Ogres are beasts that live in groups deep within dense forests.

Ogres are generally five-six times the size of an average human and have fangs protruding from the sides of their mouth. The thick green skin made the first line of defense since they cannot be penetrated easily.

They hunted and fed on the animals in the region, until developing a taste for human flesh. Since then, there have been numerous human casualties, especially hunters and travelers.

What were once mindless beasts with only the urge to kill and feed, have now evolved into beings with the ability to forge weapons and plan attacks on travelers when they least expect it.

Ogres have learned their tactics from the way humans live and adapted to the changing world. There have been many instances that the guild put out requests for ogre extermination.

Ogre fangs and skin fetched a high price in the local markets for their sturdiness and ability to withstand wear and tear.

On top of that, the myth surrounding the Eldom forest about the concealed fairy forest was no more than Orion's way of keeping outsiders away.

But the Nero mercenaries had never accepted such a request since there was never a need to. They only accepted jobs that fit within their interests.

"Hmmm...... So this is Ogre territory" Raeden narrowed his eyes on the map.

Of all the members Raeden and Jade were the only ones to have encountered ogres head-on. Hence, safety was the highest priority in his mind.

"We have to avoid travel when the sun goes down and camp"

"Let's take more shifts to keep watch" Jade added.

"We probably have to do that anyway" Gallahan commented.

It was important to keep tight on security since the items being transported were lethal relics which have not been properly tested. So it was better to increase the number of people guarding the camp at night for reasons more than one.

"Once we cross the border there will be identity verification and security checks. It will take about half a day to go through with regulations" said Readen, taking a glance at his pocket watch.

"We should stay the night in the city and restock"

"I have an acquaintance who runs an inn along the border. So leave the lodgings to me"

Gallahan assured him. The Tullus mercenaries frequented Orion often, which was also the reason why Elijah roped them into the deal.

"I guess that wraps up everything"

Jade folded the map and tucked it in his satchel.

"Looking forward to working with you Chief Gallahan"

"Same here"

"I am excited to join this rowdy group"

After finishing the talk, Gallahan headed back to his people, while Raeden and Jade walked to the front of the group to announce the start of the journey.







Noah and Oliver were mounting their horses when Ann arrived riding on top of Beauty.

"So where exactly have you been after ditching us?"

Noah smirked sarcastically, while Oliver made a disappointed face.

"I went to fetch my Beauty"

Angelica answered, patting Beauty's head which made him snort.

"Really? Then why did you run in the opposite direction when I was going to the stables too?"

"I wanted to get some..... air on the way" Ann averted her eyes, to avoid Oliver's suspicious gaze.

"I sense a secret rendezvous" Noah grinned playfully.

"It is in a way. Actually, I was cornering ....huh?"

Just then, Ann noticed Eugene sneaking between the carriages with an unknown package in his hands. He glanced back and forth at his surroundings before carefully taking each step.

"In a way what?"

"Eugene baby!"

Ignoring Oliver's question, Ann jumped down from her horse and ran towards Eugene.

"Huh?"

Eugene flinched as if he was caught in the middle of a crime. But before he could turn around, Ann had him trapped in a tight hug.

"Oh, my fluff!" She ruffled his hair while holding him.

"Let go!"

Eugene struggled his way out of Ann's arms, who let go half-heartedly.

"Why are you sneaking around, baby?"

"You! Stop sending me on weird errands!"

Eugene shoved a package towards Ann and shouted. His face was flushed red till the tip of his ears.

"Oh?"

Ann blinked, confused by his sudden outburst. Then she realized the reason for his odd behavior.

Inside the package was the latest edition of the R-rated BL novel series 'He and his other half'.

It was a novel loosely based on the famous story of Emperor Arthur and the Hero of Orion.

Though the names and backgrounds were changed a bit. It was plain as day that the book was a forbidden love story between the two great figures of Orion. Henceforth has been banned in the country.

But in Velen, it was not.

Velven was its major market for distribution and Ann 'had' to have it under all costs before she left.

Because nothing could beat the excitement of reading a banned book in the country that it was banned in.

Ever since Ann discovered the existence of the unique genre, she had been devoting herself to study more than she ever had since reborn.

But, it was not an easy feat.

The problem was that the books were available only in a particular book store in town.

And Ann was not the most welcomed customer for reasonable reasons.

Therefore, she sent Eugene on the task to buy the newly released book in exchange for gardening duties in the Leveret household.

"I would go. But they won't let me in the store remember"

"That's because you started a big fight talking over... over..." Eugene bit his lips, unable to utter the words.

"Say it! Arthum and Helo are a match made in heaven" Ann exclaimed passionately, showing the illustrations of the characters holding each other on the novel cover to Eugene.

"If anybody dares to try to sink my ship. I will Jupiter missile them out of Elan. That woman was lucky I let her off without ripping her hair off"

Ann recalled her visit to the bookstore six months ago when she went to purchase the third installment of her favorite series.

A middle-aged lady had bought the same book and started a conversation with Ann, which unsurprisingly turned into an argument when she commented on her ship.

Other customers joined in on the heated discussion and the store turned into a debate house, with people taking sides of their favorite ship.

It was Team Arthum x Helo Vs Team Steiler x Helo.

In the end, everybody got kicked out of the store by the owner with a lifetime ban for entering.

"Only a monster would pair Helo and Steiler. The emperor left the country after Helo died, not the stupid magician. How could I not stand up to such dishonor to literature!"

"Do you even hear yourself talking?!"

Ann and Eugene started squabbling back and forth when Kalan came horse in hand with Ezra behind him.

It was then that Ann remembered that she had abandoned Ezra without any proper explanations and ran away trying to avoid the Tullus mercenaries. She decided to let it go since he didn't seem to mind.

"Mr.Kalan! Great day for a journey right?" Ann asked, hiding the book behind her.

"Yes. It is"

"And this is?" Kalan asked in his usual flat tone.

"Ah right! You haven't met before"

Ann put an arm around Eugene and pulled him to her side, before saying,

"This is my son, Eugene"

"Son?"

Kalan looked at Eugene with an expressionless face, but the aura around him turned a bit frosty compared to earlier.

"I'm not your son!"

Eugene roared at Ann and explained calmly to Kalan.

"I'm not her son."

"An unfilial son at that" Ann pouted.

"She is delusional. Don't believe any of the nonsense she spouts"

Just then, Raeden announced the start of the journey, urging everyone to go to their respective stations.

"See you later Ann"

"See ya"

Noah and Oliver waved goodbye and headed front, while Eugene got on the central carriage that contained the ancient relic as he complained.

"You are not riding the carriage?" Ann asked Kalan, climbing on top of Beauty.

Surprisingly instead of riding the cozy wagon, Kalan and Ezra were going to travel on their horses all the way to Orion, right beside her providing extra security to the magic box.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I don't want to lose sight of what's important to me again"

The corners of Kalan's lips curled into a smile.

"You must really treasure that box"

Puzzled, Ann tilted her head.

'Well, wealthy people love weird stuff. Just like how Elijah is crazy over gems. The dude is no different from Gollum. None of my business though'

"Let's head out"

"Gladly"

Thus began the journey to Orion.