Published: February 1, 2026
On the early morning of the sixth day after leaving Astarnia, the envoy party heading to Sars reached the planned location smoothly and spent the night there.
This place was Parteda, the midpoint between Sars and Astarnia. It was a place where magical birds could travel between the two countries in less than half a day, and it was regularly used for diplomatic visits.
The plains had a clear view, but if you looked the other way, the forest was near. Just inside the forest was a water source. If magical birds gathered there, monsters rarely approached, and even if they did, they would be spotted quickly.
“From here, we split up, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Only we’re heading to the Capital City.”
As Rizel was tidying up and walking around the camp, wondering if there was anything she could help with, Eleven joined her, yawning and looking sleepy.
They walked across the slightly chilly grassland, glancing at the magical birds flying by and the tents folded up nearby.
Today was the one day they didn’t have to leave immediately after sunrise, so the cavalry's movements were a bit slower. Looking up at the sky, a beautiful blue stretched overhead, and it seemed that after a good rest, the voices around were full of energy.
“Breakfast?”
“Probably Jill will catch something.”
Rizel smiled and returned the greetings thrown at them by the cavalry as they passed by.
They generally prepared their own meals on the road, just like when heading toward Astarnia. Although it was said they could eat the cavalry regiment’s cooking, meat-loving Jill didn’t really like the preserved rations.
He would often wander off and come back with some kind of meat, so Rizel and the others mostly ate what he brought.
“Oh, looks like he caught something.”
From slightly inside the forest, a deep, shaking sound could be heard, and many birds took flight.
The magical birds and cavalry glanced over curiously but went back to their tasks without much fuss. They were quite used to it by now.
“Jill tends to aim for big game, doesn’t he?”
“Maybe for me?”
“Could be.”
They exchanged playful smiles.
Actually, the real reason was that smaller prey were quick and troublesome unless they came at you, while bigger ones were easier to find and hunt—a theory for the strong who can win.
“I thought about helping with breakfast in the cavalry, but maybe we should wait for Jill.”
“Helping, huh…”
Eleven forced his half-open mouth shut.
Indeed, helping was still helping. If they went to help, Nahas would assign tasks, and their efforts would have been a great help.
But, Eleven thought,
‘Is there anything I can help with?’
‘Ah, Miss Rizel, just stir this pot so it doesn’t burn.’
‘I understand.’
‘Thanks. I can’t dedicate myself to this, so please take care of it.’
‘Okay.’
So Rizel, with determination, stood before the large pot, stirring diligently with a ladle.
Eleven remembered well how one of the cavalry quietly asked Nahas if fire was dangerous. Had they underestimated their party leader? He wholeheartedly agreed.
Another time,
‘Mr. Nahas, can I help?’
‘Haha, why so modest? Don’t hesitate and help as much as you want.’
‘Thank you. Um, should I cut this too?’
‘No, we have enough hands here. How about putting the cut ingredients in the bread?’
‘Understood.’
‘The bread is still hot; don’t burn yourself.’
Rizel was stuffing vegetables and salted ham into toasted bread.
Eleven thought Nahas’s responses were classic labyrinth etiquette—adventurer slang for “reading the situation perfectly and responding appropriately.”
“Well, the leader seemed to be enjoying it, so it’s fine.”
“Hm?”
Rizel turned her face toward him, smiling and denying.
Their route now changed as they headed toward their own tents near the Demonic Bird Carriage. The firewood from last night still remained.
Since they’d brought meat, they’d likely grill it there, so it was best to wait.
“When do we depart?”
“Nahas said we leave once both sides are ready.”