"Oh, I thought you two weren't going to make it!" Thran excimed with a mischievous smile. Instantly, Lu squinted hi eyes at him. His odd feeling from a couple of days popped up when he saw Thran's casual clothes. "What's with that look? Do I have something on me?"

  "No, why are you wearing that, and aren't you supposed to be at the ter...?" Lu questioned, his fusion and suspi was evident by his furrowed eyebrows.

  "Oh? I'm apanying you two on this request." Thran answered. He waved his hand to dismiss Lu's suspi. "It is not unon for an adventurer's representative to do so, especially newer ones."

  "I uand that... But why in those clothes?"

  "Hm? I do not see anything wrong with these, as you will be doing the task at hand."

  "Nevermind... Anyways, where do we o go?" Lu said. His frustration grew upon seeing Thran's attempts to vince him. He switched topiowing it won't go anywhere.

  "Somewhere quite a ways from here, and no, don't worry we won't be walking. Follow me." Thran expined. He attempted to lead Lu, who relutly followed. "By the way, how long has she been awake?"

  "She's been awake for almost an hour." Lu responded, he looked at the still sleepy Fei who he dragged with him.

  "Well, get her fully awake before we get there, okay?"

  Their destination was soon in sight. A carriage sat in a clearing, a few individuals stood around it, a couple of them wore shorts and short sleeved shirts, they either held a pair of gloves or had them stig out of their pockets. Oood out as he wore a set of leather armor, a shimmering sword g to his waist. Bystanders stood far from the ter, eyeing them with a curious glint.

  "Ah! Sir Thran! You finally made it, are these the rookies you talked about?" The man iher armor shouted when Thran drew near.

  "Yes, go ahead and introduce yourselves!"

  Lu tapped his chest with his palm, saying his the same time. With his hand which g to Fei's wrist raised he introduced her.

  "Ah, a demi-human and a human partying together, good luck you two." The man in a hushed tone said. "My name is Nacht, I'll be y- I-I mean your party member for this request." He hesitantly introduced himself, the smile he wore melted. "Let's get along, okay?" He stuck his hand out for a handshake.

  "Okay." Lu returhe handshake and nodded. His eyebrows subtly raised during Nacht's introdu, why would he stop himself in the middle to pose himself? He turned his head towards Thran who only gave him a smile.

  "Now that you two are acquainted, let's introduce you to the rest."

  One by ohran dragged Lu ao everyone around the carriage. Aside from Fei, there was oher demi-human, however he paid no mind to them. Ohey were dohran stood in front of the carriage and cpped his hands; it was loud enough to draw everyone's attention.

  "Okay, now that you all know each other on a base level, I hope you all will get along! Now, pile in there, we'll set off here in a few moments!"

  Per his annou, those closest to the carriage climbed inside first. Followed by Lu, then Fei who he helped up with little struggle. Lastly, Nacht and Thran sat fag each other at the babsp;

  After a few minutes, a dy raised her hand. Like a child in css, she eagerly waved it to catch Thran's attention.

  "Yes, what is it?"

  "Mr. Thran, How long will it take for us to get to the farm?"

  "A few hours at most."

  She thanked him before l her hand. More hands raised soon after, eae romptly answered by Thran.

  "Any final questions?" Thran called out. No one raised their hand, all had satisfied looks on their faces. "Lu, Fei do you have any?"

  "Yes, are you hiding anything about the request today?"

  "Nope, question."

  " Fei, we-"

  Just as he stood up to leave, he romptly thrown ba his seat by the carriage being jolted. He only got a smile in respohey were already too far in to leave. Even if he begged for them to get off, they would get denied.

  'WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN?!' Lu internally cried out. He covered his head with his arms. 'Just why, did we get cursed or something?!' His fists ched in despair. They only joihe ranks of adventurer's not long ago, but he felt as if they were cursed. He slowly lifted his head to look at Thran who peacefully watched the grass pass by.

  'We 't get out of this...'

  Half an hour of staring a hole into the side of the carriage, he felt a slight twitch to his left.

  "Oh, you're finally aware." Lu noted upon seeing Fei's eyes wide open. "We're on our way to the pce, I don't think we'll o use your staff..." He reted what he heard to her. Her ears turned inwards, and a fused frow onto her face. "N-Nevermind, I'll tell you when you're fully awake."

  "O-Okay..." Fei whispered.

  "Oh, is Miss Fei finally awake? Did you keep her up all night, Sir Lu?" Thran teasingly excimed.

  Fei inched closer to Lu as in respoo the sudden noise.

  "No..?" Lu replied with a straight fabsp;

  "Aw, are you sure? She's been awfully tired."

  'Don't say anything... Do not say or do anything...' Lu repeated internally, he felt as if he said or did anything, he would deeply regret it.

  "Nothing? That is no fun."

  "You seem to be in a good mood today, Mr. Thran."

  "I finally got my long awaited day from the ter. And I am able to rex for the day while monit these two." Thran's body lowered as he rested against the wall of the carriage. "Today should be retively safe, and easy so you should take it easy too, Sir Nacht."

  Their ramblings went on for hours, every passenger inside g them time to time. By the time their rambles stopped, Lu was pletely vihat Thran had deceived him and Fei.

  "U-U-Um Lu... W-Where are we going...?" Fei whispered, her voice was so quiet that even he, who sat right o her barely could hear.

  "I have no idea... Thrao us, we won't o use your staff or my knife..." Lu returned in the same tone. His shoulders slumped slightly during his miniscule ret. "Somehow, he hasn't revealed anything." Lu stated, he stared at Thran who had his eyes closed and an eased smile stayed glued on his face.

  "W-Why do you think he, he lied to us..?"

  "He's been avoiding saying things... I 't-" He was cut short as a small bump jolted the carriage. Fei tumbled forward, as her faeared the seat in front of her, Lu ed his arm around her waist and pulled her bato her seat.

  "T-T-Thank y-y-you..." Fei stammered, her cheeks turned around wheuro look at him. Due to a mixture of everyoaring in , or in amusement and Lu's arm remaining unmoving, her blush turned even redder.

  "Did you get hurt?"

  "N-N-"

  "ch, but please don't do that in front of everyohran interrupted their little moment. He smirked at them, his right eye opeo look at them. "Look where your arm is, or are you deliberately ign where it is?" Thran lifted his finger and aimed at Lu's arm.

  "O-Oh, sorry!" He removed his arm from her waist "I-I didn't notice where I put it, sorry..." He apologized to the agitated Fei.

  "I-It's o-okay..."

  For the rest of the ride, Fei kept her head down, her ears followed and every so ofteail twitched. As for Lu, his gaze stood fixated on a rather iing wall; at least it was for him. Their situatio an amusing impression on everyone inside, as chuckles were resounding the eime.

  "Ay, what's with all the chug in ere? Bah, whatever we made it, get your butts out of there!" The guild's en announced upon their arrival.

  "Alright, you lot, now's not the time fhing."

  Both Nacht and Thran jumped out of the carriage's exit, everyone followed in their fashion, aside from Fei being helped down. Once everyo foot on the ground, Thran directed their gazes towards their right. A huge farm eheir eyes, in the middle of the fields 2 green houses were lined up furthest from them a barn stood lonesome.

  "You've got to be kidding me." Lu muttered in disbelief. 'He really lied to us!'

  "What's with that rea Sir Lu and Miss Fei? I did promise you a hunting request, and today you'll be hunting cabbages and other types of vegetables!" Thran excimed with his arms reag to the sides. "You asked, and you shall receive what you desire."

  "..." Lu gred at him with disgust. He got their hopes up, albeit poorly attempted. "I'm going home, let's go Fei." He turned around and fully prepared for how long the walk was.

  "Wait you two, this request does pay well, and the walk home is rather long; if you do this today, it will be worth it."

  "Please don't lie to us." Lu respoo him without looking babsp;

  "I am not this time, I'll give you your pay upfront if you would like."

  Lu and Fei looked at each other, quickly ing to a decision.

  "Alright. We'll do it if you do pay us before."

  "Great! Here's the reward, 30 copper s."

  He was eyed cautiously wheing it in Lu's outstretched hand. He ted it then slid the s into his pocket.

  "Alright! Now, let's work together everyone! You two, go with Nacht, he'll be the one showing you how to pick the vegetables; the rest of you, take the other side!" Thran ordered in a booming voibsp;

  " you two, go ahead and grab a basket and a trowel from over there and e to me."

  Nacht poiowards the side of the closest greenhouse.

  "Alright, now you see this? This is a head of cabbage, obviously." Nacht said, he crouched doatted the head of cabbage directly in front of him. "These are the ones you want to harvest, you'll specifically look for the ohat feel firm, there are not signs of damage on the leaves." Nacht tinued, once he saw that it clicked iheir minds he took out a k from a sheathe on his back. "Once you know its the right one, cut the stem of the cabbage and tada." He showcased what he meant ahe head in his hand.

  Setting it in the basket in Fei's arms, he moved to a separate row that was made up of carrots. His lesson on how to harvest them proceeded. Firm, brightly colored and no damages or visible issues. To gather them, loosen the soil with the trowel, and tug them out. With eadividual vegetable, he expined and showed how to harvest and notice what to look out for.

  "That's pretty much all you o know, take this Fei; you'll since you don't have one on you." Nacht stated whilst handing the knife he used to Fei. She showed her thanks with a slight bow and took it trembling hands.

  “Mr Lu, go to the furthest area and Miss Fei will take this part."

  Following his instrus, Lu jogged to the furthest part of the farmnd and begaask at hand. Fei followed as well, instantly she located a nearby head. Setting her basket to the side, she crouched down and checked for any damage then checked its firmness. Once she firmed it was good, she held the knife like Nacht and cut the stem.

  Owo… Three, with each head she harvested, her pace didn’t slow until the fifth one. She tiill she could barely move the basket. Normally, cabbages wouldn’t give anyone such struggles, these were different as an individual one was rger than her head.

  Seeiruggle, Nacht poiowards a nearby barrel she could throw them in.

  “Um, Miss Fei do you need help moving that?” Nacht offered while he watched her struggle to move the basket an inch. His offer was seemingly ignored as Fei kept moving it inch by inbsp;

  ‘She’s awfully weak for a demi-human…’ Nacht thought, seeing her get closer. ‘One around her size and gehey would be able to move at least 15…’

  Finally, Fei dragged the basket to the barrel with much effort. She hastily threw easide the back to harvesting more.

  This process was repeated for a few hours, till they were called to take a break for lunch.

  “Are you going to be okay…?” Lu worriedly asked as he met up with Fei. They stood o a greenhouse. Fei’s cheeks were caked in mud, and eyebags were visible.

  “Y-Y-Yes…” She responded, even her voice sounded exhausted, it was rather low and airy.

  “They said if you o take a longer break, go ahead.” Lu said he offered her a bowl. “They’re giving this for lunch, we don’t o rush so we take our time.” The bowl was filled with rid vegetables lihe top.

  “T-Thank you.”

  They both sat down, then slowly ate the lunch they were given. Even after they sat there, talking, Lu led the versation.

  Eventually they went back to their work.

  Fei’s pace massively slowed down, her body kept yelling at her to stop.

  “Go ahead and take a quick breather.” Nacht said to her, he noticed her struggling to evehe. He took the knife from her wheried to harvest one more head. “Take a breather, we ’t have you killing yourself on the guild’s property.”

  Not willing to fight baymore, she sat down on the farmnd, not g how dirty her clothes got.

  ‘He’ll really abandon me…’ She thought seeing Lu’s silhouette pace bad forth between crops. Moments of self wallowing ter, she slowly got to gathering more.

  The cycle was never ending till dusk, this was the mark for all work to halt and their request was finally finished.

  “Good work today you two, you did exceptionally well for your first official request.” Thran gratuted them, fshing them a proud smile.

  “Thank you.” Lu thanked him. He was too exhausted to say much more, even at this point he felt a bit angry at Thran.

  “Although Sir Lu, ime you should take the time to i your crops; you were going too quid made a few mistakes. And Miss Fei ime check the leaves of the crops, otherwise good job, that was the only mistake I saw.”

  Lu nodded as he uood.

  “Miss Fei?” Thran called her got no response.

  Leaning forward, her eyes were snap shut, and the sound of her breathing was rexed.

  ‘She’s asleep… She really pushed herself today.’ Lu noted as a small smile crept onto his fabsp;

  Suddenly, her body tumbled to the side and her head nded onto his p.

  “Oh… my…” Thran muttered, he watched Lu jolt as it happened.

  Everyone’s gaze fell onto the two, which sent a slight shiver down Lu’s spine.

  Every cell in his body screamed at him to move her, but a silent for his brai him from doing so. He tried to wake her up, but to no avail as she kept sleeping.

  Fei stayed asleep even after they stopped, she only awoke after Lu princess carried her all the way to their home.