(Attendance… plz…)
….
A few or so hours later.
The group moved along the dirt road that cut somewhat of a path through the wilderness.
To their one side was a dense forest; to the other side lay just an aimless view of rolling plains, grass, and nothingness.
Even the nearby village was very far away, a journey that would still take hours.
They were walking a little to the side, hugging the forest edge to avoid direct heavy sunlight, even though it was not much at this time of day.
So they were moving in the trees' long shadows. All the adventurers had naturally formed into a standard formation while walking.
In the front walked Peter, Dyne, and Lukrut, with Ninya somewhat behind them, aka Swords of Darkness, leading the way with the enthusiasm of men on a grand quest.
In the middle Reinhard and Felt side by side, just somewhat behind Ninya. Ninya was being curious, occasionally glancing back at the team which internally many adventurers had already given a nickname: "Ogre Slayer." Her wide, curious eyes looked like she wanted to ask them something but was hesitating.
And at the very back walked like a heavy tank or something, Momon and Nabe. Nabe maintained her stoic, cold look as she looked at the people in front of her like she was watching ants march.
The silence didn't last long. Actually, it did, even though they started with a chat when they left the gate, eventually they stopped as the miles added up, and they went into silence with the exception of occasional talks about the road or weather.
Adventurers are by nature a chatty bunch in a group when the road is long and the danger that is to come is still far off. So the start of the journey was the only time they could relax somewhat and not be deadly serious.
Lukrut, looking like he wanted to say something for the last ten minutes but held back, finally blurted it out.
"So," he broke the silence as he turned around while still walking. His eyes weren't on the road or scanning for danger, but on the beauty that walked at the very back.
He looked at Momon and Nabe, mostly Nabe, as he grinned, a playful glint in his eyes like signaling something in between.
"I gotta say, Momon," Lukrut said. "You are such a lucky person having such a beauty as a partner."
He then directed his full attention to the maid. "Hey, Nabe-chan, right? Once we are done with this quest and back in the city, how about we grab a drink?" He winked and continued, voice dropping to a smooth tone. "Just the two of us?"
The air somewhat changed around Nabe. It felt like the temperature seemed to be dropped by many degrees instantly. Her eyes, sharp and cold, narrowed into slits like she was trying to comprehend what the insect even said in front of her.
Her hand went straight for her sword hilt and then stayed there, telling something very clear by just those signs.
To her, a lowly human... a lower life form... even daring to have communication with her, and talking in such a casual, flirtatious manner, was a sin worthy of immediate execution.
But Nabe didn't say anything. She just stood there, radiating death, making herself clear by giving those signs.
Momon looked at her out of the corner of his helmet visor... and he sighed internally.
'At least she didn't call him an insect or threaten to kill him out loud,' Momon thought, relieved. 'And she's content with just giving those death signs... well, better than before at least. I was ready to smack her in the head again if she had spoken and started with "lowly," "insect," etc...'
It was still within a manageable area in his eyes compared to before. So all in all, good.
Momon decided to speak before Lukrut dug his grave any deeper.
"My partner is... somewhat shy," he said quickly, his voice deep and resonant. He continued, fabricating an excuse on the fly. "She is not used to interacting with others and all. I hope you understand."
All in all, he was saying: Stop those flirting lines at her immediately.
Nabe bowed her head down a little, ashamed that she made her master speak for her, for her shortcoming of not being able to tolerate humans.
Lukrut, oblivious to his near-death experience or knowing when to shut up or not, just laughed. "Shy and quiet one, huh! Haha I like that."
Reinhard, observing the interaction from the middle of the pack, smiled gently. "You have a very lively party," Reinhard commented to Ninya, who was walking in front of him.
Ninya turned back as she looked at Reinhard and said, "Ah, yes." She chuckled nervously, likely caught off guard somewhat. Adjusting her robe, she said again, "Lukrut is... well, he is Lukrut. He doesn't mean any harm or anything. And I think so too... I mean, Momon's partner is really beautiful... and intense, may I add."
Ninya looked up at the red-haired knight, her curiosity getting the better of her. "But I must say... hmm, if it is alright with yo..."
Reinhard replied before she could even finish asking permission. "Please, no problem. You can call me just Reinhard. There is no need for formalities between party members."
Ninya nodded, relieved by his openness. "Haha, to be honest, you are very different from what I had imagined at first."
"Oh?" Reinhard tilted his head, genuinely curious. "In what way?"
"Well," Ninya scratched her cheek. "You dragged fifteen Ogres to the gate. At first, when I heard that, I expected someone... scarier. Or at least bigger. Like Momon-san, you know?"
"Hmm... haha, I'm glad that I didn't come across as scary to you then," Reinhard said, his tone humble and warm.
Ninya shook her head quickly. "Not at all. On the contrary, you were totally opposite. Not to mention you look... well, you look like a noble, and not only that, you are so polite."
Felt, walking beside Reinhard, snorted loud enough for them to hear.
"Don't be surprised, he only looks like that," Felt grumbled. "He is very stubborn and persistent. And not to mention scary too... you wouldn't even believe me if I tell you half the things he can do."
Felt was expressing her personal experience with Reinhard, like him appearing out of nowhere literally when she just whispers his name. She still gets chills thinking about how he always finds her.
Reinhard smiled as he took it as a compliment from his lady. "Thanks for the compliment, My Lady."
"W-What?!" Felt stammered, looking flustered that her insult backfired. "It... it wasn't a compliment, you duffer!"
Ninya laughed softly and said, "How cute."
Then, trying to change the subject before her face got any redder, she spoke loudly to Peter in the front.
"Hey... how much time will this quest take exactly?!"
Ninya answered Felt's question about the time. "Hmm... it is a big quest even if it is Rank Gold. We wouldn't have taken it if you hadn't joined for this quest. If everything goes smoothly, it will be two to three days."
From the back, Momon was listening intently. His helmet turned slightly toward Reinhard. He was analyzing every movement the redhead made. The way he walked... perfect balance... yup, he thought.
He didn't know why he even noticed that specifically, only that he was observing this boy and the girl, his master, very carefully.
'He is wide open... full of openings,' Momon thought critically.
Even though Momon, Ainz Ooal Gown, was a magic caster specialized in necromancy and death magic, unlike his friend Touch Me who was a World Champion warrior, he had sparred and fought with Touch Me many times over the years in Yggdrasil.
Not to mention watching the legendary duels between Ulbert and Touch Me every now and then.
So he knew many things about warrior combat, and Touch Me had told him various things too. And based on that experience... Reinhard was full of openings from his point of view.
'He walks like he has no guard up at all,' Momon analyzed. 'Like if I attacked him now, I could strike him down in an instant. But at the same time... I doubt that. Without any prior information and not having too much info on him and her, I'm basically firing shots in the dark. It could be a trap to lure an attack. And not to mention that sword...'
Momon decided to probe a little. Information was life, after all.
"Ahhmmm... Reinhard," Momon called out, his voice rumbling from the rear, deep and commanding.
Reinhard, hearing his name, turned around, slowing his pace slightly to let the armored warrior catch up. "Yes, Momon?"
"That sword," Momon pointed a gauntleted finger at the Dragon Sword Reid strapped to Reinhard's hip. "It looks like a magnificent blade. Even from here, I can tell it is no ordinary weapon. Is it a special enchanted blade or something like that?!"
Momon was fishing. Haha, he thought dryly. After all, information is everything. In Yggdrasil, weapons like this were either just cosmetic skins, beautiful while not having any special ability or grade, or they were Special Grade items, possibly Divine Class or higher.
Reinhard placed a hand on the hilt, a fond look in his eyes. "You have a keen eye. Well, you could say in a way that it is an enchanted weapon."
"I see," Momon replied, keeping his voice steady to mask his interest.
Reinhard was just answering the question and nothing more for Momon to get something solid.
Momon sighed internally. 'In a way, he says... what does that mean? What is it in some other way? Well, I expected too much thinking he would just keep talking and say something useful like its rank or something to confirm he is a player or npc.'
"Though," Reinhard added casually. "I prefer not to use it if I can avoid it."
Momon's red eyes narrowed behind the visor. 'Hmm, is it an expensive sword with low durability or something, that he doesn't want to use it? Or perhaps it consumes XP to use?'
'Well I will know later…"
"Hey! Less talking, more walking!" Felt shouted from the front, interrupting the interrogation. "The sun is going down!"
"Felt is right," Peter called out from the lead. "I think we should find a spot to camp tonight after an hour or so more walking. We're near the forest edge. Then we can get moving early tomorrow."
….
An hour or so later.
They pushed on for another hour until the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the world in twilight purples and oranges.
They found a clearing near a small stream, a good distance away from the main road but close enough to the forest to keep watch.
"I think this is a good spot to set up a camp!" Peter announced, dropping his pack.
The group sprang into action. Or rather, the Swords of Darkness did, or more like Peter insisted on it.
"Okay," Felt said, dusting off her hands. "Me and Reinhard can get some wood for the fire."
Reinhard immediately protested. "Lady Felt, you should rest. I can gather the logs alone. You were walking for hours nonstop..."
Felt looked at him with a scowl. "Don't be stupid. Do you think I will be tired in just this much? In the slums, I had to do much more than this. And two is more good than just one. So I will help you. And I don't wanna hear anymore of this..."
Reinhard was backed into a corner now. He smiled helplessly. "Well, Lady Felt, you haven't given me any choice to speak now."
Felt chuckled, satisfied with her victory. "See? You look good when you just listen to me."
She turned to the others. "Oh, and hey, Peter... is it okay if Reinhard cooks?!"
Peter and the others looked at her like she said something strange. Peter blinked, confused as well as others. "Reinhard can cook?!"
Most nobles or knights couldn't even boil water without help. The idea of this pristine young man cooking over a campfire seemed absurd.
Of course, they didn't know the truth.
Felt, looking like she got something to brag about, grinned. "Well, you guys are in for a treat tonight, hahaha. I brought some meat too. Let's go, Reinhard! Let's get the logs faster so we can eat."
Reinhard, seeing Felt running, immediately said, "Lady Felt, be careful. If you rush, you'll fall."
Felt snapped back, "What do you think I am, three or something?"
Everyone started getting their shared part of the work done. Reinhard and Felt went off to gather wood (which Felt wanted to do), and the Swords of Darkness began setting up the tents and clearing the ground.
There wasn't much left to do.
So Momon and Nabe were the only ones standing there with nothing to do. Momon looked around at the busy campsite. He felt like he was freeloading on them, which did not sit well with his sensibilities.
….
A/N: So, how was it? Well dont forget to comment and send power stone for support.
Question: Next chapter is also this big. Should i upload it in two parts?!
-yes(2 parts)
-no (1 part)
Oh, and if you want to read the next chapter right away, it's already available on my Discord. Free, of course… no charge.
you can join my discord server: https://discord.gg/5Y7uZ2kN2Y