Sai watched Rose as she listened to the caravan workers, completely absorbed in their stories—tales of distant cities, harsh lands, and long journeys across unfamiliar roads. The excitement on her face was impossible to hide.

  It seems she’ll fit in well with the caravan folk, Sai thought. That’s good… maybe I worried for nothing.

  As he stood there, one of the caravan guards approached.

  Sai turned to see Mardukir walking toward them. When he reached them, he spoke calmly.

  “Master Karandash has returned—with Commander Sharruk.”

  Sai nodded. “Alright. I’ll inform Rose, and we’ll come with you to introduce ourselves.”

  “Good,” Mardukir replied.

  Sai walked over to Rose, who was still listening intently to the workers’ stories. He placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.

  “Rose. The caravan master has arrived.”

  She looked up at him immediately.

  “Does that mean we’re leaving now?”

  “Soon,” Sai said. “Come on—let’s go introduce ourselves.”

  Rose stood, brushing dust from her clothes after sitting on the ground.

  “We’ll continue later,” she said cheerfully to the workers, waving as she followed Sai.

  They walked beside Mardukir toward two men approaching the caravan. Zamirah was already heading toward them.

  Sai and Rose stopped beside Mardukir as they watched the pair draw closer. Zamirah was speaking with one of them—a broad, imposing man whose armor marked him clearly as the caravan’s commander: Sharruk Ibn Daru.

  The second man was slimmer, dressed in fine traveling clothes. Even from a distance, Sai could tell they were luxurious—woven with gold and silk.

  The three reached them at the same time.

  Mardukir stepped forward and addressed the well-dressed man directly.

  “Master Karandash, the adventurers assigned by the guild have arrived,” Mardukir said.

  “This is Sai—and his partner, Rose.”

  Karandash studied Sai and Rose carefully, then turned to Sharruk.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “They’ll suffice,” Sharruk replied simply.

  Karandash smiled faintly.

  “I expected a larger team,” he admitted. “But I won’t complain about a rank-five party for the price I paid.”

  He glanced around.

  “Where is Narishta?”

  It took only a few moments before Narishta Amarin approached.

  “How did the negotiation go, Master Karandash?” she asked.

  “Well,” Karandash replied with satisfaction. He then looked at her. “Is the caravan ready to depart?”

  “Yes,” Narishta answered. “Everything is prepared.”

  Karandash turned to Sharruk.

  “Inform your people. We depart now.”

  Sharruk nodded and turned to relay the order—casting a brief glance at Sai and Rose as he did.

  Sai glanced toward Narishta, noticing the striking resemblance between her and Master Karandash.

  Both shared the same black hair and brown eyes—even their facial features were similar.

  He hesitated, then asked,

  “Are Master Karandash and Lady Narishta related?”

  Sharruk nodded.

  “Yes. They are relatives, though I don’t know the exact degree of kinship.”

  Sharruk’s gaze shifted to Sai, studying him briefly.

  “Judging by your equipment—and the way you carry yourself—I’d say you’re a mage. And the girl… a warrior.”

  “Yes, Commander Sharruk,” Sai replied.

  “Good,” Sharruk said.

  “Sai, you’ll be working with Kaveh—he is our mage. Rose will be assigned to Mardukir.”

  Sai inclined his head.

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  “Understood.”

  “You may join them now,” Sharruk continued.

  “They’ll brief you on your duties.”

  “Very well,” Sai said again.

  Sharruk turned sharply.

  “Zamirah—move to the front of the road and prepare. We depart shortly.”

  “Yes,” Zamirah replied, moving toward her mount.

  Sai and Rose stood for a moment, watching as the caravan stirred to life—workers shouting, animals shifting, wagons creaking as preparations for departure began.

  Sai looked at Rose.

  “Alright. I’ll head to Kaveh. You go to Mardukir.”

  He pointed her in the right direction.

  “Got it,” Rose said, already moving.

  Sai scanned the caravan until he spotted Kaveh standing near the rear, then made his way toward him.

  As he approached, Sai said,

  “Commander Sharruk assigned me to work with you.”

  Kaveh smiled faintly.

  “Then our duties will be route scanning with detection magic and providing magical support if combat breaks out. Though, in truth, Mardukir and Zamirah usually deal with most threats before they ever reach the caravan.”

  He paused, then added,

  “Most of our real work happens inside cities.”

  Sai blinked in surprise.

  “Aren’t cities safer than the roads and deserts?”

  Kaveh chuckled softly.

  “Cities of the Eastern Continent are ruled by guilds and alliances. And where power gathers, so do rivalries. There’s always someone who profits from removing a competitor.”

  Sai nodded slowly.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Good,” Kaveh said, glancing toward Rose.

  “Looks like your partner’s already with Mardukir.”

  Sai followed his gaze and smiled faintly.

  “Yes. I just hope she doesn’t cause him too much trouble.”

  Rose stood with her spear resting against her shoulder, looking at Mardukir.

  “So,” she asked, “what do we do?”

  Mardukir met her gaze calmly.

  “Our task is simple. Any threat that approaches the caravan—we eliminate it… or drive it away.”

  Rose grinned.

  “Simple and direct. I like it.”

  Mardukir chuckled.

  “That’s the spirit we need.”

  He gestured ahead, toward Zamirah riding at the front of the caravan.

  “Usually, Zamirah handles scouting. We deal with anything she reports.”

  Rose glanced at him.

  “Are we riding horses too?”

  “No,” Mardukir replied. “And if something happens, we can run faster than horses anyway.”

  “Good,” Rose said quickly. “I don’t like riding horses.”

  Mardukir raised an eyebrow.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Long rides hurt my back,” Rose replied flatly.

  Mardukir laughed.

  “Still, for long-distance travel, horses are indispensable. And you should see them in war—warhorses charging at full speed can shatter even the strongest formations.”

  Rose shook her head.

  “That’s not fair. You can’t compare warhorses to ordinary ones. They use mana just like we do. It’s like comparing an adventurer to a normal person.”

  Mardukir nodded in agreement.

  “I can’t deny that.”

  He then motioned forward.

  “Take position at the front of the caravan. Your partner Sai and Kaveh will stay at the rear. Commander Sharruk rides in the center with Master Karandash.”

  “Alright,” Rose said.

  She turned away, unable to hide the smile spreading across her face.

  The adventure had finally begun—

  a journey into the unknown, toward lands she had only heard of in stories.

  As Rose looked down the road stretching ahead of the caravan, her heart raced with excitement.

  This was it.

  Her real adventure was just beginning.

  Rick walked between the rows of tents as soldiers and adventurers began dismantling them in preparation for departure.

  The camp was already in a state of readiness after the morning’s attack—something that had, unsettlingly, become routine in recent weeks.

  With so much movement around him, Rick found himself trying to remember where Mary’s tent was.

  Damn it… where was it again?

  Lost in thought, he noticed Red speaking quietly with several of his followers. Rick turned toward him and decided to approach.

  Red sensed him immediately. With a subtle hand signal, he dismissed his subordinates, who moved off toward the camp’s exit. Rick raised a hand in greeting.

  “You haven’t left yet?” Red asked.

  Rick smiled faintly.

  “No. I was looking for Mary’s tent.”

  “She’s waiting by the gate with the knights,” Red replied.

  “Good.” Rick nodded, then glanced at him. “Anything interesting?”

  Red shook his head.

  “Nothing unusual. And that’s what worries me. Especially the lack of any sign of those demons in black armor.”

  Rick couldn’t see Red’s face beneath the mask, but the anger in his voice was unmistakable.

  Two of Red’s people had died during the mission at their hands.

  And what could anyone have done?

  They had all been caught off guard by their strength. Even Rainer had nearly been killed.

  Those things aren’t enemies ordinary adventurers can stand against, Rick thought.

  Even those trained under someone like Red.

  Only the truly gifted—those at the very top—stood a chance against them.

  Rick looked at his friend.

  “Honestly… I don’t think we’ll be seeing them again anytime soon.”

  Red’s head tilted slightly toward him. Rick knew that look—Red wanted an explanation.

  “I think whatever they came here to do,” Rick continued, “they succeeded. Or at least… partially.”

  Red was silent for a moment, then nodded.

  “I agree. But there’s still no trace of them. And what troubles me most is their power—the way they fought. I’ve never seen abilities like that. Not once in my life. Even their armor…”

  “Same here,” Rick said quietly. “I’ve read about many things… but nothing like this. Still—if my theory is correct, I might be able to connect the pieces. I just need to confirm one thing first.”

  Red didn’t hesitate.

  “The armor fragment in the Thalorien camp.”

  “Yes,” Rick replied. Then he exhaled and gave a small smile. “And on that note—excuse me. I shouldn’t keep Mary waiting.”

  Red inclined his head.

  “You’re right.”

  Rick turned and headed toward the camp gate, his thoughts heavy.

  I hope I’m wrong, he thought.

  For once in my life… I truly hope I’m wrong.

  When Rick reached the gate, Mary was already there—along with Isaac and Chris—waiting for him.

  Mary’s eyes were practically burning as she turned on him.

  “Do you have any idea how long we’ve been waiting?” she snapped. “Why are you so late?”

  Rick looked at her with a sly gleam in his eyes.

  “I had no idea you were this eager to see your dear Altharion.”

  Mary stiffened, a faint blush rising to her cheeks as she quickly looked away.

  “Let’s just go,” she said, trying—and failing—to hide her embarrassment.

  Rick chuckled softly and followed after her.

  Isaac and Chris moved into step beside them, and together the four headed toward the forest, leaving the camp behind.

  Behind them, soldiers were already dismantling the fortifications, preparing to march out.

  Without slowing, the group picked up their pace—

  vanishing into the forest as the expedition began its swift advance forward.

  The forest was quiet as they advanced, their pace swift and unbroken.

  Rick intended to reach the Thalorien camp by evening—and leave again early the next morning. He had no desire to spend a moment there longer than necessary.

  Still, he needed to speak with Vetar.

  Vetar had fought one of those demons as well.

  And there were too many questions—far too many.

  Why had the demons attacked Vetar’s camp specifically?

  Why had they remained inactive before, despite their overwhelming strength?

  Why now?

  None of it made sense.

  Their movements, their timing… everything felt wrong.

  And then there was the magical wave.

  No—that wave was the key to everything.

  Rick narrowed his eyes as they moved deeper into the trees.

  If nothing else, he was certain of one thing:

  At the very least… he would be able to connect the dots soon enough.

  “For now, all he could do was move forward—and wait for the truth to reveal itself.”