And most importantly, Charlie had Hector’s mana stone.

Although it couldn’t block physical attacks from monsters, at least she wouldn’t die from attack magic.

Moreover, Hector, whose ability’s side effects had been perfectly purified, had infused even more powerful magic into the mana stone.

The enhanced shield was so strong that even Charlie, a Zero, could feel it.

It felt as if she was wearing Hector’s heart around her neck.

Charlie patted Emma’s hand.

“I’ll bring you back a souvenir.”

“Sou…venir?”

Emma’s eyes widened at Charlie’s words.

Hector’s lips curved into a slight smile while he was talking with Tanner a little distance away.

“How about an orc’s tooth, Miss Charlie?”

Emma gasped when Leon spoke.

“O-O-Orc?!”

“Come on, for a souvenir, shouldn’t it be at least a cerberus?”

As though they hadn’t noticed Emma’s horrified expression, Luke, the gray-haired vice-commander of the Knight Order, chimed in arrogantly.

“That’s right. What’s with orcs that are scattered all over the road?”

“True, it should be at least a cerberus to be called a souvenir.”

The knights chuckled.

“I think a manticore’s tail wouldn’t be bad either.”

“That would be nice too.”

“I hope we encounter some proper ones this time. It’s embarrassing to brag about always catching orcs or ogres.”

“……”

Even though she had somehow calmed Emma down, Charlie lowered her head and let out a deep sigh.

“…Emma. No. They’re just joking.”

Charlie said, but Emma was already pale and trembling.

Sensing that the atmosphere was not good, Tanner approached.

“Don’t worry, Emma. We can move by warp anytime if needed. And Mr. Mateo is going with us too.”

Tanner nodded towards the chef standing at a distance.

Mateo, who was checking the ingredients, waved his hand in response.

“Don’t worry about Miss Charlie’s meals!”

“……”

Why on earth was the chef going on the expedition?

No, at this rate, wouldn’t it be better to just leave her behind?

Charlie shook her head.

On the other hand, Tanner’s words seemed to have quite an effect, as Emma’s frozen expression softened a bit.

“And didn’t you hand over your duties to Sir Luke?”

“Lukewarm water for washing, warm water for bathing!”

Luke gave a thumbs up.

Looking at him, Charlie made a disgusted expression.

‘They’re all out of their minds.’

* * *

The moment Charlie boarded the carriage and sat down, Hector’s ability enveloped the expedition party.

Hector’s powerful ability instantly transported everyone to the Siemora region.

“Your Grace. Is something wrong?”

The original destination was supposed to be the Kurun Mountains.

But Leon spoke up after confirming they had landed short of that location.

Inside the majestic black carriage, Charlie was breathing heavily, feeling dizzy from the long-distance teleportation magic.

“Are you alright?”

Hector examined Charlie’s pale complexion with a worried expression.

Hector already knew from Tanner that Charlie had adverse reactions to such magic.

That’s why he had used the ability of darkness instead of fire, but even that seemed to be too much for Charlie.

“I’m fine.”

“Let’s rest for a while.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

Charlie tried to wave it off, but Hector raised his voice.

“We’ll rest for a moment. Scout the surroundings and report back.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Leon made a hand signal with precise movements. Soon after, the sound of orderly footsteps could be heard.

Hector, who had checked outside through the slightly opened curtains, handed Charlie a water flask.

“If it’s difficult, feel free to say so anytime. You’re not causing trouble.”

The Hunt family crest engraved on the silver flask glimmered.

After hesitating for a moment, Charlie took it and smiled softly.

“I will.”

The water Hector gave had a faint scent of rosemary.

Had he prepared this for her in advance?

Whether it was due to Hector’s warm consideration or because her headache had subsided,

Charlie, feeling at ease, sank into the plush chair.

His thoughtfulness wasn’t limited to just the water.

From large cushions to thick blankets, traces of Hector’s consideration for Charlie were evident throughout the carriage interior.

[Me too?]

When she first heard about going on the expedition together, she was utterly dumbfounded.

After all, he hadn’t even asked if she wanted to go, had he?

[You’re my guide, after all.]

Instead, Hector looked at Charlie quizzically when she asked if he was going too.

Such behavior from Hector had made her feel both disappointed and angry at the same time.

Even if her job was a guide, it was still an arbitrary decision, after all.

[It’s safest by my side. So never stray from me.]

What was with that forceful way of speaking?

Besides, since it was true, Charlie couldn’t refute it.

“Come here, Charlie.”

Hector reached out towards Charlie.

Her body, floating in the air, crossed the carriage and settled into Hector’s arms.

“It will take a little longer to arrive.”

A large hand patted Charlie’s back as if telling her to sleep.

She wasn’t a child, but Hector always put her to sleep like this.

Of course, she didn’t dislike it.

Charlie closed her eyelids while listening to the gentle sound of his heartbeat.

* * *

Hector chose to travel by carriage instead of magic.

The reason was, of course, because of Charlie.

However, there was another problem: Charlie got motion sickness even in the carriage.

Although she had taken the medicine Audrey had prepared in advance, Charlie’s motion sickness worsened as the road became rougher.

“Urgh…”

Hector’s face darkened as he watched Charlie get out of the carriage and dry heave.

It didn’t matter if they were late in joining the subjugation expedition. But at this rate, there was only one option left.

“Are you alright?”

“…I’m really sorry.”

Charlie scratched the back of her head sheepishly after rinsing her mouth and returning.

It’s not like she had ever ridden in a carriage for a long time before.

Even though they had prepared high cushions and pillows, the carriage’s jolting over every bump was too much for Charlie, who was possessing a body.

“I told you, you’re not causing trouble.”

“But still…”

After staring at Charlie for a moment, Hector gestured to Leon.

“Leon, bring my horse.”

“Eh?!”

“From now on, we’ll travel by horse.”

“But, Your Grace.”

Leon leaned forward a span as if to dissuade him.

It was clear that Charlie’s presence would be discovered once she joined the expedition. However, there was no need to reveal it unnecessarily.

That’s why they had so meticulously hung curtains to prevent anyone from seeing inside the carriage from outside.

The reason for having Isabelle make a robe with a large hat was also for this purpose.

“I said bring it.”

At Hector’s firm words, Leon, who had been hesitating, turned around in resignation.

Soon, a black stallion was brought before them.

Hector, who had mounted the horse first, reached out his hand to Charlie.

“The horse should be fine.”

The black stallion, looking just like Hector, snorted as if to say ‘hurry and get on’.

Charlie quickly nodded her head.

Although she was afraid of horses, she couldn’t delay them any longer because of her.

* * *

The sound of galloping hooves echoed through the quiet mountains.

Birds, startled by the visit of strangers, flapped their wings and crossed the sky.

The fear of riding a horse for the first time had long since flown away with the passing wind.

No, rather, Charlie seemed to be in high spirits.

Hector also smiled at her bursting pheromones.

Before departing for the expedition. It was truly fortunate that he had imprinted on her.

[W-Why are you biting my neck?]

Biting the nape of the neck to inject one’s own pheromones and neutralize the other’s pheromones.

This was an imprinting one step lower than knotting, where the scent of the imprinted partner mixes into the pheromones.

Although the effect is temporary, it can reveal that one has a partner.

It also drastically reduces the attraction felt by an opposite s*x.

Moreover, wasn’t Hector a Grand Master?

The intimidating aura mixed in Charlie’s pheromones was truly unapproachable.

How long had they ridden like that?

Before they knew it, Hector’s party had reached the point where they were to join the subjugation expedition.

“The Hunt family has arrived!”

A guard who spotted the red flag shouted.

Following that, the sound of horns shook the air.

“……!”

Cedric, the commander-in-chief of the imperial army who had arrived earlier and set up camp, raised his head.

So did Noel, the head of the Wilkins family.

Before entering the camp, Hector stopped his horse.

“Arrange the ranks.”

As soon as Hector’s order fell, orderly movements followed.

After confirming that the preparations were complete, Hector looked down intently at Charlie.

“We will now join the expedition force.”

Charlie, feeling inexplicably tense, nodded her head.

Hector fixed Charlie’s robe that had come loose, putting it back on properly.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

Soon, Hector’s lips landed on Charlie’s cheek.

Charlie, who frowned slightly at the falling hair, soon smiled brightly.

* * *

The red flag of the Hunt family crossed the imperial army’s camp.