Chapter 5- On the way

Erick's POV:

A pillar of fire stretches into the sky.

- It's a monster!

- Quick, flee into the forest.

With a quick movement, I close the distance with 2 men dressed in leather armor. Although they scream in terror, they don't have time to shout anything else before being knocked out. The other bandits, still confused, look perplexed at the landscape of fire that spreads around them. Taking advantage of the confusion, I close the distance again and knock out another 3 men in leather armor before they could even think of fleeing.

The other 7 men surrounding the caravan begin to flee individually between the trees. Because of the trees themselves, I can't use Vulk's fire to block them, so I limit myself to chasing them and catching the ones I can. After about 10 minutes since they started fleeing, I was only able to catch 4 of them before they got too deep into the forest.

- It's not an ideal outcome, but I guess it's better than nothing.

If I were on my own, I wouldn't hesitate to track them down and dismantle their entire hideout, but…

- Mr. Erik, are you okay?

A girl comes up behind me when I return with 2 bandits in tow. I give her my best smile to assure her that everything is okay. Despite this, she frowns and looks at me tiredly.

- … Erik, could you let me see your arm?

An involuntary moan leaves my throat at the girl's request, I try to look away to avoid the subject, but her piercing gaze assures me that she won't let me get away from this.

"When she stops calling you sir, she's very angry"

Vulk celebrates with a cheerful tone that irritates me. When I try to reply to her comment, a tug on my shirt brings me back to reality. Her gaze only grows more penetrating as she pouts unconsciously. I sigh in resignation and drop the 2 bandits on the ground.

- … I knew it.

When I show her my arm, a fairly deep wound is there. When the attack started, the bandits shot arrows at the caravan to kill the coachman. Although I managed to avoid the attack with Vulk's fire, I couldn't stop all the arrows. The girl looks at me with some annoyance as she takes out a bandage and a strange liquid from a small bag that is attached to her waist.

- Put your arm down, I'll bandage it for you.

- … Understood, Miss ####.

In the blink of an eye, she takes off my arm guard and chainmail to begin taking care of my wound. The green liquid is carefully spread on the wound. Once she puts enough on, she quickly bandages the arm with a bandage.

"#### is really amazing. She went from being a little stowaway to your personal medic."

I can only laugh dryly at the development of the situation. Just as Vulk described, in no time she had stopped being a simple child to take care of.

- She really does look like a little older sister.

- …

Before I knew it, #### had frozen in place. Her hands stopped completely as she looked down in an odd manner.

- … I don't consider myself a good older sister.

Even though she had whispered it, I managed to hear that slight comment as she expressed enormous sadness on her countenance. I choose to remain silent while she finishes making my bandage.

- It's ready.

- Thank you, I really appreciate it.

Still with a dejected expression, she sits on the ground as if she is remembering something. I decide not to ask too much as she remains deep in thought.

- It's amazing to think that we have been traveling for over a month.

- … Yes, it really is amazing that I have been taking care of you for so long.

" You are amazing little ####. Not only do you have a good knowledge of wounds and bruises, but you also handle yourself perfectly in the kitchen. I've become addicted to your cooking!"

#### doesn't answer immediately, just scratches her cheek with a completely red face as she struggles to remain calm. A week after we had started our journey, Vulk decided to open a telepathy channel for her as well, so now she also listens to my conversations with Vulk.

- Don't make it sound like I'm a doctor, great spirit. I can only heal small wounds and scrapes. I couldn't do anything if he had a hole in his stomach or caught some rare disease.

- … By the way Vulk, I have a question that's been bothering me for a while now…

"What's wrong little Erick?"

- From what you said, can you taste her food?

"Of course I can. Although not directly."

- … Now I understand why you insisted on us going to that cafeteria every time we went out. You can taste what I eat, right?

"Wow, looks like I got caught. What a problem."

With a dramatic voice, Vulk flutters around me, playing around my head. When I try to complain to her, a giggle interrupts me. When I look back, #### is shaking slightly as she tries to hold back her laughter. When she notices me looking at her, she quickly tries to change to a serious face as she looks into my eyes, but only manages to break into a loud laugh when she looks at me. I look back at Vulk and we both laugh as well.

- I'm so sorry for laughing at you.

After laughing for a while, she suddenly stops and looks at us with some regret. She lowers her head slightly as she looks at the ground. Before Vulk had time to say anything, I put my hand on her head and begin to slowly caress it. She doesn't look up as I continue.

- You don't have to be so reserved. Vulk told me the same thing once. From now on we are partners, I don't want a partner who treats me cordially, but one who shares my sorrows and my joys. Just act like you were at the beginning, be yourself.

She just nods as I continue to caress her gently.

"At first she was such an energetic girl, but after a few weeks she started being so formal that it was killing me. You have no idea what you saved me from little Erick"

- You could have told her yourself if it bothered you that much.

"Of course I wouldn't! I would never dare to steal that privilege from little Erick."

Vulk and I are back to arguing before we realize it. When I turn to look at ####, a warm and sad smile crosses her face. Despite having been together for over a month, she still won't open her heart to me. I just hope I can help this little girl when she really needs it.

- Sir, excuse me for interrupting you, but the merchants want to resume the trip.

One of the guards who were in the caravan approaches bringing me back to reality. He looks uncomfortably at us. Maybe he knows he's interrupting, but I guess I can't interrupt the trip for too long either.

- I understand, we'll be right back.

We both get up from the floor where we were sitting. She starts to walk, but before she can do anything I grab her by the legs and lift her up to my chest level.

- Kyaaaaa

A cute cry comes out of her as I lift her up. Immediately after she looks at me with some resentment while making a huge pout.

- … I can walk on my own s… Erick.

- Don't worry about it. A girl has to be pampered properly, otherwise they'll grow up to become wrinkled and grumpy ladies.

- … You say I'm a girl, but I'm already 13 for your information.

- You're still a girl to me anyway.

She frowns as she puffs out her cheeks in a pout. Despite being clearly dissatisfied with my logic, she just leans back against my chest and settles into the breastplate of my armor.

- Next stop: Marchester!

So, we head off accompanying the caravan to the capital of the Granest kingdom at the request of little ####.