Rick stood at Thornwick's main gate two hours later, with his pack over his shoulder and his sword at his side. Carmilla got there first, wearing travel leathers instead of her full armor and carrying her giant sword on her back. She looked more at ease than Rick had ever seen her, but her eyes were still alert.
Rick was drooling seeing Carmilla in her relaxed state, especially since that traveler's clothes were showing off those huge assets, and both of Rick's fingers were twitching. He tried to control his own self-control and be a better person so that he could deserve Carmilla someday.
Natasha showed up a few minutes later, wearing a practical traveling outfit of sturdy pants and a fitted jacket instead of her usual dark robes. Rick could see that she still had her crystallized ice staff and that she had many magical items in her belt.
Even with the jacket covering her traveler's clothes, Rick can tell that Natasha's assets are bigger and tighter than Carmilla's, he says in his mind. "Damn... I really want to taste that cold watermelon..."
"Cold watermelon...? Ain't that something real from the video game fruits vs zombies...? Anyway! I need to train my self-control between these two baddies...!!!"
A carriage pulled up with an old man in his fifties driving it. He looked at their weapons and nodded in approval. "Adventurers going to the capital these days...?"
"It's smart to travel with a weapon because the road has been dangerous lately."
"How dangerous?" Carmilla asked as they got into the carriage.
"Monster sightings have gone up by thirty percent in the last month, and even bandits are getting bolder too."
"But you three seem like you can take care of yourselves. We'll get there quickly if we don't stop for too long at the way stations."
The carriage started to move, and Rick sat down across from Carmilla and Natasha just to see the assets, not the road. As they drove down the main road toward the capital, the city of Thornwick slowly faded from view.
After a few minutes of silence, Carmilla said, "So... please tell us more about this prophecy."
"Sebastian said something about it last night, but I want to know everything."
Rick told them what Sebastian had told him about the Hero of Mature Hearts, the coming destruction, and how important it was for the strongest women in the realm to work together. Carmilla and Natasha both listened carefully, and their faces grew more serious as he spoke.
Natasha said, "The Dragon Queen and Demon General," when he was done. "I've read about them in books about history."
"They are not only powerful but also ancient... like a few hundred years old. The situation must be really bad if they're not willing to help."
"Or they're too proud to say they need help," Carmilla said in response. "A lot of the time, powerful people can't even ask for a single simple help, you know?"
"Rick is supposed to make them work together no matter what." Natasha looked at him with an expression that could have indicated worry. "Most people can't do that."
"Good thing I'm not like most people," Rick said, sounding more sure of himself than he really was. "I have the most embarrassing cheat ability in the world, and it's made just for this."
"And us," Carmilla said, reaching over to hold his hand. "You're not alone in this."
The warmth of her touch sent a pleasing pulse through their Spirit Bond, and Rick felt Natasha's awareness get sharper as a result. "Holy shit... it's so warm..."
The ice mage turned her head, but Rick saw the faint blush on her cheeks. The bond made them all more aware of how the others were feeling, which would take some time to get used to.
They rode for about three hours before the carriage suddenly slowed down. The driver called back, "There's someone ahead on the road."
"It seems like they need help."
Rick leaned out the window and saw an older woman next to a wagon with an obviously broken wheel. She looked to be in her early fifties and had graying brown hair tied back in a practical bun.
She was dressed simply for travel. Two younger people, who were probably her adult children, were trying to lift the wagon but kept on failing.
[DETECTED SIDE QUEST: HELP WITH A BROKEN WHEEL]
[TARGET: HELENA FAIRWEATHER, 52]
[GOAL: FIX THE WAGON]
[REWARD: 30 EXP, POSSIBLE LOVE GAIN]
[NOTE: FIRST TRAVEL ENCOUNTER STARTED]
Rick could still hear Sebastian's voice in his head. "And so it starts. Show me what you know."
Rick said, "We should help them," and he was already opening the door to the carriage.
Carmilla and Natasha looked at each other and then followed him outside. The driver appeared unsurprised, as if it was customary for adventurers to halt and assist those in need.
Helena looked up as they got closer, and her weathered face lit up with relief. "Thank the gods..."
"We've been stuck here for an hour. The wheel broke off completely, and we can't raise the wagon high enough to put it back on."
Carmilla said right away, "We can help with that." She went to the corner of the wagon and got ready. "Rick, Natasha, on three."
They worked together to lift the wagon high enough for Helena's kids to slide the spare wheel into place. Carmilla's strength, Rick's determination, and Natasha's use of a levitation spell to make the weight lighter all helped.
"Thank the gods~! You're a lifesaver," Helena said as they tightened the wheel. "We're traders bringing a load of herbs to the capital."
"We would have missed our buyer and lost a lot of money if we had remained stuck for much longer."
Rick wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, "Glad we could help, ma'am."
Helena looked at him for a moment, then reached into her wagon and got a small bag. "Here. Take these healing herbs as payment."
"It's not much, but it's something. You look like adventurers, so you probably need them."
Rick said, "You don't have to pay us."
"I insist."
"My grandmother always told me to be kind to people who are kind to me." Helena pushed the pouch into his hands, and her rough fingers were warm and strong. "You also remind me of my son when he was younger. The same serious look in your eyes."
[QUEST COMPLETE: HELP WITH BROKEN WHEELS]
[REWARD: +30 EXP]
[HELENA FAIRWEATHER'S LOVE: 0 → 2]
[NOTE: SHE THINKS YOU'RE A GOOD BOY. TYPE OF MATERNAL AFFECTION REGISTERED.]
Rick felt the experience wash over him, along with a warm feeling of satisfaction. It wasn't a huge gain, but it felt wonderful to help someone who really needed it.
"Thanks again," Helena said again before getting back on her wagon. "Have a safe trip, everyone."
They got back in their carriage and went on their way. Natasha was studying Rick with a serious look on her face. "That was the first side quest Sebastian talked about."
"Looks like it. Honestly, I would have stopped to help even if the system hadn't told me to."
"I know," Natasha said in a low voice.
"That's why you're the potential hero to save everything..."