[Vyavan Dukedom]

[The Next Morning]

Akamir looked at the carriage that had been prepared for the journey.

It was not as big or luxurious like the other ones but it was much more comfortable.

'Well, this should do it.'

The servants placed the things on the back of the carriage.

Even though Akamir didn't need a lot of things, he still packed a few important ones.

The trip to the Sylvan Kingdom would take him two or three days.

Akamir was already ready for it.

'I have also informed Necro to join us from the Lythanis kingdom.'

Akamir also planned to strike a deal with the elves for spirit herbs.

Necro will represent the Imoyan company as its executive manager.

'Well, he will do a great job and I will also be present in the meeting.'

Akamir planned to sell the first batch of the herbs and earn as much profit as possible.

He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at his side where Mika stood quietly.

Akamir decided to take her with him as he had plans for her in the Elven kingdom.

Akamir adjusted the sleeves of his coat and walked over to Mika.

She stood silently, her hands clasped in front of her, eyes lowered to the ground. Her expression was unreadable, but her posture was stiff.

"You packed everything?" he asked casually.

Mika nodded. "Yes… sir."

Akamir nodded as he had asked her not to call him 'My Lord' in public.

Akamir gave her a look as the woman wore a maid outfit that fit her properly.

'….She actually looks great in it.'

Akamir then looked at Raden and Veres who stood in the corner.

Despite the sun not even up, many people came out to see him off.

Raden bowed as he saw Akamir walking towards him as Veres followed suit.

"I am leaving my dukedom in your hands." Akamir said, looking at them. "Take care of it."

"It is nothing but my job, my Lord." Raden said softly. "I was made to do this."

Akamir gave him a soft nod, still feeling weird how a mimicker talked to him.

He looked at the old Steward who smiled softly at him.

Veres bowed once again. "I will do my utmost best, master."

Akamir nodded softly. "Alright, all the best."

The wheels of the carriage creaked as the last of the supplies were loaded.

Viros and Luca stood nearby, yawning and stretching.

Akamir walked towards them. "You guys are still here?"

Viros chuckled softly. "It's nice living here." He replied. "Man, I miss my home."

"Are you going to visit us after you are done with the elves?" Luca however was more serious. "Or will you take more time?"

Akamir thought for a second before he nodded once. "I will inform you as soon as I am done."

Luca grinned softly. "Alright."

Viros looked around for a while before he leaned closer. "I have something for you."

Akamir, curious, couldn't help but ask. "What?"

Viros made sure no one was looking before he passed him half a litre bottle.

Akamir took it as he checked the content.

…It was milk.

He frowned. "What is this for?"

"Try it." Viros replied while grinning. "The lady took it freshly today morning."

Akamir grew even more confused. "What?"

Luca sighed. "It's the milk from a cow-kin beastwoman."

The bottle instinctively fell down from Akamir's hand but Viros was quick to catch it.

He then glared at Akamir. "Careful man."

Akamir blinked. "You're telling me this is beastwoman milk?"

Viros smirked and gave a proud nod. "Freshly squeezed. Very nutritious. You should drink it on your journey."

"I'm not drinking this," Akamir said flatly, trying not to make a face.

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. I heard it sells for a good price in the black market."

Akamir looked at the bottle again, then sighed deeply. "Keep it. You enjoy it."

Viros chuckled. "More for me, then."

As Akamir shook his head in disbelief, the coachman called out, "We're ready to depart, my Lord!"

Mika stood by the carriage door, quietly waiting.

Her eyes briefly met Akamir's before she looked away again.

Akamir turned to Luca and Viros one last time. "Reagan?"

"He refused to come out." Luca replied simply. "Even when we asked."

Akamir remained silent as he let out a sigh. "Alright." he said, looking at them. "Stay out of trouble."

"No promises," Viros said with a wink.

Luca gave him a firm nod. "Safe travels."

With that, Akamir climbed into the carriage.

Mika followed, sitting across from him with her hands folded neatly in her lap.

The interior was modest but clean.

Cushioned seats lined the sides, and a small rack above held a few bags.

As the carriage began to move, Akamir leaned back and glanced out the window.

The Dukedom slowly faded into the distance, the early morning mist still lingering on the roads.

Mika stayed quiet, eyes fixed on the floor.

Akamir finally broke the silence. "You don't have to be so stiff. We'll be traveling together for a few days."

She hesitated, then gave a faint nod. "Yes… I understand."

"Careful there." Nayomi came in his view as she said. "You may not know but mimickers could also grow feelings."

Akamir frowned as he looked at her. "Really?"

"Yes." She replied. "Sins are a special type of Mimickers, they can also mimic feelings."

Akamir remained silent for a while as he looked at Mika differently.

'…Looks like I would need to be more careful from now on.'

Akamir sighed as he had another reason to keep his guard up.

He doesn't really want to have any type of relationship with the mimickers whatsoever.

'Hmm, I wonder what an average guy would have done in my stead.'

Akamir thought, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, though he was already aware of the answer.

To have her mimic the girl they like and use them.

Akamir was sure something like that will definitely happen.

He leaned back, watching her for a moment.

Even though her face remained still, there was something different in her presence.

Mimickers were good at blending in—but Mika had started to feel a little too… human.

Nayomi appeared beside him again, floating lazily in the air, arms behind her head.

"See what I meant?" she whispered with a sly smile. "You can't keep treating them like tools forever. Some of them learn too fast."

"She's still a tool," Akamir said quietly, glancing out the window.

"I am glad you think like me, boy." She said, looking at him. "We are made to be together."

Akamir grunted as he looked at her. "Were you always like this?"

She tilted her head. "Like what?"

"Like a rude little bitch." Akamir said, leaning back. "The one who always thinks she is above everyone else."

Nayomi didn't get angry at his words instead she turned silent.

Was she self-reflecting on her own work?

Akamir wasn't really sure.

"I…wasn't always like this." She replied, her voice soft. "There was a time when I was just a normal girl."

Akamir looked at her. "When was that?" He asked. "Back on Earth?"

He still remembered the things that she told him about her time on Earth.

She was nothing but a normal girl back in her old world.

Nayomi gave him a soft nod in response. "Well, I was normal there." She replied.

"You see, there was nothing like mana in my old world but we all had our own problems."

Nayomi floated lower, her arms wrapping around her knees.

Akamir placed his face on his palm. "Were you special?"

"In a way, I was." She replied. "My father was quite rich but also quite busy."

"…Ah, I see. A neglected child." Akamir replied with a chuckle. "No wonder."

Nayomi glared at him. "The fuck you mean by that?"

"Nothing." He replied. "So, do you remember them?"

"Well, that's the thing." She replied softly. "I don't remember them now…it's been so long that I have forgotten the faces of my mother and father."

Akamir remained silent before he asked. "Your sister?"

"Well, she isn't that hard to forget." She replied softly. "Unlike me, she had gone on my mother…long black hair and eyes. She was able to easily fit with the Japanese unlike me."

Akamir nodded softly though he didn't understand her completely.

"She was why I was living my life." Nayomi replied softly. "And I loved her a lot."

Akamir didn't say anything else as he remained silent.

Truth be told he was slightly envious of her life.

His life wasn't as peaceful in his old world, heck he even had to kill his own siblings and capture his mother.

Akamir couldn't actually understand what having a loving family meant.

"By the way." Nayomi said, looking at the back of the carriage. "Are you going to keep on ignoring him?"

Akamir let out a sigh as he signalled to Mika.

"Stop the carriage." She said and it stopped immediately.

Akamir walked out and moved to the back opening a trunk.

Inside it was a teddy bear who was hiding his body.

When he looked at Akamir he slowly smiled. "Hello."