Chapter 13.5

  Vignette — The Road on the Plain

  Having left the mountain village, the caravan crossed many passes, forded deep valleys, and after several days finally emerged from the rugged terrain.

  The narrow, tree-covered paths gradually opened up, leading at last to a vast plain.

  The sky was immense, with drifting clouds casting shadows that leisurely flowed over the gentle hills.

  For Maya, it was the first time he had ever seen the scenery of the “outside world.”

  That afternoon, the caravan stopped to rest beneath a large tree standing beside the road.

  The Elbas grazed peacefully, while the merchants inspected their loads and passed around waterskins.

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  The shade was cool, and the faint calls of birds echoed from afar.

  “Wow… I’ve never seen such a wide open place before!”

  Sitting down on the grass, Maya gazed into the distance with sparkling eyes.

  Beside him, Serio, who had been drinking water, chuckled teasingly.

  “Haha. It’s too soon to be amazed. Ahead of us lie sights far more incredible.”

  “Even more incredible?” Maya’s eyes widened.

  “Yeah. Like a river wider than the village square, or cliffs that look like they’ll split the sky in two… well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.”

  Maya’s eyes sparkled even more brightly.

  “It feels like I’ve become an adventurer in a story!”

  Serio smirked and said:

  “Maybe monsters will show up too!”

  “What!?” Maya’s eyes opened wide in shock.

  Serio laughed at his reaction.

  Watching the two with gentle amusement were Fael and Baleon.

  After stretching their stiffened bodies atop the Elbas, the caravan resumed its journey.

  The climate of the plains still felt like summer.

  Suddenly, Maya thought:

  “By now, is it snowing back in the village?”

  In most years, snow would already be falling in the mountain village, signaling the arrival of the long winter.

  He wondered if Amna and Melvil were doing well, and fondly recalled the villagers he had parted from only a few days ago.

  “When I return, I’ll share so many stories with everyone in the village.”

  With such thoughts in mind, Maya swayed gently atop the back of the Elba.

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  AI disclosure: I am a non-native English writer and have used AI for partial translation and light editing. No AI-generated prose.