Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Dreams Inscribed / Story
Can we just buy another carriage...
The limited space within the carriage has grown even more cramped.
With Karenina and Teddy joining your group, Wanshi has to be bound by ropes on top of the carriage to sleep... to keep watch.
Seated next to Wanshi, Camu gazes into the distance with an empty expression, entrusted with the responsibility of securing the rope in case Wanshi accidentally falls off the carriage.
Within the carriage, Karenina's supply chest now occupies the spot where the Little Gray Raven was previously seated. As a result, everyone has to rearrange the seating again.
However, regardless of the arrangements, the space itself remains exceedingly limited. Everyone is forced to huddle closely together—for example, Lucia is now sitting on Karenina's lap.
Karenina, let me know if you can't bear my weight. Don't push yourself too much.
Come on, I'm not a fragile doll made of glass. This weight is nothing for me.
But why can't we just get another carriage? Even horses alone would work, and we could craft the carriage body ourselves.
After all that commotion we've stirred up in this city, don't even think about going to the market for resources...
So we have to deal with this before arriving at the next city.
Despite the discomfort caused by the cramped seating, no one displays any annoyance or frustration.
In a way, this kind of huddling experience holds its own value and is somewhat precious.
Is the wizard really not going to reunite with his friends...?
In comparison to your current situation, the carriage ahead appears vacant, so much so that it exudes a sense of loneliness.
The traveling wizard, humming a tune, is the only person riding atop the carriage, guiding the horses forward in a leisurely manner.
Maybe he can't, just like a year ago when he and his friends had a falling out.
Perhaps something changed while we were gone.
But he can't just travel alone like that. It's way too dangerous.
And based on the information we've gathered, it's definitely not a smart move to go solo into the Realm of Dragons.
Should we hire someone to ask him about it?
Hire someone... Sophia, has the traveling wizard met you and Changyu?
Yeah, we bumped into him during the mission at Church of the Flying Ramen.
In that case, it seems there's not much we can do. Since he knows everyone in our group, it would be too risky for us to approach him.
...
But he never heard me and Sophia talking.
Talking... Do you mean...?
Changyu gives him a nod of acknowledgment and looks at Sophia, who sits in a corner.
Taking her cue from Changyu, Sophia quickly follows suit. She borrows Liv's wand and grabs several blankets from a supply chest.
It's like the lion dance Changyu taught me before.
Commandant, leave this to us.
Stepping onto the moist, muddy ground after the spring rain, the traveling wizard makes his way toward the back of his carriage.
He casts a glance at the clouds above before skillfully retrieving his tent and getting ready to set up camp for the night.
With him working all by himself, the camp preparation is progressing rather slowly.
Is there anything I can help you with, traveler?
It's nothing special. I'm just curious why you're venturing into the Realm of Dragons alone during this time of year.
Upon hearing the traveler mention the "Realm of Dragons", the traveling wizard suspends his current task, raising his head to lock eyes with the traveler, as if attempting to see through their intentions beneath the cloak.
The traveler, cloaked and with a hunched back, conceals their face with a veil of magic, revealing only distorted darkness. Clutching a costly wand, they exude an air of mystery.
...
Do you think this will actually work? I saw the legs trembling just now.
Chill out, Captain. Changyu has shown me the lion dance before, and this is a walk in the park for him.
I'm more worried about Sophia up there. I wonder if she'll be able to squeeze any useful info out of that wizard.
The two are crouching on a nearby hill, carefully observing the situation. They remain alert, prepared to rush to the aid of Sophia and Changyu if any changes arise.
Looks like you've got quite some information on me, but I recommend you stay clear of this situation.
Because...
I've been dealing with this ghost haunting that's practically draining my wallet, and I've already blown the king's down payment on anti-curse potions.
If you're here to rob me, let's not even bother discussing whether I can take you down or not. Trust me, you won't get anything. So how about we just mind our own business, stay out of each other's way, and focus on our own stuff?
...
...
His sudden flurry of words catches Sophia off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. It takes Changyu a little while to grasp the meaning behind the words and realize that the traveling wizard has misunderstood their intentions.
Changyu quickly shakes Sophia, who is carried atop him, trying to give her a signal.
However, in the eyes of the traveling wizard, Changyu's motion appears more like a tendency to lose balance.
Ha? Even bandits nowadays have learned how to scam people? The industry sure is stepping up its game...
You're a bandit.
Hey, don't randomly throw accusations. I'm always an honest and hospitable person.
So, what in the world do you want from me with that wand in your hand?
I'm just curious about why the current hero has ended up traveling alone to the Realm of Dragons.
As the conversation unfolds, the traveling wizard once again carefully assesses the mysterious traveler standing before him.
However, Sophia and Changyu don't intend to offer him a further explanation. Sometimes, silence can be more effective than words.
As a result, upon confirming that the wand held by the mysterious traveler is specifically crafted for healing magic, the traveling wizard's guard eases slightly.
At least, he withdraws his hand from the wand concealed within his cloak.
Since you've known a lot already, I'll be straight with you.
Because it's unnecessary.
The traveling wizard crouches down, picking up a stone to strike the pegs connecting the ropes, ensuring the tent is securely fastened in place.
Unnecessary? So you're confident that you can handle this all by yourself?
That's not a fun joke to say. Even the strongest humans I know, the former heroes, went to the Realm of Dragons as a team.
When I say "unnecessary," I mean hiring people. The thing is, all the legal mercenaries I can afford with coins tend to be too weak. They'd just end up being a burden for me in the Realm of Dragons.
I'm not exactly keen on relying on illegal outlaws either. If they turn out to be as cunning as the former heroes, I'll be doomed.
So...
You don't have any friends?
...
Of course I do.
Those are the only people I will never seek out again.
Why? As your friends, shouldn't they...
Listen to me, mysterious traveler.
The traveling wizard cuts off Sophia as he slowly rises to his feet, gazing at the hill nearby.
It's been over a decade already since we were once heroes.
The knight eventually settled down for marriage, the sharpshooter finally achieved her dream of establishing her own sect, and the old blacksmith is likely still looking after his grandchild in the orchard...
Everyone is living their own lives, holding onto things they cherish.
There's simply no way for me to go up to them and say, "Hey, let's go on another adventure," like old times.
As the night wind rustles through the grass, it catches the traveling wizard's cloak, causing it to billow and reveal a faded emblem hidden beneath.
Indeed, he enjoys adventures and enjoys going on adventures with his friends while indulging in moments of leisure.
And that's why he was able to meet that strange group of heroes ten years ago, engaging in an exhilarating clash of skills and wits.
He has chosen to cherish that memory for a lifetime—venturing into the untamed wilderness alongside his friends and raising glasses in celebration after each hard-fought victory.
However, those cherished moments remain in the past, a beautiful chapter that ended in the best years of his life. Those friends he holds dear have now forged their own paths, building families and pursuing their own dreams and futures.
He cannot pull them away from the paths they have chosen. This is something he will never allow himself to compromise.
All he needs to do now is bury those yearnings and passions deep within his heart, vowing never to revisit them again.
Hey, enough is enough. I'll show you what I have up my sleeve.
The traveling wizard suddenly points to the sky, shooting a flare-like light ball upward. It then explodes into fireworks.
Calling all former heroes! Come help me, my friends!
He will no longer use that spell.
Well, it's just a matter of time before something goes awry in the Realm of Dragons. People in this world have already become accustomed to it.
Since the former heroes have chosen to stay out of it, I have to handle it on my own.
At this point, how could I possibly ask my friends to bid farewell to their families...
...
...
Facing the mysterious traveler in silence, the traveling wizard gazes at them with a meaningful expression before waving his hand in an attempt to alleviate the tension in the air.
Got the answer you wanted? Is your curiosity satisfied now? Then hurry and go back to your own camp.
To be honest, the magic covering your face is quite unsettling. It's really killing my appetite with you around.
No further words are uttered by the mysterious traveler, who instead turns around and begins walking toward a nearby hill.
Under the starry sky, the traveling wizard finds immense joy in gathering ingredients through his hard work. However, he suddenly halts in the middle of raising a bowl of food.
After a prolonged period of silence, the traveling wizard's hand gradually lowers from mid-air, and he starts putting away the stack of dishware that he had taken out earlier out of habit.
The night wind seeps into his sleeves, bringing a subtle chill...
