At this time, Marvo, the caravan lead announced to everyone present that they were planning to pass the night here and to set up some simple defense structures and for the hired adventurers to establish a night watch rotation. The reason was because nightfall was quickly approaching and for a caravan of their size, continuing to travel in the dark was dangerous and risky.
The adventurers nodded and murmured plans to each other around their own campfire.
At this time, Feng Ye rejoined Flora and Anne by the campfire after his quiet moment by the tree. Anne had shifted to one side of the fire, letting the heat from the fire warm her up.
Flora was stirring a small pot of soup she had put together.
"You sure took your sweet time," Anne said when Feng Ye sat down. "What were you doing? Pondering the meaning of life? Or maybe meditating under a tree like a wandering sage?"
"Just reflecting," Feng Ye replied calmly and in a lighter tone than usual.
Flora passed him a wooden bowl containing a warm soup. "Here, you should eat something. Not gourmet, but it's warm and it'll do."
Feng Ye took the bowl. "Thanks."
The three of them sat there quietly as if enjoying the peaceful silence and crackling of the flames.
Anne broke the silence. "It's pretty crazy to think how different things were a few days ago."
Flora nodded in agreement. "It has been very busy. Even as a receptionist, we were overloaded with paperwork, tavern rumors of demons, unchecked abuse of authority, and dead guild branch leaders…"
"Even more than that. Feng Ye and I had been surrounded by numerous bandits even earlier. It wasn't a good time." Anne sighed as she recalled the unpleasant experience.
Feng Ye stirred his soup slowly. "Sometimes life moves fast. Other times, it's slow."
Anne tossed a nearby stick into the flames and leaned back with her arms stretched behind her.
"It's almost a shame," she said as she gazed up at the sky which had now become dark.
The moon had peeked in the horizon but not enough to be above the treetops just yet...
Flora glanced over at Anne. "What is?"
"That this moment won't last," Anne replied. "This stillness. The quiet and relaxation. It always ends before you get used to it."
Flora gave a knowing nod. "That's why you enjoy it while it lasts."
Anne grinned. She threw another stick into the fire.
"Besides," she added with a smirk, "if things were always calm, I'd be too bored."
Feng Ye glanced at Anne with an expression of amusement. "I thought you were an adventurer, not a chaos enthusiast."
"I'm both," Anne replied cheerfully while tossing him a wink. "Being both makes life an interesting blend."
Flora chuckled at Anne's cheerful reply. "And here, I'm thinking that I was reckless for stepping into the guild's chaos."
"You're not reckless." Anne corrected her with a soft voice. She turned to her and locked her gaze with her. "You're brave. There's a big difference."
Flora glanced down at the campfire which flames continued to dance. "You think so?"
"I know." Anne reconfirmed with a sincere tone. "You stayed when others would run. You went and brought Red out even if you would be at risk. That's not reckless but admirable."
Feng Ye watched the exchange quietly as he cupped the bowl in his hand and drank slowly from it.
Flora didn't reply immediately. She took some time looking at the dancing flame. She then looked up at Anne with a slight surprise by Anne's praise. "Thanks, I think I needed to hear that."
"No problem. Anytime." Anne smiled.
Feng Ye thought to himself that Flora definitely seemed pretty confident and ambitious when he first spoke with her. But perhaps, she also had insecurities and doubts about whether it was the correct choice.
Anne then turned and glanced at Feng Ye. "By the way, what will you do once we get to the capital?"
"I'll figure out what comes next there," he said simply as he continued to sip the bowl of soup.
"That's pretty vague, but I won't pry." Anne shrugged.
Feng Ye also shrugged. "It's a vague journey, small steps first."
Flora sensing the slight awkwardness interrupted.
"Either way," she said while stretching her arms, "we've come this far. Let's see where it would take us."
"Hopefully, when I return. The capital doesn't implode." Anne muttered.
"That would definitely ruin my travel plans," Feng Ye agreed with a calm voice.
Anne laughed. "That was pretty bad, it became good!"
Flora giggled nearby. "He's getting better at jokes."
"I think you are just lowering your standard." Feng Ye replied as he gulped down the remainder of the soup.
Anne tossed a pebble at Feng Ye. Feng Ye nonchalantly caught it midair and crumbled it into dust.
The free allocation points that he assigned to agility really highlighted his speed.
Anne and Flora grinned at Feng Ye's reaction time.
At this time, the stars had fully emerged. The moon was above the treetops and the adventurers and nearby merchants had already started preparations to rest. The caravan would start its journey once again early the next morning.
Anne leaned back again, resting her head against her arms. "Y'know… it's not so bad. This. Us. Like this. Once we are at the capital, I'll introduce you both to the rest of my party!"
Flora nodded, curling her legs beneath her. "Feels almost normal."
Feng Ye looked at them both, and though his expression didn't change much, there was something softer in his eyes.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "Almost."
Flora let out a quiet sigh and blinked slowly. "I'm resting first. Wake me up for second watch if no one else does."
"Sleep well. I'll take the first watch." Feng Ye nodded. At this time, most groups had already started their night watch rotation.
Feng Ye's group didn't fully want to entrust their night watch to only the adventurers. It's always better to be in charge of your own security.
Anne stretched again but made no move to lie down. She had no intention to sleep yet.
"You are not sleeping?" Feng Ye asked quietly.
"Nah." She hugged her knees. "I planned to take the second watch, but I'm not tired. I got plenty of rest in the wagon."
She glanced at Feng Ye with an expression containing a hint of slyness. "Besides, I thought I would keep my party member company."
"That's a funny excuse you got there."
"Yep, but it worked." Anne grinned.
Feng Ye smiled as he looked into the distance.
A moment of silence fell between them. Neither of them spoke.
Then Anne said quietly, "You always seem like you're carrying something heavy. In your eyes, I mean."
Feng Ye didn't respond immediately. His eyes shifted to the sky where the stars glittered.
Anne didn't press further. She leaned her head against her knees. Her tone softened as she quietly continued.
"You know… this night watch is a lot nicer than the last one we shared."
Feng Ye glanced at her and spoke softly. "You mean the one after the bandits?"
"Mhm. That one." She nodded. "I remember it clearly. You were sitting off on your own, far from the fire. That Lucas guy was still around. Everyone was tense. We were all pretending to rest but keeping one eye open. Honestly? We thought you might rob us and disappear."
Feng smirked. "I wasn't going to rob your group. It's too inefficient and not worth it."
"Spoken like a true strategist." Anne giggled softly.
The humor in her eyes dimmed just a little, replaced with something more thoughtful.
"But actually. Back then, I didn't know what to make of you. Quiet, sharp... kind of scary, honestly... I thought you might just disappear from our sight any time. But now, you are still mysterious, but I don't have to keep one eye open anymore."
"That's because Flora's here," Feng Ye muttered with a straight face.
Anne made a face. "Don't ruin the moment. Let me reminisce in peace."
"I guess what I'm saying," Anne murmured. She drew some circles in the dirt beside her with a twig she found nearby, "is that I'm glad you didn't vanish. That we're here. Sharing this weird little moment in the middle of nowhere."
Feng Ye didn't say anything right away. He then replied with a voice lower than before. "So am I."
The night around them stayed still. The world, for once, gave them space to breathe.
In this foreign world, Feng Ye allowed himself to feel human for just a moment. He was going to enjoy this moment.