After the wolf accepted her name, Vesper returned her to the beast space and entered his room to wake up Alric and saw he was already up and was sitting there with a sad look on his face.
He walked over and sat beside him, gently caressing his head as he asked, "What is it, Alric?"
"I… I just feel sad that we have to leave our home." Alric said, leaning his head toward Vesper's shoulder.
Vesper understood his feelings. It was not easy to leave your home—no matter how toxic it might be—where you had lived all your life.
He sighed and asked, "Do you want to stay?"
Alric immediately shook his head. "No! I'll stay with Big Brother and Selene."
Vesper smiled, "Good. Now, quickly go and freshen up. We have less than ten minutes to go outside; otherwise, our escort might get angry."
A flicker of anger flashed in Alric's eyes when he heard this, but he nodded, "Okay, Big Brother."
He then left for the bathroom while thinking, 'Just you wait, Big Brother. Once I awaken my mana and elemental affinity, I'll make everyone treat us with respect.'
…
Vesper didn't have many things, nor did he want to take too much because he knew Rhaedor wouldn't provide him transportation to carry them.
So, after packing some of his and Alric's clothes and storing them in the system inventory, he went to the kitchen and quickly ground the remaining Yellow Beard Roots into powder and stored it away.
He then rushed into Selene's room.
…
The brothers worked fast. Before the ten minutes were up, they walked out of the mansion with Vesper carrying Selene in his arms while Alric carried a small bag that had some miscellaneous things and the things he cherished, like their mother's belongings and small gifts that Selene gave them on their birthdays.
The Knight snorted when they came out, turned around, and started walking away without a word.
Since Alric was coming with him, he knew Vesper had decided to go to Vista Village.
The brothers followed him.
Outside the mansion, a small carriage, barely enough for two people to sit in, was waiting for them.
While Vesper didn't react much when he saw it, Alric's little face flushed red in anger.
"He is sending us away in this carriage used by commoners?"
The Knight glanced at him and scoffed, "You should be grateful that Lord Ironhart is giving you free transportation, little runt."
"You—" Alric trembled in rage, but before he could say anything, Vesper placed his hand on his shoulder, silencing him.
He then looked at the Knight and asked with an expressionless look on his face, "May I know what your name is, Sir Knight?"
The Knight narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
Vesper raised an internal brow at this before shaking his head, "Just so I can address you properly when I talk to you."
The Knight stared at him. His expressionless look was making him feel slightly uncomfortable, and his instinct told him to refuse, but his pride didn't allow that because it would seem he was cautious of him.
How could he be cautious of a cripple? It was unacceptable.
"James, my first name is James. You can address me as Sir James." He coldly said.
Vesper nodded and said, "Please tell me this, Sir James: I'm going to the Vista Village to manage it on behalf of Lord Baron. Shouldn't I get a more… comfortable ride?"
James' lips curled up into a mocking smile. He had thought he was going to say something serious, but he was only complaining?
"You should, but… I could only find this one on such short notice." He said, "Now, get inside. We have a long journey ahead of us."
"I understand." Vesper nodded, not arguing any more, and walked over to the carriage. Alric rushed over and opened the door, allowing him to put Selene inside. He then told Alric, "Go in."
Alric hesitated.
"Where will you sit, Big Brother?"
Vesper smiled. "On the roof."
Before Alric could say anything, he lifted him up and put him inside the carriage.
"Take care of Selene." Saying this, he closed the door and climbed the carriage.
James watched all this in amusement. He then climbed on top of his horse, which a servant had brought over before they arrived, and glanced at the carriage driver, an old man in faded rags for clothes. "Get moving."
Saying this, he heeled his horse, who let out a loud neigh and started walking.
Vesper gave the Ironhart mansion a last glance before looking away.
"Yes, my Lord." The carriage driver bowed slightly and then gave the large bull yoked to the carriage a firm pat. With a deep, rumbling snort, the bull began to pull the carriage forward, following the horse.
As the carriage walked through the towns, heading toward the town townsgate, everyone who saw the carriage and recognized Vesper started talking amongst themselves.
Vesper closed his eyes and turned out everyone, not wanting to hear anything.
Ten minutes later, the carriage left the town and started moving westwards.
Half an hour later, a forest appeared in the distance.
The carriage driver glanced up at Vesper, who was looking around with a calm look on his face, and said, "Young Lord, we'll be traveling through the forest for a few hours now. Sometimes, wild beasts suddenly attack the travelers. Although we have Sir Knight to protect us, it would still be better if you sat inside the carriage to avoid any mishap."
Vesper glanced at him and shook his head. "I appreciate your advice, old man. But I'll be fine here."
The old man sighed and shook his head before focusing on the road ahead.
After they entered deeper into the forest, they encountered a few wild beasts.
Vesper was on alert, ready to take out White the moment he sensed any danger, be it from the beasts or… James.
However, to his surprise, not only did James not attack him, he also did not let any beast go near the carriage.
'Hm? What's going on? Was I wrong about him?' He thought, staring at James' back.
After what happened yesterday evening, he was sure he had offended James because people like him tended to be very prideful and sought revenge for the smallest grievances.
And James' attitude earlier had clearly shown he was really offended, but now he wasn't showing any ill intent.
Sha~ Sha~
Suddenly, he heard the sound of flowing water and noticed a minute shift in James' posture. Immediately, alarm bells started ringing in his mind.
However, keeping his calm, he asked the carriage driver, "Is there a river ahead?"
"Yes, young lord." The carriage driver nodded, sounding nervous. Before Vesper could ask him what was wrong, he himself spoke, but in a hushed voice.
"You should really enter the carriage this time, young lord. I heard some bandits have looted and captured the travelers a few times in the past three months. If we are unlucky, we might encounter them."
Vesper's gaze flickered, and he asked, "Would they dare target us after seeing Sir James?"
"Young Lord, I heard those bandits have a few novice mages in their ranks. They might not fear him." The old man said, cautiously looking ahead.
"I see." Vesper nodded, "Thank you for the warning. To repay you, I'll make sure you don't die today."
The old man looked at him in surprise, but then he smiled bitterly and shook his head.