109 Competing

Before the sun even rises, I wake my companions up. I just came back myself from a stroll around town. There was something I needed to do.

The soldier gets a bulging backpack and follows me. Then we depart without a word. Without anyone the wiser. Actually, I stand corrected. The tracker guy is waiting for us outside.

[Hey there. What's up?]

"Just wanted to wish you a good journey, Sir. Also, if you ever need anything we will try our best to help. Even if you need death warriors."

[That's a bit edgy don't you think? Alright, later.]

He watches us leave. Before long it is only the nameless soldier, TMR, and I. Following the road.

"Prince, this is so impressive! Turning random villagers into death warriors! That usually only works with really young kids! I didn't have the foresight to understand your plans earlier. As expected of royalty!"

"Of course my master is the best!"

The rat looks proud.

[How long do we have to walk until we reach our destination?]

"A few weeks, prince!"

[Yeah, it feels weird when you call me that.]

"Sorry, Sir!"

We walk all day. From time to time I see the rat and the soldier bicker. There is something weird about that. They don't speak the same language. Yet most of the time their arguments make sense.

At first, it puzzles me extremely. Turns out they are miming while talking. I usually silently watch them. When comes time to set camp they seem to be competing.

The soldier gets a small tent out of his backpack. Then TMR simply snorts and uses his magic to build shelters. Looking smug afterward.

In retaliation, the soldier starts a fire. TMR establishes a defense perimeter with earth walls. Then they both leave to go hunt.

I'm not going to complain haha. Before long they both come back with meat. The rat dragging behind him a huge wolf, bigger than his own body. The soldier comes back with many rabbits, ones with horns of course.

I won't even act surprised. That's a given for fantasy settings. Then they both start roasting it. Unsurprisingly the human seems to be coming on top. Before long I am judging both of their masterpieces. They are awaiting my feedback nervously.

[Let me see. Human cook: Very plain! 5/10]

The rat is cheering and acting all smug.

[Now for the opponent. Rat cook: Very plain and burnt 3/10]

The roles are now reversed. It can't be helped. I bet the villagers used all the spices they had left on sending us off. Sadly this is clearly not included in the soldier's equipment.

Then again it could be very useful. With good spices, one could eat anything really. Possibly even eat the very flesh of their fallen enemies. That ought to give a frightening reputation. That is when he gets a teapot out! Yes! Hell yes!

"Sir, I brought some tea for you!"

Let's just say the beverage is soothing my soul. I peacefully observe the night sky as I drink. Some will say I wasted two months of my life. But I don't care.

Even now I'm not especially hurrying up. They bicker again to take the night shift. In the end, they will both keep watch. One after the other.

I enter the shelter and lie down. It isn't as comfy as the inn beds, but the ground is fine too. I'm just glad this body protects me from back pain.

In the middle of the night, I can hear a commotion. There are many creatures charging at us. Ah, it seems to be wolves. I guess they didn't take too kindly that we ate one of them. Still, these creatures sure are dumb.

At first, the soldier is freaking out. Sounding the alarm. Acting courageous and saying he will escort me away. Wait, does he think I'm weak?

I didn't let him watch the training. I never really fought in his presence either. TMR darts toward their direction. He disappears underground. I clearly know what he is up to. A scene I have seen many times during training.

"Sir, we should-"

[Wait. Just wait.]

Seeing me calm and not bothered at all, he relaxes. He seems puzzled but he trusts me. We both look at the army of wolves approaching.

[3…2….1…]

*Sound of a landslide*

The very ground under them collapses. They all fall. Not a single one managing to escape it. There is a cloud of dust filling the place now.

"Oh my god!"

It's pretty impressive the first time for sure. It's not something anyone would expect from a rat. At all.

"Are they all dead?"

I simply laugh. Without answering. Then we move forward. He is proceeding carefully. That is when the rat emerges right next to him.

"*Frightened* AH! Oh, it's you!"

I wonder how he'll react. Coming closer we can see a huge pit. At the bottom lie many corpses. All impaled on earth spikes. The blood is making a red pool underneath.

I can hear him gulping. He watches it all flabbergasted. Then he looks at the rat. At the deathtrap again. Alternating between the two.

"Y-you did all this?!"

TMR is just strutting proudly. He is taking revenge for losing the cookout. He may be petty but so what. He defended us well. Now, this is such a waste. All this meat that will just rot there. Also, all the blood that…wait! I jump unto a spike.

"Sir! Careful!"

He tries to grab me before failing. Only then does he notice I went down voluntarily. I am using my two feet to support my weight. A rock tip dangerously close to my ass. Then I summon my house. It comes crashing into it all. I enter it. There it is.

[Hey there little one.]

Gently nestled in one of the walls is a blood-red plant. I extend my hand to caress it softly. I won't ever kill a living being just to feed it. However, I don't mind it collecting blood that would go to waste.

It may hypocrite of me, but I don't care. Such is life. It slowly extends a vine all the way down the pit. Then it starts sucking. The incredible quantity of blood quickly gets almost completely absorbed.

The tint of the plant changes a bit, but otherwise, there are no changes. Now that I think about it… May as well. I grab all of the now bloodless wolves and I chuck them inside too.

+ Pelts

+ Meat

- Space

I recall my home and go toward the others.

For some reason, the soldier is white and shaking.

[You okay?]