Chapter 13 The Charming Stranger

The next day, the gang found themselves back on the road. Rhogan trudged ahead, the powerful rhino pulling the carriage with ease. Inside, Iryoku was sprawled on the floor, one arm tucked behind his head, the other dangling lazily over the edge. His half-lidded gaze wandered absently around the interior—and lingered just a bit longer than it should on the girls.

Reika sat with the poise of a proper lady, her manners impeccable, as she delved deeply into the magical tome Princess Agnes had given her. Her long, shapely legs, accentuated by thin, fitted black pants, were fully visible as her robe hung loosely open.

Alessandra sat nearby, her posture prim with her legs crossed, though the slight shift in her position caused her skirt armor to part ever so slightly. Iryoku, feigning disinterest, couldn’t resist stealing a quick glance, his eyes catching the glimpse beneath before quickly darting away.

Meanwhile, Yumi was animatedly sharing her progress in infusing magic into her arrows. Her enthusiasm caused her to lean forward, her large chest bouncing subtly with the motion.

“…and it worked perfectly!” Yumi exclaimed, oblivious to Iryoku’s gaze. “I could feel the magic reinforcing the arrows—it turned into a powerful attack!”

Both Reika and Alessandra looked up in surprise. “That’s incredible!” Reika exclaimed.

“You’ve really been improving, Yumi,” Alessandra added, her tone warm with pride.

Iryoku smirked to himself but quickly averted his eyes when Alessandra turned toward him, her sharp gaze missing nothing. She narrowed her eyes. “What are you grinning about down there?”

“Nothing important,” he replied nonchalantly, his smirk widening as he closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

Yumi gestured animatedly, her voice rising with excitement. “And just look at us! All the damage from those battles—it’s already gone, like it never happened!”

Reika sighed, shutting the book with a soft thud. “Lucky for us . I still can’t get healing spells right, no matter how much I study this.”

“It’s okay, Reika,” Alessandra reassured her with a warm smile. “You’re already doing great with everything else. After all, you knew what Ultima Thule means!”

Reika adjusted her hat and replied matter-of-factly, “It refers to a distant, unknown region—what the Greeks and Romans used to describe as the edge of the world. Not exactly the most helpful clue for finding Lady Vitka,” she added with a sigh, her voice tinged with frustration.

The conversation shifted to Iryoku. Yumi’s face lit up with a grin. “Oh, and let’s not forget how he single-handedly kept that giant worm distracted! The way he moved—his agility was insane!” she said, her voice filled with admiration.

Alessandra’s gaze flicked to the floor where Iryoku was snoring lightly. She sighed. “It’s hard to believe someone so capable can look so... lazy.”

Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt, and Rhogan let out a low grunt. Iryoku’s eyes snapped open instantly, his movements fluid and alert.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his tone sharp despite his recent slumber.

Peering outside, the group spotted another carriage a short distance ahead. Its front wheel was wedged deep in a hole, and a middle-aged man struggled to free it. Upon noticing the gang, he waved with a tired smile.

“Good day, travelers!” the man called out. “I’m a humble peddler. My carriage got stuck, could you help me?.”

Iryoku smirked, stepping out with a lazy gait. “Oh, that’s no problem for the muscle woman here,” he quipped, jerking his thumb toward Alessandra. “She can just lift the whole thing.”

Alessandra spun around, her face scrunching into an annoyed frown. “Shut it,” she snapped, though a faint pink dusted her cheeks. She walked over to the stuck carriage without another word.

The peddler blinked in surprise as Alessandra crouched, gripping the carriage firmly. With a grunt, she lifted the wheel clear of the hole while the peddler’s horse pulled it forward.

“Wow!” Reika and Yumi gasped in unison.

“Sensei, you’re so strong!” Yumi exclaimed, her tone full of awe.

Caught off guard, Alessandra flexed her bicep awkwardly.

The memory of a familiar “We Can Do It” poster flashed through their minds, and they couldn’t help but laugh.

Realizing the attention on her, her cheeks turned a deeper red. She coughed and quickly changed the topic. “Anyway, let’s ask the peddler for directions.”

The peddler scratched his head thoughtfully before offering a smile. “Thanks for the help, miss, but I’ve never heard of this Lady Vitka or an ‘edge of the world’ place. Sorry about that.” He paused, then added with a hint of encouragement, “But the next town is bustling with merchants and travelers. If there’s anywhere to dig up information, it’d be there.”

“Thanks ” Alessandra said.

After saying their goodbyes, the gang climbed back into their carriage. Rhogan let out a low grunt and began pulling the carriage steadily forward.

Iryoku smirked as he lounged in his usual spot. “Let’s keep moving.”

Reika and Yumi exchanged glances. Alessandra sighed, leaning back against the carriage wall...

______________________________________

The sun hung high in the sky as the group’s carriage approached the gates of a big town. Rhogan trotted steadily, pulling the carriage with little effort. Iryoku leaned forward from his spot at the reins, his eyes scanning the imposing stone walls that surrounded the settlement.

“Well, this place is a step up,” he muttered.

The girls peered ahead as the town’s name came into view, etched into the stone above the gates in foreign, angular script.

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“Can anyone read that?” Yumi asked, tilting her head.

Reika furrowed her brow, squinting at the letters. “Hold on… If I focus…” The symbols slowly shifted in her vision, reshaping themselves into something comprehensible. “Venshira,” she finally read aloud.

“Venshira?” Alessandra repeated, sounding it out.

As the girls focused intently on the unfamiliar writing, Iryoku pretended to study it as well, though his true attention was elsewhere. Taking advantage of the moment, he leaned in slightly, angling his body as if trying to get a better view of the inscription. In reality, his head ended up just beside Yumi’s ample breast, her powerful curves tantalizingly close.

Yumi, completely oblivious, was engrossed in deciphering the text, her brow furrowed in concentration. Her slight movements as she adjusted her position only made the situation more suggestive.

“Focus, Iryoku,” Alessandra snapped, catching him mid-glance as he pretended to study the letters.

“What? I’m just reading,” he replied smoothly, his smirk barely hidden.

As they entered the town, a bustling main street unfolded before them, lined with vibrant vendors. The group was immediately struck by the town's lively atmosphere. Merchants called out to advertise their wares, townsfolk haggled over prices, and children darted between carts, their laughter ringing through the air as they played.

“This town is so different from the last one,” Yumi remarked, her eyes wide as she took in the vibrant streets alive with chatter and the scent of fresh goods.

Reika nodded thoughtfully. “My guess is that since the capital has to send provisions to the front lines, the increased demand for goods here keeps the economy thriving.”

Iryoku chuckled and glanced at her. “You think so, smarty pants?”

Reika frowned, her brow furrowing in irritation, but she chose to ignore him, turning her focus back to the lively scene ahead.

Suddenly, Yumi tugged at Alessandra arm, her excitement breaking through. “Look sensei! That person has animal ears!”

The group turned, their eyes widening at the sight of a demi-human strolling through the market. They all exchanged surprised glances.

“In the last town and even in the capital of the Kingdom, we only saw humans,” Yumi whispered, her voice tinged with wonder. “Except, well, for the monsters and those demon minions.”

Iryoku scratched his head, his brows furrowed in thought. “That chick—the princess—she had pointy ears, like an elf or something. But she was the only one like that back at the capital.”

Reika’s gaze lingered on the demi-human before them as her lips pressed into a thoughtful line. “I wonder why that is,” she murmured.

The group split up to gather information, leaving Rhogan to guard the carriage. Hours passed, and the sun began to dip toward the horizon.

Reika emerged from a small magic shop, her purse significantly lighter and her mood heavier.

“Nothing,” she muttered under her breath. “No one’s even heard of lady Vitka, and these magic books are absurdly expensive. Who can afford this?” She sighed in frustration, clutching the small bag of items she’d managed to purchase.

As she stepped into the street, something caught her eye. In the fading light, she spotted Iryoku strolling with his hands in his pockets, his relaxed, delinquent-like demeanor unmistakable. He was heading toward a building that stood apart from the rest, a sign with the image of a mug hanging over the entrance making its purpose immediately clear—a tavern.

Reika let out another sigh, louder this time. “Seriously? After all that, you’re just going to drink?” she muttered to herself.

Curiosity (and mild irritation) got the better of her. She adjusted the strap of her bag and followed him, keeping a careful distance so he wouldn’t notice.

Inside, the tavern was a lively mix of loud laughter, clinking mugs, and the low hum of conversation. Reika paused at the doorway, scanning the room. Iryoku had taken a seat at the far end of the tavern, his posture relaxed as he exchanged words with the barkeep.

Reika narrowed her eyes and approached cautiously, weaving through the crowd. She stopped a few paces behind him, close enough to overhear his conversation but far enough to remain unnoticed.

Iryoku leaned in close to the barkeep. Her ears perked up when she heard his next words.

“Old man,” Iryoku said with a mischievous grin, his voice low but unmistakable. “Where can I find some… affectionate company?”

Reika’s jaw tightened, and her hands clenched into fists. Affectionate company? she thought angrily. Seriously? I thought this guy was better than that!

Her irritation grew as another thought struck her. We barely have enough money as it is, and this idiot is wasting it on harlots? She took a step forward, ready to give him a piece of her mind—possibly with her fists—when she suddenly froze.

Something felt… off.

She glanced down at her bag and her heart sank. It felt lighter. Panicked, she opened it and rifled through the contents. Her purse was gone.

No, no, no! she thought, frantically scanning the crowd. She spun around, trying to push her way through the crowd of people, hoping to catch a glimpse of the thief. Her eyes darted in every direction, her frustration mounting with each passing second.

“Excuse me, madam,” a soft, refined voice spoke from behind her.

Reika turned quickly, ready to confront whoever it was. Her words caught in her throat when she saw him.

Standing before her was a young man, dressed in clean, formal attire that gave him the appearance of a prince. His hair was neatly styled, his features sharp yet elegant. In his hand was her missing purse.

“I believe this belongs to you,” he said with a charming smile, extending the purse toward her.

Reika blinked, momentarily captivated. She reached out to take the purse, her face flushing slightly. “T-Thank you,” she stammered.

The man gave a slight bow. “It’s my pleasure. May I introduce myself? My name is Léon D’Arvent.” His voice carried a faint accent, adding to his aura of sophistication.

“What’s a lady as lovely as you doing in a place like this?” Léon asked, his warm gaze holding hers.

Reika’s cheeks reddened further, and she struggled to form a coherent response. “I, uh…” She quickly remembered where she was and glanced toward where Iryoku had been sitting, but he was gone.

Taking a steadying breath, she turned her focus back to Léon, forcing herself to regain her composure. “My group and I are searching for a powerful mage named Vitka,” she explained.

Léon’s smile remained unwavering as he listened, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. He tapped his chin, his expression thoughtful. “Vitka, you say? That name does sound familiar…” He paused for a moment before offering a smooth smile. “As it happens, I lead a company of warriors, and among them is an experienced mage. He might be able to provide the answers you’re seeking.”

With practiced elegance, Léon extended his hand toward her, his movements refined and deliberate. “Why don’t you accompany me to meet him? Perhaps he can shed some light on your search.”

Before Reika could respond, Iryoku suddenly appeared between them, his hand shooting out to clasp Léon’s in a firm handshake.

“Really? That’ll help us out a lot, buddy,” Iryoku said with a wide grin, his tone overly friendly. “Lead the way!”

Léon’s expression didn’t falter, but a small twitch appeared at the corner of his eye.

Reika’s surprise quickly morphed into frustration. “Where were you?” she demanded, glaring at Iryoku.

Ignoring her question, Iryoku met her gaze with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Ah, my dear, I was looking for you. Remember, you shouldn’t be drinking alcohol—it’s bad for the baby.”

He placed a hand on her stomach, rubbing it gently, as if to drive the point home.

Reika’s face flushed bright red, this time from pure rage. Her fists clenched so tightly that small sparks flickered at her fingertips. This motherfucker… she cursed internally, tempted to fry him with a lightning bolt right then and there.

“Of course,” Léon chimed in smoothly, showing no sign of being fazed by Iryoku’s antics. “You must take good care of her, my friend.”

Reika’s eyes widened in alarm. She pushed Iryoku’s hand away and blurted out, “Wait! He’s joking! We’re not together, and I’m not pregnant!” Her hands waved frantically in protest.

Léon maintained his composed smile. Then, smoothly changing the subject, “Perhaps there’s a way we can assist each other. My company of warriors has been assigned to hunt monsters out of town. We’re in need of skilled hands. In return, we’ll do everything in our power to help you locate Lady Vitka. And, of course, you’ll be fairly compensated for your efforts.”

Before Reika could respond, Iryoku quickly interjected, “Sounds like a plan, but we’ll need to check with the rest of our group first.”

Léon nodded, a smooth smile playing on his lips. “That sounds fair. If you decide to join us, we’ll be waiting tomorrow at dawn by the town’s main gate.”

With the conversation concluded, Iryoku gestured for Reika to follow. The two left the lively tavern, stepping into the cool evening air.

As they walked down the bustling streets, Reika’s brows furrowed in frustration. “Why didn’t you just accept the job? He might actually know something about Lady Vitka! Plus, we could use the money,” she pressed, quickening her steps to match his pace.

Iryoku, however, kept his gaze forward, his hands tucked into his pockets as he strolled casually. He didn’t reply, letting her words hang in the air.