The next day, the Blue Bound team rode westward under the pale morning sun, the sound of their hooves echoing softly on the dirt road.
Each of their storage rings brimmed with supplies meant to last an entire month, a testament to their shared determination to finish all three quests in one go as suggested by Herbon.
"I hope everyone is prepared. It's going to be a long journey. How about you Blas?" Alyssa asked, turning her head just enough for her golden hair to catch the wind as Auren, Blas, and Essel followed from behind.
"Honestly, I'm not," Blas grumbled, his expression caught somewhere between exhaustion and dread. "Three quests in one go? I won't see my kids for weeks!"
Alyssa smirked, her tone teasing yet sharp.
"Do you mean you won't see your favorite tavern for weeks? You'll live. And as I said when Auren suggested this, if we finish all three, we might finally get our awaited promotion quest to A-rank."
