Journey To The North

So it's dawn the next day when I'm walking to the city centre. There's some sort of park used by people in the capital as the meeting location. It's the appointment place that we agreed on yesterday to meet.

I don't know where I should wait for them there, so I guess I just have to arrive after them. When I arrived at the place I could see them waiting for me. There's the father and daughter duo and a young man that I don't know.

"You're late", Said the daughter when I was coming closer to them.

How rude. But to be honest, I kind of expect that kind of greeting from her though. I also never expect that she's going with us too. Just your father is enough, I don't need someone who antagonizes me the whole journey. But I guess, the more strength we have, the better.

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry", I said nonchalantly while turning to the father.

"Neil, this is my disciple Andre. And Andre this is Neil the one I'm telling you about", Said the father introducing us.

"Hello, Hello, Nice to meet you", Said Andre while smiling.

"Nice to meet you too"

This Andre fellow seems amicable at least. I'd die early if this disciple of his also had that uptight attitude like his teacher. It's always nice having a new friend on this journey, especially with the father-and-daughter duo as the other travelling companion.

"Now that you know each other, let's get on the journey. The faster we arrive at our destination, the better it is"

You say it, sir. Even though the composition of this team worried me for a moment, I just hope that we don't meet many obstacles on our journey like the journey to the west story in my previous life. But knowing their strength, I don't worry so much.

"Is it alright for you to leave your sick son behind, sir?", I ask out of curiosity.

"I have my wife take care of him at home. You should be more worried about your safety kid"

Jeez, what an uptight man. So even a man like you still has a wife huh? I thought your wife had left you already.

We walk towards the city exit. When we near the exit gate, there's already a wagon and some people waiting for us.

"Sir Liber!", Everyone shouts and bows when they see us.

"How is the preparation that I ask you about?"

"Yes sir. This is the wagon that you ask and there's also a ration for a few day's journeys inside"

"You've done well. You can go back now"

"Yes sir!"

When he said that, everyone left and leave us with the horse wagon. Sir Liber walks towards the wagon and we follow him. He sits in the front which I presume is a driver's seat. So I follow the rest to the back as the passenger.

This is quite convenient, as I don't have enough funds to travel personally to the Empire, having this wealthy adventurer funding the journey is quite nice. I also don't have to think about the route, as these guys will take care of it. All I know is that we have to go north. As for the rest? I'll leave it to them.

The atmosphere inside the carriage is so awkward that I'll just pretend to be sleeping most of the time. We spend the rest of our journey like that. This is a long journey that could take months to our destination, not to mention we have to go back after that.

Seeing our travel speed, I believe that sir Liber is really taking his time on this journey. Dude, your son is sick in the capital, could you speed up a bit? To be honest, I also don't have any reasons to be in hurry other than attending the academy next year. But I already feel resigned that I could attend it by next year. In the worst case, I could attend it 1 year late than my initial plan. But it's all for the sake of my survival in this world okay? I can't blame anyone other than my fate.

To be late attending the academy by a year is one thing, but spending the rest of my time in this awkward carriage is another thing. So I asked Andre who sits next to me about this journey by attempting to make small talk.

"Judging by our speed, this is going to be a long journey huh?"

Andre who's sitting at the rear and is watching the scenery outside turns his face to me. His face indicates that he knows what I mean.

"It is", He said with a smile on his face.

I give up. There's no use talking with this guy. At first, I thought that having another man on this journey could lighten the mood, but I guess I was wrong. But again, there's no way someone who can interact with this father-and-daughter duo is a normal person right?

"What are you complaining about?"

"?"

The woman in front of me opens her eyes. I thought she was sleeping just now as she has her eyes closed while sitting. I guess I was wrong. She glared at me with her red eyes. Seeing that, I just keep my mouth shut.

"You get to sit here for free for the rest of the journey, what are you complaining about?"

"What are you talking about? I was just trying to lighten the mood you know? Having a small talk here? hahaha", I answer her while avoiding her glares.

"No, I see you complaining there. Complain in front of my face if you dare"

"I'm just trying to have a small talk with Andre here. But I won't attempt small talk with a scary woman like you"

"What did you say!?"

"Enough!"

Suddenly there's a voice from the driver's seat. To be honest, When she roared at my face, I almost lose my wits. Thankfully, sir Liber saved me. If I knew that asking Andre would lead to this situation, I'd refrain from talking from the start.

"Camila seems to hate you"

No no no Andre you fool, you're starting another war here? By the way, this scary woman's name is Camila? What a feminine name for a masculine woman.

"Yes, I hate weak men like him the most"

"Nah, I bet you hate everyone, not just me"

"What do you know about me? In the capital, I go partying with many strong adventurers, not a weak one like you"

"First things first, I'm not an adventurer. For a peasant child like me, being weak is normal okay? And secondly, I bet everyone just wants to go party with you because of your strength and your father's influence. You throw them away, will they still go partying with you?"

"Is there anything wrong with people admiring my strength and my father's influence?"

"There's nothing wrong with that. It's your privilege, but I won't go around saying that people flocking around me purely because of myself. Dude, I can't handle that amount of ego"

"Ha !?"

I just go f*ck it. You can try me, woman. Andre sitting at the rear just smiling at our constant bickering, I bet he's enjoying this whole situation. Don't forget that this time it's all because of you, moron!

The journey continues with our constant bickering as the background. I tried to stop involving myself in this mess, but she keeps trying to anger me. This whole thing only stops when the night falls.

"Enough, we'll camp here tonight. Tomorrow we'll arrive at the Lennox dukedom to restock our supplies", Said sir Liber.

Finally, I actually get to rest. I don't know why, but I feel that not only this will be a long journey, but also a tiring one. I just hope that I won't get a stroke soon.