Ranni’s words kept Mia thinking half the night.
Until the next morning, she looked preoccupied.
Rubbing the grace to ease the fatigue of a sleepless night, Mia figured it out, then decided not to think about it anymore.
Though the riddles concerning herself were indeed worrying, Mia didn’t have the strength to solve them right now.
If she really were someone’s scion as Ranni said, then peeling back the mist would inevitably involve dealing with other top-tier figures in The Lands Between.
The current Mia was still too weak, lacking power.
At least meet Melina first.
Maybe our dear Little Wood knows something?
“I take photos while the house is on fire, I sleep when life is a mess~” Having cast off her psychological burden, Mia hummed a melody very familiar from her past life.
“I don’t know when disaster strikes, at worst I’ll just hang myself~” Wilden: “You can’t die from hanging.” The light tune stopped abruptly.
“No sense of humor…” The Soldier shrugged.
Whether it was Wilden or Kalé, neither knew anything about the witch’s visit last night.
Even seeing the spirit calling bell hanging from her waist, they didn’t ask.
Even if they asked, Mia wasn’t planning to tell them about last night.
Back to the morning.
As soon as Kalé woke up and ate something, he began tidying his pile of things.
“What are you doing?” Mia asked curiously.
“Doing what the Nomadic People should do, of course,” Kalé said, tucking the nobles slender sword he bought from Mia yesterday into his pack.
“You’re leaving?
Where to?” “Since we’ve done business, we’re business partners, so—phew.” Kalé finished packing his tent poles and fabric, taking a breath: “I’ll be straight with you, I’m heading north to Liurnia.
If you want to find me again, try your luck there.
I hope fate lets us do business again.” “Ah!” Mia clapped her hands.
“Isn’t that a coincidence?” “Hmm?” Wilden and Kalé looked at her at the same time.
“We’re also heading north, to Stormveil.
I think we can travel together for a while until we reach Stormgate.” Kalé hesitated for a moment.
Then he shook his head and continued packing the rest of his things.
“I’m used to being alone.” The nomadic merchant replied.
Mia didn’t want to give up this chance to travel together: “Think about it, you’re going to Liurnia alone.
The road is full of dangers.
Who knows how many bandits and thieves there are?
At least we can provide some protection.” Kalé thought for a bit and realized the logic was sound.
“Let’s get this straight first.” Kalé tied his pack to the donkey’s rump, pulling hard on the rope knots: “I’m not paying to hire you; you’re the ones choosing to come along.” “Of course~” Mia said lightheartedly.
She had one more traveling companion; even if temporary, it was better than none.
However, Mia’s main thought was…
Mia stared at Kalé—more accurately, at his donkey.
The nomadic merchant, still packing, felt a chill from being watched and couldn’t help asking: “What now?
Don’t you two need to pack your things?” “Already packed.” Mia had long ago sent the sleeping mat back to her four-dimensional backpack.
Then, she gave a mischievous grin: “Is your donkey for rent?” — “Life needs an attitude, attitude depends on how you live~ Small things like sesame seeds, don’t let them torture you~” The carefree song echoed along the wilderness path.
Mia rode Kalé’s donkey (it cost her five hundred Runes), Kalé led the donkey, and the fully armed Wilden cleared the way for them.
Unfortunately, they were missing one Soldier.
Otherwise, she could sing ‘You carry the load, I lead the horse.’ They were slowly approaching Stormhill.
“I think we Nomadic People are quite similar to you Tarnished.” Kalé, leading the donkey, struck up a conversation with Mia.
“Oh?” “Our Nomadic People have never been favored by the Erdtree’s grace since ancient times, so we’re forced to make our home anywhere, living a life of hardship and travel.
In that regard, Tarnished and Nomadic People are quite similar.” “The Erdtree hasn’t been inclusive of everyone for a very, very long time.” The girl’s body swayed with the donkey’s steps.
Kalé nodded.
“I knew you’d understand.” He shared a moment of silence, then told Mia more.
“Have you heard of the The Great Caravan?” Kalé asked, then immediately answered himself before Mia could: “I suppose you haven’t; you probably haven’t been back in The Lands Between for very long.” He shook his head somewhat despondently.
“Even we Nomadic People once had a place that could be called home, which we called the The Great Caravan.
But they’ve been gone for a long time.
Ever since I can remember, we’ve been looking for it.” Mia gave a soft ‘mm-hmm’ in acknowledgement.
After a while, she suddenly asked: “Why are you looking for it alone?” “Huh?” Kalé didn’t understand what Mia meant.
The girl continued: “There are others of your kind all over The Lands Between, right?
They’re wandering alone just like you.
But why don’t you act together?
While I understand you long to find the The Great Caravan, to find your roots and family…
I think someone who likes being lonely will find that even if they find their home, it will only be a home without family.” The bell on the donkey’s chest jingled, its crisp sound like a bird’s chirp, carrying far across the wilderness.
After hearing Mia’s words, Kalé held the donkey’s reins and lowered his head, staring at the dirt road beneath his feet.
After a long silence, Kalé broke it himself.
“Perhaps you’re right.” “I should look for more of my people.” The girl nodded vigorously, feeling a sense of relief that he had taken her advice: “The more united, the stronger.” The three of them advanced along the seemingly endless dirt road.
When the light of the Erdtree was most dazzling, it should be noon.
Since the sun wasn’t visible, she couldn’t use the phrase’sun high in the sky’ to describe the time.
She was hungry again.
But they hadn’t seen the next grace yet.
“Kalé, do you have any more food?” “A little.
I’ll have to set some traps before we camp tonight to see if I can catch some rabbits or squirrels, otherwise we’ll be out of food in a while.” Because Mia wasn’t used to eating dried meat, she got some Rowa Fruit Raisins from Kalé, for which she paid.
Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, let alone Kalé, who was a merchant to begin with.
The fruit, which became exceptionally sour after drying, was incredibly refreshing.
Traveling and stopping, it was suddenly evening.
Among the three, Mia, riding the donkey, was the most relaxed.
But even riding a donkey could make one’s butt sore; she had gotten down to walk for a while during the journey.
“Time to camp,” Kalé said, looking at the sky.
Mia still didn’t see the light of grace.
Wilden also stopped: “At your pace, it’ll take four and a half days just to reach Stormgate.” “Not everyone is like you children of the Erdtree,” Kalé rolled his eyes, likely making a sarcastic remark about the tireless Hollow.
Wilden didn’t want to argue: “If we’re camping, then let’s camp.
Traveling at night might mean encountering Bats.” “Could you please start a fire?
I’m going to set some traps under the trees.” “Go ahead.” Mia waved her hand.
She would help look after Kalé’s donkey and luggage.
Kalé returned quickly without encountering any danger, and Mia had already started the bonfire.
Lighting a bonfire was no trouble for her at all; she found that in the Tool Kit Kalé sold her, the flint was the most useless item.
Just by gathering some dry wood and grass, Mia could produce a small flame from her fingertips, and then, a bonfire was born.
“Are you still not resting?” After nightfall, Wilden sat quietly by the bonfire with his gear, just like the night before.
“I think you should just leave him alone.” Kalé, already lying on his floor mat, turned around, his back to the Soldier: “Someone has to keep watch.” The merchant seemed to have always held a certain prejudice against children of the Erdtree.
Throughout the day, Kalé had spoken a lot with Mia, but he hadn’t said a single word to Wilden.
The first night of the journey was a very peaceful one.
However, Mia still didn’t sleep well; she still wasn’t used to the feeling of camping.
As soon as it was light the next day, the sound of Kalé getting up woke the light-sleeping Mia.
He went to the traps he set last night and caught a rabbit and a squirrel.
Mia lit the fire again and helped Kalé process the game.
“Are you going to ride the donkey today too?” “Yes.” “Then I’ll give you half off,” Kalé said.
“You helped me a lot last night.
Traveling with a few people is indeed much more convenient than being alone.” “The credit for keeping watch belongs mostly to Wilden.” “Mm-hmm.” The merchant replied perfunctorily.
He stomped out the bonfire.
The three of them packed up and continued on their way.
“Does your donkey have a name?” The donkey’s pace still made Mia’s body sway.
“I don’t know,” Kalé answered.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Kalé shrugged.
“It never asked my name, so I never asked its name.” “…” For some reason, it felt a bit cold.
Mia gave a polite smile.
“Should we give it a name?” “I’m not good at that.” “Is it male or female?” “Female.” “Then let’s call her Amia.”