"Another nightmare..."
Takeshi opened his eyes, waking from his dream to a bright new day. Sunlight seeped into the small cart alongside the sweet chirping of birds. The clouds in the sky had parted, leaving behind a clear blue expanse.
Such fluctuations occur often throughout the year in Orival, the Land of Autumn, which creates a warm atmosphere with light rains falling for most of the year.
However, there are regions with their own distinct climates and terrains that differ from one another due to the vastness of this large country; in the south, the weather tends to be somewhat hot, while in the north, it is cold and snow falls more than in other areas.
The central regions are temperate and warm; nonetheless, the Vargrim Forest occupies a large area in the country's center, where the number of villages can be counted on one's fingers, as it is home to the savage Rivarg monsters.
Therefore, most of the population and major cities are concentrated along the country's borders or the outer edges of the forest.
Among these cities is Galleon, located south of the Vargrim Forest, not far from the southern national borders.
For this reason, and because it is close to the forest, most residents fleeing the depths of the desolate forest's darkness head toward it.
Many merchants also purchase plant-based goods specifically from villages inside the forest to sell them in the city—among those merchants was Sota.
'Don't tell me he's asleep...'
Takeshi realized the cart had stopped as soon as he woke up, but he took his time to show any reaction or to process it.
Takeshi moved his hand and placed it stealthily under the pile of hay to feel for his bag; as soon as he did, he stood up immediately and stepped out of the small cart.
He glanced at the driver's cabin, only to see Sota fast asleep, drowning in his dreams, with saliva dripping from his open mouth.
'I told you to wake me up...'
As soon as Takeshi turned his head toward the north, he saw the structures of a small village on the horizon.
He remembered which village had that specific layout and architectural design; it was the village of Eldra.
It wasn't close, but at the same time, it wasn't far enough for Takeshi's expectations. This time, the young merchant's laziness was what would delay his search for the Royal Skull Gang, not Orphen's instructions and strange training.
Takeshi grabbed Sota's shoulder and shook him.
"Hey, wake up!"
His words and shaking were of no use.
Takeshi realized that Sota's sleep was incredibly deep, and he did not want to become a burden to the person who had agreed to give him a ride for free.
Therefore, Takeshi settled for carrying him and placing him inside the cart on top of the hay without affecting even a fraction of his heavy slumber.
'At least show some reaction...'
Takeshi headed to the driver's cabin and sat down, holding the rope of the horse, which had been sleeping beside a tree that provided shade for the cart.
Seeing the sun above the horizon, Takeshi realized the day had just begun—meaning the time was between 8:00 and 10:00 AM.
'I hope this works...'
Takeshi gathered what he had in his memory regarding how to guide the horse. Yesterday, before they reached Eldra, he had been watching Sota as he directed the horse, and from those quick glances, he had managed to memorize how to drive it.
Partially...
This was due to how his memory functioned; he didn't remember everything in this manner. It was like studying—you try to memorize it, but you can't.
Additionally, since they were only brief moments, the complete method hadn't been etched into his mind.
"I believe I should..."
He pulled the rope with a force that made the horse stand on its hind hooves to launch at full power. Nevertheless, the cart's speed was not high, as it was considered heavy, in addition to the quality of the horse itself—it was an economical horse.
Despite that jolt and the movement of the cart, Sota did not stir; rather, the sound of his snoring and the amount of saliva dripping from his mouth increased as he sank back into his happy dreams.
The cart had truly begun to move this time, but tens of kilometers away, there was a group that had not stopped moving since yesterday.
***
Ahead, the slave traders who had raided Eldra were continuing their journey without pause on their ordinary horses.
Intense fatigue was evident on them and their steeds.
Among them was the massive man who had attacked Eve's mother and fought Takeshi; from his face, one could see the marks left by Takeshi's punch.
They were very close to the borders of the desolate southern forest, with only a few kilometers separating them, after which they would reach Galleon.
But this was not their destination.
In front of them, a man rode on his noble white horse; his mustache covered his mouth, which he used to speak in a noble tone. It was Seishi, the deputy leader of the slave traders.
"Alright, we are changing our destination now—to the East!"
All the traders grumbled without exception, their lazy expressions worsening, except for one person who stood out among them, wearing a white robe decorated with a badge resembling a bare skull, at the end of the line.
His hair was black and disheveled, and his features were gloomy and melancholic, marked especially by the deep darkness under his dry eyes.
This person was from the Royal Skull Gang, but what was he doing here?
It was a question to which only he and one other person knew the answer.
As soon as they changed direction, Seishi moved forward, glancing stealthily and intently at the one in the white robe as he left the traders' path. The traders had just noticed him and showed some suspicion and curiosity, yet they continued on their way without interfering with that person's path.
Seishi, in turn, set aside his anxiety regarding that individual and continued forward, surpassing the others.
Only seconds passed before he reached the side of a massive man covered in red tattoos on his face, riding a wild black horse. It was the leader of the slave traders, the one nicknamed the Great Slave Merchant, Kursh.
"Do you need something?"
Kursh spoke without even looking at Seishi, who replied in his irritating noble tone:
"I have two questions, Leader."
"Ask."
Seishi coughed before speaking.
"My first question: why did we leave that village behind, and why didn't we kill that boy who stood in our way?"
Without panting or even blinking, Kursh answered:
"Did you feel that aura when we were planning to raid this village three weeks ago?"
Seishi shook his head in affirmation. Kursh continued his speech:
"I received information that it was emanating from something owned by that boy named Takeshi. When I met the leader of the Royal Skull Gang, Rasten, he tried to threaten me indirectly by warning me against interfering in that boy's affairs. And it seems someone else has interfered in those matters, for that aura moved from its location two weeks ago toward the city of Galleon..."
An aura three weeks ago that moved two weeks ago? And the Royal Skull Gang had a hand in it?
By connecting all these matters together, it can be concluded that the source of the aura they were speaking of was Takeshi's sword.
This provides a logical reason for a gang to steal a sword from someone living away from public view—and even explains how they knew his location.
From Kursh's words, it can be known that the aura is immense and intense, but it cannot be felt directly except through 'Detection,' which makes it like a human aura—it exists, but you cannot sense it except through Detection.
This explains why no one from the neighboring villages was able to feel the sword's aura, especially since most of their residents are people considered at the bottom of the hierarchy; they do not have masters to teach them how to use aura.
Takeshi was lucky because he found one.
The Great Merchant continued his speech:
"Furthermore, while you were playing around with that boy, Shadr informed me of how dangerous he is and Rasten's need for him to remain alive."
Seishi shook his head.
"Shadr? Do you mean that person from the Royal Skull Gang who infiltrated our group?"
Kursh finally turned his head and said:
"Yes. I have answered your first question. So, what is your second?"
Seishi sighed, then shifted his gaze forward, saying:
"You have already answered it—it was about that person called Shido or Shadr... And now, we must focus on our next mission under your master plan!"