"AAHHH"

Ann groaned in pain holding her throbbing head.

She was having the worst hangover she had ever experienced. It was even worse compared to the hangover she had after the night at the tavern back in Velven.

It was the morning after the flower festival.

As per schedule, the entourage vacated their lodgings and started on their journey just as the first ray hit. After a night of fun and entertainment, everybody was feeling refreshed. That was, except for one person.

The twins woke Ann up thirty minutes before departure or rather doused a bucket of water on top of her before high tailing out of the room.

The cold water was enough to clear her mind wide enough to get ready within seconds.

By the time she walked out the door, Raeden was waiting for her outside. One of the major reasons being he didn't want to watch two of his men being killed in the middle of a job.

Ann decided to grab breakfast on the road but was unable to eat anything after her head started throbbing like crazy.

They were traveling through the dark forests outside Lorem and, it would take two days travel to reach the next town,Carrelem.

It was midday and she had lost the appetite to eat.

"How bad is it?" Eugene asked, sitting on the back of the carriage.

He was seated in a comfortable position leaning his back on the covered relic with folded arms. The position allowed him to get a full view of the carriages in the back along with Ann writhing in pain.

"It hurts like a heavy metal band is doing their comeback concert inside my freakin' head"

"Heavy what?" Eugene raised his eyebrows. He couldn't understand a word of what she meant.

"It hurts like sh*t" Ann clarified.

"Oh really now? Should've thought that before emptying barrels of wine"

Eugene smirked. He had lost count of the number of times this has happened since Ann had joined the Nero mercenaries.

And as usual, when she has a hangover after a night of reckless partying she would shamelessly declare,

"I'm never gonna drink again"

"I've heard that before"

He scoffed, unable to hide his annoyance. It was a never-ending loop.

"Oww..."

Ann slumped on her horse. Her head was exploding and Eugene's sarcasm did not make her feel any better.

"Here"

Kalan expected a tiny green vial towards Ann.

"What is that?" Ann asked in a groaning voice.

"Hangover medicine"

"Hangover medicine?"

She sat up and took in her hand.

Inside the glass vial, she could see small silver particles mixed in the green liquid.

'Why are all hangover medicines green?'

Ann opened the vial and smelled its contents.

There was a strong scent of arovell herb which was commonly used in medicines to alleviate pain. But more importantly, she had to check its contents for possibilities of toxicity or drugs.

Fortunately, that was where the alchemized nose ring made by the infamous Axel Gilbert came in. Even if its scent is flavorless the azreck crystal embedded in the silver nose ring will alert the wearer.

Depending on the level of threat, the silver will become warm. If it was extremely poisonous above its measurement scale it would become hot before turning black.

"Is there a problem?"

"No. Nothing at all" Ann smiled awkwardly. She had been suspiciously staring at the medicine Kalan gave her instead of drinking it. It was natural that he would be concerned.

Judging by the reaction of the nose ring, the medicine Kalan gave her was neither drugged nor poisonous. It felt cold as usual, resulting in a prick on her consciousness for suspecting him again.

"Bottoms up"

Ann knew from experience that any and all hangover medicine in this world tasted like it was manufactured to kill a person's taste buds. She took a deep breath before finishing the contents in one go.

"Ackk..."

And she was right.

"Why don't they make medicines that taste good?"

Unable to handle the bitterness of the medicine, she searched through her satchel and pulled out a small pouch. Inside the pouch was the sour candy Melina made for her.

Ann hurriedly popped one in her mouth.

"Hmmm" She relaxed and closed her eyes enjoying the taste. After hours of rolling in pain, she was finally able to rest.

Just as the candy melted in her mouth, the pain in her head disappeared. To her delight, the medicine that Kalan gave her was fast in its healing abilities.

"Thank you for the medicine Mr. Kal..." Ann started thanking him, holding her hands like a prayer. Then she realized she was about to address him by his first name as if it was natural.

"I mean...Mr. Verglas."

"Please just address me as usual. Mr. Verglas is my grandfather"

"Ok, then Mr. Kalan. I, Antarctica Leveret, am grateful to you"

Ann bowed theatrically, causing Kalan to let out an amused laugh.

"By the way, why do you have a hangover cure? You don't seem like the type to drink a lot"

Kalan answered with a smile,

"Ezra gets drunk often"

"Really?" Ann asked in surprise.

To think that the prim and proper Knight-looking Ezra to actually be a comrade in arms was unexpected. She was looking at both of them in a different light.

"You are a really considerate Boss, Mr.Kalan. Also....."

Ann brought her horse closer to his and whispered into his ear,

"Where can I get more of this wonderful green substance?"

Kalan became stiff after hearing her whisper in a husky voice. Contrary to his reaction, Ann was looking at him with hopeful eyes expecting a positive answer.

"It was made by my family doctor. We can get some more when we reach home"

"Sure, let's go home" Ann smiled brightly.

The gears inside her head were turning at an incredible rate making calculations for possible detours during their return journey to Velven at famous alcohol destinations. The added advantage of instant hangover cure opened up a number of lanes that were previously unreachable.

'The bitterness is worth the joy'

Soon she became lost in her own thoughts just from imagining the numerous opportunities.

"You might mean good by helping her Mr.Kalan"

Eugene's sarcastic words brought her back from her trance. He was advising Kalan with an earnest expression.

"But don't be fooled by that innocent face. She needs to learn control"

"You know, Eugene, sarcasm doesn't really suit you. In fact, it makes you cuter" Ann said in a flat tone.

"If you don't want me to be sarcastic. Then don't drink like a fish"

"Look. Fishes need oxygen, just like how humans need alcohol. You can't deprive me of my rights. Besides, you can't blame me for drinking. I was celebrating"

Translation: I can and will do it again.

"What kind of meaningless logic is it?" Eugene smirked.

The two started arguing like kids, with neither side backing down as to accepting who was right.

'Of course, I'm the right one!' Eugene glared at Ann.

'And I know that. But I'll never accept it' Ann glared back.

Sparkes began to fly between them. Though they were smiling, the atmosphere around them made it impossible to believe their own eyes.

"So do you take back what you said about never drinking again?" A vein popped up on Eugene's forehead as he said in annoyance.

"Did I say anything? Did you hear me say anything? Or did you hallucinate perhaps? I can't believe my son is getting old" Ann turned away and held out her tongue.

"..."

Ann changed the topic to break the tension. It was getting too boring for her to argue about the same thing again and again. She knew that Eugene felt the same way too or else he wouldn't get so worked up.

She noticed a basket of flowers beside the relic.

"Are those flowers behind you?"

"Yeah" Eugene sighed, recalling the previous day.

After the dance ended, he was surrounded by girls all trying to give him flowers. It was the same case for the rest of the Nero mercenaries. They were held for a while before finally escaping into the Wine fair tent where Ann was holed up.

Eugene gathered the flowers he received, put them in a basket, and loaded them into the carriage to take them along with him. He planned on making bookmarks with the pressed flowers and distributing them among the children in the Nero village.

"Awww..... Eugene that is so sweet. Just as fluffy as you seem" Ann squealed in joy, causing him to turn away avoiding her eyes.

"Stop it"

Eugene blushed, his ears perking straight up from the embarrassment.

Suddenly the entourage came to a stop without any warnings.

"Why are we stopping?" They could hear the Tullus mercenaries talk among the rear guard.

From the looks of it, Raeden had ordered the carriage to halt for the time being.

At that moment, Ann sensed multiple eyes on her. There were not one but at least a dozen within a ten-meter radius.

Eugene's ears twitched in the direction of the trees.

The trees were densely grown together making it look like night time inside its gaps.

"Did you hear that?" Ann asked with her eyes on the dense woods.

To fearlessly attack merchant carriages surrounded by armed guards in broad daylight was possible by only one species of mammals.

"Goblins" Eugene muttered, donning his bow and arrows.

"Greedy hoarders" Ann clicked her tongue.

Goblins are small monstrous creatures that dwell in the forest. Their small and flexible body makes them agile to match their stature. They travel in packs depending primarily on their strength in numbers.

According to Orion legend, Goblins were once a species of mammalian fairies that roamed the lands as faeries of agriculture and wealth. Once a great famine fell on the land, causing the destruction of crops throughout the continent.

Instead of helping the poor and hungry under times of need, goblins hoarded all the wealth and food to themselves though they had what was more than necessary for survival.

Thus they fell under the wrath of the gods and was cursed to roam the world as hairless hideous creatures for eternity.

Now these little green monsters loot any carriages that pass through their nested territory and hoard the goods in their hideout. Although they are mischievous and troublesome in every possible way, they were also extremely stupid and dumb.

But that does not mean they are not threatening. Given the opportunity they can be deadly as any other foe, capable of robbing innocent people blind.

'Well I was looking for some exercise' Ann jumped down from her horse and stretched her arms.

When Kalan tried to get off his horse to fight Ann stopped him saying,

"This is what you paid us for Mr. Kalan. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show"

As she slid out the sword from her waist belt her lips curved up mischievously facing the yellow eyes visible in the darkness.

"Are you ready for this?"