While I cleaned up, Runa sat waiting for me in the living room. After finishing my cleanup, I walked over to her, and she quickly turned to face me.

"Runa, thank you for saving me." Her innocent face looked puzzled upon hearing my words. She then asked, "But didn't big bro save me from those raiders?"

I nodded, smiling gently. "Yes, but you brought Elara and Gunnar, and in doing so, you saved me too."

Then, I sat down next to her. There was a question that had been weighing on my mind, one I wanted to ask her. "Runa, where were your parents during the raid?" I held my breath, hoping she could answer without breaking into tears at my inquiry.

Runa responded with a hoarse voice, "My mother passed away before the raid."

"What about your father?" I continued.

"I don't know," she replied.

"When was the last time you saw him?" I inquired again.

If her father was still alive, there might be a chance for Runa to reunite with her family, and I wanted to help if possible.

"It's been a long time, I don't remember very well," Runa replied, sadness evident in her eyes.

"Did he leave because of the war?"

"War? My parents used to argue about it, even though I didn't understand what war was. Mom said not to go with Dad, but he left anyway," Runa answered.

"Then, how old are you now?"

"Um... ten?" she replied hesitantly, holding up three fingers. Forget it, she didn't even know how to count properly.

As she mentioned her uncertain age, I began to understand. Runa looked like a girl of about four years old. That meant when the war happened, she was only about two years old.

Two years ago, a war had ravaged the kingdom of Edoria, where my father had been involved in the battle. Most likely, the war Runa was referring to was the same conflict in which my father and her father were involved. Runa's fate mirrored mine.

One month after my father's departure, someone came to our home, bearing news. They told us that my father had fallen in battle. His departure left my mother and me in a dire situation.

All I knew about the war was that the Brettier Empire was attempting to conquer the kingdom of Edoria, and Edoria had lost several battles. This opened up the opportunity for the Brettier Empire to begin its invasion from the west. Since our residence was located across the border from the Empire's territory, we were forced to flee from one town to another, away from the danger, until we eventually arrived in the city of Artelo.

Armed with the little knowledge I had gained from a merchant family, even though we only had backpacks and a makeshift bed, as we didn't have a cart or fancy horses. We used the remaining money as initial capital to start trading. We traveled from village to village, buying essential goods at lower prices and then returning to the city of Artelo to sell them. Every day was an exhausting journey, but it was the only way we could survive.

Time passed, and a year ago, my mother fell seriously ill. We didn't have much money for treatment, and I felt helpless watching my mother suffer. Not long after, my mother passed away, leaving me all alone.

I was forced to continue trading on my own. And then, I arrived in the village of Relm, where the sun was setting on the western horizon. I decided to stay in the village for a short rest. But fate seemed to have other plans. On that night, misfortune struck again, and the raid occurred.

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After asking numerous questions, I couldn't find the answers I sought.

"Well then, Runa, let's go," I said.

Because I was already familiar with the city of Artelo, I could tell its location just from the name itself, without even needing to look at the address Elara had given.

I opened the door to the pub, immediately greeted by a lively and noisy atmosphere. The pub was filled with people laughing, chatting, and singing. Gunnar sat in a corner of the pub, waving as he spotted me entering. Runa and I made our way to their table and sat down beside them.

"Haha, we've been waiting for you, Kaelan!" Gunnar said with a wide smile, wrapping his arm around me with a surprising amount of strength. I almost stumbled due to his weight.

"Thank you for waiting for me," I replied, feeling grateful.

Then, they discussed what they would order for dinner.

Gunnar then called someone over. "Innkeeper!"

It didn't take long for the owner of the pub to approach us. "Yes, sir, how can I assist you?"

"Uh... I'll have a beer," Gunnar said.

"Me too!" Runa chimed in.

It seemed she didn't know what beer was. The first time I tasted beer, it made me scrunch up my face. It was so bitter that I couldn't swallow it. I quickly put down my glass of beer and looked at it in disgust.

"Runa, you can't drink something like that, how about some sweet tea?" Elara suggested.

"Wow, sweet tea!" Runa exclaimed, nodding in agreement.

After a while, everyone had placed their orders except for me. "Don't be shy, Kaelan. Order as much as you like! We just got paid, haha," Gunnar said.

"Haha... thank you. I'll have some sweet tea and roast beef," I said.

How could I ask for much when they had already helped me so much in the past week?

Since my arrival, I had always been observing one person whom I didn't know, sitting next to Elara. Was he a member of Gunnar's group?

He didn't talk much, and his gaze was sharp.

Gunnar seemed to notice my curiosity and said, "Kaelan, he's Draven. The main attacker in our group."

After the orders arrived, we began to enjoy our meals and engaged in casual conversation with a few questions thrown in.

While savoring a piece of roast beef, Gunnar suddenly asked, "What are your plans next, Kaelan?"

Elara showed curiosity, waiting for my response, while Draven and Runa remained focused on their food.

I stood up from my seat and gave them a salute. "Before I answer that, I want to thank all of you for saving my life and taking care of me during this past week."

Gunnar quickly responded, "Haha, no need to worry, Kaelan..."

Then, I sat back down and said, "I intend to continue my daily routine, going back to trading."

"Trading? Are you a wealthy merchant?" His expression suddenly turned surprised and admiring.

I smiled softly. "No, not at all. I'm just a small trader. I buy goods from nearby villages and sell them in the city, all by myself."

The look of admiration on Gunnar's face gradually turned into disappointment. It seemed he had imagined something more exciting.

Unfortunately, I knew I didn't have much money to repay their kindness. My mind wandered to all the help they had provided me over the past week.

Gunnar finally commented, "Too boring... Do you plan on doing it for the rest of your life?"

I thought for a moment, then replied, "I haven't thought that far ahead." My life had felt quite simple and monotonous.

Gunnar smiled. "Your age has been reduced by thirty years, and you don't want to spend the rest of your life like this, right?" He looked at me earnestly. "At least, you should do something in your life, my friend."

He was right. His words struck a chord with me. I wanted to do something more with my life, to carve out an extraordinary story, not just be stuck in the same old routine.

However, I returned to reality. "Even so, there's not much I can do right now."

"Haha, join us, then." Join them?

Draven suddenly gave Gunnar a disapproving look.

Gunnar responded to Draven's expression. "What? There's nothing wrong with adding one or two more people, right?" He looked at Elara, seeking her support.

Elara finally commented, "Certainly, as long as he can bring in profits. He seems like he can trade."

I wasn't entirely sure I could be of help to them, but this was a great opportunity for me to make a fresh start.

"May I join?" I asked.

"Do you have any magical abilities?" Gunnar inquired.

"Unfortunately, no, I'm just an ordinary human," I replied.

"In that case, Draven will train you in the art of the sword, how does that sound?"

Draven glanced at Gunnar skeptically. "Why me?"

"If he had magical abilities, Elara would be more suited to train him."

Draven retorted, "Then why don't you train him yourself?"

"Because I'm a tanker."

"That doesn't make sense," he said, running his hand through his hair. "Why did you have to be the group leader?" Draven complained.

Gunnar got up from his chair. "Because none of you wanted to take the role, so I gladly stepped up to fill it," he said proudly.

Elara commented, "I kind of regret not volunteering first."

Gunnar looked at Elara and said, "But nevertheless, as the leader, I've proven my abilities, haven't I?"

"True, you have, even though I reluctantly admit it," Elara said.

Gunnar's face grew even more confident and proud.