Chapter 31: Traveling Companions and a New Destination

South.

With our new destination decided, Rowena and I returned to the guild and began gathering even more information.

Before we knew it, a crowd had formed around the young adventurer from the southern region we had spoken to earlier.

Stories about the grassland region where he was from seemed fascinating to the adventurers who based themselves in inland Norest.

“In the center of the grasslands there’s a big city called Vaide. It’s a lively place. After all, most of the meat consumed in the southern capital gets processed there. They even call it the ‘City of Meat.’”

As the man spoke proudly, a familiar voice joined the circle.

“Oh? Sounds like an interesting conversation.”

It was the members of Black Dagger.

“Vaide, huh. We’ve been there a few times.”

Their leader, Gordon, said while stroking his chin.

“From Norest, even if you take it slow and stop by towns and villages along the way, you can reach it in about a month. There are plenty of roadside inns along the route too, so the journey isn’t too difficult.”

Living information kept gathering one after another.

Vaide, the grassland city located southwest of the capital. A journey of about thirty days from Norest.

I quickly wrote everything down in my notebook.

After collecting what I felt was enough information, I thanked the adventurers who had shared their knowledge and the receptionist who had kindly helped us, then left the guild with Rowena.

Back at the inn, I informed the innkeeper at the counter that we would be leaving the city for a while.

“What, heading south this time? And a trip that’ll take a whole month, huh…”

The innkeeper looked genuinely reluctant to see us go.

“I’ll miss hearing your interesting travel stories for a while, but stay safe out there. And when you come back, I’m expecting some unbelievable tales!”

“Haha, I’ll do my best. I’ll definitely stop by again.”

I said with a smile as I took the room key.

Back in our room, I spread out the map we had just bought and began planning our route.

After a while, someone knocked on the door.

It was the members of Black Dagger, who had come to check in on us.

I invited them inside and made a proposal.

“Gordon, I have a favor to ask. Could you escort us until we get through Blackleaf Forest? Of course, we’ll pay the proper fee as a formal request.”

At my words, Gordon crossed his arms and frowned slightly.

“…Sorry, Edwin. We actually have another job starting the day after tomorrow. So we can’t take an escort job all the way to Vaide.”

I was a little disappointed, but it couldn’t be helped.

“No, I’m sorry for asking something unreasonable.”

“But that job is in the same direction, right? At least until the roadside town before the forest, we could travel together, couldn’t we?”

Fiona offered the suggestion.

“…Yeah, that’s true.”

After thinking for a moment, Gordon nodded.

“Alright. If it’s just until the roadside town, we don’t need escort pay. We’ll travel together.”

“Really? Thank you, that helps a lot.”

Traveling with experienced adventurers like them—even just until Blackleaf Forest—would be reassuring.

We discussed departure dates and decided to leave Norest in two days, matching the schedule of Black Dagger.

That same day, I ordered five days’ worth of travel rations from the innkeeper to be safe.

The next day was spent entirely preparing for departure.

We replenished travel supplies at the city market, had my sword and new armor checked at the weapon shop, and bought plenty of dried fruit and baked goods that would keep well for Rowena.

Once all preparations were finished, we still had some time to spare.

While resting in the room, I turned to Rowena, who was sitting beside me.

“Rowena. Before we leave this city, is there anything you want to do?”

At my question, she blinked in confusion.

Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she began twirling the tip of her long golden hair around her finger.

And with a slightly shy expression, she looked up at me.