Caravan Convoy from Ashur to Death Valley

Cien was just accused of being a kidnapper by Niles. He immediately explained about Cherry's presence inside his coffin.

He informed Niles that Cherry was one of the orphans from C-Owl, who was forcibly taken by Edmond yesterday.

Cien had saved Cherry, but right now she is unsafe in Ashur. That's why Cien wanted to seek Niles' help.

"So, you're the one who attacked the Millard residence yesterday?" Niles asked, immediately confirmed by Cien.

"...so, if that's the case, you've just kidnapped two girls in two consecutive days?"

"Umm, yeah, that's right. But I'm not a kidnapper."

"If you're not a kidnapper, then what?"

"...a hero of justice?"

"Are you seriously considering yourself as such?"

Cien smiled bitterly, "Not at all."

"What do you mean by 'not at all,' Grand Master?! You are the hero of justice! That's a fact!"

""...""

After listening to Cherry's reaction, who was still bound inside the coffin, Cien and Niles exchanged glances. The girl strongly believed that Cien was indeed a hero.

"The Grand Master is our hero. I'm sure Miss Lili—"

"It's enough. Be silent and leave. You can free yourself, right?"

Cien commanded, exhausted by their fanatical devotion. He hoped not everyone was like those he had encountered.

Unbeknownst to Cien, not all C-Owl members were as extreme as he imagined. Casey and Cherry, in fact, acted quite normally when they met Ethel.

So why did they become crazy-fans when they met Cien? It was simple.

They had only heard Cien's stories like fairy tales. Meeting the hero of those tales in person made them lose themselves. But this should diminish over time spent together.

But Cien couldn't possibly spend a long time with them, the C-Owl members. So he would likely always be faced with overly enthusiastic people.

After Cherry emerged from the coffin, Niles instructed both Cien and Cherry to sit.

Cien immediately explained his objective after sitting. He wanted to ask for Niles' help to smuggle Cherry out of the city.

Cherry, who was hearing Cien's plan for the first time, immediately refused. Initially, Cien thought the girl refused because she didn't want to leave her friends in Ashur.

However, it turned out that wasn't the reason. Cherry refused because she didn't want to be separated from Cien.

She said she wanted to help Cien until the Grand Master returned to Death Valley.

Cherry reasoned that she wanted to do that because she didn't know when she would be able to meet her idol again.

Unfortunately for Cien, Cherry's safety was more important. The girl was one of Ethel's agents. Cien also needed Cherry to convey something to his wife.

Staying in Ashur for too long would become increasingly dangerous for the teenage girl.

Cien didn't know what his Uncle would do to find the attackers of his child. Cherry, as a witness, would certainly be sought after.

Cien slowly explained the reasons why Cherry had to leave.

In the end, with great difficulty, the girl reluctantly accepted parting ways with Cien. However, she said that she would go to Death Valley to visit Cien.

"Do you know that place is dangerous, right?"

"I know! But I believe Madam Ethel would also immediately go to the Death Valley when she receives news about Milord situation."

What Cherry said had some truth to it.

Cien hadn't considered that Ethel might immediately set out to find him. Knowing the horrors of Death Valley, Cien couldn't let his wife blindly go there and risk her life.

"If that's the case, find Legia or Jamie from the Ethyria Garrison to guide you. Both of them know the safe route to my location in Death Valley.

"If you don't meet them, find Reiss from the Marina Garrison in Farnodt or Princess Sravati from Huntara. Look for them if you want to meet me. If not... you'll die within a few hours of entering Death Valley."

Cien clearly provided the names of people who could serve as guides for Cherry or Ethel to reach him.

This recent revelation from Cien left Cherry and even Niles gaping in disbelief.

"What?! So, there are actually people in Westya who know about Grand Master?!"

"What do you mean by a safe route, Little C?!"

Cien was taken aback by their shocked reactions. He had just realized that all this time he had only been telling them about his reasons for disappearing and his brief life in Death Valley.

Cien never mentioned that there were people who had stayed at his place. People who they could meet outside of Death Valley and serve them as a guide.

Not the people who were the first residents of Death Valley, as Cien had previously told Niles.

The truth about the people who knew the safe route to Cien's place would surely astonish both Cherry and Niles.

Because until now, they believed that going there to help or meet Cien was impossible.

Even though Cherry had just said she would go to Death Valley, she said it with a firm determination to risk her life.

So, if there's a safe route with a guide? Wouldn't it be possible to go to Cien's place?

Cien, with a newfound awareness, finally revealed that there were several people who had visited and stayed at his shop. He also explained that the safe route was a path he had created himself a few years ago.

Although Cien considered the route to be safe, the"safe" here is relative to Death Valley's standards, which means the route still has a rare chance encounter with a terrifying monster.

However, the roaming monsters in that route never exceeded Rank 5. Even Rank 5 itself was rarely seen. At this time, that much was certain for Cien. But circumstances could change.

So Cien still cautioned that if anyone wanted to go to his place, they would still need to have a group of fighters with at least Rank 4 strength.

"Why didn't you mention this before, Little C?"

"Consider it slipped my mind. Besides, I wouldn't have thought you would want to visit me in that cursed place."

"What do you mean? If there's a reasonably safe route, it means there's a trade route. With the quality of weapons you make, why wouldn't I, as a merchant, want to do business with you, Little C... This is business! Where else can I find goods made from never-seen materials in Death Valley?"

Cien listened attentively to Niles' words, his wide smile revealing the shrewdness of a seasoned merchant.

Perhaps Niles just wanted to visit him because Cien was an old friend whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

But there was some truth to the notion that Niles wasn't just coming for a visit; what he had just said made a lot of sense. He's a merchant. He knows there is so much benefit to visiting the Death Valley.

"Well then, come, Old Man. I'll wait for you there."

"Hahaha! I will definitely come! I even have a great plan for this."

"A plan?"

Niles then explained that he was willing to smuggle Cherry in the caravan convoy that would leave tomorrow morning.

He also mentioned that he and his family would be joining the convoy.

The first destination of the convoy was Almarin City in Westya Kingdom. He would bring Cherry and the convoy to meet Ethel.

From there, together with Ethel, they would continue their journey to the Death Valley.

"Well, Little C? With this, not only will you get a business partner, but you can also meet Ethel. Don't worry, I'll guarantee her safety. Oh, and not to forget, I'll bring the ordered items that you wanted to cancel earlier."

Upon hearing the proposal, Cien was momentarily stunned. Then he burst into laughter. He never expected things to turn out like this. Cien was truly overjoyed and relieved to hear it.

He would be able to meet Ethel again!

"Thank you, Old Man. I apologize for troubling you with this."

"Hahaha, no need to apologize. Afterall, I'm curious about what the most feared place in all of Kastia looks like!"

On the other hand, Cherry remained silent, amazed by the newly devised plan.

Not only did the plan ensure her safe return to Westya, but it also allowed her to join the expedition to Death Valley.

"Whoaa... Mr. Niles, that's a brilliant plan! In that case, after we reach another town tomorrow, I will immediately send a message to Madam Ethel about this plan. I guarantee she'll be thrilled with the news!"

"Gyahahaha!"

Cien observed the two people beside and in front of him as they continued discussing and planning their journey to Westya.

Cien didn't participate in the discussion; he merely listened.

Seeing that it was still daytime and there was time before the auction later in the evening, Cien decided to spend his time at Niles' place.

Cien also took the opportunity to add items to his order with Niles.

Knowing that he could order a significant amount without any limitations like the size of the coffin, Cien didn't hesitate to request the materials he desired.

Things like iron, lead, steel, silver, alcohol, clothes, and so on.

Niles was delighted to hear this because, for him, Cien's order meant business. He would never turn down a big business opportunity.

Time passed, and before they knew it, night had fallen. There were only three hours left until the auction began.

Cien intended to take his leave.

"Aren't you going to attend the auction, Old Man?"

Niles shook his head. "There are two items I auctioned off there. The proceeds can be collected at a later time in the future. Buying auction items? Not interested at all. Rare materials, unique weapons, magical objects, they're of no use to this old man, hahaha!"

"But there might be something that catches your attention?"

"Do you know how many annual auctions I've attended? Instead of attending that event, I'd rather prepare for tomorrow's journey! Isn't it going to be a long trip?"

He said with a wide smile. Cien chuckled softly upon hearing that, then bid farewell, assuring that he would try his best to come and see them off tomorrow morning.

Little did Cien know, as he walked towards the auction building, in just a few hours he would stumble upon a horrifying truth.