(Attendance… plz…)
….
It was evening now, and the sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting the forest edge in deep shadows.
Momon had suggested a good place to camp, a small, natural clearing surrounded by thick trees that provided cover from the wind. They decided to set up the tents for tonight so they could leave early the next morning.
Reinhard finished setting up his and Felt's tent quickly. Once he was done, he didn't just sit back; he walked over and helped Momon and Nfirea with theirs.
After the tents were up, Momon took wooden poles from the wagon to erect them near the campsite. They needed to shelter the horse and wagon, and establish a basic perimeter.
The campsite was fairly large, covering an area about twenty meters on each side. Momon drove the poles into four points around the perimeter, and then tied thin, blackened ropes around them, forming a simple boundary. Finally, they tied a knot in one of the ropes and pulled it over to their tents, attaching a big metal bell to it. It was a crude but effective alarm system.
As Momon was doing the manual work, Nabe stood behind him, looking off into the distance or mostly glaring at Reinhard, Felt, and Nfirea. Momon could already guess why and for what reason.
It would be a surprise if she wasn't cursing them for being human, or perhaps imagining herself killing them in various gruesome methods if she were allowed to.
Momon didn't let her do the camp work. He chose to do it himself. Not just because of working equality while the others were doing their tasks, but mostly because he was genuinely enjoying the outdoor activities.
In Yggdrasil, there wasn't this sense of fulfillment in doing mundane things. The virtual world couldn't simulate the feeling of soil, the tension of tying a knot, or the satisfaction of building something by hand. Not to mention the countless restrictions on character movements. And it wasn't like he could have done these things in real life back on Earth, nature and camping were reserved only for the elite classes.
So, he was having as much fun as he could with his not-so-responsive undead body in doing these outdoor chores.
Momon looked at Nabe and sighed internally. He glanced around, ensuring none of the others were close by, and asked her, "What is it now, Nabe?"
He could already feel what she was thinking, at least to some limit.
Nabe looked down a little as she answered him. "...They should not be troubling you with measly work like this... it is blasph…"
Before she could say anything more, Momon shut her up by placing a gauntleted hand over her mouth.
He didn't know why he was expecting or praying for her to say something, anything, that didn't involve him. Maybe he hoped she would complain about not having fun herself, or ask if she could do a specific task concerning only herself.
Momon looked at her, knowing it was just how her setting was. It was probably wishful thinking for him to expect otherwise, or for her thinking to change overnight when her entire personality was based on a character sheet his friends wrote.
Though he wasn't giving up. Especially now that they were alive and could speak and think like real beings. Because they were real, he believed they would eventually develop.
He removed his hand. "Everyone is working on something, Nabe. Look at Reinhard. Not only did he set up his own tent, but he even helped us and Nfirea in setting up theirs."
Nabe frowned slightly. "Have they not seen your extraordinary fighting abilities and skills? People should do what they are suited for, so this sort of work should be left to weaklings like them."
Momon sighed yet again internally.
"Again, Nabe, we cannot appear arrogant so that people don't even want to approach us or think of us as trouble. Otherwise, it wouldn't help us gather information. And it would have been off if I was the only one doing nothing."
Momon felt like he was teaching a child how the world works. And he knew he had to listen to her sometimes, or who knows what she might say in some slip-up if she kept her feelings bottled up.
While Momon was busy trying to make Nabe understand common sense, there was another person who was genuinely having fun with the outdoor activities.
It was none other than Reinhard.
Not having to think about too many complicated things, being by Felt's side, helping others, and just being outside, it was fun for him.
Even Felt was actively doing things and laughing, which she didn't do very often back in the mansion. Reinhard was learning new things about this world at his own pace.
Mostly, he was happy because Felt was happy.
Reinhard came back fast after venturing out to get some dry firewood. He returned with a smile, set the wood up in the center of the camp, and lit a fire.
Now that the perimeter was done, and the tents were up, the only thing left was the food.
The food responsibility fell on him as usual. There were limited types of things he could make with the available supplies on the road, like a simple meat stew or just roasted meat.
Well, he had packed up enough food for this trip while they were in the market earlier that morning, so that wasn't a problem.
Reinhard started cooking. He cut the meat, put it in the pot with water and some basic vegetables they had bought in E-Rantel.
To pass the waiting time, they just sat around the fire. It didn't take long for the food to be ready. Like before, the smell was simply too good for it to be made from the simple ingredients Reinhard had used.
Nfirea didn't know much about cooking, his expertise was in potions, herbs, and plants, but he was sure he hadn't seen any spices being used other than salt and some pepper. He was certain it wasn't supposed to smell this rich and savory with just that.
"This smells amazing," Nfirea said, leaning in a little closer to the pot. "Did you add something other than salt and pepper? I mean, it smells way too good."
Felt answered for him. "No. It is just what he is good at. Maybe think of it something like his sole talent or something. He is a good cook and learns to cook very fast."
Nfirea didn't completely understand what she meant by that. Like his talent was just being a good cook? With the way she said it... it sounded like she just kept him around for the food.
Nfirea just laughed a little. "Oh... I see." He didn't understand it fully, but he didn't think too much of it or want to dig too deep into their relation...
He wasn't really interested in the food anyway. He had just brought it up to start a conversation, not with Felt or Reinhard, but with Momon.
He shifted in his place on the log and blurted it out. "So... uhhh... so uh, Mr. Momon and Mrs. Nabe. You two just recently joined the Adventurer Guild. So, hmm, like what were you doing before? And where are you from, or where were you before E-Rantel?"
Momon wasn't exactly prepared per se for a direct question like that, but he had an answer for something like this already made up.
Momon spoke first. "Please, there is no need for honorifics. You can just call me Momon, and her Nabe."
He paused, adjusting his sitting posture. "Well, to answer your question... we hail from a very far-off place in the South. We weren't exactly famous, so you wouldn't really know anything about us or any other person from there, for that matter. Though we have been exploring unknown lands and things... so one could say we were kinda like adventurers, but not joined with any type of guild for that matter. After arriving here... well, you know the rest."
Nfirea nodded. While he didn't exactly get the specific details he was looking for, he certainly got a lead, to say the least. And he still had time on this quest, so he could take his time and ask more little by little.
Nfirea said with a smile, "Hmm, I see. Then you joined the Adventurer Guild after arriving in E-Rantel. Though the Swords of Darkness told me of your strength yesterday after you guys left... the things they said about you and Reinhard sounded more like an exaggeration with how they were telling it. Of course, I believe it. And why wouldn't I, knowing how you guys brought back the proof. Not to mention Reinhard and Felt bringing back Ogres like they were nothing... but it is just..."
Momon very well knew how that could be interpreted. Two guys slaughter an entire nest of Goblins and Ogres. And who were the two? Not exactly Adamantite or Orichalcum adventurers, but two new parties. While one was already a hot topic in E-Rantel for jumping ranks just hours after joining, the other was just a brand new Iron Rank.
"I know," Momon said smoothly. "You don't exactly have to explain yourself. People tend to believe what they see, not exactly what they are told, especially if the thing is somewhat unbelievable... though I assure you that it is all true, if you are doubting our abilities."
Nfirea shook his head frantically, correcting himself. "No, no, no, no! I believe you, and I wasn't doubting you or your abilities. If I had, I wouldn't have commissioned you... I'm sorry if that came out wrong or if it sounded like me insulting you."
Momon too shook his head. "It is no problem. As I said, people tend to believe in what they see more often than what they are told, so it is exactly and perfectly normal for you to be doubting our strength or anything."
Reinhard chimed in. "Please don't worry, Nfirea. I can assure you that he is as strong and commendable as Peter and others would have told you. I can give my word on that, as I was there myself. But as Momon just said... it is normal to have doubts and all."
Nfirea stuttered as he denied it, shaking his hands. "No, no, no, I wasn't doubting any of you. I trust you. Sorry if that sounded rude or anything."
Momon added, "None taken. I understand curiosity well enough."
Nfirea sighed in relief. "T-Thank you for your understanding."
The awkward silence went on for a few seconds before Momon asked a question of his own. "You are quite famous in E-Rantel."
Nfirea rubbed his head self-consciously. "Well, I wouldn't say that... while I'm good, it is mostly from my grandmother. Because of her teachings, I was able to pick up her methods and became as good as I am. Though I wouldn't say I'm better or anything; on the contrary, I think there are still many things I could and want to learn, and become even better than now... haha, sorry for boring you with that."
Momon tilted his helmet slightly, his tone calm. "Don't be. You are not boring me in any way." He crossed his arms as he continued. "People who truly possess talent are often the ones most aware of how much they still do not know."
Nfirea blinked at the unexpected praise.
Momon added, more quietly this time, "The fact that you continue striving to improve despite already earning recognition in E-Rantel tells me that those aren't just rumors."
Nfirea's face became somewhat red from the unexpected compliment, and from having someone like Momon agree with his desire to improve even more. This somewhat raised his hope regarding what he was doing... and thinking that even a powerful warrior like Momon approved of it felt good.
Nfirea wanted to know more about them as much as he could on this trip. And now that he was leading the conversation and it was going so smoothly, he became somewhat more comfortable with it.
Nfirea laughed a little as he thanked him. "T-Thank you... I don't know why I am getting so flustered over something like this."
Momon let out a faint chuckle before replying. "I think that simply shows you are still young." His tone was calm and without mockery. "There is nothing strange about feeling happy when someone acknowledges your efforts. Especially when those efforts truly matter to you."
"Haha, thanks."
Reinhard stirred the food in the pot. "Well, sorry for interrupting your conversation. How about some food?"
He stirred the stew for a few more seconds before serving everyone, starting with Felt. After serving, Reinhard reminded them, "Please eat it before it gets cold, and don't be shy to get a second or third helping as there is enough."
Everyone sat in a circle formation around the fire. In the middle was Felt; to her right was Nfirea, and to her left were Momon and Nabe. Directly across from her on the other side of the fire was Reinhard.
They were all sitting on logs. Everyone thanked Reinhard for the food, except Nabe.
Momon took his portion of food. The only problem was that he couldn't eat. But he couldn't really deny the food, not when they had all been together all day. The only viable option was to say that he would eat it in his tent, like he had done before with the Swords of Darkness.
Though, before saying that or leaving, he asked what he really wanted to ask Nfirea.
"Nfirea... if that is alright with you... me and Nabe are somewhat curious in potion areas. Would that be alright if later on, more likely after this quest, we can see your workshop and discuss some questions regarding potions?"
This would really help Momon in the potion area. By doing this, he could get information on the potion level of this era, and more importantly, verify if Nfirea is truly talented or not. He could figure out if the level of potions here was better than what he had from Yggdrasil, or if worse, by how much.
Of course, he hadn't asked this question to anyone else in the city, as no one was an expert in that area, and asking random people would have seemed out of the blue. So taking this quest specifically to talk to Nfirea was worthwhile for him.
"REALLY?! I mean, y-yes, yes, why not! I mean... not really... ahhmm, I mean yes, I would love that!"
Nfirea almost choked on his food in his excitement.
'He really loves talking about potions, huh?! To be this happy just because of this much. Well, now I can cross one unnoted thing off the list... finally something worthwhile... good job, me,'Momon thought, looking at the flustered boy.
"Then it is settled," Momon said. "I will be looking forward to it."
"Good, good," Nfirea said, catching his breath. "I didn't know you both were interested in potions. Haha, well, now that I see it, you two are very close. You must really love each other very much."
While this dialogue did not bother Momon or even arouse a second thought in his mind... the same couldn't be said for his partner, Nabe.
"H-H-H-His... his lover!! What are you saying... how dare you... that position should only belong to Lady Albedo and no one else…"
"You!" Momon almost shouted, immediately clamping a hand over Nabe's mouth before she could continue her outburst. "What are you saying, Nabe!"
"Ah!" Nabe, realizing what she had just done, went wide-eyed. She stood up so fast she dropped her food bowl on the ground, immediately raising her own hands to cover her mouth in shock at her own slip-up.
….
A/N: i know it wasn't heavily focused on reinhard but trust me… reinhard glazing coming soon.
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