Halfway through our journey, a problem occurred when we were setting up the camp to rest for the night. I am dead tired, but if we do not deal with it soon, it will be impossible to sleep peacefully.

"Vaughn, do you know how to fix this?"

"No clue"

"How about you Helen?"

"If V can't do it, why do you expect I can?"

Jackson was having trouble with the package we were assigned to deliver. I still do not know the name or the purpose of Senior Jade's invention, but it seems to be particularly important for it to be having cracks on the surface.

We removed the frame covering the ball and let it sit on the dry soil. Due to its weight, it immediately sinks to the ground making it impossible to move around using any normal force.

The reason why Jackson removed the spherical device from the frame container is that a part of it was damaged when we passed by a nest of Drakes. I am not sure what happened, but Jackson shouted in the middle of defending ourselves because of it. He probably was not able to dodge the attacks of the fast-moving Drakes due to the handicap he has on his back.

Now that has occurred, we are now intently staring at the thing we are supposed to deliver safely. Beside some dirt sticking on the metallic surface, there was a visible crack on the uppermost part. It was not there when we first received it, so we cannot reassure ourselves that it was nothing.

"So do we go back to Senior Jade after all?"

"Do you want to?"

"Actually, this must not be as bad as it looks like. It's just a little scratch. Sooner or later, it will still have some scratches to it, so we're doing this thing a favour of preparing it for the future."

Jackson tried to convince himself through unreasonable excuses. Although, I agree with him not going back to Senior Jade.

Looking closely at the damaged part, I can see what is inside of it. A lot of complicated looking wires were entangled with each other, but thankfully, the damage did not reach further in. It looks the outer shell was the only one damage-- I hope.

"Make sure to be extra careful of the package for the rest of the trip."

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"Does it really look that bad, Vaughn?"

"Hahaha, that's what you get for being careless Jack. You can't even evade some little drakes."

"It's not my fault. Moving around is difficult while carrying this thing on my back. And not to mention, this frame is more fragile than I thought."

They were arguing once again. There was no day that our evening went by silently although it always ends up Jackson sulking on the corner with a red mark on his forehead. When this happens, I am usually cooking our meals.

I am usually used to their noisy behaviour, but despite all of that, the night is still not really that quiet for my standard. Deep howls of wild beasts keep on echoing near our camp. It may sound dangerous, but none of us could not care less. I think it is better to say that these howls were showing their fear of us.

However, as much as how breezy the travel so far, I still find our encounters strange. I am curious about this, so I ask the two if they feel the same way as me.

"Have you both noticed anything strange on all the beast we killed on the way?"

"Now that you said it, it's weird for Drakes to have a nest here."

"And every single one we killed was bigger and stronger than the last time I killed some of the same species."

I confirmed it that it is not only me who thinks travelling through here takes a little bit more effort. Not only that, but the trading routes we passed by has also been wiped out completely. It is barely passable that is why we are here on a more difficult road.

Isaac already mentioned this to me last month about the problem of many trading routes of the capital being overrun by beasts in which I suggest changing to a safer yet lesser efficient route. But to think the previous routes merchants and traders have been using for many years have become this terrible so quickly, it is something worth taking note for.

I hope I have the time to investigate this, but we still have something to deliver.

"Told you it isn't my fault why that Drake was able to scratch it."

"How unmanly are you to make excuses. You're an Imperial Lord, but a weakling like Drakes were able to hurt you. You still need more training little kid."

"Try carrying that little sphere, old hag!"

"Who are you calling old hag! I'm still 20 years old."

"You're still older than me and act like one, so every condition points you to being an old hag."

"Looks like this big sister was not able to give enough discipline to this little kid."

Jackson was already beyond saving. It is his fault for triggering Helena in the first place, so I have no responsibility trying to stop them. Instead, I averted my focus on the meat that was almost done.

A loud smack on the head then the both of them took their portion of the meat. Jackson was silently crying near the tent while I try to appease Helena. It would be troublesome to have beast running at us since they are loud-- I really want to sleep right now.

After making sure that the package is safe, I went ahead and clean myself up first. Helena will be the first one to watch over the night, then Jackson, then me. This has been the order for the past few days.

I read one of the books I have brought before going to bed. Jackson was already snoring when I was just opening the first page of what I am about to read. It is my ritual before I sleep to have mind busy, but with things going on, I think I do not need to finish the whole book today.