Takahiro
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we set up camp once again. According to Yushiro, we were moving at a frustratingly slow pace. At this speed, it would take far too long to reach the next town.
We gathered around the fire, just like the night before. Gareth and his companions passed out rations—hard, tasteless biscuits with dried meat that felt like chewing on old leather. But I wasn't about to complain. After walking all day, my legs ached, and all I wanted to do was collapse into sleep.
The fire crackled softly, sending small embers dancing into the air. It wasn't particularly cold, but there was something comforting about staring into the flames, losing myself in the flickering light.
"At this pace, we won't finish the mission for at least a month," Gareth muttered with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
Across from him, Naiz's expression darkened. "We can't afford that. I need to be done in two, three weeks at most."
Gareth exhaled sharply. "I get it, but we don't have a choice. You've seen how things are. Jerry gets motion sickness every time we travel, and we have to stop or slow down for him constantly. Our mission is to protect the carriage, not rush it."
Naiz's jaw tightened as he stared into the fire, his frustration burning just as intensely. A moment later, he let out a resigned sigh and slumped onto the hard ground.
Kenji, who had been quietly observing, tilted his head. "Why are you in such a hurry, anyway?"
Donovan answered before Naiz could. "He's trying to reach our destination in time to meet his fiancée. She'll only be there for a week before leaving."
I frowned. "Our mission doesn't have a time limit, does it?"
"No," Donovan confirmed.
Kenji turned his attention back to Naiz. "Is it really that important for you to see her?"
Naiz finally looked up, his eyes tired but resolute. "Yes. The last time I saw her was over a month ago. And if I miss this chance, I don't know how long it'll be before I see her again."
Yushiro, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke. "Why exactly are we escorting this carriage? And why is Jerry buying gifts? Is this some kind of birthday or celebration?" His tone was so innocently curious that for a moment, I wondered if he had been replaced by an imposter.
Donovan shook his head. "Jerry Zel is traveling to Zane territory to marry Baron Zane's fourth daughter, Amina. In return, the Zel family will finally be able to get rid of their… burdensome child."
Kenji snorted. "Burdensome? What did piggy do?"
I shot him a sharp glare for the nickname, but he just shrugged, completely unrepentant. "It's the piggy's fault," his expression seemed to say.
Donovan continued, unfazed. "Jerry and his brother couldn't be more different. His brother was praised for saving their family from ruin, but Jerry? He stole money, refused to practice Hashi Arts or his true weapon arts, even though he had talent for both. He got accepted into the Central Tower—the Empire's most prestigious Hashi Art academy and research facility—but he caused so many problems they finally kicked him out.
"And when that happened, he threw a tantrum. He increased taxes on his family's territory, stealing from the people to buy jewelry and women. He got caught, of course. And now, to be rid of him, the Zel family is offering him to Baron Zane as a political pawn."
Kenji whistled. "That's rough. What about the girl he's marrying?"
Donovan shrugged. "Not much is known about Amina, except that the people love her."
That was at least something good.
Kenji and Yushiro seemed deep in thought. Then Yushiro stood, brushing the dust from his clothes. "I'm going for a walk. I'll be back in twenty minutes. I'll take the last watch."
With that, he disappeared into the darkness, his footsteps light against the dirt.
As soon as he was gone, I felt Donovan's eyes on me, a question forming on his lips before he even spoke.
"If you're about to ask if my younger brother is secretly a girl or pretending to be one—no. Yushiro is a boy. He just looks like a girl," I said flatly.
The boys from the Knight Order stared at me like I had just told them the sky was pink.
"Wait, really? He's not a girl?" one of them blurted out.
"Yes."
"But why does he—?"
"I don't know. How do you guys even see a girl when you look at him?"
The knights exchanged looks, silently asking the same question among themselves.
Donovan finally shrugged. "I don't know. He just gives off that feeling, I guess. It's hard to explain."
Before anyone could debate further, Gareth spotted the approaching supervisor. "Alright, lights out. Same watch schedule as yesterday?"
We all nodded in unison, the firelight casting long shadows over the quiet camp.