It was the last day of our journey through the forest. We're close to the heart of the woods. We'll be on the outskirts of Grim Woods once we can pass securely from here. And from there to Vanora, it will simply be a day's trek.

"So this is your plan's final layout, eh?" Stan inquired, his face attentive.

"Why? Do you want to improvise? " I inquired.

"No way, Captain! I was simply seeking confirmation. And it appears to be just right. " He concluded.

I rose from my seat and walked up to the tent's window opening. Although the sun had yet to rise, everyone prepared for the journey, and I was having a brief conversation with Stan about what we should do once we arrived in town.

"Do you believe we'll be able to reach the Order in time?" I inquired, my gaze fixed on the trees extending to the sky.

"I'm not sure about that, but I can tell you that whatever happens, you'll protect us," Stan answered matter-of-factly.

His unwavering faith in me still gives me shivers.

"Why did you decide to join me, Stan?" He was a late addition to our group, but he's now more of a vice-captain. That's a lot of development. I've never seen him fight or be skilled at anything, but how could someone get so important to the group with no skills? Maybe Stan is the only one who can do that.

The key to his personality is his easy-going demeanour of being a simple-minded guy and always seeking to make new friends with everyone he meets.

"I heard you were a powerful person... Therefore, I volunteered to join. Should there be any other reason for a weak person like myself to remain under the powerful? " He responded casually.

What a simple guy. I sighed, internally.

"I will take my leave here, captain. I need to make preparations for our journey. " With a salute, he went outside the tent.

Tides are shifting at a faster pace. I need to face all of them on my own. I can’t let others be a burden to me. There is no more new info on the activities in Vanora. Our scouts didn’t return, and that raises my suspicions about the matter even more. Whatever happens at Vanora will decide if the tides are in my favour or not.

I took a little drink of the herbal tea that was on the table. "Fantastic!" It had a soothing scent that calmed my anxiety. The aroma would make anyone yearn for a taste, yet the cup opposite to me continued to emit vapours because no sip had been taken from it.

"Are you sure your taste buds are fine, Stan?" I smirked to myself as I sipped another sip from the cup.

As I stepped out of my tent, I noticed Cullen stacking herbs and spices. He was keeping the remaining meat by wrapping it in banana leaves that had been sprinkled with salt crystals. If things don't go as planned, food will become crucial for survival. So we can't just throw things away just because they're going to deteriorate.

"Is the dinner ready, Cullen?" As I neared him, I inquired.

"Don't rush me… Food isn't like fighting, where you can make it by slamming your fists together. It takes precision, patience, and time, as well as my extensive knowledge of the subject. " He scoffed.

"Why don't you put your enormous expertise to use and make it faster? My stomach has been grumbling since I woke up, and if you are late in serving me food, I may eat it raw. " I joked around.

"Tch... you've got an enormous appetite for someone with so few rations, Captain." Cullen poured some soup into a dish and served me after picking up a rounded spoon and stirring in a boiling pot.

"Is there no spoon for me?"

"Just drink it, will ya?" he replied dismissively.

Having a verbal tussle with Cullen first thing in the morning is one of the best things, I have to say. Now it's time to get back to work.

"What did you do about the thing I asked, Cullen?"

"It's pointless, Captain... I found nothing... Not even a smidgeon. "

"... and what are your thoughts about that? " Curious, I inquired.

"It's something I want to believe in... but that's too much to expect... The most fundamental thing I learned during my mercenary days is that what you see is not necessarily what it appears to be. It applies to both people and their surroundings. And based on what you've told me... the bad feeling I'm getting... I suppose... I can't ignore it. "

"That's what I was thinking, Cullen. I simply wanted to reaffirm with you that, based on what you've described, the unique situation in the Grim Woods cannot be ignored... that could bring us closer to death than any other. " In a satisfied tone, I concluded.

My life is a source of amusement to me because it is constantly teaching me new things through difficult situations.

"Hahahahahaha………" I laughed at the vicious loop I've found myself in.

Quite amusing...