When Weiss finally finished organizing his gear, the morning sun had already risen.
He stood at the edge of the camp, gazing at the distant, rolling mountains, gently rolling his shoulders.
After the priest’s treatment, his wound had basically healed, leaving behind only a faint scar.
Before long, he saw Lortisa approaching from behind.
“All packed up?”
Weiss asked.
The captain of the soldiers nodded lightly.
Because they were using marching magic satchels, it was impossible to tell the capacity from the outside, so Weiss had no idea what exactly she had packed in there.
He hadn’t paid it much mind at first, just glanced over, but then found himself pausing in surprise.
The iconic indigo light armor that the captain of soldiers always wore was nowhere to be seen.
All the armor representing the Western Border Army of the kingdom had been set aside.
At this moment, she wore only a plain outfit for daily training.
Simple, light-colored linen fabric, cut neatly and crisply, made her appear less sharp and severe than usual.
If not for her elegant and calm face, this outfit would make her nearly indistinguishable from any country girl heading into town for the market.
Yet, such an ordinary outfit, when worn by Lortisa, quietly softened her military edge and replaced it with a gentle warmth unique to a young maiden.
Weiss found himself somewhat dazed.
As his gaze lingered, some vague memory flickered across his mind.
However, the blurred shadow in his mind drifted uncertainly, and before he could grasp it, that cool voice interrupted him.
“What’s wrong? Is there another problem?”
Lortisa shifted her gaze.
“Or did you forget to bring something?”
Her reminder snapped Weiss back to his senses.
Only then did he realize he had been staring at her motionless for quite a while, which was somewhat rude.
He awkwardly looked away, avoiding her eyes.
“No, nothing at all.”
Thinking it through, Weiss reasoned that Lortisa had purposefully changed into casual clothes, most likely to avoid drawing attention during their upcoming actions.
He gave himself this excuse and let the matter drop.
Lortisa nodded again in response.
“Then let’s go.”
Thanks to Lortisa’s connections, the army had thoughtfully prepared horses for them.
Weiss mounted his horse, took the reins, and immediately felt the difference.
Compared to the old nag he’d rented in town, a warhorse from the military was truly a world apart.
Strong build, muscles smooth and defined, each step steady and reliable, and the temperament was gentle, obedient to its master.
Although, compared to Lortisa’s inhuman speed, perhaps having her carry him to Stillday Town would be even faster.
But his basic male dignity simply wouldn’t allow him to rely on such absurd things any longer.
So the two of them rode side by side, quietly leaving the camp and heading toward Stillday Town.
Along the way, the land ravaged by the Malignant Tide had yet to recover its vitality.
Even though the source of the disaster had been cleared, the lingering malice would take time to dissipate.
These remaining impurities continued to exert their influence, and in places where they had settled densely, some low-level malignant forms could still spawn.
Occasionally, a wild beast wandering into the disaster zone would be corrupted by the malice and turn into a new disaster creature.
Of course, these scattered little troubles no longer posed any threat to Weiss.
Not to mention, Lortisa was right beside him.
Those insignificant little malignant creatures were usually dealt with like stomping out a weed by the roadside, long before they ever got close.
By noon, the sun hanging high in the sky grew sharp at last, slowly piercing the upper layer of gloom shrouding the land.
The warm, brilliant light poured down, dispersing the chill in the air, finally making it feel as if this place was about to escape the shadow of disaster for good.
Looking ahead, in the direction the sunlight illuminated, the broken outline of a town wall and an earthen high platform appeared on the horizon.
Stillday Town was right before them.
Weiss let out a long breath.
After all the twists and turns, and a string of troubles, they had finally returned.
Of course, what he cared about most was actually the components of “Traveler’s Dustcloak”.
If he could find them here, and combine the cloak with its component, perhaps it would truly become a gold-quality equipment worthy of the little guaranteed reward he’d spent so many Will Points to get.
As he was staring absently at the town, a crisp voice called out to them.
“Weiss! Lady Lortisa!”
Both of them reined in their horses and stopped.
Turning to look, it was Fia, who had arrived here ahead of them last night.
She was running toward them excitedly, her face unable to hide her joy.
As she got closer, she suddenly seemed to remember something, and quickly reined in her emotions, stood up straight, and gave them a formal knight’s salute.
“You’ve arrived!”
“Mm.”
Weiss nodded, for the time being.
He instinctively wanted to wave his hand, signaling that such formalities were unnecessary, but then remembered that he’d said this several times before, and Fia still hadn’t changed.
So, he changed his approach and deliberately reminded her:
“Fia, I told you not to do that. First, I’m not a noble. Second, and most importantly—you’re on a secret mission now, hiding your identity, so you really should drop those ingrained habits.”
Only then did Fia realize her mistake, her eyes going wide.
Lortisa, who had been silent all along, also spoke up, her voice quiet but clear.
“I am the same. You need not address me as ‘Lady’ any longer.”
Fia looked at Weiss, then at Lortisa, and for a moment seemed caught in a dilemma, her little face scrunching up.
She asked tentatively,
“Then… is it all right to just call you Mister Weiss and Miss Lortisa?”
Though she sounded like she was asking, with that determined look on her face it was more like, “this is as far as I’ll go”.
Weiss had no choice but to nod.
“Fine.”
He added,
“But whatever you think, I see us as equals—there’s no superior or subordinate between us.”
Fia nodded firmly, showing she understood.
But from her serious expression, Weiss knew this mindset wouldn’t change overnight.
Fia didn’t forget to ask with concern,
“By the way, how is your injury, Mister Weiss? I thought you’d be resting another day or two before coming, but I didn’t expect you so soon.”
The first to speak, though, was Lortisa, with a silent sigh.
She’d actually wanted to suggest that Weiss rest a bit longer too.
Weiss felt her gaze and instantly understood what she meant.
He covered it with a smile, his tone light.
“It’s healed. Lying around is just lying around, anyway. And the commission is urgent—we have to make every second count. Best to finish up quickly and leave this place behind.”
“Then what are you here in Stillday Town for, Mister Weiss?”
“To look for clues.”
Well, in a way, that was the truth.
Thinking of the equipment component, Weiss took the chance to change the subject:
“Let’s talk more once we’re in town.”
The three of them dismounted, leading their horses, and headed into the abandoned, ruined town.