Online In Another World

"Need a ride?" Roan asked.

"...Yes, please," Aife finally admitted.

Though he wasn't exactly against the idea, Emilio was a bit perplexed by Roan, a man of experience in the ways of the world himself, being so quick to take a stranger along.

He walked up to the window to the coach's seat, whispering to the red-haired man's ear, "Are you sure about this? I mean, is it even necessary?"

"You may not realize it, but Vasmoria can be quite troublesome. Milligarde has the lowest population of adventurers, mostly because native adventurers travel to Vasmoria for work," Roan explained to him, "It's because of the 'Magi Golems' that inhabit Vasmoria."

"'Magi Golems'?" He repeated.

It wasn't something he'd read about in books, but he also didn't go into too much detail with each country, but if there was clear danger in the wildlands of Vasmoria, he didn't contest the idea of taking the knight along with them.

—

And with that, the atmosphere in the back of the carriage stiffened as Emilio and Melisande now found themselves in the company of the clumsy knight.

It seemed the blonde-haired knight herself wasn't much of a sociable genius as she repeatedly coughed and fidgeted to break the nonexistent tension before finally speaking up, clearing her throat.

"I am Aife Spina. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the knightly woman introduced herself.

"I heard you before," Emilio replied, "I'm Emilio Dragonheart."

The silver-haired girl gave her name as well, "Melisande Tareund."

"So…are you two of Sir Roan's younger siblings? Or maybe…his children–" Aife asked.

"No," Emilio plainly denied the notion.

Melisande answered more gracefully, "We're both on our way to the Guild Foundation–Mr. Roan is escorting us there."

"Oh, I see!" Aife realized with a smile, "young, aspiring adventurers, then? Ah, the joy of youth…Well, I'm rooting for you two."

"Thanks!" Melisande smiled.

For a brief moment, Emilio found himself making eye contact with Aife's pearly blues, feeling as though he was 'read' on some level before the Vasmorian knight spoke.

"Hmm…You seem capable enough already, Emilio. Though, Melisande, if you don't mind me saying…It seems as though you aren't quite adept yet," Aife said.

"Huh? Oh…I know. I'm going to improve, though," Melisande assured the knight.

"I trust that you will," Aife smiled softly.

Though the conversation was earnest and light-hearted, Emilio found himself curious of the weird look Aife gave him and how she was able to instantly discern their differing capabilities.

I wonder…does she have some sort of ability to analyze other's strengths? He thought.

Aife spoke while taking her gauntlets off to let her hands breathe, "Knights and adventurers are two sides of the same coin, you know? It's best that we sustain a friendly relationship with one another, as our kingdoms rely on us to maintain the peace. While we knights protect the order, adventurers strive out and prune dangers before they reach our cities."

"I never thought about it like that," Emilio replied with a small smile.

For now at least, he chose to trust the pretty-faced knight, as she was more than affable and easygoing.

"But of course," Aife held a gentle smile, "There are many threats to peace in this world, so I would never decline the aspirations of coming adventurers or knights alike."

"What's it like being a knight? I've…never met a girl knight before," Melisande asked curiously.

The entire time, there was a sparkly look in the girl's bright-green eyes as she looked at Aife like a living idol.

"Ah, I believe I understand what you're asking: Vasmoria is a matriarchal kingdom, so it's not too far from the norm for women to join the ranks of knights–it's quite welcomed, actually," Aife explained, "If you mean what it's like to serve my kingdom, then all I can tell you is that it's hard, but…at the end of the day, it's splendid; I wouldn't trade it for anything."

An expression of genuine happiness present on Aife's beautiful canvas seemed to mark her words as the truth, pleasing Melisande as it seemed to fuel her desire further to become an adventurer.

"That sounds amazing. I hope I can find that, too," Melisande smiled.

"I am certain you will–both of you," Aife replied, "I have a knack for understanding people by a glance; from just a glimpse into your eyes, I can tell the flame of passion and youth burns in you. Never let that go," the knight said, placing her hand over her heart.

"Flame of passion and youth?..." Melisande repeated before copying the knight's gesture.

Though Emilio still had his reservations about his passed friend's younger sister joining him on his less-than-peaceful path, he couldn't help but smile when seeing the infectious optimism she had.

The carriage wheels rolled over the uneven ground of the forest trail, having to push through low-hanging branches of sapphire leaves at times that made for a bumpy ride.

"Emilio!" Melisande was suddenly in his face.

"Y-yeah?" He replied, having to lean back as the girl got a bit too close.

"You need to teach me more about magic! Please!" Melisande asked.

"Oh, err…"

It was something he was actually just thinking about, though it wasn't as if he was a savant when it came to teaching; most of what he knew came naturally.

Celly, what do I do…? You were amazing at guiding me. I want to do the same, but…can I? He thought.

"Oh, a young expert in the ways of magic?" Aife said with a cheeky smile, "I see a blade at your hip, though. I take it you're a 'spellblade'?"

He never really put that much thought into it, but he shrugged his shoulders and nodded, "Guess you can say that."

Aife drew her longsword from her snow-white scabbard, decorated with azure jewels, revealing a blade free of blemishes as she displayed its beautiful state.

"I have dedicated myself fully to the art of swordplay; I have no need for spellflinging," Aife proudly stated before tucking her prized sword back into its sheath.

"Cool…" He replied, not caring much for it.

Is she really bragging to a kid? He thought.

The concept of a woman knight, especially one who seemed beautiful and at least somewhat capable, to Emilio's jaded eyes, was something that definitely excited Melisande who was in the midst of forging her own path. When thinking about it, Emilio realized this was probably a good opportunity for the girl, and though he initially had reservations on her becoming an adventurer alongside him, he chose to support her.

"What's Vasmoria like?" Melisande asked, hugging her knees close to her chest with a curious smile, "Is it all forest-y like this? Is it like Milligarde? I've always heard they're kind of similar."

"Oh? You've never been here before?" Aife replied.

The silver-haired girl shook her head to answer. Though it seemed like a game of 'twenty questions' in which Emilio found himself wondering when the knight would reach her limit, he was also curious about the finer details of Vasmoria, wanting to hear of it from the mouth of a local.

"I've been to Milligarde a few times, so I believe I may be able to provide some insight on their differences; for one, Vasmoria is ruled by Queen Yurania, a distant cousin to Milligarde's king, in fact," Aife explained.

"Oh, I knew that," Melisande replied.

"Yeah, same here," Emilio added.

Aife raised an eyebrow, seeming slightly miffed that what she said was already common knowledge to the youngsters, "A couple of bright ones? That's good. It should be known by both of you then that Vasmoria is often regarded as the 'Capital of Magic' within the continent of humans. It is not just a superficial name, there are illustrious academies of mages in every city and–"

FWOOM.

Before the blonde-haired knight could continue her loving spiel of her homeland, which she seemed prideful to speak of, what sounded like an explosion setting off in front of the carriage snatched away any conversation.

Dust and dirt were kicked up from whatever force had landed on the path ahead, blinding them to whatever persisted in front of the transport.

The carriage suddenly came to a grinding halt as Roan tugged on the reins.

"What was that….?" Melisande asked.

As if flipping a switch, the clumsy knight acted swiftly as she jumped out of the carriage to find out what the cause of the shocking impact in the forest road was.

"Hey!--Crap…" He yelled.

Emilio tried calling out to the knight, but she didn't listen to him as she rushed to the front, to which he begrudgingly followed, jumping out from the back of the carriage.

What's even going on…? It sounded like a missile dropped from the sky, he thought.

As he reached the front, he could see that the steed were noticeably frightened by the abrasive force, yelling out and trying to run, but Roan held onto the reins tightly.

Finally setting his eyes forward, he stood beside the knight, who had her sword in hand while he wielded his staff, seeing what had crashed down to intercept their path.

At first, he couldn't tell what it was as it had a humanoid silhouette in the dust, but as it settled, he found himself looking at an entity with a body made out of steel-reinforced wood, inscribed with magical seals on its form.

A machine? He thought.