A Journey of Adventure and Battle (Pt. II)

The wind blew gently, sweeping across the meadow slowly, beginning to warm up with the morning sunlight.

Several minutes had passed since the small fight against a group of bandits, but the tension was still in the air.

Ikuro stood near a horse-drawn carriage belonging to a nobleman who had been besieged. Sunlight reflected faintly off the carriage's surface, revealing scratches and cuts, the remnants of magic, and sharp weapons.

‘Help me...’ the voice repeated.

Out of curiosity, Ikuro began to circle the carriage, looking at each side in detail, such as the wheels, family crest, and other parts of the carriage.

‘Hmmm... The crest looks familiar’ he muttered to himself.

Soon after, Garel also dismounted from their carriage, approaching and standing beside Ikuro.

‘Hmm... It's just a scuff mark from sword cuts and magic.’ said the old man.

Ikuro looked down for a moment, touching the sword scratch marks on the side of the carriage.

At the same time, the sound of rattling doors could be heard right beside Ikuro. Ikuro slowly began to back away from the carriage.

The carriage door began to open slowly, at which point a female bodyguard came out with a drawn sword in her hand. Behind her stood a girl wearing a dress.

‘Who are you?’ the female bodyguard said in a sharp tone, feeling suspicious of the two of them.

‘Woahh relax, we're just adventurers passing through,’ said a slightly startled Garel.

‘Adventurers? Prove that you're adventurers,’ the female bodyguard replied.

Ikuro also showed his adventurer's card and dog tag that showed he was a member of the Milintium Adventurer's Guild.

Upon seeing him, the female bodyguard looked at Garel.

‘Where's yours? Show me yours, too!’ said the bodyguard.

‘I'm not an adventurer, I'm just paid to take him where he wants to go,’ Garel replied while pointing at Ikuro.

After that, the atmosphere became quiet and tense.

The princess took a step forward, though she stood behind her bodyguard. Her eyes were large and soft, but there was a sense of worry there.

‘Did... you guys finish off those bandits?’ asked the noble girl standing behind the female bodyguard softly.

‘Yeah, we finished them off,’ Ikuro replied.

Garel chuckled, breaking the tension. ‘If it wasn't this kid, you might have been taken away by bandits. He went straight ahead without a second thought.’

Ikuro just stared at the noble girl, ‘that soft voice... similar to this girl's voice,’ he muttered to himself.

Convinced, the female bodyguard sheathed her sword. ‘I apologise for suspecting you, even being rude to you. I was in too much of a hurry,’ she said while bowing slightly in apology.

It's okay, you're not wrong’ Ikuro replied.

‘It's natural for you to be wary, especially since you were attacked by bandits,’ he continued.

‘No, I have to apologise. I hope you will accept it.’ The female bodyguard said.

The female bodyguard bowed deeply in respect and apology. The look in her eyes that had been full of suspicion now seemed calmer, though still vigilant.

‘Enough…enough, we forgive you’ Ikuro replied, breaking the ice again.

The female bodyguard straightened up, ‘Thank you, sir’ she said.

Seeing that things were getting better, Garel smiled broadly ‘Well, now that things have calmed down... how about we get to know each other?’

The female bodyguard turned to the noble girl behind her, as if asking for approval. The girl nodded slowly.

She stepped slightly to the side, making room for the noble girl standing behind her to come forward.

Then, the bodyguard introduced herself first by bowing with one hand on her chest. ‘I am Mira, the personal bodyguard of Princess Airani’

The girl who was now standing beside her bodyguard touched the front of her dress and then bowed lightly.

‘I am Airani Evelyn Euria, the first daughter of the Euria family. It's a pleasure to meet you.’ said the noble girl.

‘Euria? Isn't that the country in the western part of the Juva continent?’ asked Garel in a curious tone.

‘Yes’ said Airani. ‘We were just about to return from Philin City on diplomatic business as well as attending the festival yesterday’

‘Oh... I see. I'm Garel, nice to meet you’ the old man said with a smile, introducing himself.

Ikuro nodded slowly ‘I'm Ikuro, Ikuro Hikaru.’

After Ikuro introduced himself, Airani's eyes widened slightly upon hearing that name. She looked at Ikuro longer than she should have.

‘Ikuro huh?...’ said Airani.

‘Yes, what is it, princess?’ asked Ikuro.

‘No, I just feel familiar... your name is just like a long-lost acquaintance of mine.’ Airani replied.

‘Lost?’ replied Ikuro.

‘Well, because of an incident’ Airani continued.

She let out a small sigh, then smiled faintly. ‘By the way, thank you for saving me and Mira.’ Airani said, trying to mask her sadness and nostalgia.

‘You're welcome’ Ikuro replied.

Airani smiled a little, but her eyes still showed a hint of curiosity. ‘Are you guys just passing by... or is there another reason you're here?’

Ikuro looked at her, then replied, ‘We're heading to Tem Village, as I have a mission to complete there.’

‘Tem Village, huh? Then we're travelling in the same direction,’ said Mira, who had just joined the conversation.

‘Oh yeah, where are you heading?’ asked Garel, who interrupted their conversation.

‘We're heading back to Euria.’ Airani replied.

‘Wow, what a coincidence! If you want to go to Euria, you have to pass through Tem Village first.’ replied Garel.

‘By the way, where's your coachman?’ asked Ikuro, squinting as he saw no one but the two of them.

‘I've only seen you two since before.’

‘Our coachman... tried to protect the two of us, but they were outnumbered and ended up dead.’ replied Mira.

‘Sorry to hear that,’ said Garel.

‘So do you want to stay with us?’ asked Garel.

Airani and Mira looked at each other for a moment, then discussed for a moment.

Soon after, Mira finally gave a small nod towards the princess. ‘Yes, this is the best option, Princess. The journey to Euria is still very far and it's not safe if it's just the two of us.’ Mira said.

Airani looked at Ikuro and Garel, followed by Mira. ‘If you don't mind... We would be very grateful.’ said Airani.

‘We're not bothered, just relax.’ Garel replied with a chuckle. ‘My carriage isn't luxurious, but it's comfortable enough for chatting and lying down.’

Ikuro looked at Airani for a moment, then nodded lightly. ‘If you guys come along, we can leave together after a short rest.’ he said.

‘No problem...’ said Mira quickly.

Airani smiled, ‘Thank goodness we met them...’ she murmured to herself.

‘How about we rest in my carriage then?’ suggested Garel.

‘Good idea.’ Airani replied.

‘Okay, come on, everyone!’ said Garel excitedly.

They all climbed into Garel's carriage, adjusted their places and started chatting.

Slowly, the carriage began to move quietly. And without realising it, Ikuro smiled.

‘It feels... warm’ he murmured.

‘Warm... like family’