The group had lunch inside the cabin while Kyle drove the carriage forward at a slower pace. Alex failed to notice that Amelia was almost hinting towards separating from the convoy of merchants.

Kyle did not point out her obvious motive and proceeded to pass the clearing. ‘Perhaps it would be good to show a bit of my abilities now. Saves me the trouble of having to explain in the future.’

Kaylee was sleeping in Liz’s arms while the young maid herself was also on the verge of nodding off. It seemed that the duo was not particularly fond of long travel.

Alex and Amelia were looking at a rather old looking tome together. It seemed to be a book of spells that explained the mana pathways for intermediate level spells. Vanessa also tried reading the contents a little at the start but she could not understand it and got bored rather quickly.

Unwilling to disturb the studying couple and the sleeping duo, Vanessa came up to the driver’s seat and sat next to her beloved.

Kyle pulled Vanessa into a hug with the free arm not holding the reins. Vanessa did not say a word and slowly closed her eyes, basking in the comfort of her loved one.

Kyle broke the silence, knowing that Vanessa was not asleep.

“’nessa.”

“Mmm…what is it dear?”

Kyle leaned down to kiss her hair, taking in her scent as he enjoyed the warmth produced by Vanessa leaning against his body.

“What do you think about teaching Alex a cultivation method? I thought it’d be a good idea to improve his strength.”

Vanessa peeked up at Kyle, who was still looking at the road ahead, with a smile.

“That’s a good idea! When do you plan to start?”

“Tonight! It’ll be good to start early.” Kyle paused to think after his decision. Vanessa did not interrupt him since she knew that Kyle had more to say. Their marriage has been rather harmonious with little conflict. She understood him more than anyone else on this planet, and she being the sole person he has completely opened up to.

“I cannot keep it hidden from Miss Amelia and Captain Ruby. What do you think I should do?”

Vanessa thought for a bit before replying resolutely.

“Why not teach it to them. You can also ‘gift’ it to the Duke by teaching the captain with a basic method.

As for Amelia, a soul contract to not pass on the cultivation method to anyone without Alex’s permission should be ok.”

Kyle agreed seeing that there were no problems with such an arrangement.

“Ok, I’ll start lecturing them tonight! You’ll have to distract the little girl, ‘nessa. She’ll want to join in the fun but it’s too early for her to start cultivating.”

“What about those set of movements you taught her? Is that not a cultivation method?”

“Haha, no! That’s more of an exercise to strength the body. Cultivating is only possible for the mages of this world. Actually, I’ll have to demonstrate the forms for the captain. She’s a warrior after all.”

“Dear, what about me? Do I not need to perform those forms?”

“My wife, your physique is far past the point of gaining any benefit from such a simple exercise. But if you must, I’ll be more than happy to help you in another way, hehe!”

Vanessa turned slightly pink as she understood the cause of the changes to her body and the implication in Kyle’s words. Vanessa pinched Kyle’s waist hard and refused to talk to him, feigning a pout.

Kyle laughed out loud from Vanessa’s actions. He found her childish behaviour very cute!

***

“Bloody Butcher! What’s the meaning of this?!”

“HAHAHAHAHA!! What do you think Tony, old pal!”

Currently, Tony was in a rather precarious situation. He had travelled down south in search of small and weak groups of bandits and cutthroats to annex. Lady luck was definitely not on his side as he failed to spot any small groups. Although he was a master ranked warrior, he was not a particularly strong one.

He had run into an old rival who had slightly more numbers than his old group. Bloody Butcher was known for his cruel ways. He would kill at the slightest provocation. Yet, the man was sly as a snake. He avoided heavily armed convoys and soldiers alike. Therefore, the man had managed to stay out of trouble, picking on small and weak merchants and travellers.

Tony was surrounded the moment he set foot near their camp. The men he brought quivering in their boots from the sheer intimidation given off from the opponents’ numbers. There were over one hundred surrounding their group of six, jeering and throwing insults all the while.

Like Tony, Bloody Butcher only ever surrounded himself with weaklings, only a few barely qualifying for apprentice rank warriors. This ensured that the leader had absolute power in the camp. Now, this was backfiring on Tony as his five men were of no help.

Tony glared at Bloody Butcher who smirked at him.

“Tony! I can offer you a way out!”

This made the bandit rather cautious. Yet, he had no choice at this moment.

The Butcher continued, not waiting for Tony’s response.

“Surrender to me! Of course, all the wealth on those carts too!” Bloody Butcher fiercely grinned.

Tony’s heart sank. Even if he could escape, his underlings and all of his loot would have to stay behind.

He thought for a full minute. However, that turned out to be a mistake. The surrounding cutthroats sprung into action at the Butcher’s signal.

It merely took a minute before silence resumed. On the now bloody ground lay five lifeless bodies. Tony himself was unharmed, backed up against a cart. Bloody Butcher had remained unmoved the entire time, maintaining his savage grin.

If the now lone bandit leader was to be in his top condition, he’d be able to duke it out with the Butcher even if there was cannon fodder around them. However, he was now too exhausted and mentally spent.

Tony’s expression changed from anger to unwillingness. Finally, sighing in resignation, he threw his weapon on the ground. The Butcher watching on, enjoying the torment and helplessness he inflicted on his old rival.

***

Kyle’s group had stopped for the night. Kyle placed a few layers of barriers around their campsite without anyone noticing. Alex and Amelia were working on starting a fire while Liz and Vanessa readied their dinner. The wordless captain untied the horses and took care of them at the edge of the clearing.

The father and daughter duo unloaded the supplies cart to set up three tents next to the parked wagons. The little girl was distracted by the smell of meals being cooked half way through and escaped to her mother to drool at the dinner.

Everyone gathered around the campfire to have dinner just as the sun had gone down over the horizon.

After having cleaned up, Kyle spoke to Kaylee, also winking at Vanessa at the same time.

“Little girl, why don’t you do those forms I showed you the other day before sleeping? Take Liz and your mom along.”

“Will you tell me a story if I do?”

Kyle could not help but smile at the response. “Of course, I will! Now, run along.”

Kyle watched Kaylee pull Liz and Vanessa towards one side of the clearing. Kyle turned his head towards Alex and Amelia who were getting cosy near the campfire.

“Ok, you two. I’ve got something to tell you. Come with me!”

Kyle had decided to divulge a little about his origins to Alex and Amelia. The Guard Captain automatically assumed watch near the campfire, therefore Kyle led the two to the opposite end of the campsite.

Alex and Amelia looked at Kyle, wondering what their brother in law had in store. They still got up and followed along obediently.

Kyle raised three lumps of earth in a triangle formation, with smooth and flat tops. Alex and Amelia looked at Kyle with shock and wonder. Kyle chuckled a little seeing their expressions.

“Sit!”

“Now then, where to start……let’s see. Ah yes. First thing you should know, I’m not from this world.”