Inside the carriage, racing towards our destination in a whirlwind.
Contrary to my expectation that it would be noisy due to the crowd, the carriage was advancing in complete silence.
“Uhmm…”
“““…”””
Of course, considering my personality, it might be uncomfortable to chat with others…
But still.
We’ve been on the road for several hours, and not a single person has opened their mouth?
‘It feels so awkward I might die…’
I really wish someone would break the ice…
Leaning against Nameless’s shoulder, I glanced at him with a hint of hope, but,
‘Why is this guy acting like this…?’
He pouted his lips and frowned deeply, glaring at something off in the distance.
‘Such a waste of a handsome face…’
Truly.
My gaze towards Nameless chilled considerably.
Out of curiosity about what was so infuriating, I turned my head followed by his gaze, only to find Lucius staring at me just like the first time we met.
There was a glimmer of madness in his eyes that made me involuntarily flinch.
It would be a bit rude to say this in front of the person, but…
Unlike Nameless, that guy’s face is just… too touchy-feely, making his stare very burdensome.
I didn’t even want to make eye contact with him and tightly shut my eyes, leaning back against Nameless’s shoulder again.
‘I saw nothing.’
There’s absolutely no way I’m getting involved in their mysterious activities.
…That said, I really don’t intend to ignore them either.
Seeing him stare at me like that, he must have something he wants to say…
Isn’t it a little rude to blatantly ignore him?
But I really don’t want to initiate conversation, so I decided to seek help from someone else.
…Wasn’t Elia the one who casually chatted with us when we first met before coming here?
If it’s Elia, she would surely help.
With my eyes filled with anticipation, I turned to look at Elia,
‘What’s wrong with her now…?’
Elia was just blankly staring at Lucius, looking completely lost.
Her eyes seemed so devoid of life that I felt like curling up myself; Lucius must have done something terrible to her…
They were all cheerful before getting on the carriage, so whatever Lucius did must have happened after we boarded.
Hmm, but… didn’t he do anything?
I tilted my head back and forth, pondering, but nothing came to mind.
If even my brilliant brain couldn’t come up with anything, it seems Elia has no particular reason for acting like that.
Then I guess I don’t have to worry.
With a light sigh, I scanned the faces of the people in the carriage.
“…”
Nameless, who looked extremely sour, Lucius, who maintained a stiff posture staring at me since we boarded, and Elia, who was making a blank expression while looking at Lucius.
Each one of them seems to be missing a screw somewhere.
Is this really okay…?
No matter how positively I try to think, only uneasy thoughts come to mind.
But what can I do here?
The best I can do is close my eyes and let them mess around comfortably.
Hmm, exactly.
I nodded and leaned against Nameless’s shoulder, shutting my eyes.
Anyway, it’s none of my business.
…
Not long after I leaned on Nameless and dozed off, a light tap on my shoulder from him had me shaking my head.
“Master.”
“Ugh… What? Did we arrive already?”
“Yes, the others have gone ahead to prepare for camping.”
Rubbing my eyes with one hand and looking around at Nameless’s words, I found there really was no one around.
To snap out of my drowsiness, I shook my head lightly and stretched my arms towards Nameless.
“Master? What’s wrong?”
“Hold me.”
Nameless seemed to understand something, nodded slightly, and started to pull my outstretched arms towards himself.
He seemed to be trying to help me up, but that’s not what I wanted.
I pulled my arms in the opposite direction, bending over towards him.
Although I needed to adjust my strength so he wouldn’t completely end up in my embrace…
“Ugh, ugh!”
Crack— snap—
“…Master?”
“Aah, that feels good.”
It seems I had been a bit stiff from sleeping while sitting, but stretching out relieved all that discomfort and refreshed my entire body.
With a refreshing smile, I glanced outside the carriage and realized the sun had fully set.
…What a predicament; how am I supposed to sleep later?
Sighing, I turned to look at Nameless, who seemed oddly flushed.
“What’s wrong?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Nameless quickly turned away and started jumping off the carriage.
“Why are you leaving first, being so emotionless?”
I followed him, hopping down from the carriage like a jack-in-the-box.
…
Under Nameless’s guidance, we arrived at a location where three tents were already set up.
It seemed that while I was asleep, Elia and Lucius had put up the tents for both Nameless and me.
…That has to be right, right?
Since Lucius and Elia are likely an item, they would absolutely use the same tent…
And Nameless and I, being in a master-disciple relationship, they’d know to make consideration for us too.
Feeling impressed, I nodded before suddenly a thought popped into my mind.
Hmm… What if not?
If the Mage, Lucius, and Elia are all sleeping apart, it could very well be designated as a personal-sized tent.
Hmm…
Rather than brooding alone, it’s better to just ask.
“Nameless.”
“Yes, Master.”
I tugged on Nameless’s sleeve to make him look at me.
“Where is the tent we’ll be using?”
“Huh? Isn’t it set up over there?”
Nameless pointed with his index finger to the rightmost tent.
Hmm, so it really is that…
Looks like my initial thought was correct.
In that case, I should at least thank the Saint’s group.
Nodding, I headed straight towards Elia.
Elia was bustling around organizing her things inside the central tent, seemingly too focused to notice me approaching, so I lightly cleared my throat.
“Cough, cough.”
Only after I made some noise did Elia seem to notice me, her shoulders twitching as she turned around.
“Oh, you’re awake?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
I came to convey my thanks, but after deciding to do so, I suddenly felt a little bashful and found it hard to speak.
Geez, it’s not like I’m that bad of a person…
With my lips fumbling in front of Elia, she chuckled softly and waved her hand.
“It’s alright; we have plenty of time anyway.”
“…Thank you.”
It seemed that even though I was stammering in front of her, Elia understood what I was trying to say and responded accordingly.
…Afterward, once again, an awkward silence settled between us.
Hmm, I really have nothing more to say…
Before I lay down, I found the silence in the carriage unbearable, but now that I’m trying to talk, I have no idea what to say.
…It’s not that my personality is strange; other than Nameless, I haven’t spoken to anyone in forever.
Plus, unlike Nameless, Elia is a woman, isn’t she?
If she chats with me, she’ll probably lose interest quickly.
Feeling a strange urge to explain myself, I reflected internally.
Hmm, yes… It’s not a problem for me.
As I convinced myself, nodding my head, Elia opened her mouth first.
“Harang.”
“Hmm?”
“If you bring your things to the tent, I can help you organize them.”
“My things?”
Instead of answering, Elia just smiled and nodded.
Hmm, if she’s going to help organize my things, she’d have to step into the tent Nameless uses; is she okay with that?
…And I’m not exactly a newbie who needs assistance organizing.
I shook my head with a somewhat stiff expression.
“You can just tell Nameless to do it; organize your own stuff.”
“…Huh? Is Nameless coming to our tent?”
“What do you mean?”
Elia and I tilted our heads at each other, as if we didn’t understand each other’s words.
Our tent, huh?
Are you implying I’m going to sleep in the same tent as Elia?
Why?
Genuinely confused, I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head, while Elia turned red and whispered softly.
“…Are you planning to sleep in the same tent as Nameless?”
“If that’s the case…?”
With my puzzled expression, Elia gawked at me for a moment before her face started to turn beet red.
“Oh— oh no! It’s scandalous! Men and women sleeping in the same place!”
“What’s so scandalous about that? Nameless and I are in a master-disciple relationship, aren’t we…?”
“B-but still, you two…”
Elia started to mumble as she lost her words.
Frustrated, I thumped my chest and spoke.
“What’s wrong with Nameless and me sleeping in the same tent?”
“I… I don’t know!”
