There was a strange odor in the air. It smelled like fried food, but she hadn't cooked anything, and even if she had, there was no way to fry anything out here in the woods. Was it her teacher's doing? But why would a lich-

Rushia opened her eyes.

Oh.

The gentle rays of the morning sun shone through the window, coming to a rest as a bright square on the inn's wooden floor. Rushia sat on the creaking bed. She wasn't in the forest anymore, and the lich was farther away from her than ever before.

What should I do…

The events of yesterday's night invaded her mind as soon as she recalled where she was. She still could scarcely believe what had happened. First, there was that outlandish drunk woman, and then the knight she had run away from weeks ago had just so happened to be sitting next to her, along with an elf, a race she hadn't seen outside of illustrations in books… Rushia had barely had any human contact for years, and to suddenly be surrounded by three girls asking her questions had made her confused and dizzy. She'd blurted out her true nature mid-conversation, and by the time her brain caught up to her tongue, it had been too late. Marine had apparently been too inebriated to understand and the elf girl seemed to not care too much, but it was obvious that the knight was less than happy about it. Still, things hadn't come to a fight, much to Rushia's surprise. Maybe her panicked apology had changed the knight's mind, or maybe her elf partner had stopped her. Whatever it was, she was grateful she didn't have to flee right after finding lodging. Before sleeping, she had cast several spells in order to protect herself in case anyone tried to invade her room, but the fact none of them had gone off meant the knight lady had not denounced her to this village's authorities.

I guess I got lucky, huh…

Rushia pulled the covers over her head. She didn't know the time, though there were likely not too many hours until mid-day. The elf's invitation lingered at the back of her mind. She hadn't planned to leave until tomorrow, especially since she hadn't yet visited this town's graveyard. Sure, she could call up a spirit at any time now, but she missed being surrounded by dozens of their cute presences.

With that said, she couldn't help but recall her teacher's advice. Had he not made her travel alone specifically so she would talk to more living beings? The last thing she wanted was to disappoint the lich, and it was unlikely she would ever get a better opportunity than this. Those three already knew she was a necromancer, and at least one of them didn't see an issue with it, so she wouldn't have to hide her passion. Plus, it would save her the trouble of finding a boat.

Rushia sat on the bed and brought her knees to her face. Maybe it was fate that she met the trio last night. Perhaps they were destined to go to the land of Hololive together. Or maybe they'd just been too drunk to care, and in the morning light the notion of traveling with a necromancer would seem more like a sick joke. She knew there was no way to ascertain the truth unless she went downstairs and met them, and yet she didn't want to move.

What if they refuse me now? Really, why did she even invite me in the first place, especially when the knight clearly didn't like me? It makes no sense.

The more she thought about it, the weirder the situation seemed. Were regular people really that open to the point of inviting others to journey together even if they'd just met? Maybe the elf was just trying to be considerate and didn't actually expect her to accept the offer.

Rushia shook her head. She didn't understand. Real people were complex and confusing, not at all like the easy-to-read and honest spirits.

"No." She murmured to herself. "I won't take any risks. I'll just stay here until they leave."

It was for the best, she thought. She wouldn't have to deal with any unpleasant takebacks or ridicule, and the elf and the knight would surely be relieved that she didn't actually appear. As for the Marine girl, she had probably been too inebriated to even remember her in the first place.

This does leave me with a lot of time until night, though… she sighed.

I think I'll go pay a visit to the other world. I haven't been there ever since I left teacher.

Flare was already munching on her breakfast when a yawning Noel arrived on the inn's first floor. For the first time in several weeks, she wasn't clad in her usual armor. Instead, she was wearing the clothes she and Flare had bought together the previous day. They were not immodest in the slightest, but still highlighted her figure in a way she wasn't used to. With awkward steps, Noel made her way to the table the half-elf was sitting at.

"Good morning." She greeted.

"G'morning. Sleep well?" Flare looked up from her plate and beamed at her.

Redness spread through the knight's face.

"...I did. And you?"

It felt childish to blush at such a simple greeting, but the events of last night were still very much fresh in her mind.

"Me too. Hey, did you know you can order eggs and sausages for breakfast here? That's the big city for you!"

This isn't a big city at all though… Noel smiled.

"Really? I think I'll get that, then."

"You should! They're delicious. Hey, miss! Two more plates here!"

"Coming!" The waitress replied.

"You seem happier today." commented Noel.

"And whose fault do you think that is?" teased the half-elf.

Noel looked to the side in a futile attempt at hiding her embarrassment.

She'd been caught off guard by Flare's sudden confession the previous day. To say that she'd never looked at her romantically or lustfully would be a lie, but the knight had quickly banished those thoughts whenever they came up. She valued their companionship far too much, and Flare was a half-elf who would likely outlive her by a good hundred years. That kind of relationship would never be possible, and believing so, she locked any feelings of anything more than good friendship so deep inside her heart she had nearly forgotten them. Flare's words, however, had broken the seal, though perhaps the drinks had helped as well, for Noel's reply had been simply to place her lips upon Flare's.

"Enjoy your food!" The waitress placed the still-steaming plates of food in front of the pair.

Noel looked at her partner again, whose eyes were practically shining as she devoured her second dish, and she couldn't help but find the scene endearing.

She's so cute.

Noel knew they would have a lot to discuss in the future. There had been very little talking done yesterday and preparing for the trip would keep them both busy for the entire morning. With the addition of Marine to their party, she wasn't sure when they would have the luxury of speaking in private again. Nonetheless, things would eventually settle down. At some point, perhaps when they arrived at Hololive, they would need to sit down and decide on their life together.

For now though, the undefined nature of their relationship didn't bother her. She knew they loved each other, and as long as she could spend her time alongside Flare just as she'd been doing, she would be happy. This Noel was certain of.

"Ahh, that was good." the half-elf reclined in her chair and let out a satisfied sigh.

"It's been a while since I've seen you eat that fast."

"Well, it was almost as good as your cooking." she grinned. "That aside, we're buying a carriage today, right?"

"Mhm. We can't fit the three of us on a horse's back. It'll make the trip slower, but…"

"You mean four of us." Flare corrected.

"...We still don't know if she's coming or not." Noel averted her eyes. It did surprise her that Flare hadn't given up on that idea, but she wasn't about to start an argument after everything that had happened. She just hoped Rushia wouldn't actually take their offer. Even if she really wasn't villainous, the thought of traveling with a necromancer gave her the creeps.

"In any case, we should get on that soon." the knight remarked, eager to change the topic. "With everyone wanting to leave the kingdom and this city being as full as it is, there's probably not that many left for sale."

"Oh…Right." Flare looked down, her face suddenly darkened.

"What is it?" the knight asked, worry tinging her voice.

"Nothing, really. It's just… I was so happy I almost forgot about all that's going on." She looked around at the few other people eating breakfast at the inn's tables. They were of different looks, physiques, and even colors. Perhaps they weren't all runaways, but she couldn't help but notice not one of them was smiling. "I wonder how many have also had to abandon their homes because of this." Her voice had lowered to little more than a whisper.

Noel's hand found Flare's under the table and caressed it. It pained her to hear the half-elf's dispirited voice, even though she felt much the same. It was difficult to keep positive whenever there was a reminder of just how much they were leaving behind.

"Let's just do our best to get to Hololive, okay? Together."

"Yeah."

Marine, Noel, and Flare were sitting in the shade, protecting themselves from the sun that had almost reached its zenith. Fortunately, the inn they had stayed in was out of the way of the main road and surrounded by taller buildings, which allowed not only them but also their horse to be somewhat safe from the unusually hot spring day.

They ended up buying the carriage without much issue, though the price had been high. The knight hadn't mentioned it, but she was fairly certain they no longer had enough money to board a different boat in case Marine didn't keep her end of the deal. In any case, it was a risk they had to take, and although she still didn't find her completely trustworthy, Noel doubted that someone that had no qualms about getting blackout drunk in front of others had anything to hide.

The captain herself had emerged from her room around thirty minutes before their scheduled departure time. Her voice was rough and dry, more befitting of a grandma in her seventies than the seventeen-year-old she claimed to be. She'd dragged her feet outside before keeling over the moment she saw Noel and Flare.

"My head… It hurts…" She complained now, massaging her temples.

"You shouldn't have drank so much." the knight sighed.

Everything was ready; all their belongings were already in the cart, and the horse didn't seem bothered by its sudden new task. Noel would be the one riding it, and though she'd rather be in the carriage, enjoying a pleasant conversation with the half-elf, Marine was barely able to walk properly. Asking her to take the reins would be futile.

A metallic sound echoed throughout the city as far-off bells tolled. It was midday.

"I guess Rushia really isn't coming, huh." Flare remarked.

Noel looked at Marine to judge her reaction, but if she heard Flare's statement, she didn't show it.

It must be a really bad hangover.

She was no stranger to them, so she felt some pity for Marine, but the fault was entirely on her. Downing beer after beer the evening before a long trip was really about as irresponsible as you could get.

Noel got up and dusted herself off.

"We should be going now. I'd like to make it to another village before it's too dark."

The man that had sold them the carriage had cautioned that more and more bandit attacks were being reported on the road to the port town. It seemed several gangs were taking advantage of the sudden increase in traffic on the west roads, to the point where almost everyone that had the means to do so was hiring bodyguards to make the journey safely. Noel wasn't worried about some ruffians, but she'd much rather not fight if she didn't have to.

Flare and Marine both wordlessly climbed on top of the vehicle and sat down. There was no roof to protect them from the sun's rays, so they too wished to get a move on and reach a forest as fast as possible.

Let's see… According to Marine, it should take around five hours to reach the next village. We should get there with sunlight to spare. Noel reflected while straddling the large horse. Even if there's a delay, we'll be-

Flare suddenly cried out. "Rushia!"

"Huh?" Noel turned her head.

Closing the inn's door behind her was the necromancer they had met yesterday. The daylight made her look even less threatening than before as she took a few indecisive steps in their direction.

"I thought you wouldn't show up!" the half-elf smiled, gesturing at Rushia to enter the carriage.

"I..:" Rushia started, her green bangs shining in the sun. "I'll accept your offer if you're still willing to take me." She glanced nervously at Noel. "If you're really fine with what I do, I'd like to travel with you three."

"Of course we are!"

Noel cleared her throat. "Flare, I think we-"

"But we should leave that decision to Marine since she'll be the one taking us to our goal. Marine, what do you think? Can Rushia come with us?" interrupted Flare.

Marine looked at her, then down at Rushia. She stared at the necromancer with half-closed eyes for a couple of uncomfortable moments, before giving a thumbs-up sign and falling back on her seat once more.

"Welcome aboard, Rushia." Flare smiled, extending a hand to the necromancer, who took it and awkwardly stepped on top of the creaking carriage.

"I suppose I'm outnumbered, huh." Noel murmured. Still, she hadn't forgotten the previous day's talk. She was willing to give Rushia a chance if Flare trusted her.

"Oh, I guess I didn't introduce myself yesterday. I'm Shiranui Flare, a half-elf. The knight is Shirogane Noel, and you already know Marine."

"I'm Uruha Rushia… N-nice to meet you again."

"Yea, nice to meet you!"

"Careful, we're leaving!" Noel shouted.

With a gentle pull of the reins, this group of now four members set off.