CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 48: A TASTE OF THE OTHER WORLD

"And this is Mira," Darien said, gesturing to the feline girl beside him.

Mira grinned, her emerald, slit-pupiled eyes gleaming as she flicked her tail playfully. Her face was undeniably catlike—soft fur covering her cheeks, a small pink nose twitching with curiosity, and triangular ears perked high atop her head. Though her body was humanoid in shape, every movement carried a feline’s effortless grace.

"Hi! I’m Mira!" she purred, her voice melodic. She pulled back her hood fully, revealing the full extent of her cat-like features—whiskers framing her mouth, sharp canines peeking behind her smile.

"Wow! You’re so cute!"

"—Cute?" Then, as if suddenly embarrassed, she covered her face with her hands. "Ah! Not that I mind being called cute, but it’s a little soon for flattery!"

"Mira, I never called you cute," Darien said, grinning.

"You implied it!"

Darien then said seriously, "Actually, I’m sorry to have doubted you. There are some clients who hate animal people. So we never accept their requests."

"Are there people like that here?"

Huh, I thought they were sexy and cute.

"Yes," Garrick said seriously. "Bigots. They’re the reason we left the big city for this remote area. We wanted to get away from them."

"That’s right!" Mira said loudly. "Now I’ll tell you my job!"

She cleared her throat and said, "I’m the scout for the team. I find traps, I observe the surroundings. And yes, I’m also skilled with a knife and a bow."

"Wow, that’s great!"

"Nyahaha! I knew you’d appreciate it!"

"But Mira’s greatest skill is running away," Darien laughed.

"Why do you say that!" Mira shouted.

Laughter filled the room—everyone’s except Liora’s, who had already dozed off again.

Kael noted the crimson bands tied around each of their arms, their party’s namesake. A symbol of unity.

"Then let me introduce us properly. I’m Kael Lancaster, merchant by trade. And this is Seris Halwain, my combat slave. We are happy to go on this mission with you."

The Red Band’s eyes flicked to Seris.

Darien raised an eyebrow. "A slave with a knight’s stance. Interesting."

Garrick studied her. "Halwain... That name sounds familiar."

A beat of silence. Seris’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

Kael blinked, glancing at Seris. "Oh? You’ve heard of it?"

"The Northern Purge, wasn’t it? Some noble house that fell—"

"Enough." Seris’s voice cut through the air like steel. Her eyes burned with quiet intensity, though her face remained eerily calm. "I am a slave now. A sword. That is all you need to know."

An awkward silence settled over the group. Mira’s ears flattened nervously, while Liora—now half-awake—peered at Seris with sleepy intrigue.

Darien coughed. "Right. Well! We’ve all got pasts better left buried." He clapped his hands together. "Now. Let’s move."

As the group shouldered their packs, Kael caught Seris’s eye. For a fleeting moment, something raw flickered in her gaze—regret? Fury?—before it vanished behind her usual mask.

He made a silent vow: One day, I’ll ask. But not today.

....

Few moments later

Kael, Seris, and the Red Band set off on a forest path east of the city.

At the forefront was Mira. Behind her strode Darien, hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Kael and the drowsy sorceress Liora walked in the center, while Seris kept close to Kael’s side—her posture rigid.

And behind them was the powerful priest Garrick.

It was a neat, planned formation—with Kael protected from both front and rear.

"Mr. Kael, we’ll do our best to avoid the monsters. Don’t worry," Darien said as they walked along the path.

Kael smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mr. Darien."

"I’m the one leading us safely," Mira chimed in, puffing out her chest. "No monster will sneak up on us with my senses!"

"Master," Seris said abruptly, her voice low. "The scout is too reckless. If she misses an ambush, we die."

Mira’s ears twitched. "Hey! I heard that!"

Darien chuckled. "She’s got a point, Mira. Slow down."

Kael glanced at Seris. "She knows her role. Trust their expertise."

Seris’s jaw tightened, but she dipped her head.

The main purpose of this expedition was to collect a special type of medicinal herb that only grows in a certain part of this deep forest.

That’s why they were avoiding direct confrontation with the monsters.

After more than half a day of walking, they had found some common medicinal plants, but they still hadn’t found that ’special’ herb.

As the sun began to set, Darien said, "That’s it for today. Now let’s prepare for the night. We need rest."

While the tent was being set, Garrick gathered wood and prepared to light a fire.

Darien took out a match from his bag—the same match that he had bought at Kael’s shop.

"These matches are amazing," Darien said. "One strike, and a fire is lit. Lighting a fire has never felt so romantic."

Garrick nodded. "Every adventurer in Ginip swears by them now."

"It seems that they will also be in high demand in the big cities."

At this, Kael smiled and said, "I’m really grateful that you’re using my products."

"You’re making our lives easier," said Garrick. "When the big merchants find out, they’ll be after this matchmaker. You better be careful; they’re masters at taking advantage."

At that moment, Liora said in a low voice, "...Darien, I’m hungry."

At the same time, Mira’s stomach growled.

"We’ve walked a lot today," said Mira. "It’s time to eat."

The four of the group took out dried meat and hard bread from their backpacks.

Kael understood at first glance—the food for adventurers was simple, but rough.

"Mr. Kael, you didn’t bring food?" Mira asked anxiously.

"No, I did," Kael replied quickly. "I just wanted to know what you usually eat."

"Most of the time it’s like that," Garrick said. "It’s different when you can get something local."

Seeing their food, Kael opened his bag and said, "Well, now I’ll show you some of my things."

Out of the bag came alpha rice, revealing modern rations—canned chicken, biscuits, chocolate bars...

"What are these things?" Darien asked in surprise.

"This is chicken boiled in sauce, these are biscuits, this is chocolate... these are all other products from my shop," Kael explained.

Liora immediately picked up the chocolate packet. "...Is this edible?"

"Yes, of course," Kael replied with a soft smile.

Then he opened the tin and served the food. All four were amazed at the variety of rations.

Liora’s mouth was dripping with saliva—she was clearly a glutton.

"This is for all of you..."

"Guys, let’s get started!"

Liora had already started eating.

Garrick took a bite of the canned chicken and nearly dropped his mace. "Gods above. This is meat? It melts like butter!"

Mira devoured a biscuit, tail lashing. "Meow-velous! How is it so sweet?!"

"I’ve never eaten bread like that in a temple," Garrick added.

"...Give me more," Liora said quietly, but the greed hidden in her eyes was clear.

Seris, however, did not immediately join. She picked up a piece of dried meat from the adventurers’ supplies instead.

Kael frowned. "Seris? You don’t want any?"

"A slave does not indulge in a master’s luxuries," she said flatly.

The group fell silent. Even Liora paused mid-bite.

Ah, this nature of her hasn’t gone away yet. Tch

"Okay, eat. It’s my wish."