5 Before The Red Dawn: First Night Before Departure

We are riding outside of Holy Elf Kingdoms' Protection Barrier named "Raitharivia." Those barriers are meant to protect the citizens from demons, evil spirits, monsters, beasts and evil people or people with evil intention. The distance from Northlandia to the rendezvous point is quite far. The Guild Master told us that we need four daesh in Northlandia Territory and a week in the wilderness to reach the valley. We need to reach our destination as fast as possible for this mission to success, but we can't keep galloping all day without exhausting our horses.

"Jack, I think we have been galloping long enough, when will we reach the checkpoint?"

"We still need 2 heverra and 45 minerval to reach the first checkpoint. Did your butt hurts?"

"You saw through me. Is there any problem?"

"Luckily not, we are safe and there is no damage to the carriages either."

"Are any of our members have a motion sickness?"

"No, we are good. But if we keep galloping, I'm sure they would get sick, especially the ladies."

"Oh, by the way, [Riding] ability paired with any other useful travel skills and abilities will sure come to handy right now, don't you think so?"

"Surely, it will be nice to have them right now."

We kept going until we reached the first checkpoint that located near a lake. It's small but clean. We will be using the lake as rest area for two daesh before continuing to the [Outer Territory]. During the rest time we hunt animals, gather herbs and fruits. The Guild Master informed us next area is a wasteland due to [Rain of Chaos] and we need to stockpiling supplies as many as we can before going to next area. He also told us that we needed to anticipate an ambush and lack of rest area tomorrow. To counter it, we need to imbue our horses and ourselves with [Body Strengthening], [Physical Debuff Immunity], [Mental Debuff Immunity], [Fatigue Eraser], [Insomnia], [Iron Skin], [Pain Eraser] and [Senses Enchanter] Magic.

"Have you gathered the necessities Yuna-san?"

"Oh, I have. You don't need to worry Haru-san." While talking to Yuna, I saw Ayumi carried something heavy.

"Need a help Miss?" I offered my help while simultaneously picked one of the boxes from her.

"Hey, it's unfair Kaichou! Me too!" Hera's protest but I ignored her.

"Oops, let me help you with that." Toval came and picked up her luggage.

"Thanks, Haru-san." said Ayumi while smiling gently.

"Eh? I think it's better to say "Thanks My Dear Husband"?" Hera teased us while smirking

"We haven't married yet Hera-san." Said Ayumi with an embarrassed expression.

"Oi, Aniki it's time to take a bath and build the tents." Robert is waving his hand to me.

"Coming!"

"Come on Ayumi let's drop this here and go to the lake. If we are late, the boys will peek at us!" then Hera grabbed Ayumi's hand and walks faster than us.

"Be sure not to peek the girls, T-O-V-A-L" Hera warned Toval while glaring at him.

"Hey!" Toval protest and I can only chuckle watching them.

After leaving the upset Toval, I assisted Robert and other boys to set up the tents. I also helped the mages to set up the barrier, especially against the intruders that would attack the girls when they are sleeping.

"Fuuuh! The lake's water is fresh and cold! It's really nice! Don't you agree Robert-kun?" It seems Thomas is in good mood right now. We turned our head to left and we saw Robert. He has caught many fishes and crabs, there is also a salmon in his mouth.

"Heck" said Thomas.

"Mmm?" Robert looked at us back.

"Where the hell did you get those?!"

"Mmmphmhmm…!"

"It's useless Thomas, don't ask him."

At evening, we grill the fishes and make a crab soup, and stored the rest. After the girls washed the dishes, Jack and the other Rangers takes position in the trees and they sleep in turns there. I slept first while Robert and the others are watching the perimeter. I let the girls sleep until mid-night after that it's the boys turn to rest.

"Kaichou is sleeping first eh? Why isn't he sleeping with his lover?" Toval asked.

"Well, he doesn't want to. He isn't a pervert like you." Robert answered him with sarcasm.

"Hey that's harsh! You are also a pervert! You hoarded two beautiful maidens with high social status for yourself!" Robert lightly punched Toval and Toval do the same thing to him. After a little scuffle, both of them laugh together.

"Hey, Rean! Why are you so focused while looking at your [Status Screen]? Is there something wrong?" James sits next to Rean and both of them begin to discuss something.

"There is nothing wrong James, I only preparing for tomorrow. I want to choose the most suited skills and abilities for tomorrow. I have enough points to spend them as I like."

"That's a good idea! Let me help you."

When I woke up at midnight, Ayumi and the other girls are preparing to take their watch.

"Oh, Kaichou has awoken. Did you have a good sleep?" Rania asked.

"I did. By the way, where are Robert and Jack?"

"The boys are sleeping shortly after Yuna and I woke up. Most of our Knights, Warriors, Scouts and Mages will sleep until dead morning. Robert and Jack are nowhere to be seen. I have no idea where they are going."

"This is bad. We can't have them wandering around by themselves…" as I am trying to figure out where they would go, I heard a sound of footsteps from the trees behind me.

"Bloody hell Robert, where and what are you doing?!" I shout as I saw Robert with his body covered in blood come from the forest with Jack.

"Oh, Aniki I—"

"Yuna-san, please cast [Supreme Heal] on Robert!"

"Leader, you don't need to. We just hunted down a big boar that lurking around our camps. Luckily, the horses were sleeping and they haven't noticed the boar. So, they are safe right now."

"The boar is really big Aniki, I have skinned, dried and stored the meat."

"Good grief, don't wander around by your own"

"We are Hunters Aniki…We usually work alone anyway. I don't need loud guys like Toval or Ello."

"Ahahahahaha!!!" Rania and Yuna can't hold their laughter after hearing Robert.

"Say, Robert-kun…When you said "dried" did you mean drying it's blood?"

"You are right Ayumi nee-chan, I burned the intestines. If I don't do that, the carcass might attract the carnivorous beasts to us."

"How big was that boar Robert-kun?" Yuna asked.

"It was 3 Me height and 6 Me length, I casted [Silent Field] so I won't bother anyone sleeping."

"Oh Our Maker, what will happen if you are defeated by that boar? No one will be able to hear your help…"

"Jack is nearby and that was the reason why I brought him with me. Aniki, I think you worried too much."

"Of course I did, don't you remember that I'm your "guardian"? Go wash yourself and sleep."

"I'm an adult already Aniki and I am already married. Aarghh…fine, fine...! Let's go Jack." Then, they went to the lake.

"A love between brothers is good Rania-san, Ayumi-chan…" Yuna said while grinning lewdly.

(Heck)

"Especially if it combined with rope…" Rania added.

(What the…)

"Why do you like rope that much Rania-san?" Ayumi asked Rania with curious expression.

"Well, I can't help it. I'm an Arachne after all. It's in my instinct to tie people upside down. Muehe…" Rania is smiling lewdly and she is looking me with lewd expression.

"…" (I better stop right there before this topic become more dangerous)

"Haru-chann…" She grabs my shoulders.

(HIIII) I jolted and ran back to my tent. I entered my tent and sleep as fast as I can because I don't want become Rania's "plaything" for an entire night nonstop.

"Ufufufu…Haru-chan is so funny and cute."

"Geez, Rania-san, please don't tease Haru-san like that!"

"Oh…are you jealous…Ayumi-chan??? Ei, ei!" Rania hugs Ayumi while teasing her body.

"P-please s-stop it Rania-san—! Where are you touching?!"

On that night, the girls became Rania's "plaything" until morning. I asked them what happened because I saw them with tired expression. However, they refused to give me an answer and immediately returned to their carriages to sleep. Meanwhile, Rania is sleeping soundly on three with strange position.