Chapter 74: Prologue - Annual Caravan Quest I

"My, my... There you all are." The playful, teasing remark—laced with a bit of arrogance—came from a girl carrying an enchanted lantern to illuminate her dimly lit surroundings. She was wrapped in a thick blanket, not only because of the morning cold, but also to hide the fact that she was still in her sleepwear—or rather, pajamas. Her elegant platinum-blonde hair, usually styled in a braided ponytail, was still undone and fluttered in the cold morning breeze. Her eccentric blue eyes—bearing two black pupils each, colliding like stars in the twilight sky—were half-closed, indicating that she had just woken up moments ago. "Don't you dare ruin my mood this early in the morning." The annoyed and irritated response came from an elven woman. She wore casual clothes instead of her usual pristine uniform, yet her mature appearance and the sharp glare behind her glasses remained unmistakable. Her beautiful golden-blonde hair, typically styled in a braided high bun, was also left undone, tucked beneath the coat she wore against the cold morning breeze. "Don't act arrogant... just because... you're not in the same... situation as us..." The stuttering, trembling voice came from a girl with crimson-red hair styled in twin tails. Though she was bundled in a long coat and thick blanket, she still shivered at every gust of cold wind. "Hey, you bastard! Don't you dare cut in line!" Compared to the other three, the next girl—sporting short, brownish-blonde hair—wore rather unfitting attire: a gilet jacket that showed off her slender waist and short pants that left her legs bare, highlighting her tanned skin. How is she not cold? the other three wondered, blankly staring at her. As for the current situation of Lynn, Sylvia, Kurea, and Beatrix—the latter three were already in line in front of the Moon Pavilion even before daybreak, while the former stood freely beside the line, clearly preparing to bother them. And what were Sylvia, Kurea, and Beatrix waiting in line for? The opening of the Moon Pavilion's Twilight Sky Café. A café that only opens from five in the morning until the first bell at six, for two reasons: First, because the Moon Pavilion's residents must start working at the inn after the first bell. Second, all the meals served at the café—including Burger Queen specials, pizza, fried chicken and fries, puddings, and cakes—usually sell out within the hour. The line of customers already stretched as far as the eye could see. "Unlike the three of you, I don't have to wake up so early just to line up for breakfast here... Pfft—" Lynn said, barely holding back her laughter. "Then why are you up this early?" Sylvia muttered, voicing the same question Kurea and Beatrix had in mind. "To bother the three of you, of course." "You fuc—" "Pfft—Hahaha..." "You're not just here to bother them, you're here to help with work." Interrupting Lynn's teasing was Arezu, who arrived carrying a tray and serving hot cinnamon and ginger tea to the customers in line. But even though he stopped Lynn's antics, his sudden appearance brought everyone to tears—from laughter. Why? Because aside from the white apron he wore, Arezu also had on a bunny ears—the required accessory for all Moon Pavilion staff. "I guess you three won't be needing any tea." —"Wait... Pfft... We do want tea... Hahaha..."— "Pftt—Come on, you three. Don't laugh at Mr. Arezu." "Says the one who laughed so hard the other day she hurt her stomach." "Hahaha!" "Just take everyone's order and wear your bunny ears, too," Arezu said, now visibly embarrassed as all the customers grinned at him. "My, my—" Lynn paused, promptly putting on her own bunny ears before continuing, "—if you just wanted to see me in this cute accessory, just say so, Mr. Arezu." She flashed a teasing smile. —"Please give us some tea and take our orders before you two start flirting."— While Arezu busied himself going back and forth from the café, serving tea to the ever-growing line of customers, Lynn had a more serious conversation with Sylvia, Kurea, and Beatrix as she took their orders. "It's happening next week, right? It won't be cancelled, right?" Lynn asked repeatedly, unable to hide her excitement. "It rarely gets cancelled. You've got nothing to worry about," Kurea said, trying to sound calm while hiding her own excitement. "It'll be my first time joining, so I'm excited too," Beatrix added, followed by Sylvia, who finally revealed what they were talking about. "You three are such kids, getting all excited over something as simple as the Annual Caravan." The Annual Caravan is a grand expedition that includes the Eileen Kingdom's knights, valkyries, and soldiers, along with members of the Adventurers' Guild, Merchants' Guild, Crafters' Guild, the Church, and the Magic Academy. It is divided into two groups—one heading north, the other south—starting from the central kingdom and traveling town to town until reaching the borders. The entire journey spans more than two months, from spring into summer. The primary purpose is for the kingdom's forces to conduct annual border inspections, but over time, it became a tradition for other groups to join in. For the Adventurers' Guild, it's a chance to inspect branch guild and allow selected adventurers to explore the kingdom while battling monsters from various regions. For the Merchants' and Crafters' Guilds, it's an opportunity to gather regional materials and sell their goods town by town. For the Church, it's a pilgrimage for priests and priestesses to visit churches and orphanages. For the Magic Academy, it offers students credit-earning field experience. "Of course, Mr. Arezu and I are joining the Annual Caravan Quest," Lynn declared excitedly. "The only question left is—" she paused and looked at Sylvia, "—which group are you joining, Ms. Sc—Sylvia?" "Can't you be more direct and just say you don't want to be in the same group as me?" Sylvia muttered, barely restraining her annoyance. Which didn't last long when Lynn replied: "Of course I don't want to be in your group." "You fucking twa—" "Hey! No fighting in line or I'll kick you out!" Before Sylvia could strangle Lynn, the innkeeper, Lapina, came out of the café to break up the brawl. That, of course, stopped Sylvia's rampage—but not Lynn's teasing. Or so Lynn thought. "Come on, Ms. Sylvia. I dare you to cause a scene." Lynn said, flashing her mischievous grin. "Lynn, if you're not going to take the customers' orders, then get inside and help." "Wait... Mrs. Lapina..." Watching Lynn get dragged inside by the innkeeper, Kurea and Beatrix couldn't help but have a sudden thought: Somehow, I don't feel like being in the same group as her either.