"Of course, the whole point of forming the alliance was exactly this!"
George declared loudly.
"I've already talked to the people in several other carriages and convinced them to give up their spots. From now on, people from our Golden Flower Alliance will take the closest carriages! The Black-robed Knight has approved this!"
"Moreover, us noble gentlemen will form a guard detail to take turns protecting these carriages! Of course, this is supplementary to the Black-robed Knight's protection. As for the lovely ladies, you'll be in charge of logistics and tidying up!"
"As for weapons, don't worry — I've already made preparations. I even managed to get my hands on a crossbow!"
George loudly laid out his plan.
After a round of discussion, the young men and women voiced their support.
"Great! We agree!"
As for the position of guard captain, it naturally went to George. He immediately pressed his advantage and assigned several tasks.
Then the feast was announced to continue, but it was clear that everyone's enthusiasm had dimmed considerably.
"I was originally going to find you another Cross Sword, but it seems that's not needed now!"
George walked over to Leilin with a wine cup in hand and pointed at the sword hilt at Leilin's waist.
"Is it true that every
"Of course. On a good day, only one or two. The worst time, about a dozen died!" George shrugged. "Why else would I go through all this trouble just to form an alliance that'll disband once we reach the coast?"
"Once a seed is planted, it will eventually bear fruit," Leilin said with a smile.
Regardless, grouping together could genuinely improve survival odds. And the apprentices who survived would bear goodwill toward George and the family behind him. If even one of these apprentices made it to Wizard, the returns would be enormous.
Even if none did, nothing was really lost, was it?
"Beyond your swordsmanship, your wisdom also impresses me!" George's eyes lit up. "These ideas actually came from my old man."
"So! Would you be willing to help me?" George extended his hand.
"As you wish!" Leilin smiled, and the two hands clasped together.
…
Leilin's decision to accept George's request was no rash impulse — it was the product of careful consideration.
He didn't know much about the dangers of the Prairie. Under those circumstances, joining a group and working together to get through was a sound strategy.
Whoosh...
Gusts of bitter wind struck their faces like knife cuts. Leilin sniffed and caught the scent of fresh grass.
"It's been fifteen days since we entered the
Leilin turned to look back at the carriages, studying the marks on several of them. His expression darkened.
The marks consisted of three parallel gouges running together — claw marks left by some kind of creature.
"The dangers of the Death Prairie are truly beyond what ordinary people or even Preliminary Knights can handle!"
Since entering the Prairie, the Black-robed and White-robed Knights had stepped up their patrols and the apprentices had banded together, yet casualties still occurred.
The marks on the carriages had been made by a pack of Scavenging Wolves during a siege the caravan suffered shortly after entering the Prairie.
Though no one was killed, the wolves had once charged all the way to the carriage edges and even damaged the vehicle body, leaving a deep impression on Leilin.
"After that, apprentices were no longer allowed to camp outside the carriages — they had to sleep inside them. Even so, casualties still occurred."
Leilin's face was grim.
Although the Black-robed Knights protected the carriages, the young people still had to step out occasionally to rest and attend to bodily needs. On this danger-filled Prairie, that meant risk.
One young man had been bitten by a venomous insect while stepping off a carriage and died.
"According to the Chip's analysis, that insect's venom could corrode the brain's nerves within thirteen seconds — far too fast for any treatment. Even the White-robed Wizards could only watch as the boy succumbed to the poison…"
After that, the apprentices refused to leave the carriages unless absolutely necessary. But the carriages were cramped, and with so many people cooped up inside, the smell was naturally terrible.
Leilin had earned the right to get some fresh air by offering to drive the Black-robed Knight's carriage.
Though sitting outside the carriage might seem dangerous, the Black-robed Knight was right beside him — which actually made it safer.
As for his carriage-driving skills? Leilin had followed the Black-robed Knight for a short while, and the Chip had recorded everything perfectly.
"It's getting dark! Everyone, circle the carriages and rest inside!"
A voice rang out from up ahead, and the entire caravan came to a halt.
Traveling at night was not only dangerous but also left the horses without rest, which could kill them — an even bigger problem.
"Your driving skills are decent!" The Black-robed Knight beside him opened his slightly narrowed eyes, his voice low.
"Thanks for the compliment!" Leilin nodded.
When he returned inside the carriage, a pungent smell assailed him, making him frown deeply. Seeing the listless faces of the apprentices, Leilin sighed inwardly again.
Since the casualties began, the young men and women had lost much of their smiles. The atmosphere was grim and miserable. He didn't like staying in the carriage, and this was part of the reason.
"Leilin, you're back!" A freckle-faced young man sitting nearby forced a smile and greeted him.
"Mm." Leilin sat down, glanced around, then pulled out a few flatbreads and began chewing.
The dry flatbread was like chewing sand — truly awful tasting. But Leilin forced himself to swallow it down. It scraped his throat, sending a fresh sting of pain. He quickly opened his canteen and took several large gulps before finally letting out a harsh breath.
Ever since entering the Prairie, even supplies had become a problem. Though the apprentices had plenty of gold coins, without shops or merchants, gold was worth little more than stone.
"Lei… Leilin, how's the situation? How many more days until we get out of this wretched Prairie?"
The freckle-faced boy waited until Leilin had finished eating before asking.
His question clearly drew the attention of others in the carriage. Several gazes converged on Leilin.
"While I was driving, I chatted with the Black-robed Knight. We've already covered half the distance. If the rest of the journey goes smoothly, we should reach the coast in another half month."
"Oh my God! Another half month? I can't stand another single day of this miserable life!"
The freckle-faced boy grabbed his hair in frustration and complained.
"Hey, look on the bright side, Kasa! Just fifteen more days and we'll reach the coast. Delicious fruit juice, soft white bread, comfortable beds, warm baths — they'll all be waiting for you!"
Another young man was encouraging Kasa, though it was unclear whether the words were meant for Kasa or for himself.
Knock, knock!
A rhythmic knocking sounded. The carriage door opened and George stepped in wearing soft leather armor with a long sword at his hip, looking every bit a handsome knight. "Hey! Gentlemen! Ladies! Rest time is over! Anyone who wants to step outside for some fresh air, come on out. If you don't need to, please stay in the carriage — it's dangerous out there…"
A rustle passed through the carriage. Several blushing girls exchanged glances, stood up, and climbed down.
Leilin shrugged, grabbed his Cross Sword, and said, "Let's go!"
As a member of the guard detail, he needed to step out and protect these delicate young ladies — though realistically, he could only raise an alarm and call the Black-robed Knight for backup.
"I… I'm not going out this time!" Kasa shifted uncomfortably beside him.
"Suit yourself." Leilin spread his hands and climbed down.
Stepping onto the soft grass, Leilin stretched luxuriously. The boundless Prairie looked quite beautiful in this light — had it not been for all the dangers, he might have come to love the scenery.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" George gazed at the distant, slowly setting sun.
"Beautiful, and dangerous," Leilin murmured.
"There's danger everywhere, friend. Disease, famine, war — this world is filled with life-and-death crises. What's deadly danger to us is like a casual stroll through a backyard garden for the White-robed Wizards." George gripped the standard-issue long sword in his hand.
"Are you saying that with enough power, one can obtain safety and freedom?"
"Exactly. Take Kasa — he's already lost his courage. He lacks the spirit of adventure on the path to pursuing power. Even if he makes it safely to the Wizard Academy, he probably won't become a Wizard. After all, the process of learning sorcery is a hundred times more perilous than the Death Prairie!"
George hurled a stone far into the distance. "
Watching George's retreating back, Leilin wore a faint smile. "Courage, huh? But for someone like me who pursues truth, caution is equally important!"
"Chip! Begin scanning!" Leilin commanded silently.
At his command, a three-dimensional holographic display formed before his eyes, rendering the surrounding terrain.
On the pale blue geographic image, tiny white dots were scattered about — these represented apprentices, indicating they posed no threat to him.
The Black-robed Knights appeared as bright red dots — threats the Chip had analyzed as capable of endangering his life.
The carriages in the very center housed several White-robed Wizards. Leilin didn't even dare scan in that direction with the Chip, fearing they might detect the fluctuation. That would end badly.
Through continuous scanning, the surrounding danger situation became crystal clear in Leilin's mind.
"Even that venomous insect from before couldn't escape the Chip's scan. For now, this area seems safe enough."
This was his assurance for daring to come outside.
He might have agreed to serve as a member of the guard, but he would never do something as foolish as placing himself directly in harm's way.
Through the Chip, he could monitor everything within a twenty-mile radius, which maximized his safety.