We bid farewell to Oyaji after we're done eating and chatting in his shop. It was still pouring when stepped outside. Yukio didn't mind walking in the rain so I didn't offer him an umbrella. He was using a simple wind barrier above his head to deflect the rain droplets. It was one of the many small things magic can do.

Meanwhile, I was here holding an umbrella to avoid the rain.

I asked Yukio about the reason I was looking for him. I asked where I could buy weapons on the cheaper side. For a sword addict, he may know one or two shops.

"You're looking for a weapon shop? It's only Jo-san who's selling those. If you're looking for staves there are some in the general store."

"None at all?" I tried to confirm it.

"Jo-san would be willing to sell you some cheap ones. Those are pretty good in quality considering how much he sells them for."

"I have no problem buying from him but the problem is, he's staying in the house all day and we're planning on leaving early tomorrow."

"Why- Oh, I get it. He might have a bad hangover tomorrow so we can't expect a favor for him before we leave."

Yukio realized what I was saying. He knows too well what day it is and how Jo will react. Nonetheless, we can't help it if the only sword blacksmith in this town was crying alone while drinking.

"I could lend you my old sword if it still functional. It's at least better than the wooden sword you're using. It will suffice until we reach the city."

That was the end of the quest for my sword. Not the best outcome but a conclusion nonetheless.

We were currently heading to Adventurer's Guild to find and hitch for a caravan that would be traveling for the city tomorrow early morning. Renting horses could be an option but it's more expensive than the former.

Our purpose wasn't going in the Guild. It was the stables that were beside it. Inside the stables was the person that handles every cart or traveler that goes out in this village. He was our purpose for visiting here.

"Hello, Adventurers." He greeted us as soon as we enter.

"What's your business here?"

"We're planning to go to Mir tomorrow morning. Is there any travel schedule at that time?"

"Hmm, Let me check for a moment."

He grabbed a book under his desk and search for the ones that fit the criteria. I could barely read the dates listed in the book.

For the past month, I also studied the written language of this world. So far my progress has been slow and I can only read a few words. The dates are an example.

It didn't take long before he found something and closed the book. From his gestures, it seems there was someone who fit the criteria.

"A trip for two, right? There is one who meets your schedule. Although there is a bit of a problem."

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"What is it?"

"This merchant doesn't accept any passenger and will only hire a guard for his travel. He's looking for three people and he has already hired one. So, if you can and want to, it is your only choice."

Yukio looked at me to know if I'm okay with it. I nodded in response.

"Yeah, we can become guards but do we pay or what?"

"Nah, no need to. The merchant already paid for the service. I will tell him later when he visits later at night that he can leave tomorrow. So, be here tomorrow before the sunrise completely.

He bared a piece of good news that would complete our tasks for today. The matter went well and everything is set for tomorrow. The only setback was a proper weapon.

We got nothing left to do so we went back to our places and rest for tomorrow.

I tried to look for Jo whether he was already ok or not for my last try of getting a sword. I was getting desperate even if I told Yukio that his old sword would suffice. I just don't feel safe without a weapon with me and I'm not the best in magic yet.

Unfortunately, Jo wasn't present at his house at the moment. He is probably drinking in Oyaji's ramen shop till midnight. It means I have nothing to do anymore but sleep.

...

The next day, I was the first person in our meeting place. There were still lamps burning on the side of the roads. The sky was only beginning to light up and thank goodness the rain has stopped although it may rain again soon based on the dark clouds at the horizon.

I waited for a little while before I saw anything that interests me. Across the other side, I could see a tall burly man walking towards me. He was wearing a standard mage robe and was carrying on his back a staff that was larger than him. From his get up, I assume he is the other person who will be accompanying us.

"You're here as a guard?" He asked with a high pitched voice.

No, it wasn't him who spoke. There was a person who showed up from his behind. He was a foot shorter than me but twice the size of me. He got the body that doesn't look appealing to anyone but he dressed up better than us. I didn't see him first because he was blocked by the big size of the mage guard.

"Oy, I'm asking you a question."

"Yes, and I assume you're the one who hired us." I politely answered because it seems he would be our boss in the meantime.

"That's right. You can call me Bosu and my orders should be followed if you want to be paid."

'The guy from the stables didn't mention about being paid. Well, not that I have a problem with it.'

"Where is the last one?"

He was talking about Yukio and coincidentally as soon as he said that, I saw Yukio running.

*Pant~ Pant~* "Sorry, I'm late. Am I late?"

Yukio was chasing his breath while fixing his things. He was wearing the same armor as the time I first saw him. No matter how you look at him, everything on him feels heavy. With him running with all that weight, I realized I forgot how physically strong this pretty boy face is.

A part of the many things he brought was two sheaths of sword on his waist. I recognized the sword that he calls 'partner'. So the other one must be the extra sword that he has.

'But why does it look very new if he said that it was his old sword?'

Like reading my mind, he gave me the sword and explained it.

"Jo-san asked me to give it to you. I went over to your room so we can go together but I only saw Jo-san awake. Same as I, he didn't expect that you would leave so early. He wanted to thank you and give you this sword.

As you can expect from a self-proclaimed best blacksmith in the capital, everything about the sword was well crafted. From the blade to its hilt, you can see the craftsmanship of a great craftsman.

If it were any other time, I could never accept such an amazing sword for free. But it seems like Jo is giving me the responsibility to help Shimomura.

"Oy" Bosu suddenly interrupted us. From the tone of his voice, he was getting impatient.

"Ah, I'm Yukio. Nice to meet you Bosu."

"I don't care about your names. What rank are you"

"We're both Novice mages," Yukio answered for both of us.

The burly guard snickered when he heard our ranks while the Bosu gruntled in a low voice.

"Tsk~ I should have hired more guards in the city before coming here. I can't believe they died just like that. Anyway, I'm already lucky to still have an apprentice mage left.

Bosu entered the stables alone and took his time inside. He only showed up again at the other side of the stable holding the couple tacks of the horses. They were carrying a medium-sized carriage that could accommodate at least 5 people.

"Bring your stuff at the back. Make sure you don't break anything. Those things are more valuable than your lives."

We carefully put our things as he told us to. Compared to my baggage, Yukio's was too much even after he gave me one of the swords. It's making me curious about what items he brought.

The burly guard didn't have any different luggage beside his giant staff. He placed it and move towards the front of the carriage. His staff took almost every space left in the cart. Traveling for long a long duration would surely become uncomfortable with little space we can sit at. Good thing the burly guard is our coachman and the smaller Bosu was sitting with us.

They seem to have talked beforehand since the burly man knows he would be the coach even without any instructions. Although, I don't sense any kind of familiarity between the two.

While the burly guard was checking the condition of the horses, I want to ask Bosu what he came here for because his cargo was barely occupying the carriage compared to our stuff. It was only three simple-looking wooden boxes that may be mistaken for a cheap decoration somewhere. It was already weird from the start that a merchant who acts all mighty was here in a small village. I don't remember anything very valuable that could be found in this area and yet here he is. However, asking him maybe too distasteful for his type.

*Neigh~*

With that ignored, everything was set and ready. The burly man began to ride the horse. It hesitated at first maybe because of the surprising weight it was carrying but it started nonetheless after a little push.

The sun has already risen when we out of the gate. I bid farewell to the gate guards that I saw almost every single day during my time in this village. I would miss many things here especially the ramen. It was unfortunate that I wasn't able to say goodbye properly to Old Man Jo but I bet he hates it.

Many things happen during the past month yet leaving this village is only the beginning of my journey.