Episode 65: The Shadow That Follows

On the outskirts of the Grand Market, a group of travelers journeyed along a dark road on the Levados Plains, accompanied by a wagon and horses.

Diara's wagon, flanked by four horses, galloped along the path stretching north from the Great Crossroads, leaving the bustling Grand Market behind under a starlit, moonless prairie sky.

The rhythmic clatter of the wagon's wheels and the clip-clop of hooves echoed across the quiet night, blending with the sound of the horses trotting alongside. The noises reverberated through the serene plains.

Relying solely on the faint glow of the moon and stars, the group traveled without lighting the wagon's lanterns. The whistling of the cold night breeze reached their ears, sending shivers through them in the eerie chill.

A few hours earlier, at Kisha's Sheep, Gravel returned to where Diara's wagon was stationed after dining with Nia.

Reave and Kein, having sold black reindeer pelts, rejoined the group as well. Once everyone gathered, Diara proposed leaving the Grand Market after night deepened.

Gulick's presence in the Grand Market was a source of unease. Though Gulick had claimed to no longer pursue the statue, the truth of those words was uncertain. Diara decided it was better to leave quickly rather than linger in doubt.

Reave and Kein, flush with gold from selling pelts, regretted missing the chance to leisurely spend their earnings in the market but followed Diara's lead, packing up to depart immediately.

Perhaps mindful of Diara and Iris, who hadn't had the chance to explore the Grand Market while guarding the wagon, Gravel visited the market's stalls before leaving. Gravel returned with gifts for them: ornaments adorned with sapphire-blue and crimson tassels to decorate Iris's scabbard and Diara's staff.

Both expressed delight at the vibrant colors, thanking Gravel warmly. They immediately attached the ornaments to their scabbard and staff, gazing at them fondly for a while.

As the group set out, the music from the Grand Market's streets faded into the distance, and the lights of the stalls and pathways grew smaller. Startled once more by the massive size of the Mooloomooks grazing on the market's outskirts, the group urged the wagon northward.

"Gravel, May I ask something?"

Reave steered closer to Gravel's side, hesitating before speaking in a low voice.

"Yes? Do you have something to say?"

Gravel replied, slowing the horse and turning to face Reave.

"Well… ever since we left the Grand Market, I've noticed a small shadow trailing us from behind. Have you seen it?"

"Hm? No, I haven't. Perhaps it's a merchant or traveler heading the same way?"

Gravel, sensing no hostility, assumed it was merely someone sharing the road.

"Well… that seems unlikely. Unless there's a special reason like ours, traveling this late at night is unusual. I'm worried it might be one of Gulick's underlings. Most people camp at night rather than travel… though, of course, someone in a hurry might choose the road."

Reave whispered cautiously, sharing suspicions with Gravel.

"Then I'll go check myself." Gravel said.

Focusing mana, Gravel leaned slightly from the saddle, peering at the distant dark figure. By channeling more mana into the vision-enhancing mana vein, the dark prairie lit up as if it were daytime.

The colorless grass, trees, and small flowers regained their hues. The moon in the black sky shone dazzlingly, and the stars beside it gleamed so brightly they stung the eyes.

Squinting and adjusting the mana flow, Gravel's vision sharpened, revealing the black silhouette following Diara's wagon from afar.

A figure carrying a pack far larger than their body and wielding a two-handed sword longer than their height. Red-scaled Droko. It was Nia. Skipping along the ground with an excited gait, humming a tune with an open mouth, Nia walked the path.

"Ah… it's someone I know. Definitely not one of Gulick's scouts." Gravel said.

"What? (You can see that tiny shadow from here?) If they're going the same way, why not invite them to join us? Traveling at night is dangerous, whatever the reason."

Reave said, tilting their head and squinting to make out the distant figure in the darkness.

"Alright. I'll go invite them to join us." Gravel replied.

Gravel rode toward the figure, and Reave explained the situation to Diara and Iris. The group halted their horses to wait for Gravel.

"Nia! Where are you headed this late at night?"

Gravel called out, gently pulling the reins to stop the horse.

Nia stood on the dark roadside, staring up at Gravel with wide eyes, clutching the straps of the oversized pack with both hands.

"Karka Gravel! W-Wow… what a coincidence, meeting here. I… I was heading to a village up north."

Nia stammered.

"Hmm. You weren't following our group, were you?"

Gravel asked, narrowing eyes with a playful smile.

"N-No! I'm going to a village up north… um… a village with a tavern that serves delicious food."

Nia replied, eyes darting nervously side to side, betraying the flimsy excuse.

"(Shall I tease a bit?) Which village up north? I'd love to hear about another place with food as good as yesterday's Hoomsha, Nia."

"Uh… um… Northstarn." Nia mumbled.

"Northstarn?" Gravel echoed.

"Y-Yeah, Northstarn. The Great Meat Tavern."

Nia said, eyes wavering, face blank, lips moving mechanically.

Having lived solely in Ixtarn, Nia knew no other towns or cities by name.

"I see. Then let's travel to Northstarn together. We're planning to ride through the night due to some circumstances. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course! Traveling with Karka and chatting is fun." Nia replied eagerly.

"Then let's join the others waiting ahead. I'll introduce you to them, including my swordsmanship teacher, Iris, whom I mentioned before."

"Wow! Karka's swordsmanship teacher!" Nia exclaimed.

To match Nia's pace, Gravel dismounted and walked side by side along the road.

"By the way, Nia, have you memorized the names and locations of the mana veins I told you about?"

"Uh… not all of them yet… there's so many…" Nia admitted in a small, sheepish voice.

Afterward, Nia was introduced to the group and agreed to travel with them. Gravel's warning not to lie to Karka prompted Nia to confess. After receiving a copy of the mana vein names and locations from Gravel, Nia had impulsively packed and followed Diara's wagon from the Grand Market, hoping to help Gravel reunite with the companions mentioned over Hoomsha.

Nia's belongings were loaded onto the wagon's cargo, and Nia sat beside Diara, continuing the conversation with Gravel.

"Nia, the delicious meal you treated me to yesterday was thanks enough. You don't need to help me find my companions." Gravel said.

"No way. If it weren't for Karka Gravel, I wouldn't even be here." Nia insisted.

"But you're a gladiator in the arena. Helping me could mean traveling for who knows how long."

"Doesn't matter. Helping Karka is more important."

Nia's resolute expression and eyes glinting clearly in the moonlight conveyed unwavering determination to Gravel.

"Ha… you'd probably keep following me even if I refused, right?" Gravel sighed, rubbing their brow.

"Obviously." Nia replied.

"Fine. But promise me one thing. If you ever want to return to the arena, you can. Finding my companions is a journey with no guaranteed end."

"No way that'll happen, but I promise, Karka."

Nia said, lips pressed firmly, nodding.

Thus, the small Droko, Nia Calagon, joined Gravel's uncertain quest.

Later, Gravel, feeling uneasy about not consulting Iris, asked for her opinion on Nia's inclusion. Iris replied, "You needn't ask my opinion on your decisions, Lord Gravel." She added.

"The more vassals serving you, the better. However, Nia's skills seem lacking, so please allow me to oversee Nia's training."

Unbeknownst to them, this was the moment one of the gears of prophecy, foretold by an old woman Nia met in a Grand Market alley, began to turn.

Extra

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Iris, serving Gravel. And… Nia Calagon, was it?" Iris said, riding alongside the moving wagon and addressing Nia, seated next to Diara.

"That's me. Iris, Karka's swordsmanship teacher." Nia replied, turning with a smile.

"Uh… please don't call me that. Just Iris is fine." Iris said.

"Got it, Iris." Nia nodded.

"You're a gladiator in the arena, right?" Iris asked.

"Yup, Iris."

"And you've decided to follow Lord Gravel?"

"Karka Gravel saved my life. I'm determined to do anything to help Karka." Nia said firmly.

"Anything, huh? That's a good mindset."

Iris said, a faint smile forming.

"When we stop to rest, show me your sword, Nia."

"I can show it now!" Nia said, turning to grab Nia's sword '180 Gold' , which lay behind, and held it out to Iris.

"Oh… my mistake. I meant show me your swordsmanship skills."

"Oh! Got it." Nia said.

"Also, Nia, you're the lowest-ranking vassal serving Lord Gravel. But among us vassals, rank doesn't matter, so no need for formalities."

"Understood, Iris." Nia said, nodding intently with lips pressed and eyes focused.

"Since Lord Gravel has permitted your training, we'll start tomorrow. Be ready."