Chapter 25

The wall gates opened with a rumble, letting the three carriages in. Blood stained the clothes of some of the members of the caravan, but none had any obvious serious injuries.

The carriages headed for the markets, moving at a faster pace than any of the other occupants in the city. Everyone in the group wanted to get out of their stinking, bloodstained clothes.

The medieval city wasn't clean by any means, but the bloody group of hunters stood out.

A lean merchant with a strange, styled mustache came out to greet the hunters, raising his eyebrows at their uncleanliness.

"Geez, what happened to y'all? Run out of water and decide to bathe in deer blood instead?"

While Hugo and the merchant were discussing prices for the acquired pelts, as well as the weapons taken from the bandits, Earl Graves arrived at the carriages.

Seeing all of the blood staining the hunters, he ran to the hunters to search for Alice.

"Dad! We're all ok… we got attacked by bandits, but Ash helped protect us."

Earl gave Alice a hug, then reached over and patted Ash's head.

Ash's side had a few bandages wrapped around it, but seeing Earl's concerned gaze, Ash gave a happy smile.

"It's ok dad, he just got a little cut. I'll tell you about what happened later, let's go home."

As the trio made their way back to their house, a jealous gaze watched them.

Ed was standing next to his horse, watching the Graves family enviously.

'Even that wolf has a happy family now… Why is it like this?'

Ed was shaken from his thoughts by a hearty pat on the shoulder. Hugo stood next to him, a single col displayed in his open hand.

"Here is your pay for this trip. Feel free to join us again, if you are up for it!"

Hugo left after giving Ed the money, on the talk with the other hunters.

Ed looked down at the col with a sigh. At this rate, he would never make enough.

Glancing at the fading backs of the Graves family as they walked away, Ed turned and walked off into the city.

--

A few hours later, at the Graves house.

--

A wondrous scent wafted through the house. Alice's gaze wandered over to the kitchen door, the origin of the delicious smell.

"Ahh… You need to gain experience, but the outside world is a harsh place."

Alice had just finished describing the events that took place that morning.

Earl didn't want his daughter to have to experience all the horrors the world had to give, but his only option was to try to prepare her as best possible. Some time in the future, Alice would have to take over the Graves family business.

This meant inheriting everything the business brought- money, connections… and enemies.

Earl had made a lot of enemies, and Alice would have to deal with them in the future.

This was why Earl was planning to send Alice off to a business school. There, she would learn everything about managing the family business, more than what Earl could teach her.

Earl looked over at Ash, who was laying on the floor next to Alice's feet.

The school was something closer to a college, and there was no standardized school system in this medieval world. Students attending the school would bring friends, servants, and pets with them, so it would be fine for Ash to accompany Alice when she was there.

Thomas came speed walking out from the kitchen door, holding two plates with his hands, and balancing a third plate on his arm.

Alice's starving glare followed the food as it made its way to the table.

'Finally! Some actual food! I've missed you so much…'

After being away on a hunting trip for a week with only lightly seasoned meat to eat, the expertly prepared feast looked heavenly.

Alice began digging into the food the moment it hit the table. Her figure less resembled a refined lady and more a ravenous wolf…

Earl glanced down to the floor, where Ash was eating cleanly.

'How… How does this wolf have better manners than my daughter… Where did I go wrong?'

Earl watched his daughter with disappointment as she scarfed down the meal, doubting his parenting methods.

It didn't take more than a few minutes for Alice to finish off the entire plate.

"I love you Gary! Your cooking is the best!"

Earl face palmed at his daughter's words.

'And now my daughter is a foodie. Great. She can probably be seduced by a good brisket.'

As Thomas came to the table to grab Alice's now empty plate, Earl pulled him to the side.

"Thomas, please remind me tomorrow to have a chat with Gary."

Thomas let out a small laugh before leaving with the plate. The workers in the Graves house had a good relationship with Earl, so much so that they could almost be called family. There was no doubt that this chat would be a good thing for Gary.

After finishing their dinners, the Graves family had their regular game night. It was a welcome change for both Alice and Earl. Both of them were glad to spend time with each other again, and the night seemed to speed past.

They were evenly matched in almost every game they played, while Ash fell behind them in almost everything.

'Roth, I don't think we were very smart in our past lives. I don't think we've beat either of these two at anything we've played.'

^That or Alice and Earl are just unnatural. I mean, we are two consciousnesses, right? Even if we aren't overly smart, we shouldn't be this much dumber than an average kid, right?^

The Graves' skill with board games caused Ash and Roth to begin doubting their own intelligence.

Game night ended as night fell, and everyone returned to their rooms to sleep. All of the trauma from the morning seemed to have been wiped away by the peace inside the Graves mansion.