Here I am, Here I… huh?

“So cute…” Marieka patted the fluffy mutton. “They’re more common here right? These guys are so much fluffier than the ones we see in Ryven...”

I pulled my hood, drowsy. Trying my best to stay awake standing. “These aren’t wild muttons… They’re raised by people, so expect them to be clean and healthy…”

“ーMhm, that’s correct… Vanhaert is usually filled with lots of creatures, and so hunting for muttons is difficult due to it practically being the number one food source for predators.” The man hugging a mutton stood up. “Our village's primary sources of supply are cattle, muttons and fowls… However recently… There has been a shortage of mutton…“

Annaliese leaning on the fence, turned to her shoulder. “Is it regarding the occurrence of demons in these areas?”

“Yes… In fact it is…” The man confirmed.

Marieka tilted her head, puzzled, she went beside me and whispered. “Varieka… I thought demons were supposedly rare…? Especially back home…??!!”

I exhaled and explained to her. “Only in Ryven. They’re more active in Vanhaert than they are in other kingdoms. Who knows? Maybe the Imperial Vascht too…”

“Ehh??? It’s only Ryven that they’re inactive…?”

Clearing my throat, I skipped the topic and asked him a question.

“ーSo how frequent are demon appearances here…? Is the village’s food source in serious trouble?”

He nodded his head, frowning. “Recently… It’s been harsh, like I’ve said earlier our food sources are being eaten up… The only reason we’ve survived so far is because of our farm, but at this rate, we won't be able to sustain ourselves in the future if this keeps up…”

I placed a hand on my chin, reluctant at first.

“Is there any way we could help…?” I offered, my tone low and drowsy.

The man’s expression changed, his smile widened. “R… really?! You’d help us…!!? Then, I would like to offer the three of you a quest… And I can assure you, we’d be willing to give you a payment as a token of gratitude.”

I glared at Marieka. “....As usual?”

She nodded without hesitation, signifying a need for another grimoire.

Well that says enough…

“ーYes… A grimoire of any kind would be nice. For her.” I turned to the man, pointing at Marieka.

“Of course!!! We’d be willing to offer you any kind that’s available to us!”

Yawning, I asked about the details. “Mmm… So… What’s the quest…?”

⇔ ⇔ ⇔ ⇔

“I think it should be around here…?” Marieka pointed over the hill in the distance.

Four hours have passed and we’ve just arrived at the location pinpointed from the map. The sun was setting and we were supposedly finding the outpost of monstersーAnd of course that included us bringing a few cattle, fowls, or muttons to the village.

Making our way deeper to the forest, I sluggishly pulled myself together. In total I have yawned over twenty times in a row these past hours.

“When will we get there….? I’m past the point of no return… I can’t keep up anymore…” I grunted.

“Mmmm….. Eilise, you know… I’ve noticed you’re sleepier than you were before Friedenswald… Did something happen?”

Yawning once more, I replied. “....Well, I’ve just decided to…”

Pausing, I quickly stopped myselfーbiting my tongue.

“ーNevermind…” I whispered.

“Hmm? I didn’t quite catch that…?” She tilted her head.

“It’s nothing… I haven’t slept much at the start of Friedenswald, that’s all.” I shrugged, smiling.

Marieka crossed her arms and pouted, probably thinking I said something about her. “Mhmph! Did you say something about me…?”

“Not at all… You’re okay….” I assured her.

“ーOver there, that cave could be an outpost?” Annaliese pointed at a cave in the distance. “Based on the information the man gave us… There should be around three or four around here? So that means we have to clear these out.”

“That should be easy… However, I wouldn’t recommend that I handle the clearing myself… As I’m afraid of the damage I’d cause.” I informed them. “So I’ll be staying in the air in case of urgency…”

Marieka jolted. “Wait… So that means…?” She slowly turned towards me.

“...Yes, you will apply the things I’ve taught you and assist Annaliese… And don’t worry, if you’re really in danger, I’m here okay…?”

“E… EHH…..?!??!!! B… But this is too sudden…” She stuttered.

“Good luck…” I summoned my staff and flew in the air, hovering over the forest as I watched from above.

Stretching my arms and casting the same camoufler shield as last time, I stared at the orange skyーcomplimenting its beauty and taking my time to relax. I figured they’re capable of handling this. And again, not to worry… I know I could trust them.

I summoned my pillow from my pocket, resting my head and closing my eyesーI fell asleep.

Good night…..

…

“ーAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”

A moment later, I was woken by the screams of Marieka as I continued to hear the sounds of monsters getting cut…

When I opened my eyes, It felt like the world itself was spinning… I felt so nauseous after waking up from possibly one of the best naps I’ve had in a while.

To think the evil demon called ‘Waking up”’, came to torment me at a time like this. Looks like you can’t have anything in this cruel world.

Yawning, I sluggishly looked down at the ground, staring from above the cave… And how lovely it is to hear voices from the other side.

“VUELIES ARAGLIA!!!! AAAAAHHHH!!!!!!” Marieka’s voice echoed loudly from the cave.

Exhaling, I wiped my eyes and recalled everything before descending back slowly to the groundーCalmly taking steps on the grass towards the entrance of the cave, keeping a safe distance.

Finally, after minutes of waitingーmy mana detection rippled back at me; Walking out of the cave revealed Annaliese with her cloak ragged, charcoal in her face, hair covered in dust with Marieka having the same treatment.

Except she looked far worse than Annaliese… Of course, that’s to be expected.

“....No need to explain, I already know what happened. I do hope someone over here didn’t overreact.” I replied to Marieka, blunt and straightforward…

“DONT LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!!!! I… I HAD TO DEFEND MYSELF OKAY…??!!! ANNALIESE WAS HELD UP!!”

“I get it, I get it… Annaliese isn’t built for mass battles, she’s best when it comes to one on one confrontations…”

Annaliese was taken back, both surprised and embarrassed. “You… You’ve noticed Mistress Eilise…?”

“All the way back in port Kalyiar, and it’s why I decided to handle the pack of wolves back when we had left the Imperial Vascht. And of course, Astrid isn't any different either, you two share the same style, just different technique.”

“....Hmm, I really have to improve my fights when it comes to the masses…” She sulked.

“And no stress, I don’t blame you Marieka.” I assured her. “But other than that, I hope the training helped with real experience.”

Annaliese smiled, complimenting her. “ーShe did an amazing job while I was fending off the monsters. For a first timer, her support was rather impressive.”

“Oh…?” My expression shifted, before I smirked mischievously at Marieka. “Looks like I’ll have to get a bit rough the next session. The training did seem to work, so why not utilize that?”

“ーNO!!!! PLEASE!!! DON’T, EILISE!!!!” She sobbed.