"Uh...? It's already morning?" Hoan thought as he got up and changed his clothes. "Damn, why did Yoshimura come sleep in my wagon?"
Then he remembered that Yoshimura was broke.
For today, Hoan only had an old set of rags and the ballerina outfit. Since he had already worn the ballerina clothes the day before, he chose the rags instead.
"Hey, get up. It's already morning."
"For real?" Yoshimura asked, slowly sitting up inside the wagon.
"I'll be busy checking everything. Go look for Eto and Hikari," Hoan said as he inspected the wheels and prepared the horse that would carry them through the expedition.
"Fine. Hikari is at the guild, right?"
"Yeah."
Hikari was finishing his preparations. He wore a black shirt with armored shoulder guards and light-colored pants reinforced around the knees. It was the best he could afford with the money he had left. Eto had crafted the protective pieces herself, using a large amount of high-quality steel, which had driven the cost up.
Nearby, Eto ate breakfast with him.
"Ugh, this apple is rotten!" she complained. "How does rotten food even reach the guild?"
Hikari ignored the complaint and finished eating. Once he was done, he decided it was time to head for the wagon. Eto nodded, and the two left together.
"Isn't it a problem to keep your forge closed for this long?" Hikari asked as they walked.
"Nah. It's not the first time I've gone on an expedition. My forge can stay closed whenever I need it to. I just make sure there isn't any unfinished work waiting for me."
Halfway there, Yoshimura caught up with them and asked why they were taking so long. He explained that Hoan was already at the wagon checking everything.
When they finally arrived, Hoan was ready to leave.
"Everyone, get in." He looked around. "Uh... nobody has luggage?"
Hikari and Yoshimura both said no. Eto was already asleep.
The wagon rolled out of Hinosca and crossed into the open plains. A cool breeze passed through the grass and brushed against their faces.
"Today is really nice. I wish I could just stay out here the entire day," Yoshimura said.
"Yeah. It's perfect weather for traveling," Eto replied, staring toward the horizon.
"Hey, Hoan. Where did you get this horse?" Hikari asked.
"When I was five, I awakened my Mark and accidentally used it on my family's horse," Hoan answered, his expression becoming strangely serious.
"Got it. So you have a strong bond with him, right?" Yoshimura asked.
"Yeah. He was my first friend."
Hoan kept his eyes on the road ahead.
"Hey, Hoan, how does the Beast Taming Mark work?" Eto asked, genuinely curious.
"That's bullshit. Beast Taming is one of the most common Marks. How do you not know how it works?!" Hoan snapped.
He sighed before explaining anyway.
"You can form a bond through affection or by weakening the beast. Anything that has been subdued, or anything that isn't of the same race as the user, can potentially be considered a beast."
"So does that mean you could capture Azeli?" Hikari asked.
Hoan ignored him and focused on Juan.
The trip grew quieter than expected. Even Eto, normally talkative and energetic, spent most of the time whistling to herself.
After several hours, they reached a small rural settlement known as Meadow Village, located roughly two hours from Hinosca. They decided to stop there for potions and supplies before continuing.
"Hikari and Yoshimura can buy the potions. Hoan and Eto, look for food supplies," Hikari said.
"Sure," Hoan replied.
"Okay," said Eto.
"Come on, Hikari. I know a place," Yoshimura said as he started walking. "The owner doesn't really like me, though."
"You lived in this village before?" Hikari asked.
"'Lived' is a strong word. I'd say I scammed people here before."
Yoshimura said it so naturally that Hikari didn't even know how to respond.
As they walked, Yoshimura explained that Meadow Village was small and survived mostly on crop exports. A few traveling merchants also stopped there to sell whatever extra goods they had. Hinosca's wealthy economy made Gold Crowns relatively common in the capital, while people in villages like this mostly dealt in Silver and Copper Crowns.
Before they even entered the shop, a glass bottle came flying toward them.
"Grr... it's you again, Yoshimura!" shouted the elderly shopkeeper. "I still remember what you did, dumbass! Just sensing you nearby is enough to make me furious!"
Hikari slowly looked at Yoshimura.
"What did you do?"
"I scammed him too."
"I'm going to meet Hoan and Eto. Good luck!"
In the blink of an eye, Yoshimura was gone.
The old man turned toward Hikari.
"So... you're friends with that bastard?!"
"No. I beat him in a duel."
That answer seemed to calm the old man down slightly. He introduced himself as Koh—Elder Koh, an alchemist and shopkeeper.
Despite not trusting anyone associated with Yoshimura, Koh decided that selling Hikari something would at least get him out of the shop faster.
"Heh. I sell all kinds of potions—healing potions, antidotes, paralysis cures, and plenty more."
Knowing the mountains ahead could be dangerous, Hikari bought eight health potions and two of each type of cure available in the shop. Elder Koh's products were expensive, but their quality matched the price.
Just as Hikari was about to pay, something on a nearby shelf caught his attention: a potion labeled Full Restore.
"I want that one too."
"Five Gold Crowns," Koh replied. "And I'll warn you now: it's experimental. It can fail. Instead of restoring you, it might just taste like blood."
The elder stared at him with obvious uncertainty.
Hikari ignored the look, pulled out ten Gold Crowns, and placed them on the counter.
Koh could barely understand what was happening.
"If this Full Restore actually works," Hikari said, "I'm bringing you to Hinosca."
When Hikari returned, Yoshimura, Eto, and Hoan were already loading food into the wagon.
"I thought I was late," Hikari said.
"You were, but this village only has one tavern, and it's all the way on the other side. We had to walk across the whole place," Eto replied as she sat down in the wagon.
Once they were moving again, Hikari asked Hoan about the wagon.
"I received it years ago because of my military reputation and a promotion," Hoan explained. "It's a covered wagon built in Conestoga City. The design protects travelers from heat and sunlight, and it has plenty of space for people and supplies."
"So what's its name?" Yoshimura asked.
Hoan glanced at the faded carving along the frame.
"The original engraving wore away over time. All I know is that it was made by a group of craftsmen in Conestoga."
"We're leaving the plains now," Hikari said. "Pay attention to forest monsters."
Silence followed.
"So..." Eto said, trying to break the tension. "Hikari, was that your first time going to Hinosca?"
"Yes. When I was five, my family brought me there to visit the Astrie statue."
"Really? But aren't you from Yukihana? That's basically at the very top of Asuka."
"Yeah, but the Yukihana Clan also has influence in Hinosca."
"Oh yeah. I heard something about that. The major families of Hinosca City, right?"
"Yeah."
The conversation stirred memories Hikari would rather have left alone, and his mood visibly worsened. Eto, however, was terrible at reading the atmosphere.
"Oh yeah, and if I remember correctly, the clans and families are—"
"Kyoya, Yaruzu, Yukihana, and Ibuki Clans; the Velmont and Frontina noble families; and the Merchant Alliance. The Noble Eight, right?" Eto said proudly.
Hikari had been seconds away from snapping, but he forced himself to calm down. It wasn't her fault. She simply didn't know.
"Wait," Yoshimura interrupted. "Hikari and Eto are nobles both in their own cities and in Hinosca?"
They both confirmed it.
Yoshimura then looked toward Hoan.
"But isn't the Kirigaya family important in Hinosca too?"
"Yeah, but not politically," Hoan answered. "We're considered commoners. Inside the coliseum, though, my family name is feared."
"So why didn't you follow your family's career?"
The question hit a dangerous nerve.
Hoan's expression immediately changed, and he started moving toward Yoshimura. Hikari caught his arm before he could do anything.
"It's not because you wanted to become a ballerina that you can attack someone off guard," Hikari said.
"Personal reasons," Hoan muttered.
He turned away and focused on the road again.
Eto, who had been drawing in a notebook and somehow ignoring everything that had just happened, looked up.
"What's your horse's name?"
"Juan."
"Wait. Juan?"
"Yes. Juan."
Eto tried not to laugh.
"Bro, that sounds like your own name."
"How long have we been traveling?" Yoshimura asked.
"About half a day," Hikari replied.
That was when Yoshimura finally realized how hungry he was. He asked if they could stop to eat, and everyone agreed.
Hoan climbed down from the wagon carrying a cooking pot.
"Hikari, make a fire with your Light Mark."
Hikari created a small concentrated ray of light and started a campfire. Eto and Yoshimura gathered logs to use as seats.
"So, what are you cooking today, chef?" Eto asked.
"My specialty: mushroom soup!" Hoan declared.
"Wait. We bought mushrooms?"
"That's the funny part. We bought almost all the mushrooms."
Yoshimura checked the supplies.
"Holy shit. Half the barrels are mushrooms!"
While the others argued about how their money had been spent, Hikari returned carrying a dead boar.
"Wait, you just hunted that?" Hoan asked.
"Yeah. The meat's good."
No one objected. They prepared the meal together.
The food turned out surprisingly well.
"This is pretty good," Hoan admitted. "But it's really hot today. I'm going to find somewhere to bathe."
He grabbed his ballerina outfit so he would have something clean to wear afterward. Yoshimura decided to go with him, and Eto followed.
Hikari started to join them, but Hoan stopped him.
"Someone has to watch our things."
Hikari looked at Juan, then at the wagon. He untied the horse and suggested bringing him along so the group could stay close enough to keep the wagon in sight.
It was logical and efficient, so Hoan agreed.
After searching for a while, they found a river. Hikari, Hoan, and Eto checked the water for parasites or monsters.
Yoshimura did not wait.
He jumped in immediately.
After looking beneath the surface, he announced that there were no monsters. Hoan inspected the water as well and found no obvious parasites, so he joined him.
"Hey, Hoan," Yoshimura asked, "how did you get that muscular?"
Hoan laughed.
"It's common in my family."
Hikari glanced toward Eto, expecting her to object to the whole situation, but she simply entered the water too.
"I didn't know you were joining them," Hikari said.
"Communal bathing doesn't bother me. I really don't care."
Yoshimura did not seem bothered either, and Hoan was far too busy showing off his muscles to care.
Hikari sighed and joined them. He was not there to complain about everyone else's choices.
While they rested in the water, Hikari asked Eto whether she was the next chief of the Yaruzu Clan.
"No. I'm the second child. My brother is the heir."
"What Mark does he have?"
"The Flame Mark. Tier III."
"I thought Yaruzu chiefs only used the Blacksmith Mark."
Eto shook her head.
"That's wrong. Talent matters more than the Mark itself, and flames are useful for blacksmithing anyway."
She grinned.
"But I'd still say I'm more talented than my brother."
Hikari accepted the explanation and leaned back, finally allowing himself to relax. Nearby, Juan drank calmly from the river.
"Hey, Eto," Yoshimura said. "Even if you're tiny, you're surprisingly tough for a little girl."
An iron mass formed above him and slammed him down before he could say anything else.
"Who the hell are you calling tiny, damn beggar?!" Eto yelled, laughing.
Watching her use the Mark, Hikari realized that Eto could not only shape metal but also store the kinds of materials a blacksmith would normally need to carry.
Hoan, now getting dressed again, looked back at the others.
"You damn bastards. I'll kill all of you one day!"
He sounded furious, but somehow happier than before.
Hoan Kirigaya:
Born on the 27th day of the Month of the Horse.
He lived with his family at the coliseum until the age of twelve, when he left to pursue a military career. He later became a mercenary affiliated with the Strive Guild.
As a Beast Tamer, his companions included Juan and a fairy. After Hikari cut the fairy's wings, she lost trust in Hoan, making it impossible for him to summon her.
Hoan is currently a Tier II Beast Tamer, though he was born with a Tier I Mark. He evolved it through years of training. During his time in the military, he learned pieces of many different fighting styles, though he never specialized in any single one.
[...]
"Oh yeah... I really needed that bath," Eto said, nearly falling asleep.
The group returned to the wagon. After taking some time to relax, they began to realize that, so far, the expedition felt more like a vacation than a mission.
"We're leaving the forest now," Hoan said, looking ahead.
In the distance stood the entrance to Rock Valley.
Before the group entered, they noticed several other wagons gathered together. A merchant encampment had formed near the entrance.
Rock Valley was considered dangerous and filled with hostile creatures, so merchants often traveled in groups and hired protection for the entire crossing.
Hikari, Hoan, Eto, and Yoshimura decided not to join them. They would cross on their own.
Hathor City lay beyond the valley and was the final major stop before the mountains. Several merchants tried offering the group money in exchange for protection, but they refused.
Hathor also had another branch of the Strive Guild under Azeli's authority. The fact that the same guild maintained multiple locations across Asuka was itself a symbol of its status and power.
"After one day and two hours, I finally reached Hathor. That is all, dear diary."