"I planned to leave you for dead, but you miraculously started improving since yesterday. Lucky you."

"..."

"But regardless of that, I'd like you not to use your abilities. From what I've seen as we escaped through the gate, I already know well enough how dangerous your power is. If you disagree, you'll be dealt with right here."

Nahan slowly but firmly nodded his head. His cold ash-gray eyes surveyed the inside of the rattling carriage in a meticulous manner. Besides him and the Southerner who had removed his hat, there was one more person in the dilapidated wagon filled with an unpleasant smell. Dressed in a thick robe, this third individual had an old, suspicious-looking sheath and a long sword beside him. His hand rested on the hilt, ready to draw at any moment. The intention was clear: any false move and Nahan would be killed.

"Do you remember why you're here?"

At the Southerner's question, Nahan cracked open his parched lips.

"...I encountered you. Underground."

"Good. It seems your head wasn't damaged, fortunately."

"Is there any water?"

"We've been riding non-stop for days, so we didn't have much time to resupply. All we have is this; can you drink it?"

Nahan looked at the filthy canteen the man offered, and then reluctantly opened his mouth. Since his shoulders and upper body were bound with cloth instead of bandages, he couldn't lift it himself.

Although the amount of water was woefully inadequate to quench his thirst, it did clear his mind and vision a little. Nahan took a deep breath and asked,

"Where are we going now?"

"We are currently moving along the Yohum trade route. If all goes as planned, we should arrive in Charloin shortly."

Charloin, the largest maritime trade city in the southern part of the Orr Empire. A few more details sporadically flashed across Nahan's dry mind before fading away.

"Thank you for keeping your promise, brother."

"Brother, huh? It was ridiculous the first time I heard it, and it's still ridiculous now."

The Southerner muttered with an utterly serious expression. As he gazed down at Nahan with inscrutable eyes, he opened his mouth once more.

"Because of you and the Cavalry, our plans have been thrown off track. Nevertheless, we brought you along because we wanted to escape from the same place. To be honest, killing you wouldn't be satisfying, but we've honored our promise because we owe you."

"..."

"But I've been curious why people with powers like yours so vehemently opposed the Orr Empire and the Emperor's Cavalry. What is the reason? Is this a shared goal among all of you? What are the identities of your group?"

Instead of responding, Nahan just looked at the man's face. As the man seemed to be contemplating using his power and furrowed his brow, he stepped back, allowing Nahan to speak.

"What changes if you know?"

"Depending on your answer, the assistance that we can offer each other may increase."

"Although I understand that you brothers are not merely the Tain Duke's puppets, it's difficult to answer without knowing anything."

"Are you saying you can't answer even with your life on the line?"

The Southerner's expression sharpened. Nahan didn't react, just locked eyes with him. Just when an ethereal energy seemed to emanate from the Southerner's body, the third man, who had been silently watching with his sword at the ready, finally spoke up.

"Such threats won't work on him, Onakwei. Stand down."

"But Lord Aton—"

"That man isn't the one who disrupted our plans. If we want genuine cooperation from our opponents, we too must offer something worthy. Don't forget what's important now."

The man called Onakwei ultimately retreated in silence. Only after confirming this did Aton lower his sword and remove his hat. Below the rich brown hair that could be mistaken for black, piercing indigo eyes were revealed.

In contrast to Onakwei, who seemed unremarkable and easily forgettable, Aton was a handsome man with fine and aristocratic features.

"Right now, the capital is buzzing with talks about the trials related to the Tain Duchy. Many believe the current Tain Duke will soon step down, and his trading business in the west is about to collapse. At the center of it all is the Cavalry. What do you think this means?"

"I don't care what happens among the high and mighty."

"Then what do you care about?"

"The freedom of my brothers and sisters. A world cleansed of unnecessary elements."

His voice was coarse but carried a peculiar madness, like crackling fire. Onakwei scrunched his nose, seemingly unable to understand the nonsense before him. However, Aton studied him intensely without blinking before finally speaking.

"I see. So for you, the unnecessary elements are those who are not Awakeners and those currently in power."

"..."

"Very well. Let's consider this conversation never happened. Keep your promise not to use your abilities against us until you arrive in the south."

Aton put his hat back on. Curious if the conversation was truly over, Onakwei glanced between the two. The other man, Nahan, had closed his eyes as if his strength was drained.

After some time had passed and Nahan was confirmed to have fainted again, Onakwei spoke softly in the southern tongue.

"Lord Aton, why did you do that?"

"Did you see his eyes?"

"Yes? I mean, I did, but—"

"He's someone words won't get through to, and additionally, he's dangerous. What he desires may align with ours, but they are incompatible. It's better to leave him be. No need to stir the pot."

"And then?"

"Follow him after he reaches the south. He must have other companions. Even if he won't talk, others will."

With conviction in his voice, Aton looked down at Nahan’s face as he concluded his last words.

"Simply discovering that there's an organization at the very bottom of the Empire, composed solely of those with power, is gain enough. The Great Chieftain will be pleased."

At the mention of the Great Chieftain, Onakwei’s eyes shifted.

"...Understood."

"Don't forget. Follow him the moment he arrives. He's extremely dangerous, so pick those with matching abilities. It’s best if Swin and you handle it personally."

"I will do so. But I must admit, I am a bit curious as to how someone with such abilities wound up in a place like the Empire with injuries like this."

To Onakwei’s question, laden with curiosity towards his own people, Aton responded indifferently.

"Considering his very light skin tone, he's probably of mixed blood. You know well enough how those of mixed blood are treated, don't you? They are unwelcome everywhere."

"Fair enough."

"Even with his face in that condition, he doesn't bother to hide it at all. He's already far removed from ordinary humans. Even if he's in a state of being mentally unstable, don't let your guard down."

"Yes."

In the chilly atmosphere, Onakwei bowed his head. Just then, the carriage they were in jolted, causing the sack between them to sway.

Simultaneously, Onakwei sniffed an overpowering, foul smell that was impossible to ignore. Irritated, he muttered under his breath.

"Ugh... Whatever is wrong with that powder? It's increasingly emitting this strange odor. It's not wet, and I'm transporting it with utmost care... Could something have mixed with it during its journey from its origin?"

"..."

Although Aton didn't respond, he clenched his lips, seemingly sharing the same sentiment. Even Nahan, who had woken up from a coma with severe injuries, had detected that the overpowering stench was neither from an aging carriage nor from horse dung.

All the odors were emanating from the Calanesa powder that the southern merchants had painstakingly transported.

"Surely it hasn't rotted. There's no way to know if this is the original smell, and there's no one to ask. It's a dilemma."

"Ask the coachman to open the window and see if we can speed up a bit."

"Yes..."

If it hadn't been for those damned Cavalry members, there would have been no need to transport this in such dire circumstances. Everything was supposed to go smoothly, just by successfully distributing it under the patronage of a foolish Duke Tain. Cursing in various southern expletives, Onakwei opened the coachman's window while Aton quietly turned his head. Their hardships would continue for a while longer.

…

At the southern end of the Orr Empire lay vast deserts. Taking tens of days to cross, these deserts were more often remembered by their nickname, 'The Tomb of Stars,' rather than their original name.

Unless someone had a life-or-death reason to go to the south, no one ventured there willingly, not even tax collectors who usually frequented barren lands.

Few were aware that near these lands, a village existed where Awakeners from all over the country were hiding.

"New information has arrived from the west. It appears that everyone who had been staying there has likely been captured by the Cavalry," the informant reported.