I wasn’t going to do anything that would change the future.
“Ike, if you’re planning to camp, you’d better start preparing soon,” Anna, who was acting as the coachman, quietly said through the window.
I checked the pocket watch I had brought—it was already 5:30 PM.
If we wanted to set up a tent and cook, we needed to start getting ready.
“Okay. Let’s stop around here.”
We parked our wagon on a side road and settled near a huge rock in the meadow.
While we were preparing for camp, I realized there was only one tent meant for a comfortable sleep.
Well, I had originally planned to come alone.
“Anna and I will sleep in front of the campfire. Young Master Ike should use the tent,” Reina said, pushing forward the argument that I should use the tent since it had been my journey to begin with.
But, for some reason, that made me uncomfortable.
After a long debate, we eventually agreed to all sleep together in front of the campfire.
The scent of sweet apple pie and savory mushroom soup filled the air.
A bonfire crackled nearby, roasting fish over the flames.
Of course, the ingredients weren’t of the same quality as what I was used to, but somehow, this meal left a stronger impression.
“It’s amazing,” Reina whispered as she gazed into the fire.
“I never imagined I’d sit on the ground and eat dinner like this.”
There was no trace of dissatisfaction on her face. Instead, she smiled lightly, looking genuinely happy to experience something new.
Lately, I often saw that kind of smile when she was with me.
“I wish Anna would eat too.”
“Sure.”
Anna quietly moved to the back of the rock by herself.
As her attendant, she bore the responsibility of never letting her guard down.
We tried to persuade her to join us, saying it was fine, but we couldn’t overcome Anna’s stubbornness.
“I think it’s almost ready.”
When I gently poked the fish with my chopsticks, the white flesh flaked apart with a satisfying crunch.
“It’s done. Let’s eat.”
“Yes.”
I picked up a piece of fish, braved the heat, and slowly brought it to my mouth.
The smoky aroma from the fire had soaked into the meat, enriching the flavor.
Savoring the taste, I followed it up with a spoonful of mushroom soup.
The rich, earthy flavor was so—
“Who are you!”
“Quup!”
I heard Anna’s voice shout from behind the rock.
Luckily, I managed not to disgrace myself by vomiting in front of Reina.
The mushroom soup and fish had already crossed the point of no return.
Meanwhile, Reina remained completely composed.
I could feel the gap in our class.
When we hurried toward the source of the sound, we found Anna pinning someone to the ground.
“Stay still.”
“D*mn it, let me go!”
The person struggled fiercely, but Anna’s grip didn’t budge.
“Quietly state your identity,” Anna commanded.
“I already told you! I just came here because I saw the light and needed help!”
“And we’re supposed to believe that?”
“What else am I supposed to say, d*mn it!”
Even though the stranger was completely subdued, they showed no signs of changing their story.
“It’s suspicious, but it doesn’t sound like a lie,” I said.
“I agree,” Reina added, her demeanor turning cold and regal without me even noticing.
“Anna, I don’t think there’s any real danger. Why don’t we let her go?”
“Yes! Listen to him!” the captive chimed in.
“No. Anyone who acts this suspiciously—”
“Anna, please,” Reina interrupted, her tone firm.
“… Yes.”
At Reina’s order, Anna reluctantly released her hold.
The person immediately jumped up, gasping for air.
She stood at least ten centimeters taller than Anna, who was already quite tall. Her hair and eyes blazed bright red like a flame. Despite the chilly spring evening, she wore only a thin top and loose cotton pants.
From the lean muscles visible at a glance, I could guess her profession.
“Damn it. I just came to ask for help, and I get manhandled like that.”
“You rushed in without saying a word and reached for our food.”
“Sorry about that. I haven’t eaten properly in nearly a week. I must’ve lost my mind.”
“… Meals will be prepared by me. The lady and Young Master Ike should return and continue eating.”
“Really? Thank you! Please and thank you!” she said brightly, smiling without a trace of awkwardness.
Four apple pies.
Three bowls of mushroom soup.
Seven fish.
“I think we’ll have to stop by the market before we return to Heros.”
“Agreed.”
All of that food was devoured by the girl Anna had subdued.
“I didn’t know the coachman hired by the authorities would turn out to be a scammer. My legs are sore from walking, and I’m starving,” she grumbled.
“That does sound pretty sad.”
We all, including Anna, sat around the bonfire, introduced ourselves, and talked.
At first, Marinen—her name—was startled when she learned who we were, but her natural personality quickly shone through. She even dropped the honorifics after Anna scolded her for being too formal.
“Heading to Vulcan? That’s where I’m going too. Can I catch a ride?” she asked.
“As expected, Mari is a…” I muttered.
“That’s right. I’m a blacksmith. Not that my name’s particularly well-known yet,” Marinen said with a grin.
Marinen’s profession, as expected, was a blacksmith.
“Mary, can I ask you something?”
Maybe I could finally gather a bit of the information I’d been hoping for.
“I’m getting a ride and a meal out of this! Of course you can ask. I’ll answer anything I know!”
Though, I wasn’t expecting much.
After all, it was a MacGuffin that had never been properly explained in the original story.
“There’s a rumor about a blacksmith who supposedly forged a holy sword about three years ago…”
“Huh? Oh, that’s me.”
Marinen replied without a hint of hesitation.
“Eh?”
Hearing that, I bit my tongue in surprise.