The two horses racing to each other as they hauled a carriage with two people in it.

One of them was a girl with long pink hair brimming with luster as it let out a scent of blooming flower in spring.

Her bright yellow eyes hinting her boredom bounced on the passing by trees one after another. The melancholic sight filled her with an indescribable feeling.

Letting out a sigh, she fixed the wool scarf wrapped around her neck, then proceeds to tighten her gloves.

The blue robe she wore was thicker than the usual, her wizard hat was tilted slightly to appear cuter, or at least that was her reason for doing that.

From afar, she noticed small houses looming over the horizon, she squinted her eyes for a better view, then exclaimed “Look! A village! Finally!”

Her soft lips curved into a smile as her long eyelashes flickered each time she blinked. After three days of traveling, Liliana finally saw a civilization.

Just the thought of having to rest on a proper bed made her heart leap.

“We're going to stop there. We need to restock our supplies.” A low, and calm voice resonated through the whole carriage.

The large man that was mending the reins exhaled a hot air from his visor, a small cloud draw a fine line from his helmet.

Despite wearing his heavy plate armor, the man didn't mind the coldness brought by the nearing winter.

A shield half his size was hung on his back and his broadsword on his waist.

His armor didn't contain any kind of decoration except for the holy sign of Aversia on his shield.

The sword and scale symbol faced the bored Liliana. “We can stay there for at least two days right?” Liliana crawled slowly, then sat beside the silent Darwyn.

From there, she could see the wooden wheels carving its mark on the soft brown soil. The rhythmic footsteps of the horses added a serene touch to the already peaceful day.

“We'll only exchange for supplies and after that, we will leave.”

“Seriously!? I want to take a hot bath! Please Darwyn!”

She could hear the shaking motion of his head, then his almost grumbling voice “We need to get there as soon as possible. if you want a hot bath, we could boil water.”

“Tsk tsk tsk!” Liliana wagged her index finger each time she clicked her tongue.

“You don't understand it Darwyn, you don't really get it do you? It seems that you don't possess the bath soul.” Her seriousness made Darwyn think that she was saying something important.

Bath Soul? That's the first time I have heard of it. He thought.

He had fought enemies without physical bodies like wraith and ghost but this was the first time he encountered that Bath Soul.

He stared into the nearing village as he goes into deep thought. After a moment of stillness, he spoke.

“I guess we could stay for the night.” He said.

Hearing that, Liliana's eyes sparkled as she looked up to him smiling.

“...”

Darwyn didn't mind for not taking a bath for a few days, he could wipe his body clean with a towel. But she's different.

Maybe because she was still a young girl that Liliana cared for her body more than Darwyn. A little delay wouldn't hurt, does it?

Cold air blew out of nowhere and causing Liliana to shiver dramatically. Her slim arms hugged herself as she hid her mouth inside her pink scarf. “Aren't you cold Darwyn?” The only warm thing that could be found in this place was her voice.

“No. I drink this.” Without taking his eyes on the road, he pulled a canteen from his waist. “Do you want to drink?” He offered the quivering Liliana. She took it with a shy expression then opened the stopper.

With a small movement, she drunk from it, and as soon as she did, her eyes turned wide while pushing away the canteen from her mouth.

“Don't spit it.” His voice was colder than the air earlier, she gulped in fear, then looked at him teary-eyed. The hot sensation inside her tongue spread out to her stomach, then to her chest, then to her whole body.

Yes, the cold doesn't bother her anymore but... “Just what are you making me drink!” Fumes came out from her head while puffing her reddened cheeks.

“Something that helps to ward off the cold,” Darwyn said. He picked up his canteen and put it back on his waist. “It's a mixture of fire pepper, red leaves, alcohol, and water.”

Liliana let out an interested “Hoo...” then paused, she continued with “So that's why it tasted weird.”

“Yes, it's delicious.”

“What?” The remaining anger inside her disappeared in an instant as she was left dazed and confused by his statement. Just what is the meaning of delicious for this guy?

Soon they arrived at the small village near the frontier. Liliana jumped from the carriage with a “Hut!” as she landed on the soft grass. She gave a stretch as if she was reaching for the sky, then bent down as if picking the grass. The rattle and crackle of her bones can be heard repeatedly each time she did a stretch.

Darwyn watched the always jolly expression of Liliana while tying the leashes of the horses to a nearby tree. Without uttering a word, he came forth without hesitation. Liliana followed while skipping and hopping through the foot mark Darwyn left on the soil.

Another gust came down on the two, she watched the wind created ripples through the green grass of the field. Then she looked from her right and saw the mountains she has never seen before, the sky was covered with thick clouds but the sunlight still pierced through with its radiant warmth.

I can't recognize anything anymore. She was astounded that the three days of traveling could take them to this never before seen place.

She stared at the back of Darwyn who was not paying attention to her silly actions. He said that he only knows what direction we're supposed to go, but not exactly the place.

She thought that it was too vague for an information but Darwyn said that “No, if one receives information more than that, even the most devote worshipper will have their head bursting with divine grace.”

That statement made her realize that the gods in this world are not like from the isekai she had read. She also remembered Darwyn saying that there are this called External Gods who have the most grotesque appearance, tall as mountains and big as the sea, with black tentacles that can grasp a small country and an eye as big as the moon.

Just thinking about it made her shiver again. They were greeted by a male villager. “Hello! Perhaps an adventurer?” Spot on.

The two nodded in unison, then Darwyn spoke. “We're here to exchange for rations. We have golds to pay for it.” From his belt bag, he towed a bag of clanging coins.

“Er... We can exchange for it, but not a lot...” The villager said apologetically. It was refreshing to see a man who did not run in fear at the sight of Darwyn.

“Why?” Darwyn said.

“The bandits are demanding to double our offer... I mean, we managed to survive last year so we can probably survive this year.” The villager said with a dry laugh.

“I see. Where are they?” His reply shocked both Liliana and the villager.

“I will get rid of them,” Darwyn said it with a casual tone that Liliana doubted if he truly meant what he said.

“Nonono! Y-you don't understand! It's a group of bandits! It's better to listen to what they said rather than go against them!”

Darwyn nodded calmly and crossed his arms. “I see, so where can I find them?”

“You're not listening at all!”

“I am listening.” He said, then pulled something from his belt bag. “I am an A-ranked adventurer. I will handle the bandits,” he said dangling his Identification card.

“W-whoa! I-I see! But still, there are a lot of them, I wonder if you could handle them all yourself.” The villager said worriedly.

He's kind. Darwyn thought. Truly kind people are rare to find, but when he does, he often sees them being taken advantage of others.

That is one more reason to kill the bandits. Neither he nor Aversia could turn blind to the suffering of the innocent.

“Also, if you don't mind, we would like to stay for the night.”

“I see, I might not look like it, but I am the village chief. I will let you use the vacant house nearby mine.”

“That would be good. Also...” He stopped, then looked Liliana who was making a difficult expression.

“Do you have a bathhouse around here?” Darwyn asked. The villager chief pondered for a bit. “We have, but we only open it at night.”

“That is fine,” Darwyn said.

“We also have stable here, we could let your horses stay along with our cows!”

“I appreciate that. I will pay for it tomorrow before we leave.”

The village chief shook his hand while saying “Nonono, this is the least thing we could do since you're getting rid of the bandits. Honestly, I don't know what to say.”

“It's fine. It is my duty as the servant of Aversia.”

“Hahaha! Then, I should guide you to the house then.” The villager turned his back and started walking.

Darwyn and Liliana followed quietly. “Is something matter?” Darwyn glanced at Liliana who frowned at his words.

“We're a party now remember? You just decided all on your own... Well, I guess I really don't matter, who needs a weakling like me anyway.” Unexpectedly, she threw a tantrum.

She was always cheerful and bright, and she knows how to carry herself well. So that was why seeing her like this, he felt guilty.

“Hmm... I'm sorry.” Just with his words alone, Liliana felt a smile creeping out from her face, but she held it and looked the other way.

“Is that really the case?”

“It is, I will never do it again.”

“Hmph! Then I guess it's fine.” Letting out a sigh, she faced him again.

“Do you want to come. This will be completely different from monster extermination.” He warned Liliana.

Liliana bobbed her head up and down, then gazing up to him with a forced smile.

“I know that. But still, I can't leave you just alone can I? We're a party after all.”

She skipped to match the pace of Darwyn, then she chuckled. “Who knows what you will do if you're left alone.”

“I see...”

The two walked together, somehow, closer than ever before.