The caravan slowly rolled toward the southern region. The rhythmic creaking of wheels echoed across the dusty trail as the evening sun painted the sky with crimson and gold. Everyone inside was busy with their own matters — some dozed, some chatted in low tones, others sharpened weapons or counted coins.
Across from Niear Cia sat an old man quietly eating some fruits. His face was lined with age, but his eyes still gleamed with a traveler's alertness. When he noticed the young man glancing at him, he smiled and held out a fruit to offer him.
But Niear Cia shook his head politely.
"No, thank you."
The old man didn't insist and simply nodded, continuing his meal. Niear returned to his book though his eyes skimmed the pages, his mind was elsewhere.
---
Hours passed. Niear Cia tried to sleep.
Even now, he couldn't feel any excitement from reading novels; instead, it only made him bored. He sighed and closed his eyes, trying to drift into sleep. But before he could, a voice shouted from outside:
"Everyone! It's time for dinner!"
He blinked, sat up, and peeked through the curtain. One by one, passengers stepped down from their carriages. He followed them and got out of the caravan.
Outside, the vast camp stretched as far as he could see — hundreds of caravans forming a temporary settlement. Campfires flickered like scattered stars beneath the dimming sky. The air was rich with the scent of grilled meat and spiced soup.
Niear Cia's own carriage was one of the private ones, far more comfortable than most, yet he felt strangely detached from it all.
People bustled about, buying and selling goods, guards laughed loudly, and children ran between the wagons chasing each other. Dozens of food stalls lined the dirt path. Niear's eyes caught one in particular — a grand stall decorated with golden drapes and the scent of rich spices. He walked there, drew a chair, and sat down calmly.
Instantly everyone's gaze turned toward him, and the murmur around him shifted. People turned to look, whispering to each other.
Niear Cia's beauty was striking and unforgettable to them.
Niear Cia looked ahead and noticed a girl staring at him from a few tables away. She was dressed in a crimson royal robe embroidered with gold, her black hair tied neatly behind her head. Her features were delicate yet regal, a beauty that drew attention like the moon in a dark night.
When Niear Cia's gaze met hers, she froze and turned red, but Niear Cia ignored her.
A waiter approached him nervously.
"Young Master, here is our menu. Please, choose whatever you wish."
Niear Cia ordered his favorite dish. After finishing his meal, he rose and went to the counter.
"What's my bill?" he asked.
"Only one-fifth Dimen Stone, Young Master," the manager replied.
Niear paid and left the stall, ignoring everyone's gaze that followed him.
---
Outside, the night air was cool and calm. The moon hung high, bathing the camp in silver light. Everyone remained busy, except for a few like him.
"Wow... The moon looks so graceful from here," Niear Cia muttered softly, admiring the quiet scenery.
He paid no mind to the attention around him; he'd long grown used to such situations.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the same girl again, the one from the stall. She was staring at him once more. When their eyes met, her face turned red again.
"What does this girl want?" Niear thought, suppressing a sigh. "Probably a young lady from some rich family." Niear Cia ignored her again.
He turned away and walked toward another stall, sitting down. Immediately, the conversation between the people there stopped. To them, Niear Cia was probably a noble.
He ordered a cup of tea and sipped it slowly.
"Just one-twentieth of a Dimen Stone," he muttered. "I can afford that easily."
After a while, he turned to the man sitting beside him — a young-aged traveler with a common robe.
"Brother, where's your destination?" Niear asked.
No one usually talked to him, assuming he was a rich young master, but boredom pushed him to start a conversation. The man looked surprised.
"To southern region," he replied solemnly. "And you, Young Master?"
"Me too. It's my first time. Would you mind guiding me?"
"It would be my honor, Young Master."
"No need to call me that. Just 'brother' will do," Niear said. Usually, commoners called rich teenagers 'Young Master.'
"Alright then, brother. I'm Sakhil Yat. And your name?"
"Niear Cia. Have you traveled by caravan often?"
"Many times. Seems like it's your first journey."
"Indeed."
While they talked, Niear noticed everyone's gaze suddenly shifted behind him.
Niear turned and saw her — the same girl, walking gracefully toward them. Instantly, everyone rose to bow or greet her. Only Niear remained seated, unsure of what was happening.
After a few polite exchanges, the girl left, and the murmurs returned.
"Who was that young lady?" Niear asked.
"The young miss of the Vuia Family," Sakhil Yat replied quietly. "They're the owners and guardians of this entire caravan group."
"Ohh..." Niear nodded slowly.
Suddenly, a genius idea flashed in his mind.
"What if I make her fall for me? If I can win her heart, I might not have to struggle anymore. I'm broke now, but she could be my golden ticket... seems she already fell for my incredible looks."
He chuckled to himself, but soon shook his head.
"No... would that really work? I think not."
As the journey continued, Niear Cia lay down with his back against the wall, thinking about how to execute his 'genius' idea.
"First, I'll approach her with a few excuses. Then I'll make her fall in love. After that, I'll suggest we leave the caravan and marry. She'll definitely bring her wealth along... Then I'll steal the money and disappear. Hehehe — and I'll be rich again!"
But even as he thought it, something inside him hesitated.
"No, that sounds too foolish. Would it even work?"
He sighed and lay back in his seat, staring outside. His energy drained away as sleep slowly took him.
---
When morning came, Niear awoke with a groan. The caravan was still moving, creaking along the endless path. Despite sleeping, his mind hadn't left the plan. It circled back again and again.
Just as he began to drift back into thought, a shout echoed outside.
"A group of beasts has attacked! Everyone stay calm, our guards will handle it!"
The entire caravan trembled as tension spread. Shouts and clangs of weapons filled the air, followed by the distant roars of wild beasts.
Niear lifted the curtain slightly and watched. He saw first-dimensional humans, second-dimensional humans, and even a few third-dimensional stage warriors forming defensive lines around the lead carriages. Dust rose as the clash began — brief, fierce, and chaotic.
Within minutes, it was over. The guards were efficient, their blades swift. The danger passed as quickly as they promised.
A moment later, someone shouted again:
"All clear! You may come out for breakfast!"
Niear stretched lazily and stepped down from the carriage. The morning air smelled of rain and iron. He gazed toward the horizon where the sun slowly rose behind the dunes... and saw the Vuia family's young lady...