Chapter 288

Chapter 288Previous

The trip went smoothly. From the time they set out early in the morning till they settled at night, no one encountered any inconvenience or accident. Even the clear weather seemed to be in their favour.

The procession had now reached the Mondovi Peninsulas isthmus, with the forest at the foot of the Risch Mountains on the left and a sheer cliff and the sea on the right. From a certain point, villages were only encountered once every half a day along the Great Trade Route. Therefore, if travellers skipped a village past the afternoon, they would find themselves having to camp out on the road instead.

Long before the sun started setting, the progression began passing sparsely located houses, until finally a village and market came into view. Even though there was time till sunset, the party decided to enter the town.

Among the dense greyish-white one-story buildings, several stone buildings stood out.

The sun was still bright.

Its a little early

Lil got off the saddle and looked back at Ed, who was handing the reins of his own horse to a servant coming from the inn. She then took a big look around the village and sighed.

Im getting tired of acting like a leisurely tourist.

Already?

I have never travelled this peacefully in my life.

Even if she knew that such serenity might not last long, Lil was getting wary about her sagging body. In fact, her biggest fear was her posture becoming poor and her senses turning dull. She felt like she would relax without end if she continued like this.

Lil thought she should move her body and use a weapon for a change.

Maybe I should ask one of the guards to stab me or something

What?!

The trip is so leisurely that Im getting too comfortable.

Since when did you start to notice that? How do you know youre getting too relaxed? And why bother with a guard when Im right here?

I need a new training partner.

..?!

Standing sullenly without answering, Lil passed by him.

I want to go for a walk.

Alone?

Ed sneakily hugged Lil from behind. When Lil reflexively put his arms away and slapped his shoulder, Ed quickly reached out to her again but this time held her hand instead.

Lil looked back in astonishment.

Their party, who was initially busy unloading the luggage in front of the inn, glanced at Ed with looks of confusion. Linhardt, in particular, looked like he would vomit at any moment, but when his eyes met Lils, he cleared his throat and looked away.

Lil suppressed a groan and continued her steps.

Everyone thinks youre weird.

Thats their outdated mindset. And Ive grown tired of thinking about it now.

They probably assume youre so crazy about a woman that you dont care about saving face.

Thats true. If you want, I can even kiss the top of your foot right now.

Shall I do it?

Lil nudged Eds side with her elbow.

I think you should go over there.

Why?

Youre good at hunting.

Judging by his stories so far, I know that Eds someone very familiar with hunting for survival. After all, hunting skills are essential to survive alone in the middle of the jungle.

That was why Lil reasoned there was no need for both her and Ed to be on the same team.

Otherwise, the power in our group will be too concentrated. We initiated this to help the villagers, so it would be best to move efficiently.

Ed looked at Lil, wondering how she could so casually send him away like that.

Bye now.

Without a shred of sympathy, Lil pushed his shoulder, leaving Ed with no other choice but to trudge his horse to the side. Slumping his shoulders it was obvious that his previous energy had gone somewhere. Lil soon took her eyes off him and looked around her. When she spotted herders trying to keep the dogs apart, Lil asked the man standing by one of the well-trained dogs.

Are we going deer hunting? Or, roe deer?

Shail, who was next to her, answered in confusion.

Yes, right? I heard well mainly catch roe deer and deer. Of course, we may also spot and catch some rabbits.

What about wild boars?

It was the herder who answered this time.

I scouted the area this morning, but it was all in vain

Lil nodded her head.

Since she didnt know the terrain very well, she planned to wait in the canyon and shoot her crossbow when the herder drove the deer down with the dogs.

After a while, their hunting group moved. The herders went ahead with their hounds, and Lil followed behind with her horse. At the rear were attendants who pulled the carts and donkeys.

During their ride, Lil found out that Shail had been assigned as her escort.

Back then, you shadowed as my guard whenever I left the mansion, right?

Yes.

It mustve been a lot of trouble for you. I appreciate it.

Thank you.

When you followed me, did you perhaps notice any suspicious activity?

Shail seemed taken aback by Lils choice of words, so he answered a beat late.

No one seemed suspicious when I followed you.

This means that the Obernyus Royal Guards moved with extreme caution. Well, Maxwell already knew that I was getting escorted, thats why he mustve been tailing me behind the escorts.

Lil wracked her brain about his possible intention.

What on earth did he want to warn me about?