After we finished eating, Roberto looked at everyone with his usual unreadable expression.
"If we're going to move as a merchant team," he said calmly, "then we need to look like merchants too. I don't know what you all think, but appearance matters in business."
His eyes shifted to me.
"Loid, if you have some extra money, you should buy proper clothes—at least for some of us, if not everyone. We'll soon be dealing with people face to face. You're the leader and the one making the decisions now, so it's up to you."
I blinked.
"…Leader?"
Roberto looked at me as if the answer were obvious.
"Then who do you think the leader is? You're the only one who takes direct orders from the boss. Only you and Mac have met him, right?"
"Well… that's true," I said slowly. "But why me? You have more experience. You're educated. You know far more than I do. You could lead us."
Roberto stared straight at me.
"Listen carefully, Loid. What you've done so far already proves your leadership. You brought us this far. You earned money. You fed us. You gave us a chance to live like people again."
Then he raised his voice slightly.
"Is anyone here against Loid being our leader?"
"I also think you should be the leader," Moneru said without hesitation.
Arim turned his face away, but nodded. "I agree with Grandpa."
Mac smiled faintly. "If we're eating properly and living like normal people, it's because of you."
Hasami stepped closer and rested her hands on my shoulders, smiling gently.
"We've been following you this whole time, trusting you without even realizing it."
Roberto nodded once.
"A leader isn't defined by age or experience. Skill defines a leader. And you've already proven yours."
Hearing everyone, I couldn't help but smile.
"…Alright. I'll be the leader. I don't know if I can always guide you perfectly, but I'll do my best. And I'll need everyone's help."
Everyone nodded.
"Yes… Leader."
I scratched my head awkwardly. "Don't call me that. Just call me Loid."
Laughter spread around the fire.
I planned to let Roberto lead and stay in the background, I thought.
But I got emotional again…
I sighed inwardly, then looked at everyone smiling.
I hope these peaceful days last.
"Anyway," I said, clearing my throat, "Grandpa's right. We need proper merchant clothes."
Everyone listened.
"Don't worry," I added with a smile. "The boss prepared some clothes for us in advance. I'll bring them."
"I left the item bag in the cart. Wait here."
I jogged over and climbed into the cart.
[SYSTEM OPENED]
Points Available: 3,233
I carefully bought clothes, estimating everyone's size as best as I could.
Clothing Set ×12 (two sets each)
Points Used: 127
Points Remaining: 3,106
A necessary expense.
[SYSTEM CLOSED]
I returned to the campfire.
"Sorry," I said. "It took a while to find them in the dark."
Just as I was about to take the clothes out, Hasami spoke up.
"Loid… if the clothes are new, shouldn't we clean ourselves first?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"That makes sense," I said. "Then what should we do?"
Roberto answered calmly, "If we head north for half a day, there should be a forest. Inside it, there used to be a lake. I don't know if it's still there."
I thought for a moment. "Let's go and check."
No one objected.
We slept that night, and in the morning—
[SYSTEM OPENED]
I bought food, daily necessities, and medicine for Arim.
Points Remaining: 3,076
[SYSTEM CLOSED]
After eating:
We continued north toward Hainston.
Days passed quietly.
We ate, talked, rested, and took turns learning how to drive the cart. Nothing special happened—but it was peaceful.
Just after noon , we reached the forest thick with trees and tall grass.
Roberto, Moneru, and I went inside to search for the lake. After wandering for a long time and nearly giving up, we finally found it.
Clear water. Calm.
We checked the surroundings carefully, tested the water, and made sure the depth was safe—most of us couldn't swim.
Then we went back and let the women go first.
Moneru and Hasami washed themselves and changed.
Moneru wore a fitted merchant vest over a plain long skirt, with sturdy boots.
Hasami wore a long embroidered merchant robe layered over clean inner clothes.
After that, the rest of us entered the lake.
Only Roberto could swim. I made sure not to show that I could.
Once we were clean, we changed into our new clothes and left the old ones behind.
I wore a dark merchant tunic with a short cloak and leather belt.
Arim wore a simple tunic and trousers tied with a rope belt.
Mac wore a sleeveless vest over a linen shirt, with boots .
Roberto wore a long, heavy coat and a wide-brimmed hat.
When we looked at each other, everyone smiled.
We finally looked like proper people.
After eating some bread, we returned to the road.
At sunset, we stopped again.
[SYSTEM OPENED]
Bread ×12 — 24 points
Points Remaining: 3,052
[SYSTEM CLOSED]
We slept.
Morning came.
[SYSTEM OPENED]
Bread purchase
Points Remaining: 3,028
[SYSTEM CLOSED]
Days continued like this.
Another day passed.
Points Remaining: 2,955
At this rate, the points will keep dropping if we don't earn soon, I thought.
Then—just before noon—
We came across a broken cart on the road.
Some people stood beside it, asking for help.