Even with just one deck of playing cards, you can enjoy a surprising variety of games.
Among them, the ones I suggested were simple and lighthearted: One Card, Thief Hunt, Indian Poker, and the like.
"W-Wait, One Card...!"
"One Card!"
While Rebecca hesitated, blushing as she raised her voice, Vivian quickly cut in, shouting it out and pointing at her like a detective identifying the culprit.
"Ugh..."
"Hehehe... You're too slow, Rebecca. Now, draw your card."
"No helping it. I can't beat you, Lady Vivian."
"Whoa~ Our little one is impressive! Faster than a gold-rank adventurer, even!"
"Splendid work, Lady Vivian."
"Uwahu... Hehehe!"
As Rebecca, I, and our escort knight Lira showered her with praise, Vivian's shoulders puffed up, her nose held high, unable to contain her laughter.
Her triumphant, confident expression drew an involuntary chuckle from me.
"Lord Alzen, the sun will set soon."
"Huh? Already?"
Turning toward the driver's seat, I saw the red sun dipping low, casting a mesmerizing glow.
I gazed at that enchanting crimson for a moment, then nodded and began packing up.
"You're right. Let's make camp here for the night."
"Yes."
"Ah! Already? We just started!"
"Vivian, we can play cards anytime. Save it for now—too much at once, and even this gets old fast."
"Okay..."
Murel stopped the carriage in a suitable spot and unfastened the harness from the snorting horses. They trotted lightly around, grazing contentedly.
No sign of bolting—they were well-trained.
"Brother, are we camping here?"
At that moment, Vivian tugged at my sleeve, eyes wide with curiosity.
After entertaining her throughout the games, keeping things friendly, the distance between us had shrunk noticeably.
A very good sign. Keep this up, and we'd be close in no time.
The ideal would be making her dependent on me... though I'm not sure if that's feasible.
...Hah, what am I even doing?
A wave of disgust rose in me, forcing a strained smile.
"That's right. Not your first time camping, is it?"
Vivian was young with limited outings, but surely not zero experience.
In this vast land where carriage trips lasted days by default, even she must have camped a few times.
"Hmm...? But we don't have a rest carriage...?"
Yet she looked utterly puzzled.
The picture of a sheltered noble lady, clueless about the world.
"Kehhehe. Vivian, regular adventurers can't afford to drag around a rest carriage."
"Th-Then how do they sleep...?"
"Using the earth as a bed and the sky as a blanket."
"Eh...?"
She stared up at me blankly, then gaped as realization hit a beat late.
"Sleeping on the bare ground!? Even so, doesn't that ruin a noble's dignity and reputation!?"
"That's how it is, Vivian. But what can you do? You chose to come on this trip, and I have zero interest in dignity or reputation."
"B-But..."
"Tonight will probably be the worst night of your short life so far. Welcome aboard."
"What was that? Why scare the kid?"
Then, Weller, who had been silently stone-faced, finally chimed in with a scolding.
"Hm. You're surprisingly docile, Sis. I figured horns would sprout and you'd nag endlessly."
"I saw the gear you packed and expected this much."
"Really? Lame... Well, then you know you have to help us out?"
I rubbed my hands with a wicked grin at the group's sole mage, and she sighed.
"Haa... Fine. I'll help. What do I do?"
"...Sis, you eat something bad? Or are you a doppelganger?"
She swatted away my hand reaching to pluck a hair from her head.
"Where do you get off pulling a lady's hair? Wanna die?"
"Hmm. The reaction's spot-on... So what's on your mind?"
I narrowed my eyes, and she lifted her chin defiantly, glaring back.
"Curious? Then I'll ask something too—let's talk alone later?"
"...Deal."
I nodded and pointed at Murel.
"First, have her gather firewood with Murel."
"Ah! I'll do it! I can't make Lady Weller do menial chores like that!"
Lira jumped up, waving her hands, and dashed off before anyone could stop her.
"...Rebecca, you're clueless, so go explain and help."
"Yes, Lord Alzen."
Rebecca joined Lira, explaining something as they started digging nearby soil.
In the barren Duke's territory wilderness, even dead trees were rare.
But life finds a way to root anywhere, especially in this world flowing with mysterious mana energy.
Pugak!
Soon, they yanked up a massive, thick root plant whole.
It writhed violently like a beast in resistance but was soon sliced to size by Lira and Rebecca's blades.
"Wow... Brother, what's that?"
"That's a 'mole root' plant. Grows underground like a tree. What you're seeing is just part of the root."
"Really? How big is the whole thing?"
"Beats me."
I knew roughly but played dumb.
Among the field bosses in the Duke's wilderness was a 'Predatory Root,' formed when these mole roots mutated into monsters.
Its size rivaled the top field bosses.
"Fill this with water?"
"Yes. Sorry for the trouble. Thank you for your efforts."
"No need for such formality. It wasn't hard."
While Rebecca and Lira prepped firewood, Murel and Weller checked the horses, feeding them water and hay.
"Hm, guess I'll pitch in too."
"Eh? You're doing something too, Brother?"
"..."
Her innocent eyes screamed, 'You know how?' I paused but forced a smile and pulled out the tent.
Kang! Kaang!
Tie ropes to the square canvas, stake it into the wilderness soil, connect—and voilà, a proper roof.
Same for sides, and you had a simple shelter against rain and wind.
"Wow! You're so handy, Brother!"
"You think? Haha..."
Getting props from a kid for this felt awkward, so I patted her shoulder with a grin.
"Young master, the campfire's lit."
"Good. Time to prep dinner properly."
"Yes. Just wait, I'll—"
"Nah. I'll do it. More precisely, Vivian and I."
"Yes?"
"...Brother?"
Murel and Vivian weren't the only ones gaping—even Weller and Lira stared in shock.
"Let's all enjoy this. A nightmarish dinner time."
Savoring their reactions with a swig of booze, I flashed a devilish smile.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The large pot, half-filled with water, began bubbling vigorously.
Meat lightly seared in butter and added to boiling water floated with a glossy oil sheen.
"L-Like this, Brother?"
"Oho, you're a natural. Good hand-eye coordination."
"Ehehe..."
I praised her as she gleefully chopped potatoes, carrots, and veggies into brutal pieces. She beamed shyly, doubling her enthusiasm.
"What next!?"
"Toss 'em in and boil. Oh, add milk too. Cheese while we're at it?"
Kwaaall!
"W-Wait... Brother, that much...?"
"These ingredients spoil fast, so use 'em up quick. Better to go big when you can."
"I-I see..."
Adventurer meals were usually simpler and cruder, but Vivian would never guess we were living in luxury.
Boil till the broth thickened stickily, then season heavily with salt and pepper.
Taste test? Nah.
"There, our little one's cream stew is done. Dig in, everyone."
I passed around cheap tin bowls from the general store with a smirk. Weller's face twisted.
She opened her mouth like to snap, but sighed and took hers.
"...Thanks for the meal."
"Thanks for the feast! Lady Vivian!"
"Looks good. Thanks, Vivian."
"Y-Yes! I hope it's tasty!"
Flushed from her first cooking, Vivian stared piercingly at the group.
Murel ate unfazed, but Rebecca, Lira, and Weller hesitated awkwardly, smiling.
"Mm..."
"Uh...?"
"Hoo..."
"H-How is it? The taste...?"
Vivian clutched her skirt, tense with anxiety, hope, and fear—poised to crumple at criticism.
"Nah, this is good. For real."
"Incredible for a first try."
"It's delicious! Seriously better than knight order rations!?"
"To think we'd eat something this lavish while camping..."
Praise rolled in from Weller, Murel, Lira, and Rebecca.
A bit exaggerated, but expected.
Hard to botch simple cream stew.
Loaded with ingredients, it was bound to taste great.
"R-Really...?"
"Yep. Don't believe me? Try it yourself."
"O-Okay, then..."
Vivian scooped some into her bowl and tasted cautiously.
"...! Wow! It really is!? So good!"
"Told ya. You're a pro, Vivian."
"Brother!"
"Yep. Nailed it. Congrats."
I held out my hand; she slapped it with glee.
"All thanks to you, Brother!"
"I just showed you how. You did most of the work. It's your creation."
"My creation...!"
Her sparkling eyes and bouncing joy made me laugh.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After a satisfying meal, it was bedtime prep time.
I slipped away alone with Starnassila Weller for a walk around the area.
"Sis, how long you gonna stroll? I'm sleepy—get to the point. Yaw~n."
Drowsiness hit unusually hard.
Carriage fatigue from the unfamiliar ride?
"You really have no class. Haa... Fine. One question."
Still in her fancy dress, she spun and fixed me with red eyes.
"What are you planning with Vivian? Seducing her for what?"
"Seducing's a harsh word, Sis. Just building rapport."
"Whatever. Spill your goal."
"Hm."
Gauging her mood, I decided to come clean.
"Plan to get friendly and use her later."
"...Use her? How, when she's just a weak kid now?"
"Not now—down the line. Got a spot for her."
"Sounds like you know the future."
"No future sight. Just know a few things."
"..."
Expecting an eruption, she instead eyed me calmly.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Alright... No weird motives, good enough."
"...You're not stopping me? I said use her."
"No need. In noble society, that's everyday stuff. Normal, natural."
"..."
Don't wanna be part of that society.
Good thing I always skipped balls and parties.
"Still feels off... Don't you have an angle, Sis?"
"Who knows... Secret."
"C'mon, I spilled—your turn."
"Who said to confess easy? But credit for honesty—eases my guard."
"..."
"Night air's chilly. Curiosity satisfied—let's head back."
"Bossy much."
"You saying that pisses me off. Oh, pick formal or casual. It's annoying."
She turned and headed back without hesitation.
"..."
I lingered, nursing my bottle till empty, then staggered back.
Couldn't fight the sleepiness.
Next morning, I woke to the freshest feeling since arriving in this world.
No cold sweats, no full-body aches.
What gives? Am I built for carriage travel?
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