Pearl and I were the first to see the sun rises this morning. Finishing the last shift of the night watch together. It is a nice morning with the birds singing and several small animals running around nearby. It looks like the weather is going to be good again today. I let per start preparing breakfast and go to wake up the others.
Liza was quick to wake up. Sat by the entrance with her spear in hand, she instantly wakes up when she hears me. She quickly goes to help Pearl while I move on to Nana and Mia. Those two look complete opposites when they sleep. Nana smiles as she hugs Mia, while the small elf girl frowns as Nana's large chest presses down on her head. Mia gives me a brief hug as she wakes up while Nana gives her usual morning line of "Start-up sequence initiated. Execution completed."
Satou and the others are harder to wake up. Satou has Lulu cling to one arm and Arisa to the other. Pochi and Tama are asleep on his lap, crawled up like real pets. I hate to wake them up when they all look so peaceful, but I have to do it. Lulu blushes, seeing how she was sleeping, and quickly goes to help make breakfast while Arisa tries to get a good morning kiss from her Master. As for Pochi and Tama, both of them run out of the carriage after giving a brief good morning, yelling something about a good smell.
It doesn't take long before breakfast is ready. Liza comes back to tell everyone, and we all gather around the table again. This morning our breakfast consisted of deer meat and a soup with cooked beans, onions, and a wild plant that resembled garlic. Nana ate her usual wheat porridge, but this time it was topped with some shredded cheese. The cheese was thanks to Liza, who decided to add some at the last minute.
After we ate, we took a small break as we tended to the horses, which Satou spent practising how to chant. For me, it is a skill I don't need. It is not uncommon for heroes to be able to use magic without a chant. I don't need to hide that skill, but Satou, who wants to live a quiet, peaceful life, has to be careful to hide the fact that he doesn't need to chant to cast magic. Mia helps him as Pochi and Tama go hunting with Liza and Pearl. Arisa went back to sleep as soon as we finished eating, so Lulu and I were left to clean everything up.
"You don't need to help me," Lulu insists as I wash some of the bowls alongside her. "I can handle this by myself. You don't need to trouble yourself."
"It's no trouble," I assure her. "I don't mind helping you."
----
When we get moving, Satou is driving the carriage with Liza sitting beside him on the coachman's stand. We travelled for a few hours with Arisa borrowing the magic book, but she didn't look like she could read it. Even with Mia's help, she is still struggling. Pearl sharpens her sword while Lulu stops Pochi and Tama from jumping off the carriage whenever they spot a rabbit. I just look out of the back of the carriage, watching the scenery drift by.
We travel through a sea of grass with small hills and the occasional tree. It has been a while since we have seen a person, and so far, we have only passed a few ruined buildings. It is easy to believe that we are the only people alive right now. We have been attacked by monsters twice today. Still, they were weak, and Pochi, Tama and Liza quickly cut them down before anyone else could do anything.
"Satou,"
"Hmm? What is it, Mia?"
"Stop,"
Mia asks as we pass by multiple giant ant monsters. It looks burnt, and I don't know. Mia asked to stop here. She probably just needs to go to the bathroom. Satou pulls over the wagon, and Mia asks me to help her down.
"Piggyback," Mia says, pulling my sleeve.
"Right here?"
"Mm,"
