The aroma of spices still hung in the air, as if reluctant to leave even though the plates were already empty. The dining table was filled with traces of rendang sauce clinging to the edges of the plates, proof of how eagerly they had devoured that morning's breakfast.
Their stomachs were full, their hearts warm. The laughter and light chatter gradually faded, replaced by a sense of satisfaction that made their bodies feel heavier than usual. Even Yui and Gamma, who usually ate the least, had taken two portions something that rarely happened.
Dina leaned back in her chair, letting out a long sigh. "If we had breakfast like this every day, I might forget our goal," she said, half-joking.
Arya only gave a small smile while tidying his plate. Venus raised an eyebrow, then downed the last of her water. "If anything, being this full makes us more ready to move."
One by one, they rose from their seats. The sound of footsteps, chairs scraping, and spoons clinking against the table created a simple morning harmony. Outside, the sun was climbing, its warm light streaming through the gaps in the trees. A new day awaited—and so did the challenges ahead.
Arya glanced toward Gamma, Yui, and Raius.
"Can you three head into the city first? Gamma, try to find some information about this place."
He handed over a few coins for shopping.
The three of them nodded almost in unison. "Alright, Brother Arya!" they replied together before hurrying out.
Once they were gone, Arya turned his gaze to Venus and Dina. "What about you two? Planning to stay here until night, or come along to the city?"
Dina immediately stepped closer, a mischievous smile curling on her lips. "I'm going to the city… to buy snacks!" she said, holding out her hand. "Give me money!"
Arya sighed, then handed over ten gold coins. "Here, but don't waste it."
"Thanks!" Dina chirped before skipping away.
Now only Arya and Venus remained in the room. Arya looked at her. "So, what about you, Venus? I've noticed you seem like you have something you want to say."
Venus stepped closer. "Hey, kid… what's your next goal?" Her tone carried a hint of concern.
Arya narrowed his eyes. "Goal? Didn't I already tell you… I'm going to execute every corrupt ruler."
"I know," Venus replied, turning her face away. "But once all the executions are done… what will you do then?"
Arya lowered his gaze for a moment, thinking. "Hm… maybe I'll live in a forest like this. Enjoy peaceful days. Because if everything's done, it means there's no one suffering out there anymore."
Venus tilted her head. "Live in the forest? With who?"
Arya raised an eyebrow. "Eh? You all don't want to come along once this is over?" he asked, a little confused.
Venus gave a faint smile. "We… can come?"
Arya smiled back. "Of course. Honestly, I already think of all of you… as family."
"Family?" Venus looked at him deeply. "And… what about Dina? You know she likes you, right?"
Arya chuckled softly. "Hahaha… of course I know. But… I see her as both a child and a little sister." He turned his face away. "She's been with me from the start. So… I won't return her feelings."
Venus frowned. "A child? What do you mean?"
Arya looked back at her with a faint smile. "Yeah… that's what I mean."
Venus sighed. "Whatever. Anyway, when all this is over, I want to come too." She began walking away. "Right now, I'm going to the city to buy beer."
Arya called out, "Still got coins?"
Venus waved a hand without turning back. "Still. I'm not wasteful."
Arya turned to tidy up the things. He chuckled to himself. "Love, huh? No way I'd fall in love with someone I already see as a child… My soul's already like an old man. I'm not some disgusting creep!"
He stored the items and vehicle in the storage room, then headed out for the city.
Arya glanced downward. Do they have supplies here? he thought. Let's check the market first. He went there.
Looking around, he murmured, "The market's quiet… Not just buyers, but sellers too." He spotted something at the far end. "Oh, there's someone selling meat." He hurried over.
"Excuse me, sir, can I buy all the meat here?" Arya asked politely.
The man squinted. "All the meat?" he said indifferently. "Go away, kid, don't bother me."
Arya pulled out money. "Is this enough?" He showed a pouch of gold coins.
The seller was startled. "Where did you get that much money?!"
"It's mine, so can I buy it?"
"Alright then, eight gold coins for all of it."
Arya looked surprised. "Eight gold coins? That's cheap."
"No buyers, and I overstocked. So instead of letting it go to waste, I'd rather sell it cheap. Besides, this isn't dried meat," he said curtly.
Arya smiled. "Alright, I'll take it all. Here, ten gold coins."
The seller was shocked. "That's too much!"
"It's fine." Arya smiled. "Alright, I'll take the meat now." He absorbed all of it.
"W-what?!" The seller was stunned. "Th-thank you so much." He decided to stop thinking too hard about it.
"Thanks." Arya walked away and spotted other merchants. Hm… these traders look really pitiful. Should I just buy out all their goods? he thought. But maybe not. After tonight, the economy here will probably improve. He slowly left the market.
Time slipped by without them realizing it. The warm morning gradually turned into a bright afternoon, then shifted again into a dusky twilight. Finally, nightfall descended, and one by one they returned to the vehicle, gathering inside to spend time together.
Gamma opened the first report. "The market stayed busy until late afternoon, but there was one suspicious thing. Some merchants got goods without paying on the spot. They said, 'It's already been handled by someone inside.'"
Yui followed up. "At the east gate, a group passed through without inspection. Looked like someone important. Their face resembled one of the city officials."
Rarius added, "I saw a warehouse near the port being heavily guarded. No signs of official shipments, but there was a lot of traffic."
Arya listened to it all, then nodded. "Alright. That means our target really is inside this city. We wait until after midnight. Once it's quiet, we move."
Dina leaned back in her seat, munching her snacks. "Hm… midnight, huh? Good. I can forget our mission for a bit and enjoy my food first."
Venus glanced at her. "You… even before an execution, all you think about is food."
Dina smiled lazily. "If my stomach's empty, the execution won't be at its best."
Arya just sighed. "Get some rest. Once the time comes, we won't have a second chance."
He pulled a small wooden box from a shelf in the corner of the vehicle. "Alright! Before the execution, let's have some fun first. Who wants to face me?" he said as he opened the box, revealing chess pieces and a deck of cards.
Gamma immediately raised his hand. "I'm in! But don't cry if you lose, Brother Arya."
"Hahaha! You're the one who's going to regret this." Arya set up the chessboard on the folding table. Venus sat in the opposite chair, observing with a calm expression, as if analyzing each player's strategy. Dina grabbed the deck of cards and began shuffling them in her lap. "Whoever loses at chess, you're playing cards with me next. But watch out, I show no mercy."
Yui, sitting in the corner sipping warm tea, chuckled. "Wow, this is turning into a tournament."
The first few minutes were filled with Gamma's laughter at his own blunders, Arya luring him into traps on purpose. Occasionally, the sound of a piece being knocked over rang out, accompanied by Dina's teasing remarks. Meanwhile, Venus spoke only occasionally, but each comment sounded like a subtle reminder that a much bigger game awaited them outside.
After two rounds, they switched to cards. The sound of shuffling, small bursts of laughter when someone got "attacked" in the game, and lighthearted banter filled the air. But between the laughter, there were brief pauses of silence, reminding them all that time was steadily ticking toward midnight.