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Chapter 55
Group Life Isn’t So Bad After All
The knight smiled warmly and met my gaze as he answered.
“The Changryong Knight Order doesn’t get much magical support for some reason. So, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Don’t worry—I’ll do my best!”
I clenched my fists energetically. We had plenty of mana stones, after all! The knight nodded with a satisfied grin.
Another knight, who had been listening nearby, interrupted playfully.
“Why are you speaking informally to the mage?”
“Because she reminds me of my daughter.”
“But your daughter’s seven!”
“S-Seven?”
I was momentarily speechless. The knight, unaware of my inner turmoil, continued to smile his fatherly smile.
“I hope my little girl grows up as bright and capable as you.”
I couldn’t bring myself to laugh.
‘He must think I’m a teenager!’
I’ve been an adult for over ten years now…
After a brief greeting from Sider, the knights soon departed. There wasn’t much for me to do.
Inside the rattling carriage, I dozed off at times or pondered what magic I might need later. Sometimes, worry crept in.
‘What if we get ambushed by thieves trying to steal these mana stones?’
It wasn’t the danger or the magic that concerned me—it was the anxiety of carrying around what was basically a small fortune in sparkling diamonds.
When I wasn’t fretting, I found myself imagining the monsters we might soon encounter.
‘The baby beast I saw at the academy looked like an eagle… I wonder what kind we’ll find here?’
If possible, I hoped to see both a male and a female of the same species.
In monsterology, observing such differences was a major contribution to the field.
After about half a day of travel, the carriage finally stopped around lunchtime.
It was time to let the horses rest and for everyone to eat.
Because there were many people, the ingredients had been loaded onto a separate supply wagon.
The knights, clearly used to this kind of field operation, moved with impressive efficiency as they prepared the meal.
Watching through the carriage window, I was fascinated—until the door suddenly swung open. It was Sider.
“How’s the ride?”
I obediently took his hand and rose from the seat.
But the moment I did—ouch!—a tingling ache shot up from my backside all the way to my spine.
Grimacing, I grabbed the doorframe with my free hand.
“Ugh… everything’s fine except my butt hurts.”
Sider smiled faintly, as if he’d expected that.
“You don’t have to get down if it’s uncomfortable. I can bring your meal here. You’d feel awkward eating with all the men anyway.”
“No, it’s fine! Really.”
If I didn’t get out now, I’d be stuck in that carriage for several more hours, so I quickly shook my head and followed him out.
I trailed behind him across the camp. To my surprise, not only the attendants from the supply wagon but even the knights themselves were helping with the meal preparation.
‘I thought knights just sat around looking dignified… this is unexpected.’
Several pots were already boiling, and others were busy lighting fires in various spots.
As I curiously watched them moving about so efficiently, I accidentally bumped into Sider’s back with a soft thud. He had stopped suddenly.
“Ow!”
“Huh?”
Before I could even rub my sore nose, his firm fingers gently lifted my chin.
‘S-so close!’
Those smooth, silver-gray eyes were right in front of mine—so close I could see my reflection in them.
Remembering how mesmerized I’d been by those eyes before, I panicked and quickly looked away.
Thump. Thump.
My heart pounded wildly. Sider carefully examined my face to make sure I wasn’t hurt, then released my chin.
“I thought you were playing around, but your nose really did turn red.”
I quickly pulled back, tugging my hood over my face. I didn’t want him to see how flushed I was.
“Why would I play around like that?”
“You’re so light, I thought someone just poked my back with a finger.”
“Excuse me?”
I puffed my cheeks in protest. Apparently, he thought I was a scrawny teenager too.
Sider then gestured toward a large rock in the shade.
“Sit here.”
“Can’t I help with something?”
“You’d tire yourself out.”
He wasn’t wrong—my stamina was nothing to boast about. So I obediently sat, legs together, and simply watched the others hustle about.
A cool breeze brushed my bangs aside. In the distance, unfamiliar birdcalls echoed.
‘Feels like a picnic.’
The spot Sider chose was perfectly shaded, which made it even cozier.
‘He may look cold, but he’s surprisingly considerate.’
When did he even have time to think about things like shade?
‘We’re just bound by a temporary contract anyway.’
The thought pricked painfully at my chest.
“…?”
I tilted my head, puzzled at the strange feeling.
After a while, one of the knights approached with a wooden bowl—it was the same one who’d called me “daughter-like” earlier.
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help exclaiming when I took the bowl.
Instead of the jerky or dried rations I’d expected, it was filled with warm vegetable stew.
“Thank you! I didn’t expect a proper meal. Do you always cook during monster hunts?”
“If the campaign lasts long enough, yes. But since we only just left, this is just reheated stew.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
No wonder I hadn’t seen anyone chopping vegetables—the stew must’ve been cooked beforehand and packed into pots.
‘So they were just reheating it earlier!’
Still, it was fascinating. As I was marveling at the meal, the knight handed me something else.
“Here, young mage’s sandwich.”
It was neatly wrapped in paper. Just as I reached to take it, a tall figure stepped between us—Sider.
“I’ve already prepared her food,” he said curtly.
“You did, Commander?”
“The mage has a delicate palate. She can’t eat hard food.”
“Well, that’s a surprise! Didn’t think our Commander was so attentive.”
The knight’s eyes widened, then narrowed mischievously.
“Ah, I see how it is. Guess we’ll have a man-to-man talk later.”
“Stop spouting nonsense and go.”
“Yes, yes. Good luck, sir.”
“Go. Now.”
I blinked, completely lost. What on earth were they talking about?
Once Sider had shooed him away, he plopped down beside me.
He handed me a different paper-wrapped bundle.
“This one’s yours. I’ll eat that other one, so don’t touch it.”
Inside was a sandwich made with soft white bread.
‘Looks normal enough…’
Curious, I glanced toward the knight’s sandwich.
The ones handed out to the others were made with hard, grainy bread—so that’s what Sider meant!
I couldn’t help protesting.
“I can eat that kind too!”
“Oh? Go ahead, try a bite.”
“Fine!”
I bit into the coarse bread confidently—only for my pride to crumble along with it.
“…Do people really eat bread this hard?”
“See? Take this one instead.”
Sider passed me the soft sandwich as if he’d known all along. I accepted it meekly with both hands.
‘Maybe I should listen to him more often…’
But then I realized—he’d already taken a bite of the sandwich I’d bitten into earlier!
He was eating it casually, right where my teeth had been.
“…?”
“Ah—n-no! Enjoy your meal!”
Why did I feel flustered when he didn’t even seem to care?!
I focused on my sandwich again, though my racing heart made it impossible to taste anything.
For a while, we sat side by side in companionable silence.
Sider finished his food much faster than I did but stayed beside me anyway.
If it weren’t for the people walking by, I might’ve mistaken this for a peaceful meal back at the mansion.
Of course, we weren’t alone. Knights who had finished eating began passing by, grinning and teasing.
“The young mage looks just like a baby rabbit.”
“Yeah, and the lettuce keeps disappearing bit by bit.”
My face burned crimson, and my head kept ducking lower and lower.
Sider waved them away impatiently, as though swatting at flies.
“Stop staring and eat your own food.”
“Oh, come on, Commander. Since when are you so talkative?”
The knights chuckled and wandered off, still laughing.
I tilted my head.
‘So Sider’s usually the quiet type?’
I sneaked a sideways glance at him—his sharp nose, smooth forehead, and strong neck catching my eye one after another.
‘He talks plenty when he’s with me, though.’
Then again, with that stern face, it’s hard to imagine him giving cooking advice or scolding anyone.
Realizing that I was probably the only one who’d seen this softer side of him, my heart began to flutter again—this time for a very different reason.
