It was obvious that none of them had even imagined this.

The two in question had never shown it, and Thesaya had never bothered to bring it up either. It was only natural that they were shocked.

"S-Since when have you two?" Fael finally managed to stammer.

Thesaya’s cold voice cut in immediately. "I understand you’re surprised, but shouldn’t you mind your manners, Master?"

Only then did Fael blink, sucking in a breath as he hurriedly turned his gaze away. Bor and Oscar did the same. Though even as they looked elsewhere, the shock was still written all over their faces.

The distant noise from the caravan awkwardly filled the silence.

At last, Mev lowered her head, resting her forehead against Ian’s neck.

Ian dipped his head slightly, letting out a chuckle.

The tip of her ear, peeking through her hair, had turned red.

"Be careful, Ian. Don’t let what happened before happen again. I mean it." Mev whispered.

Ian’s smile deepened. "That’s what I was going to say. Don’t get hurt. And if something happens, don’t hesitate to use the elixir."

Mev nodded, still leaning against him, her arms wrapped firmly around his back.

Gently brushing through her red hair, Ian added, "Let’s meet again at Lake Eldor. If I’m late, wait inside the magic tower."

Everyone carried the crest of the Gray Magic Tower. They even had spares, just in case. With no mage left to screen them, entry wouldn’t be an issue.

"Okay. If I end up traveling with troops, I’ll establish a camp nearby and wait."

"That’s not a bad idea. It’ll be useful in the long run."

"Shouldn’t that kind of discussion be shared with everyone?" Thesaya cut in casually.

Mev froze for a moment.

Under Ian’s gaze, Thesaya added awkwardly, "I get that it’s hard to part, but you’re not the only ones here. Everyone’s been pretending not to look, and—mmph—"

Miguel hurriedly clamped a hand over her mouth. "I-It’s fine. Please, take your time."

With an awkward smile plastered across his face, he added, "Just pretend we’re not here. Really, take your time. Haha..."

That was clearly no longer possible.

Ian let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. Mev coughed lightly, then released him and stepped back, turning toward Moro as she pulled her helmet back on.

Thesaya slapped Miguel’s hand away and wiped her mouth with visible disgust.

"You heard what to do," Ian said, turning to Nasser.

Nasser, still smiling, nodded. "Yes. I’ll stay sharp and do my best."

"Make sure you do, Half-Ear. You’re taking all those supplies and new people with you. If you can’t squeeze the Bastard King dry, that’ll be the real problem," Thesaya added sharply.

Nasser’s smile only deepened. "I hope everything goes well in the South as well, Elder. I look forward to seeing you again soon, Priest."

"Next time, let’s meet in even more dazzling fashion," Miguel said warmly.

"Why do you only say weird, ominous things to me? Do you have a death wish?" Thesaya frowned.

Instead of answering, Nasser simply placed Nila’s reins into her hand, then turned away.

"Then, see you again. Thesa, Miguel," said Mev. She had already put her helmet back on, visor lowered.

Still glaring at Nasser, Thesaya clicked her tongue and nodded. "Yeah. See you, Redhead."

"May the heavens watch over you, my lord," Miguel replied respectfully.

Nasser, now standing beside Mev, added, "Will you ride? Or shall I handle Moro?"

"I’ll ride," Mev answered, still looking at Ian.

She turned without hesitation and vaulted onto Moro’s saddle.

Snort—

As if it had been waiting, Moro exhaled sharply and began moving without even glancing at Nila.

Nasser walked past Ian’s side.

"W-We shall escort you, my lady! No—Sir!" Fael blurted out, shoulders jerking upright.

Behind him, Bor and Oscar hurriedly stepped aside, bowing deeply.

"We’ll escort you..."

"This way, please."

Their sudden formality was almost unnatural.

Only Hallig, who had just returned, looked between them in confusion.

Mev said nothing as she approached them, gripping the reins tightly with both hands to hold back her embarrassment.

A faint smile curled at Ian’s lips.

"I’ll take over driving our carriage from here," Nasser said calmly, walking alongside Moro.

Bor immediately responded, "I’ll drive. You should ride inside."

"If you sit there, who guards me, Bor?" Fael asked, glancing back.

"There are two more capable guards, aren’t there?"

"That’s true, but... hmm. If it’s not too much trouble, could you ride with me, Sir?"

"Do as you wish."

At Mev’s quiet reply, Fael’s face lit up. "It’s an honor!"

Judging by his expression, he had a mountain of questions waiting.

Nasser shrugged. "Then I suppose I’ll be riding Moro. Though I’m not sure it’ll let me."

Just then, Moro, already heading toward the rear carriage, glanced back. There was no need to wonder why.

Nila had been stealing glances at it for a while now.

Moro slowed for just a moment before turning its head away, continuing forward without hesitation.

Snort!

Only Nila remained still, watching Moro’s retreating figure until it disappeared behind the carriage.

I’ve really seen it all now.

Turning away, Ian let out a chuckle as he approached Nila. Taking the reins from Thesaya, he stepped into the stirrup and mounted.

"Alright. Let’s get going."

"Got it. I should get some sleep. Been drinking too much these past few days." Thesaya nodded, wrapping an arm around Lily’s shoulders as she turned.

Miguel, too, quickly made his way to the driver’s seat.

Snort...

Nila let out a low breath as it turned, and Ian, holding the reins loosely, glanced back.

Beyond the fork in the road, the caravan stood ready to depart. Among them, he caught sight of Moro and Mev’s backs as they headed off with their new companions.

It was then that Mev glanced back. Ian smiled without realizing it and gave a slight nod.

Even through the visor, he could make out the gentle curve of her green eyes. For a brief moment, they simply held each other’s gaze.

"Sh-Should we get going?"

The cautious voice from the driver’s seat broke the silence.

Ian turned forward again. Only then did the vast stretch of wheat fields come into view.

"...Yeah. Let’s go."

He gave the reins a light tug. The faint smile on his lips had already turned bitter.

***

A long, sighing sound stretched through the air.

Fields blanketed in wheat and barley rippled like waves under the wind. The carriage drawn by warhorses, along with Nila carrying Ian, pressed forward without pause along the endless main road cutting through the middle of it all.

Miguel, who had been nodding off, had by now completely slumped over, fast asleep.

Ian didn’t bother to wake him, nor did he pay him any mind.

Thoughts of levels and quests filled his head, along with the uncertain futures of his friends and the vast current that had likely remained unchanged. He thought of Yog, and of the creature’s true body that had, at some point, stopped appearing in his dreams.

His mind drifted to the Dark Prince and the royal family, to the Round Table Parliament and the fragments of the Heaven Defier, and even to the new Duke of the West whom he would soon have to face.

His tangled worries grew, each one leading into the next for hours on end.

If that bastard just tried to kill me outright, it’d be simpler. But if not...

Taking occasional swigs from the bottle in his hand, Ian let his scattered thoughts continue to wander. As always, though, he failed to reach any clear conclusion.

Creak...

The window slid open, revealing a pale face.

"Thought you were going to sleep."

"I did. But now that it’s gotten quiet, my head’s gotten louder instead. Can’t sleep," Thesaya replied in a somewhat languid voice, then smiled. "Looks like you’re the same, Ian."

"I always am."

At Ian’s indifferent reply, Thesaya let out a low chuckle and rested one arm out the window.

"Which is why I’ve been thinking, Ian."

"Keep that thought to yourself," Ian muttered as he handed her the bottle.

Taking it, Thesaya continued. "This time too, you didn’t just receive help from Count Westwood. You helped him again in return. Even secured his successor."

"I said keep it to yourself," Ian let out a sigh under his breath.

With her arm still draped over the window frame, Thesaya shrugged, took a drink, and went on. "You even helped the bishop. He’s closely tied to the count, so the count’s distrust toward the Great Church is only going to deepen. Maybe even toward the royal family."

Without caring about Ian’s gaze, Thesaya continued, "What? You heard him. The last royal visit was decades ago. That was a blatant comparison between you and the royal family. Even that ridiculous amount of supplies he gave was probably because of that."

Clicking his tongue, Ian replied, "As you know, I just wanted to make the count step back."

"Right. You just did what you always do, Ian. But look at the results that method has brought so far."

Gently shaking the bottle in her hand, she continued, "My family, the beastfolk, the frontier, and the North have all come to follow you. You’ve secured two strategic locations to use as hidden bases. And before long, you’ll have an elite force armed with dragon relics, one that rivals the royal guard."

"That’s enough. The kid is listening," Ian muttered as he pulled the bottle with his Willful Grasp.

Letting go of the bottle, Thesaya tilted her head slightly to the side. "The kid’s asleep on my lap. Drooling, too."

"Then you should sleep too." Sighing, Ian raised the bottle to his lips.

Thesaya continued quietly, "The count will keep supporting you if you want him to. No, he’ll support us. That solves the supply issue entirely. You wouldn’t have to choose between the royal family or the Dark Prince anymore."

After a brief silence, she added in a whisper, "If anything, you could use them instead and become the new ruler of the continent."

"Feels like we’ve had this conversation before."