The Journey Home
A Friendship Begins to Bloom
The long procession slowly departed from the Forgotten Village.
Noah's wagon led the way, guiding hundreds of villagers who were now traveling toward Noaterra.
The farther they moved from the village...
the more the mood of the caravan began to change.
No one dared to walk at the very back.
Several villagers quietly shuffled forward, trying to stay near the center of the group.
Their fear of the Herkalus Forest still weighed heavily on their minds.
From atop the wagon, Noah observed them before turning toward Lucia.
"Lucia."
"I have a task for you."
Still in her Rabiba form, Lucia perked up her ears.
"What is it, Master?"
Noah called over a young boy who had been walking while clutching a small bag.
"Vian."
The boy hurried over.
"Yes, Brother Noah?"
A faint smile appeared on Noah's face.
"From now on..."
"...you'll walk at the very back."
Vian's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
"At the back?"
Lucia let out a soft chuckle.
"And I'll stay with you."
The tiny Rabiba jumped onto Vian's shoulder.
Once the villagers saw Lucia guarding the rear...
they finally relaxed.
No one competed for position anymore.
They believed...
that as long as the War Goddess Lumina was protecting the rear...
no danger could approach them.
The journey continued.
But traveling with hundreds of people was completely different from the trip here.
They had to stop frequently to rest.
Most of the villagers had never traveled such a great distance.
The children began to tire.
The elderly slowed with every passing hour.
The men took turns carrying one another's belongings.
Lania led several hunters to gather additional food.
Lee remained in the center of the caravan, making sure no one fell behind.
Meanwhile, Lucia continued watching over everyone from the rear.
A journey that should have taken only a single day...
ultimately required nearly three.
Late on the third afternoon...
they once again saw the simple stone gate of the Goblin Village.
A goblin guard stationed atop the watchtower immediately ran into the village.
"Chief Pota!"
"They've returned!"
Moments later...
Chief Pota stood before the gate alongside every goblin villager.
They welcomed Noah's group with warm smiles.
For many of the villagers from the Forgotten Village...
it was their first time seeing goblins up close.
Several instinctively stepped backward.
Children hid behind their parents.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere...
Lucia stepped in once again.
Still in her tiny Rabiba form, she leaped into the arms of a young goblin child.
Then she jumped into the embrace of a human child.
Before long...
children's laughter filled the air.
The tension gradually melted away.
That night...
the Goblin Village echoed with joyful voices once more.
Goblins.
Humans.
Elves.
Dark Elves.
All sat together around the same campfire.
For the first time...
two races that had known only fear...
shared a meal at the same table.
Children ran around together.
Even the young goblins soon began playing freely with the human children.
Chief Pota approached Noah, who quietly watched the scene unfold.
"Master..."
"I still don't truly know who you are."
"But..."
"...you've brought a change we never imagined possible."
He smiled warmly.
"Someday..."
"...we would like to visit Noaterra as well."
Noah nodded.
"Noaterra will always welcome anyone who comes in peace."
"You're welcome anytime."
Chief Pota's smile widened.
That night...
hope took root in the hearts of two peoples who had never imagined they could live side by side.
The Road Home
The following morning...
the caravan prepared to depart once more.
Standing before the village gate...
Nox lowered his head respectfully.
His duty as their guide had come to an end.
Noah walked over to him.
"Thank you, Nox."
"You've helped us more than you know."
He reached into his pouch and took out a red monster gem.
"Here."
Noah placed it gently into Nox's hand.
"Use it wisely."
"And..."
"...become a worthy leader for your people."
Nox's eyes grew wide.
A gem like this was an incredibly valuable treasure to the goblins.
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master."
"I'll never forget your kindness."
Behind him...
Chief Pota and the entire goblin village waved farewell.
Noah's caravan resumed its journey.
Day after day passed.
They crossed the same valleys they had traveled before.
Before long...
the ruins of the Demonic Cave came into view in the distance.
Several villagers whispered among themselves.
"Is that the cave Lady Lania told us about?"
"Yes."
"We always avoided that place."
"I never imagined it would become nothing more than ruins."
But the caravan didn't stop.
They continued onward.
Several hours later...
Lania approached Noah.
"Master."
"I've noticed several children are beginning to develop fevers."
"And some of the elderly are struggling to keep walking."
Noah immediately surveyed the caravan.
Sure enough...
many of them had remained silent, unwilling to slow everyone else down.
Without saying another word...
Noah halted the wagon.
"Children."
"Anyone who's sick."
"Climb aboard."
The villagers exchanged uncertain glances.
"But..."
"...this is your wagon, Master."
Noah smiled gently.
"Starting today..."
"...this wagon belongs to all of us."
One by one, the children climbed aboard.
Several elderly villagers were invited to sit as well.
Noah then distributed the herbal medicine he had prepared during the journey.
Once he was certain everyone was comfortable...
he stepped down from the wagon.
Lee looked at him.
"You're not riding?"
Noah shook his head.
"For once..."
"...I'd like to walk with everyone."
Lee smiled.
"In that case..."
"...so will I."
The two of them walked among the villagers.
Chatting with them.
Listening to their stories.
Occasionally helping carry their belongings.
The journey home continued for several more days.
They stopped from time to time to hunt.
Gathered wild fruit.
And Noah continued documenting every useful natural resource they discovered along the way.
Day after day passed.
The trees gradually became more familiar.
The air grew warmer.
And before long...
the southern border of the Herkalus Forest came into view.
Noaterra...
no longer felt far away.