After my purchase of lotions, I went back to our campsite where Joran had started cooking. He was facing the campfire and stirring the pot above it. The rest of the members were seated around the site except Ian and Melanie. I took an empty seat near the group.

"What are we having for lunch?" I asked Joran as I couldn't see the pot's content. He was stirring it a bit slowly and was focused on it even as he replied, "Just some meat stew." It was a lackluster response but Cameron added, "We only stocked up enough ingredients until we reach Fort Stoic. We'll be arriving there just before the third bell on the third day."

I nodded but that still begged the question, why were there two wagons? I think just one would be enough for us and the provisions but maybe they're also taking into account the unexpected?

After a few minutes of waiting, Joran announced it as done and everyone else stood up and went to get their bowls. Obviously I followed them too. We each got our own bowls and formed a line in front of the pot where Joran each poured us a portion of the meat stew. I wonder what meat it was from so I brought the question up.

"Oh? What kind of meat we're using?" He said a bit surprised, "Well, since we're only talking about a half a week journey, we can afford to use meat that won't spoil for two or three days such as beef which we're using right now."

"Beef stew huh." I wondered aloud. This is pretty good for a provision ration huh? maybe because it's my first filed mission and Director Pathwalker pulled a few strings? Nah, she wouldn't. Anyway, this beef stew he made was pretty amazing huh, guess that's what a former adventurer can do.

We all finished our stew with satisfied expressions. "All right." Cameron grunted, "Come on Victor, let's replace Mel and Ian on wagon watch."

He stood up without waiting for his reply. Although Victor did scramble to get up when he was about to doze off. I helped out Rona to clean the used bowls.

"Do you do this often? Cook meals out in the field I mean." I asked Rona. Joran was serving the newly-arrived Melanie and Ian, freed from their wagon watch duty.

"Not often. After all, cooking can attract attention with the scent, smoke, and sound." Rona said, a bit monotone. I guess she's right. Since they're like an elite police force and being on patrol around the outside of the capital can mean you have to tough it out sometimes.

"Oh right." She said in a louder tone than her usual one. "What were you discussing with the other travel groups?". She still didn't face me as she dutifully washed the bowls at the fountain.

"Hmm. Well it was sort of a an idle chatter and a bit of sounding out you know? They might know something only regular travellers would know." I said. Everyone would have common knowledge of most things but there only some instances where only those who have a regular routine or a specialized job would know certain quirks that most people would consider inconsequential.

She nodded, "I see. I guess you weren't just a clueless desk officer." She said nonchalantly as we finished up washing. I was stunned for a bit before I followed after her. "Hey! What do you mean by that!". I ran up alongside her. "I'm not completely useless, I just prefer the convenience of a desk job."

Half an hour after lunch we set back out on our journey with the same formation, Cameron, Victor, and Joran, on the first wagon, and Melanie, Ian, Rona, and myself, at the second wagon. The plan was to be able to reach the rest stop before the citadel city by tomorrow noon.

While on the road, there were numerous other roads to led to other cities and villages within the sphere of influence of the capital city. Most of the merchants were using these roads while those who wanted to leave the the Inner Central Region, one would need to leave through Fort Stoic and enter the Outer Central Region.

By sunset the first wagon moved to one side where there was a good shade under the tree. Everybody stepped off the carriage while unloading the provisions for food and for camping out.

"Captain Tessanya, we would be camping here for tonight and would be reach the rest stop tomorrow a bit past noon. If you have any problems with the accommodations please tell me immediately." Melanie said as she handed me my sleeping bag. The Imperial provided sleeping bags were soft and flat. Which was kind of a letdown when I first received it since it was bundled up that it looked thick.

I asked where I we would be setting up our sleeping bags and Melanie led me to the center of our camp. A makeshift campfire in the middle, each of the wagons on the side perpendicular to the road, while there would be two who would be on watch duty. One would be placed by the three that sees the road, while the other sits opposite that can see behind the tree and its surroundings.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

As what we did during lunch, Joran was in charge of the cooking and cooked up stir-fried vegetables while Victor, and Rona were the first on watch duty. They were replaced by Ian, and Melanie after dinner. Nothing of note much happened except that since I wasn't trained for combat I wouldn't be put on watch duty for the whole mission, which I was thankful for since I would be bored out of my mind if I would stay up late and have nothing to do but stare.

The following morning, I was woken up by Melanie saying that breakfast is ready. Oh boy, the leader of the mission oversleeping?! and on her second day as well?! Man, it's embarrassing! I hope they didn't lose all their respect for me!

Cameron might've saw my inner turmoil because he spoke up while eating the our breakfast, vegetable soup. "Don't be nervous Captain. We all know that desk office responsibilities are different from field work. We won't hold it against you. Unless of course, it would be detrimental to the mission." He continued eating his soup after dropping that on me.

I sighed, relieved. "Thanks.". I stared at the flames of the pot where the soup was made, trying to find my confidence back but apparently I was staring a bit too long because Melanie asked if I was okay.

After breakfast we soon packed up and headed for the rest stop before the citadel city. Melanie did mention that we'd be arriving there a bit past noon so I would just have to sit patiently and wait till then to be able to move around again.

After a few boring hours of nothing to do, Melanie announced that we were there. When the wagon stopped, everyone hopped off and began unloading for the rest. Cameron then walked up to me. "We have two choices captain." he said as he faced the road that led to the citadel city.

"We can either spend the night here at this rest stop and arrive at the citadel city tomorrow by sunset, or we can camp outside the road and be there by noon. Your call captain."

Hmm. So he was asking for my decision here. My first team decision! I guess they asked since they were considerate of me not being trained for field operations but not to worry!

"We can camp outside. You don't have to be considerate of me for these kinds of things. Whatever is necessary for the mission, you may implement them." I said as I faced him. "I am only leader on paper, you have more authority and experience in leading this team, thus, I will follow your lead." I smiled, "Unless of course, the one to take action and responsibility should be me."

Cameron closed his eyes and paused. "Very well captain." He reached in his pocket and retrieved some sort of black metal stick.

"Here." He gave it to me. "It's one of the artifacts that were part of the provisions we have. I assume you know how to utilize one."

I held in my arms of the Imperial Army-sanctioned artifacts. Of course I know how to use one! "Of course." I nodded.

Artifacts are created from magic-conducting metal called magicite and other metals to create an alloy as materials for these items. At first, they were used for everyday items such as cookingware, water jug, etc. But through continued innovation it can be utilized as a weapon. Of course, to use it, one needs to be able to sense and use magic and if they can't then it's practically just a block of metal.

Artifacts can also be shaped into different forms. They all have compact forms that one can use to conceal them and carry them away from sight but when channelled with a bit of magic, it expands into its true form which varies from a wand, a sword, a spear, a gun, and even a shield! But from the looks of it, this might just be a wand variant which is ideal for me since I mainly use my wind magic for maneuverability and object manipulation.

I placed the artifact in my right pocket and headed back to the campsite with Cameron as we discussed our plans. Everyone agreed of course and we had our lunch before setting off again.

Some hours after lunch and before the sunset, Melanie called out to us inside, "Captain, you should be able to see the Citadel City from here."

I went out and sat by the reins with Melanie and saw the grandeur of the Bastion of the Capital, the legendary Fort Stoic.

History says that about three hundred years ago, during the Unification War, the empire was being invaded by all their neighbors due to the infighting between the royal siblings, but they were able to muster enough forces to defend the borders. However, due to each sibling who wanted to distinguish themselves from the war, they only fought with their personal armies and were outwitted, causing one of the invaders to be able to close in to the capital by sieging Fort Stoic which was at the time, minimally manned due to all the soldiers being conscripted to the various Imperial Armies.

One of the siblings, Prince Dominic, along with his followers, aided the men at Fort Stoic alongside some soldiers from the First Prince's Army. However, due to the stubbornness of the First Army Officer, Prince Dominic was relegated far from the front of the Fort where the majority of the siege was happening.

The Siege of Fort Stoic lasted for almost a week. At first, it was thought to only last two days because of the defenders were outnumbered one to seven. However, Prince Dominic had knowledge of makeshift explosives and with that, they were able to hold the line for six days in which reinforcements from the Fourth and Seventh Army were able to route the invaders back. This was the start of the counterattack and the spark that led to Prince Dominic's eventual ascension as emperor.

The wagon moved steadily on the road, following the road that snaked upwards towards the Citadel City. The Fort itself was not shining with splendor but was an imposing gray. It stood tall on the hill it was built on, overlooking the immediate surroundings while also being the only way in and out of the Inner Central Regions. The Citadel City was the city located before it if you were leaving the Inner Central, and was after if it you were entering. It was a city that doubles as secondary staging ground for reinforcements for the Fort and also acts as a major trade hub for those who didn't have the means to strike it big at the Capital City.

When the sun set, we camped a bit out of the road to not block the path and had our uneventful dinner. Tomorrow, we would be arriving at the Citadel City a bit past noon. We would be staying at the garrison at Fort Stoic though and would be resupplying there. The day after tomorrow we would be resuming our travel to Auburn City.