The older man approached Zack's carriage and the two gentlemen with a smile on their faces. When he got in the way, the escort he was leading was forced to stop the carriage.

Not because they wanted to help. The road they are on is somewhat narrow, so it was not possible to turn around, and even if they ignored the man, the other carriage was still in the middle of the road, so they would still have to stop.

(They have calculated it well) Zack thought as he watched the man talk to one of the guards.

Now, the bandits have two options:

The first is to attack them once they have moved away from the carriage and have nowhere to cover. However, this is not the most suitable. In this area, trees are sparse, and there are few places to hide. Bandits are cowardly by nature, fearing the strong and attacking the weak. Even if it's just a small group of three people, no group of bandits would attack with less than ten fighters. It is almost impossible to be the first option.

As for the second option...

"Thank you very much" the man shouted with joy and went to tell the woman. Hearing the news, the woman, with a smile, came to thank them.

The guards dismounted from the carriage and went to move the broken carriage out of the way. Apparently, these two are going to be with Zack and the others for a while.

"Excuse me, sir. I wanted to thank you for letting us accompany them to the next town. When a wheel on our carriage broke, we didn't know what to do. Fortunately, you sir also used this path, without your help, we would most likely end up being eaten by monsters. Ahh! I have not submitted it. My name is…"

The two escorts and the man began to clear the way while the woman came over to chat with him. Zack had no intention of watching the performance of the woman who began to speak to him from outside the carriage.

In the first place, most peasants feel uncomfortable in the presence of high-ranking people and would go to great lengths to avoid getting any closer to them than is strictly necessary.

A perfect example of this was the village where they spent the night before reaching the forest. Although all the villagers wanted to know more about them, no one dared to approach them for fear of the things that could happen.

It was obvious that she was trying to get information about them. At first, the woman had a smile on her face, but seeing how Zack refused to answer her questions, her smile faded silently. By the time the others finished clearing the path, the woman's face was a mask of indifference.

When the knights returned, the woman said goodbye to Zack with a bow and regrouped with her partner.

In the end, they decided to all go together as a group to the next village, and come back for their belongings afterwards. Of course, neither Zack nor the knights let them ride in the carriage with them, so the two temporary members of the group followed them on the horse that was pulling their carriage before it broke a wheel.

Seeing them ride a horse, Zack couldn't help but laugh. If the man's face was uncomfortable, the woman's face was a mask of utter fury. It is evident that she planned to ride in the carriage with him.

The path they were taking became increasingly deserted, and the plants and trees disappeared, leaving behind rocks and brush. Nothing that grew in this place had much value. Even if it did, unless it was extremely valuable, no collector would deign to search for it with bandits present.

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Although things did not go as planned, the man tried to talk to the guards during the journey without results. No matter what he did, the guards wouldn't deign to drop their guard to talk to him unless it was required.

Upon reaching a clear place in the mountains, the couple who had taken it with them looked at each other and said:

"Excuse me" Everyone's gazes focused on the man who had just spoken

“I know it's a lot to ask, but could we stop and rest? My wife is exhausted and to be honest, I am also somewhat down after everything that has happened" said the merchant with an exhausted face.

Zack's escorts looked at each other, but after a while one of them nodded and began to set up camp before the man's grateful gaze. And the weariness those two exhibited was real. After a few hours crossing the area, they were not the only ones who found the horses tired, perhaps even their users also needed a rest.

Zack didn't pay much attention to them either. All his concentration was devoted to trying to figure out when the bandits would attack them. There are several points where a carriage can be robbed. Considering that there were two infiltrators in his group, they will most likely attack...

“As a thank you for your invaluable help, let me cook for you. Even if I don't have the class, I'm a fantastic cook” Once she finished speaking, the woman got up and started looking for the supplies.

…right after finishing eating.

The guards were preparing temporary charms with the help of the man while Zack settled and watched as the woman began to cook. Looking at how she handled the ingredients, Zack was surprised to see that the woman who accompanied them could really cook. The ingredients flowed to the sound of her knife.

It seemed she was cooking in a high-class restaurant and not in the middle of a wasteland.

(The level of her cooking skill is definitely not low) This was probably the only thing that aroused his interest since he met her.

"Excuse me"

…

Melody was furious. Everything was supposed to be easy, but so far they haven't achieved anything worthwhile.

Together with her partner, she belongs to a band of bandits that resides in these mountains.

The original plan was to infiltrate the next group of travelers, find out how many members there were, what their strength would be if they had important status and the value of their belongings. The only thing they have been able to find out is that there are three of them.

If it weren't for the fact that one of them has spoken, she would think that all three are mute. Just thinking about the time she was trying to converse with that spoiled little noble made her blood boil.

Fortunately, even though they don´t seem like weaklings, it was clear that they were no match for their entire group. As soon as they finish with the preparations they will attack. You can never be too careful.

(Wait. I'll see how you're going to ignore me when a sword sticks you through!) Melody thought mischievously as she cut the vegetables.

"Excuse me" a voice sounded behind her, surprising her and causing her to almost cut her finger.

Melody turned around abruptly to scold the person who had surprised her. Others can imagine her surprise when she saw that arrogant noble speaking to her.

"Yeah? How can I help you?" Melody asked, containing her anger behind a somewhat forced smile.

“I have seen that you have a very good cooking technique. I've never cooked until now, and I am quite interested. I was wondering if you could teach me,” said the presumed young noble.

Melody couldn't believe what she was hearing. This brat wanted to learn her skills!

The skills of each one are personal and secret. Asking about them is one of the biggest taboos that anyone can commit. Even if he is a noble, if it is discovered that you are forcing a commoner to tell you his skills, he may go to jail or at least have to pay a heavy price.

Just as she was about to vent her anger at him, a small voice in her head stopped her.

(Isn't this the opportunity I've been looking for? If I can distract him and get the information I want out of him, the boss may reward me. At least the next time I'll be in charge of infiltration instead of that jerk) Melody thought, while she looked disdainfully at her colleague.

They're not going to get out of here alive anyway, what does it matter if the dead know their secrets? Melody looked Zack in the eyes of her, and with a sweet smile she asked him:

"What do you want to know?"