"So, what do you say to my offer?"
Kael asked me that, leaning in slightly as he waited eagerly for my answer.
"Don’t you think you should probably go and ask the opinion of the others first before making such a decision?"
I responded to him calmly. At the sound of my words, Kael seemed to realize that he was indeed being a bit too hasty with his invitation.
He calmed himself down and nodded his head in agreement, but after a short silence—
"Then, I will go ahead and talk to the rest of the group to convince them... in the meantime, please do take some time to think seriously about my offer."
He said that to me with a wide smile fixed on his face. And before I could even manage to say anything back to him, he stood up and walked back over to their area... leaving me sitting there all alone again.
"..."
I didn’t say anything out loud, as I was currently stuck deep in my own thoughts.
’If I decide to accept Kael’s offer, then that would mean I would be travelling constantly with the saintess and the other paladins. It will be incredibly hard for me to find a chance to use my vampire abilities or drink blood.’
But in exchange for that risk—
’I will be able to get even more teaching about the art of swordsmanship from an expert.’
In the end, I was just trying to figure out which of those paths would actually make me much stronger in the long run.
"Ugh, whatever... it is not even a sure thing that he will actually get the approval of the others to let a stranger like me join them."
I grumbled that to myself and just tried to put the whole matter out of my mind for the time being.
... ... ...
But not even five minutes after our initial talk had ended—
"The saintess herself said that you are more than welcome to join us on our journey!"
Kael came rushing back and told me the news with a bright, triumphant smile on his face.
"It really seems like she has taken a personal interest in you, because I was almost certain she would try to decline my request when I asked her. I was already prepared to try and convince her with a long speech— but to my surprise, it was not needed at all."
He added that while reaching out and patting me firmly on the shoulder.
"..."
I couldn’t do anything in response but just put a fake, polite smile on my face as I looked at him.
"So, what do you think about it now?"
Kael asked me that, staring at me intently as if he were trying to read my mind. It really looks like he is not going to leave my side until I give him a straight answer.
And so—
"Then, I guess I will be in your care from now on."
I opened my mouth and told him my decision.
"Does that mean you are actually joining us...?"
He asked as his eyes slightly expanded with excitement. I just nodded my head once as a silent confirmation of his question.
"I will be looking forward to travelling with you."
Kael said, and he looks genuinely happy about it. I don’t really know why he is so invested, though, since we barely know each other and we only just met.
Maybe he is just one of those social butterflies who loves meeting new people.
"I am looking forward to it as well."
I replied to him, while making sure to keep my true thoughts hidden to myself.
This situation is not actually that bad, to be perfectly honest— I just need to be very discrete when I am consuming blood and using my other skills for a while.
But overlooking those complications, I will have someone who can properly guide me in the ways of swordsmanship, my personal safety is basically secured with them around... and I definitely would not get lost while looking for the city of Zore.
So if the situation has already turned out like this—
’Then I might as well just take full advantage of this opportunity while I have it.’
*****
Kael finally left me alone after I confirmed that I would be joining their party, saying that it was finally time for him to get some rest.
I saw him enter his own tent, then following right after him; two of the other knights went into their own tents as well to sleep.
Leaving only two behind to stand guard.
"..."
I looked over at the two of them, and they both glanced back at me with complicated looks.
They whispered something quietly to each other... but they soon turned their heads away so they could focus on keeping guard again.
’I guess it’s only normal for them to be a bit wary... It’s actually Kael who is the weird one for being so friendly to a total stranger in the woods.’
I thought to myself.
Anyway, I ignored the two of them and went back to minding my own business. Just like they feel they cannot trust me, I cannot fully trust them either.
So my original plan of staying up all through the night remained exactly the same.
"I’ve already rested more than enough."
I mumbled that as I stood up from my spot.
FWIP-
I unsheathed my sword once again, and remembering the specific words Kael told me while he was teaching me earlier— SLASH!
I started my training session again.
I repeatedly swung my sword through the air, entering a deep trance state not long after I began. I was stuck in my own thoughts again, with my focus completely centered on the flow of my movements.
I slashed again and again... time passed by, but I paid no attention to it.
And so, by the time I finally snapped out of my stupor— the sun was already starting to rise over the horizon.
*****
"Fuhhh~"
I let out a long sigh as I sheathed my sword and stopped my training, a few beads of sweat had formed on my back and my forehead; but I feel completely fine physically.
I glanced over at Bong to check on how he was doing, and I can see that he is already awake and busily eating some wild grass.
"Wow, you really are something else, aren’t you?"
Just then, I heard a voice speaking from behind me. I turned around and saw Kael standing there. I just looked at him with a confused expression after hearing his words.
"Including myself, us five knights shifted positions throughout the night to stand guard... and every single one of us saw the same thing: you, swinging your sword without stopping."
He mumbled that with a look of disbelief.
"I honestly do not know if you are just an incredible hardworker or a complete lunatic, but I do not know anyone else who would spend an entire night training like that. Are you even doing okay?"
Then he followed up with that question, looking at me with a great deal of curiosity.
"Haha, I just find that I cannot fall asleep sometimes, so I poured all of my extra time into training. And yes, I feel perfectly fine... just slightly tired, I suppose."
I replied to him with a calm smile.
"The fact that you are only slightly tired after that is impressive; you must have some truly monstrous stamina and endurance, haha!"
Kael declared that with a laugh. I just laughed along with him.
"Anyway, we managed to catch some wild deer earlier and we are currently roasting them up. Come join us for the meal; consider it as payback for the meat you gave us last night."
After that, he gave me a warm invitation for breakfast. I was not really feeling that hungry—
"Okay, I will join you shortly after I clean myself up."
But free food is still free food.
"Great, I will be waiting for you over there."
Kael said that before leaving me to get ready.
I headed inside my tent right after that, where I dried myself off with a towel, and after that was done... I made sure to dress up properly again.
I wore practical travel clothes— a loose tunic secured by a leather belt, with a strap crossing over my chest to keep everything in place. A muted cloak rested on my shoulders, and dark trousers tucked into sturdy boots completed the outfit, simple and suited for long journeys and sudden fights.
And once I was all presentable... I went and joined the others for breakfast.