Two Hired Guards

A week had passed since I arrived in this city. When I visited the city hall, my identification papers were ready. I signed the necessary documents and received them, officially marking the end of my business in this place.

With no further need to stay, I informed Mia of my departure. She smiled wistfully. "I'll miss you, nya," she said. To the inn's staff and guests, Mia was just a cheerful catfolk. None of them would ever suspect she was actually an assassin.

At the Adventurers' Guild, I informed Naana that I was ready to leave. Following the advice of the Thieves' Guild leader, I had hired two guards for my journey to the capital: Yuri, a spearman, and Luca, a mage. They had been among my earliest Cleanliness clients and were familiar faces at the guild.

Both were young—neither had reached their twenties—but they were capable mid-rank adventurers. Their participation in the recent raid against Naizel's group further testified to their skill. They were also both meticulous about hygiene, which explained their daily use of Cleanliness.

"So, you're ready to head out, Matthew?" Yuri asked, resting his spear on his shoulder.

"Yes. I'll be counting on you, Yuri, Luca."

"No need for the formalities," Yuri said with a grin. "Just call us by name. Loosen up a bit—it'll make traveling easier."

"Alright. Then… I'll be counting on you, Yuri, Luca."

"Much better," he said, grinning wider. Luca nodded, smiling warmly.

"Looking forward to traveling with you, Matthew."

And so, my first journey away from the city began.

While I had hired two guards, our group quickly grew larger. Yuri suggested joining a caravan for added safety. Banding together with others increased the number of combatants, discouraging bandits and monsters from attacking. The caravan's guards welcomed Yuri and Luca's expertise, while my Cleanliness spells earned me a spot without any additional fees.

"Your Cleanliness is a lifesaver, Matthew," one of the caravan guards remarked. "Traveling means dirt and sweat—it's inevitable. But thanks to you, we can stay fresh."

"Absolutely," Luca chimed in. "I've become completely addicted to Matthew's Cleanliness spells."

Since the two of them already requested Cleanliness daily under our original contract, extending the service to the caravan members wasn't much of a burden for me. It was an easy way to contribute.

The caravan was headed to the next town, a three-day journey with planned stops at two roadside villages along the way. The leisurely pace allowed the traders to sell their goods en route. While we could have reached the next town in two days if traveling alone, Yuri and Luca prioritized my safety over speed.

The caravan had several wagons, and the traders allowed me to ride in one. "A kid like you might not keep up on foot," they'd said. I didn't argue—walking was tiring, and the ride, though bumpy, was far easier.

"Ugh, my butt hurts," I groaned after a few hours.

"The wagons aren't built for comfort," Yuri said with a chuckle. "But hey, is it better than walking?"

"I'll cast Heal on you during the next break," Luca offered with a kind smile.

"Thanks, Luca. That'll help a lot."

Luca specialized in light magic and was adept at healing spells. She also wielded fire magic for offense, making her a versatile combatant.

The journey to the next town would take three days, with stops at two villages along the way. Despite the slow pace, Yuri and Luca insisted that sticking with the caravan was safer.

Rest stops were frequent, giving us time to recover and ensure everyone was ready for the road ahead. With Luca's healing and my Cleanliness keeping morale high, the caravan moved steadily down the highway, spirits intact.