“Enemy attack!” Ten armored guards darted toward the two kids. All of them wore leather armor and held their arming swords raised against the two. Even if their opponents were just two children, they dared not to lower their guard.

Surrounded by them, Himo didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry. “Calm down, we’re not enemies!”

Seeing two kids who spouted out of nowhere whilst claiming they weren’t enemies, the ten guards reacted as anyone else would.

They raised their weapons even further, pointing directly at the two. 

Even the strongest of them was just a Muscle Strengthening phase cultivator; it was no wonder they dared not to lower their guard.

“Let them come, it’s fine,” an aged voice sounded from the caravan.

“But…” A guard looked uncertain, but a light smack on his nape by another guard shut him up.

A creak sounded from the door at the back of the caravan. An elderly man stepped out, using a wooden cane as support. Behind him, a few children stared at Himo and Phylia curiously, as their parents held their hands. Aside from a few of them, they were mortals, devoid of cultivation. All of them, however, wore fairly expensive clothing—they even had storage rings.

“May I inquire about your identity?” The elder gazed straight at Himo’s eyes.

Himo nodded. “We are traveling together; I’m Himo and she’s Phylia. We got lost thanks to an encounter with a monster and seeing your group I thought to ask where we are.”

The expression of the guards eased up slightly. The elder said, “We are currently in the south of the Remir Empire. Where are you aiming to travel to?”

“The Arsia Kingdom. Do you perhaps know the way toward it?”

The elder took a few seconds to reply. “Our planned route comprises entering the borders of the Arsia Kingdom. Would you be interested in accompanying us?”

“Sure!” Himo smiled.

“That would be of the most wonderful. Please enjoy your stay; we are about to have dinner, it would be magnificent if you were to join us.”

Dinner? Himo turned to look at the sky, only to notice that the sun had nearly fallen. When did that happen? Oh, whatever… Feeling a hole in his stomach, he didn’t refuse. “Thank you!”

Ten minutes later, the coming and going of people walking out of the caravan grew as they brought the equipment outside.

Himo was dumbfounded. Just how many of them are there? His gaze dwelled on the seemingly normal caravan as if looking at some mysterious object.

In just a few minutes, they set up a campfire surrounded by several benches and tables. A man lit up the wood by striking a piece of iron on one of flint, then a woman placed two tripods as a support for a spit skewer. Lastly, they pierced the boar meat with the skewer. For some reason, the shape of that animal was identical to the one that had escaped from Himo.

Invited by the elder, Himo and Phylia sat on a bench just before the fire. 

Surrounded by night, cicadas shrills, and people whispering to one another, Himo stared at the burning blaze as it gradually consumed the life of twigs and branches. A warm heat shielded his hands from the cold as a pleasant smell escaped from the meat. Numerous children wanted to play with the two, but were stopped by their parents. Thus, they limited to giving curious peeks at the newcomers.

The silent harmony lasted for a few minutes, until the aroma thickened signaling the start of the feast. A cheerful mood spread on the group as they severed pieces of meat and distributed one to everyone. Both Himo and Phylia got a piece, the meat held by a wooden skewer.

Everyone began to eat, and Himo did the same. Taking a bite, a strong, rich flavor assailed him, accompanied by an underlying juicy succulence. After observing Himo’s behaviour, Phylia mimicked him. She took a bite at the meat, accidentally swallowing not only the meat but also the skewer.

The children peeking from the side widened their eyes. If it wasn’t for how their parents held them back, they would’ve rushed to her asking what kind of magic she had done.

As Phylia dealt with the children’s gazes, Himo talked with the elder. “You said that you’re merchants?”

“Surely. We survive by buying, traveling, and selling. That’s why we are currently traveling down this path.”

“I see.”

“Is there any question you would like to ask? I would be pleased to provide you with an answer.”

After thinking for a moment, Himo nodded. “Can you give me more information about the surrounding areas?”

The elder closed his eyes. “As I said before, at the north of here there is the Remir Empire. It’s a country hostile to nearly every kingdom in the area, but no one dares to attack it due to its vast ranks of powerful cultivators.

To the south of here, there is the Arsia Kingdom. Considering that it’s your destination, I assume that you already know about it—otherwise, feel free to ask about it.

Toward the east, it’s possible to find an endless landscape filled with monsters. Compared to the monsters in that place, the ones we can find here aren’t too different from toys.

Lastly, there is the west, which leads to a place called ‘Death Valley’. Don’t go near that area for any reason. It is said that even the strongest cultivators cannot survive in that place.”

Death Valley… such a clichè. Himo blinked. “Thank you.”

The elder smiled and nodded.

The two kept talking for half an hour before the festive mood turned into a sleepy one. Kids and adults both took a rudimentary sleeping bag. Adults slept outside, while kids slept inside of the caravan. Five of the ten guards stood in their positions, ready for possible ambushes.

Looking at Himo and Phylia, the elder sighed. “I apologize, but we lack additional sleeping bags.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”

After a few seconds, the elder nodded.

Exchanged the goodbyes, Himo dashed in the midst of the trees, searching for a comfy-looking branch. After two minutes of search, he stopped under an oak. Its branches were not only thick but also curved enough to allow lying down comfortably—or at least that’s what he hoped. He climbed up to the thickest branch, followed by Phylia.

He sprawled on a branch and, surprisingly, fell asleep in just half an hour.