy that she was now part of a party, which was unofficial due to Russell's lack of affiliation with a guild. But it didn't matter to her since she wanted to have someone in her travels for the time being. Russell was driving along the paved road, wondering if there would be any possible and potential passengers along the way. And then, Azalea looked at him and asked, "Hey, Russell-kun, where are we going?"
"Let's head southeast, then west to a place called Leafmight," answered Russell back positively. "I read that it was a big town."
"Wow, that's perfect!" Azalea was happy and enthusiastic to hear that.
"Why?"
"That's where my adventurers' guild is."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, let's stop there so I can inform the guild receptionist that I am now a part of your party."
"Oh, okay, sure, that'll be good. I'm sure that person would be surprised that I, an unofficial adventurer, would have you as my party member."
Azalea smiled, optimistic that the guild receptionist, a girl named Denali Wallken, would understand her reasons for being with Russell and that Russell had decided to refuse being a part of a guild.
A bit later, the bus took a right turn towards another paved road towards Leafmight, which was 16.3 kilometers away. Along the way, Russell had come across a goblin and her child, a small goblin, standing by the road. Out of concern, he pulled over and opened the door. "Hey there, are you alright?" Upon hearing that, the two goblins looked at him.
"Yes?" the mother goblin responded.
"Are you here waiting for a ride?" Russell asked them with a smile.
"Um…uh…yes…"
"I see. Where to?"
"A place called Leafmight."
"Ah, that one? We're going there, too."
"Really?"
Russell then nodded. "Yes, hop in."
The two goblins were hesitant to do so because they were not sure about the safety of Russell's vehicle, let alone what it was.
"Come on, it's okay," Russell responded with persuasion. "This one is safe. I guarantee your safety in this vehicle, as well as a faster travel time to your destination."
Because of his guarantees, the two goblins gave in and hopped in. Eventually, they settled on a row of seats just behind Russell's driver's seat and 1 row in front of Azalea's. "Hello there," Azalea greeted them from behind.
"Hi there…" the small goblin child replied back shyly.
With that Russell closed the doors and continued their journey towards Leafmight.
As the bus goes down the highway-like road, the small goblin child is gazing at the view from the bus window while his mother is engaging in a chat with Russell. "So, what is your business in Leafmight?" Russell asked her.
"Me and my child will buy some food and clothing at the town's marketplace," the mother goblin replied back.
"Ah, okay, are you from a tribe of goblins, too?"
"Yes, we lived in a cave deep into Quesa Mountain Range. We were a collective cave settlement where we shared each other's resources."
"Ah, okay, seems to be a cooperative one."
"That's right, we prioritized each other's needs more than ourselves."
"Yeah, but you should have some room of priority for yourself, too, you know."
The goblin mother was a bit surprised to hear that.
"Yes, your own well-being is as important as your tribe's," Azalea added, having heard of their chat in the front.
So, the goblin mother nodded in agreement.
She then sat back and wrapped her arm around her small child.
But, back at the roadside where Russell had killed the three hijackers, some hooded figures, who also donned the same black hood with the same emblems, are now looking at the dead corpses of their fallen comrades. By now, their fallen comrades are now rotting, and their armor and weapons were stolen. And then, their leader, who was a high-ranking member in the hierarchal system of their organization, came to see what they had discovered. That leader, who was a middle-aged man with yellow blond hair and beard and black eyes, was then upset and disgusted that someone or something had not only killed them, but also looted them of their armor and weapons. The hood of one of the slain members of their organization was missing, too. Because of this, he turned to his group and said, "Report this to our supreme leader. Whoever did this will pay for their insolence to us." Who are those people? And what was their organization?