The Verdant Caravan

Chapter 67 — The Verdant Caravan

Aether had barely traveled a kilometer when footsteps approached from behind.

He stopped.

Lyra emerged from between the trees.

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you were staying with the others."

"I changed my mind."

"You followed me."

"Correct."

Aether looked past her.

Aria and Seris were walking toward them as well.

He stared at the three girls.

"...All of you?"

Lyra smiled.

"You said you'd take someone with you next time."

Aether sighed.

"I did."

Aria walked past him.

"Then don't complain."

Seris smiled slightly.

"You need someone who can actually treat injuries."

Aether looked at Lyra.

"And you?"

"Someone has to stop you from doing something stupid."

"I don't do stupid things."

All three girls looked at him.

Aether paused.

"...Usually."

Lyra laughed.

They continued through the forest.

For once, Aether wasn't traveling alone.

By midday, they reached a wide river.

A large group of people had established a temporary camp beside it.

Several wagons stood under the trees.

Green flags bearing a leaf-shaped emblem hung from wooden poles.

Lyra recognized them immediately.

"The Verdant Caravan."

The woman who had warned them about Blackridge approached.

"I was wondering when you'd come."

Aether studied her.

"You knew we were following your trail?"

She smiled.

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"You're not exactly difficult to notice."

Aether glanced at the caravan.

"Why did you help us?"

The woman's expression became serious.

"Because Blackridge attacked one of our caravans three days ago."

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"They were searching for something."

"The crystals?"

"We don't know."

She folded her arms.

"But they searched every wagon."

Aether thought for a moment.

"Where did they go afterward?"

"West."

"How many?"

"More than twenty."

Aether's expression hardened.

The commander had gathered more people.

The woman continued.

"But there's something else."

"What?"

"They weren't searching randomly."

She pointed toward a mountain path.

"They were following an old route."

Aether looked toward the mountains.

"Where does it lead?"

"An abandoned settlement."

"Name?"

The woman hesitated.

"Greyfall."

Aether memorized it.

Then he noticed something.

Several caravan guards were carrying weapons far better than ordinary travelers would possess.

"You're not just merchants."

The woman laughed.

"Neither are you."

Aether didn't deny it.

She extended her hand.

"Name's Mira."

"Aether."

Mira looked toward Lyra, Aria, and Seris.

"And your companions?"

Aether glanced at the three girls.

"Lyra. Aria. Seris."

Mira smiled.

"Quite the group."

Lyra immediately understood the tone.

She smiled.

"We work well together."

Aria nodded.

"So we do."

Seris simply smiled.

Aether noticed all three reactions.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

Mira raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing."

That evening, the caravan prepared dinner.

For the first time in several days, Aether sat down without expecting an attack every few minutes.

Lyra sat beside him.

Aria sat across from them.

Seris was preparing medicine nearby.

Aether looked around.

It felt strange.

Not unpleasant.

Just unfamiliar.

He had spent so much time thinking about survival that he had barely noticed how quickly these people had become part of his daily life.

Lyra handed him a bowl.

"Eat."

"I can do that myself."

"I know."

She pushed it closer.

"But you're terrible at remembering."

Aether accepted it.

"Thanks."

Lyra smiled.

Across from them, Aria watched quietly.

Aether noticed.

"Want some?"

Aria blinked.

"What?"

"Food."

She smiled.

"Sure."

Aether passed her another bowl.

Aria accepted it.

"Thanks."

Seris looked over.

"You three are getting comfortable."

Lyra smiled.

"Is that a problem?"

"No."

Seris returned to her medicine.

"Actually, it's good."

Aether looked at her.

"You haven't eaten either."

Seris paused.

"I will."

Aether took another bowl and handed it to her.

"Now."

She looked at him.

Then smiled.

"You're surprisingly considerate."

"Surprisingly?"

"Sometimes."

Aether laughed.

"Fair enough."

Seris lowered her eyes slightly.

There was warmth in her expression.

Aether noticed it.

He didn't pretend he hadn't.

Instead, he smiled back.

Later that night, Aether sat alone beside the river.

The moon reflected across the water.

Footsteps approached.

Seris sat beside him.

"You've been quiet."

"So have you."

She smiled.

"I usually am."

They sat together for a while.

Then Seris spoke.

"When I first met you, I thought you were reckless."

Aether looked at her.

"And now?"

"You're still reckless."

He laughed.

"But..."

She looked toward the river.

"You've never treated us like burdens."

Aether's expression softened.

"You're not burdens."

Seris looked at him.

"Even when we're weaker than you?"

"Strength isn't the only thing that matters."

That answer surprised her.

Aether continued.

"If someone chooses to stand beside me, I'll respect them."

Seris smiled.

"I like that."

Aether looked at her.

"I like having you around too."

Seris became quiet.

Her cheeks warmed slightly.

Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

Then she smiled.

"Good."

She stood.

"Don't stay awake all night."

"I won't."

She walked away.

Aether watched her disappear into the camp.

Three different girls.

Three different bonds.

And for the first time, Aether wasn't trying to define what they were.

He simply let those relationships grow naturally.

The next morning, Mira brought Aether a map.

"Greyfall is two days from here."

Aether studied it.

"Blackridge?"

"They'll reach it before you."

Aether folded the map.

"Then we leave now."

Lyra stood.

Aria grabbed her weapon.

Seris packed her medicine.

Mira looked at the group.

"You're really going after them?"

Aether looked toward the distant mountains.

"We need answers."

He paused.

"And if Blackridge is searching for the same thing we're looking for..."

His eyes sharpened.

"...then Greyfall may finally tell us why."

The group departed.

Behind them, the Verdant Caravan slowly disappeared into the distance.

Ahead lay Greyfall.

And somewhere beyond those abandoned ruins—

Blackridge was waiting.