Chapter 23 " Reaching the Destination"

Time flies, and we’re approaching the last town on our route. Once we pass through here, we’ll finally reach our destination—Clive Barony.

Wyne Town is a bustling yet idyllic place nestled in a lush valley. Its red-tiled roofs and half-timbered houses exude charm, with flower boxes and small gardens lining cobblestone paths. A tall clock tower rises above the town, surrounded by rolling hills, green fields, and dense forests. Distant mountains and a winding river complete the serene backdrop.

Despite the peaceful surroundings, the mood within our group is far from calm. The air has shifted since the battle with the bandits. Around the campfire at night, their words are careful and distant, as though unsure how to approach me. Lucan doesn’t praise me outright, but his small gestures speak volumes. He’s started asking me to oversee tasks during camp—not major ones, but enough to show his trust.

The knights are different. Their glances are sharp, filled with jealousy, resentment, and caution. Josen, in particular, tries to hide it. His neutral face and disciplined posture suggest indifference, but his gaze betrays him, lingering just a moment too long. It’s not admiration—it’s something colder. His silence speaks louder than any words, making the air between us heavy. His stiffness around me is just as telling, his movements tense, as though my presence alone unsettles him. To him, I’m a lowly adventurer excelling in ways he believes should belong to knights like him.

Even the adventurers look at me differently. Their gazes are a mix of respect, curiosity, and intimidation. I see their unspoken questions: how can someone so young fight like that, move like that, and remain so calm? At first, it unsettled me. Respect comes with expectations, and expectations are heavier than any sword—a burden I never asked for but now carry, whether I want to or not.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured during the battle. Some of the adventurers suffered minor wounds, but nothing life-threatening. Even the noble, who often delays us with his complaints, has been surprisingly well-behaved. With no further conflicts, our journey has gone smoothly, giving me time to reflect.

Traveling through these lands has opened my eyes. The books and maps I studied never captured this—the vibrant life of the towns, the endless beauty of the countryside, and the quiet moments where I feel connected to this world, even as I yearn for home.

One thing, however, remains the same as what I’d read—the influence and power of the nobility. It’s disappointing to see that so many nobles are driven by greed. They care little for the well-being of their people, focusing instead on their wealth, reputation, and status.

As we continue on, we finally arrive at Clive Barony. Located on the outskirts of the Solaria Kingdom—a small kingdom by size—it feels quieter and less populated than the towns we’ve passed through. While scanning my surroundings, something catches my attention: a strange carriage, like a large cage on wheels. Inside, I glimpse children and a few women, their expressions empty and subdued.

I can’t tear my eyes away from the sight.

Unable to tear my gaze away, I felt a heaviness settle in my chest. “Is this…is this a slave trader?” I asked, not quite managing to mask my unease.

Lucan , who was riding beside me, nodded, a flicker of sympathy crossing his usually stern face. “Yes, it is. First time seeing one?”

I nodded slowly, still staring at the cage. “Yes, it is.”

Lucan gave a sad smile. “The place you came from must be truly blessed if you’ve never seen this side of things.”

I forced a small, awkward smile in return. I’d heard about it before, of course—families selling their children out of poverty, or debtors offering up loved ones when they had no way to pay. Even war prisoners sometimes ended up here after a defeat. But knowing about it was one thing; seeing it in person, feeling the weight of it, was another.

We entered Clive Town, among the adventurers Lucan is the only one going toward the castle together with the knights and the noble . From here, I could see Clive Castle, a gray, weathered fortress nestled in the misty hills. Its worn stone walls bore cracks overgrown with moss, and faint lights flickered in narrow windows. A single chimney released a thin trail of smoke, a quiet sign of life.

The town shared the same air of neglect. Narrow cobblestone streets wove between sagging wooden buildings, patched roofs, and windows covered with faded cloth. Dim lanterns hung from doorways, their flickering light barely cutting through the mist.

I suddenly felt someone tugging at my robe. When I looked down, I saw a small child amidst the flickering orange glow of a smoldering hut, his wide, haunted eyes reflecting the dying flames.

His face, smeared with dirt and streaked with tears, bore faint scratches, like he’d tumbled through brambles or rubble. He wore an oversized coat, tattered and stained, draping over his tiny frame as if it had belonged to someone much larger.

His blond hair was messy, tufts sticking out in a way that suggested he'd been wandering without care or comfort. The boy looked up at me, his voice barely more than a whisper.

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“Please… do you have any food?”

His words were heavy with exhaustion, each syllable laced with hunger and sorrow,

I couldn’t turn away. Digging into my backpack, I pulled out a piece of bread and knelt down to hand it to him. The moment he took it, a fragile smile crept across his face, lighting up his expression in a way that broke my heart. “Thank you so much!” he whispered, clutching the bread to his chest as if it were a treasure. Then, before I could say anything, he darted off, vanishing into the smoky shadows.

But suddenly, I felt other eyes on me—dozens of them. When I looked around, I saw children creeping out of the shadows, their faces thin and hollow, their expressions filled with cautious hope. One by one, they began to approach, timid but desperate.

“Please, sir… do you have food? Just a little?”

My heart sank. I began handing out whatever food I could find in my pack—bread, dried fruit, anything that might bring them a moment’s relief. They took it eagerly, murmuring quiet thanks, their hands shaking with gratitude. But soon, I realized I’d run out. My supplies were gone, yet more children were still reaching out, their eyes filled with a need I couldn’t satisfy. I felt helpless, unsure of what to do.

The adventurers watched with amused smirks.

“Looks like he’s trying to save the world,” Thalion said the archer elf

“Good luck with that,” Alex chuckled.

“He’s got a heart, but he can’t feed everyone,” Shana the Amazon added with a smile.

Just then, a loud sigh came from behind me. I turned to see Gibo, our second-in-command, watching the scene with an exasperated look. He stepped forward, clapping his hands sharply. “Alright, that’s enough!” His voice boomed, startling the children. “Get moving, all of you! Or do I need to feed you to the monsters?”

The children gasped and scattered, eyes wide with fear as they bolted into the shadows.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, turning to Gibo with a nod. “Thank you… I didn’t know how to handle it.”

He shook his head, half-smiling. “Next time, don’t go handing out everything you have. You’ll never get rid of them if you do.”

A weak smile crossed my face. “Guess I still have a lot to learn.”

He chuckled, patting my shoulder. “You’ve got a good heart. Just don’t let it make you a fool.”

After the scene with the children, I took a moment to study the village around me. Villagers moved quietly through the narrow streets, heads down, dressed in plain, worn clothes that had clearly seen better days. Their expressions were solemn as they went about their work, their shoulders heavy with the weight of daily struggles.

Barrels, baskets, and crates lined the sides of buildings, stacked in uneven piles—a makeshift marketplace that hinted at a struggling trade. Here and there, children clung to their mothers’ hands, peering out from under hoods with wide, curious eyes. Men in frayed cloaks stood in the shadows of doorways, watching us with guarded expressions, their faces etched with the harsh lines of hardship.

Before long, Lucan arrived and spoke in a low, urgent tone. “Everything’s settled. Let’s go.”

Without question, I joined the group as we departed, heading straight toward Wren Barony. I wondered why we had to leave so quickly, but I kept my thoughts to myself and fell into step with the others. We traveled swiftly, pushing ourselves hard. Only once we crossed the border out of Solaria Kingdom did we allow ourselves to slow down, and soon after, we decided to make camp in a forest clearing.

As evening settled in, we set up tents and built a small bonfire, its warmth welcome after the long day’s journey. We all sat around the fire in a loose circle, the flames casting flickering shadows across weary faces.

Finally, Gibo stretched his arms with a sigh of relief. “Now this is a chance to relax,” he muttered, his tone laced with exhaustion.

The firelight caught the look on Alex’s face, which was a mix of frustration and disdain. “That young lord back there… acting like royalty in his fancy clothes and polished carriage,” he scoffed. “Meanwhile, his family’s territory is crumbling with poverty. It’s a joke.”

"Most nobles are like that—greedy and selfish," Sebi, the coachman of our carriage, chimed in. "It’s rare to find one who actually cares about the welfare of their people."

"But that young lord… he's way too arrogant," Alex added, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I know their family territory is on the outskirts of the kingdom, but I never imagined things were so bad there. The poverty in their lands is obvious, yet he still acts like he's above everyone else. I’ll never understand nobles who act like their people don’t matter."

They continued talking about the nobles, venting their frustrations. But even as I listened, I couldn’t shake the real reason we were in such a hurry to get far away from Clive’s territory.

I glanced at Lucan , who noticed my lingering curiosity. “Caelan, I’m guessing you’re wondering why we had to leave so quickly, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I am. I thought it might make sense to rest there for the night.”

Lucan gave a serious nod, his gaze steady. “Listen, this is your first high-ranking mission, and you’re not used to dealing with nobles. But here’s the reality—nobles can be dangerous. Some will kill over the slightest insult if it suits their mood. That’s why we didn’t stay. We left because we don’t know how the young lord and his family felt about us, and it’s better not to find out the hard way.”

His voice grew heavier. “The original offer for this mission was five gold coins each, which isn’t enough for the risks we’re taking—traveling so far, dealing with bandits and monsters. I insisted on a higher rate, and they agreed, but staying in their territory any longer could’ve put us at risk. Nobles don’t take well to demands. Honestly, I didn’t want to accept this mission, but the president of the Willow Guild personally requested it.”

I took in his words, finally understanding. “So, leaving quickly was our best choice… just in case?”

“Exactly,” he replied, his tone firm. “Trust me, Caelan, in this line of work, we don’t gamble with noble tempers.”

Gibo chuckled, patting my shoulder. “You’re learning, kid. Always keep moving when you’re dealing with people like that.”

I managed a smile, feeling a new sense of caution settle over me. I still had so much to learn about this world.