Caesar sat down on one side of the carriage while Renee sat on the other. Once they sat down, they could feel the carriage start to move.
"Oh yeah, weren't you starting a business… will it be fine without you being here for so long?" Renee abruptly asked from one side of the carriage.
"I have already given Veronica my plans and funding, I have also entrusted Sebastian and my three subordinates to solve any unforeseen mishaps that could occur."
Renee nodded her head in understanding, "I see, you are so meticulous," her lips curled, and she complimented.
----
Inside a sizeable holy chapel, an older man sat on a throne, in front of him were three young girls that looked to be at the tender age of 14-15 and two young men that seemed to be the same age.
"Your elder brother has fallen"
"Richard has fallen?" one of the young men asked seriously.
"Oh no, how could R-Richard be dead…" One of the girls stuttered and asked curiously.
"Hmph, he was a failure anyway," The young man on the right said coldly.
"Don't talk about your elder brother that way!" one of the women snapped.
"ENOUGH" The old man silenced the five teens.
"Your brother may have died but, he was not the only one… The elf saintess seems to have fallen as well…" The old man said in a sorrowful tone.
"What?!?" all five of them exclaimed while kneeling on the ground.
"He was on a mission to the northern forest. I want the five of you to go together and investigate the cause of his death…" The old man explained calmly.
"You want five holy paladins to go on a mission together, isn't one enough?" The man on the far right asked impatiently.
"Enough impudence, looking down on the enemy is your first mistake… Although all five of you are quite a bit stronger than Richard was, the enemy had killed him and the elf saintess."
"I heard that the elf saintess had not even awakened her holy abilities yet, though," one of the young girls said.
"Hmmm," the old man leaned back in his throne and tapped his thigh.
Silence encompassed the room for a moment before finally, the old man spoke a few words.
"That is what worries me… what if someone, no, something, is hunting all of those with holy capabilities."
The old man paused for a second and continued…
"A threat without foundation must be eliminated. I expect to hear great things from your investigation." The old man waved his hand, and the five teens all stood up and left the room quickly.
As they were walking away, they all talked to each other in a hushed tone.
"Don't you think the pope is too serious about this?" one of them asked.
"How many troops do you guys have in your battalion?" another one changed the subject and asked.
"I think together we have a total of 5000 crusaders. The pope wants to send all of them,?"
"Just do as you are told, we aren't here to ask questions," the cold man said with a fierce glint reflected in his eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The two carriages moved through the dead of night, Inside the first carriage Caesar and Renee were cuddling together with their eyes closed.
"I hope there is nothing wrong with Elizabeth…" Renee murmured quietly.
"You seem to have grown very attached to the lass," Caesar whispered into her ear and pulled her closer to him.
Renee could feel his muscular chest on her back. His hands were wrapped around her waist, and they were in a very intimate posture.
"Of course, I am attached, I feel like she is my daughter…" Renee replied, her previous drowsiness was practically gone.
"Does that mean you feel as though I am your husband?" Caesar whispered into her ear, slyly, and slowly moved his hands up her body.
Renee turned her body around and looked straight into Caesar's crimson eyes, "When I am around you I feel safe and warm… but sometimes I also feel like an outsider, you have vastly different views and outlooks on life compared to others in this world. I don't want to lose you."
Caesar's eyes widened in shock as he peered into Renee's eyes, his lips curled, and he pecked her on the forehead.
"Don't worry, you won't ever lose me, and I will never leave you" Caesar comforted and moved his mouth down to her lips.
Like this, another romantic night ensued for the couple, while Joe and Edward were forced to jest amongst themselves.
***
The next morning, the loud chirping and the scent of food cooking had abruptly awoken Caesar from his deep sleep.
Caesar lifted his upper body and rubbed his sleepy eyes. He stretched his limbs and yawned loudly. Renee was laying by his side in a tranquil slumber, Caesar nudged her shoulders gently and woke her up.
"Hmm?" Renee scratched her head and slowly got up, she stretched her limbs as well and soon noticed Caesar's piercing red eyes staring at her with interest.
Renee stared back at him with a blank stare for a few seconds before she remembered her 'bold' actions last night, her face slowly flushed, and she quickly got up.
She rushed to put her scattered clothes on all the while Caesar just stared at her with laughter apparent in his eyes.
Caesar didn't dally for long; however, he took out a black outfit that contained thin black trousers, a long-sleeved shirt that had three silver chains crossing from his left shoulder to his right. It sported a high collar that further elevated its elegance.
Once Caesar was finished getting dressed, he looked toward Renee and couldn't help but nod in approval. She was wearing her ancestral clothes. They looked very similar to a Japanese kimono from Earth. The one she was currently wearing was lime green and looked very youthful.
Renee was still embarrassed from last night, so she didn't converse with Caesar at all, she opened up the carriage door and hopped out.
Caesar shook his head slowly with a wry smile. He also walked towards the carriage door and jumped to the ground.
Once Caesar hopped off the carriage he couldn't help but admire their surroundings, they currently in an immense grassy plain, the trees and the blades of grass fluttered beautifully with the spring breeze. The sun shined down brightly, illuminating everything with life.
Caesar couldn't help but take a deep breath of fresh air, "this world feels much cleaner than earth" he couldn't help but think to himself.
Soon, a delicious scent invaded Caesar's nose, breaking him from his thoughts. He turned his head in the direction the smell was coming from and walked over.
Thick smoke was rising into the air from a bonfire that Edward was currently cooking on, a creature that looked similar to a pig was impaled from its front to its behind. Edward was rotating the 'pig' above the fire so that all sides were cooked evenly.
Renee and Joe were sitting on the sidelines of the bonfire with anticipation clearly written on their faces, Caesar also walked over and sat down to wait patiently.
Once Edward caught sight of Caesar, he couldn't help but remember last night, his face turned awkward and couldn't help but cough to cover up his embarrassment.
"Ahem, did you two get a good night's rest?" Edward asked.
Caesar smiled refreshingly, "I'm glad you asked Edward, I had a splendid time last night… Although, I did not sleep very long," Caesar said in a calm tone and glanced at Renee teasingly.
"I see, well, that is good… we have a long journey ahead of us," Edward replied, albeit still slightly embarrassed.
Caesar's teasing expression was soon replaced by a serious one, "we should reach a small-scale village within the next week of traveling, we can restock on supplies there," Caesar suggested while crossing his legs on the stump he was sitting on.
Edward nodded his head solemnly, "If we continue at this pace, we should arrive at the dark continent within a month, correct?"
"Indeed, thankfully Rahvin kingdom is somewhat close to the dark continent, the main issues we have is that we have no idea where your particu
lar clan is located" Caesar replied with an annoyed tone.
Edward's face went red with shame, "I apologize, I should have marked our path, or at the very least carried a map with me," Edward said apologetically.
"I don't blame you, Edward, it is hardly your fault. We will just need to spend a tad bit more time searching. That's all," Caesar said soothingly to which Edward smiled in gratification.
Edward lifted the cooked boar off the bond fire and placed it in a large wooden basket, he took a knife out of his right pocket and started to cut the pig in even slices.
He placed each piece on a plate and handed it to Caesar, Renee, and Joe, respectively. Of course, he served himself last.
Once all of their food was prepared, they started to eat with relish, Caesar was quite surprised at the flavor the 'pig' contained, "although it looks like a pig, it tastes similar to beef," he thought inwardly.
Caesar raised his eyes and looked at Edward, "what is the name of this animal?" Caesar asked curiously.
"It's called the favin boar. It has a lot of nutrition inside and is perfect for breakfast," Edward replied happily.
"I see, it tastes quite good" Caesar complimented
They soon finished the rest of the meal in relative silence. Once they were finished, they stood up and walked back to the carriages.
"I will drive the carriage this time. You can rest in the back Edward," Caesar said quietly and hopped towards the front of the carriage, he took the reins in his hands and waited until the others were ready.
Renee walked up towards the front and sat next to Caesar, although she was still shy from last night she refused to let Caesar sit in the front by himself.
"Hmph, why am I being forgotten? I have to drive the carriage for two days in a row?" Joe grumbled as he pulled the reins of the carriage in the back.
Caesar had never driven a carriage before, but it wasn't too hard to get used to. It was similar to riding a horse but having much more to pay attention to.
Their journey continued peacefully for about five days or so. They had taken turns driving the carriages every day and soon arrived at the village on the 6th day.
The carriage shook heavily every time it bounced on rocks. They were approaching a small looking village that was enclosed by a wooden fence. The entrance to the town had a checkpoint that looked to be guarded by two or three guards.
Caesar slowed down the carriage and approached the checkpoint. Once he was close enough, the guards ran towards him.
"Who goes there, and what is your business entering Lynel village?" one of the guards asked slightly warily, but also respectfully, Caesar's looks and clothing were by no means something a commoner could possess.
"I am currently traveling from my home kingdom to a holiday estate that is located past this village, I was hoping I could resupply in this village," Caesar said courteously.
The guards were taken aback for a second. They had previously assumed Caesar would be an arrogant noble, but to be talked to so respectfully made them slightly ashamed of their previous thoughts.
"I believe you, but we need to check the insides of your carriages, it's a security procedure," one of the guards said apologetically.
"I hardly mind, go ahead and take your time," Caesar replied with a slight smile.
The guards nodded their heads and started to inspect the carriages. Joe's wagon was merely full of clothes and foods, while Caesar's carriage contained a bed and other simple things.
Once the Guards briefly examined their possessions, they gave the right away to Caesar, "you may pass through… Please enjoy your stay," one of the guards smiled widely and gestured towards the entrance of Lynel village.
Caesar nodded his head in appreciation and pulled the reigns, they entered into Lynel village, and a bustling and lively town came into his eyes.
Food stands and dirt roads were everywhere, the townsfolk all carried happy smiles on their faces as they talked to one another.
"This seems to be an excellent town" Caesar couldn't help but praise the lively town.
Renee, which had been silent until now, nodded her head, "Even the people in Rahvin kingdom didn't look this happy," she said shocked.
Caesar drove the carriage through the streets and looked for an Inn; the townsfolk all looked at Caesar with curiosity as he passed by.
"Oh my, what is a noble doing in our humble village?" A town girl asked suspiciously.
"He is probably just passing by. I doubt there is anything of attraction here to a noble," a middle-aged man replied with a chuckle.
Caesar didn't mind the gossip, and they soon arrived in front of a building that appeared to be an inn.
The sign on top of the large door was a light green. It said, 'flan's inn/bar."
Caesar parked the carriage near the stable, and a young boy walked up and approached him.
"2 silvers to rent the stable for a night," The young boy said energetically.
Caesar pulled out two silver coins from his breast pocket and flipped them into the young boy's hands. The child laughed happily and said: "thank you very much, sir!"
The young boy started to put the horses in the stable and feed them hay, seeing this made Caesar quite impressed… "This child is already entrusted to handling horses and money at his tender age… Quite impressive," he couldn't help but compliment the young boy in his head.
Edward and Joe also got off their carriage and followed Caesar inside the Inn.
Caesar pushed the wooden doors, and the loud sound of cheering and forks hitting plates entered into his ears.
The inn was full of drunkards and waitresses, once Caesar and the rest entered, the room was enveloped in silence, and everyone looked over in curiosity.
One of the waitresses walked over nervously… "h-how can I help you sir" She stuttered from her nervousness, and her words were barely decipherable.
"I am looking to stay in two rooms for a single night, would that be acceptable?" Caesar asked curiously.
The young waitress nodded her head absent-mindedly, "o-one second, I need to go get the owner," She said quickly and rushed behind the counter.
Soon a middle-aged woman walked towards Caesar. She had long curly blonde hair and a curvaceous figure. Her facial features were bland, but she looked quite homely.
"I heard Y'all are looking for some rooms?" She asked with a heavy accent.
Caesar nodded his head with a smile, "you have heard correctly; I am looking to rent two rooms for a single night."
"That will be one silver a piece, if you want breakfast it will be two silvers a piece," The woman said with a smile.
Caesar retrieved four more silver coins out of his breast pocket and handed them to the inn owner. She smiled widely and took two keys out of her bra. She then handed them to Caesar, winking playfully.
"Enjoy your stay, sweetheart. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you for your hospitality" Caesar thanked her and walked up the stairs to the right, his key had a number on top that said '7' while Joe's and Edward's said '8'.
The wooden floor made loud noises with every step they made; they soon got up the stairs and walked down the long corridor filled with doors on both sides.
Caesar walked to the door that had a '7' on top and unlocked it with his key. He looked towards Joe and Edward as he walked in.
"Let's plan out our next stop. We also need to figure out who's getting the supplies tomorrow morning," Caesar suggested before walking inside the room.
Both Edward and Joe nodded their heads in understanding and followed Caesar and Renee into his room.
The room was small and straightforward. There was a decently sized bed in the middle, a large mirror, and nightstand next to the door. All of it was brought together by the bathroom located to the right of the room.
A medium-sized round table was placed in the middle of the room; Caesar took out a map from his spatial ring and spread the map on the table.
Caesar moved his slender fi
nger and pointed to a spot on the map, "this is where we currently are, and we need to move here," Caesar said while moving his finger diagonally downwards.
"Your clan should be located around here," Caesar said once again while circling a decently sized area on the map with his finger.
Everyone in the room nodded their heads.
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