Raizen studied the quest board for several minutes before choosing a request that suited his current rank.
Beginner Quest — Merchant Escort
The task required a registered traveler to accompany a merchant caravan traveling toward another country.
The journey would take several days, with the guild providing payment upon the caravan’s safe arrival.
It was simple enough.
More importantly, it would take him away from Silvermere for a few days.
Raizen quietly removed the notice from the board.
That should give Luciana some time to travel on her own.
She had only recently left Cresent Roseville.
Constantly crossing paths with him would defeat the purpose of allowing her to experience the world independently.
Besides, he had another reason for taking this particular quest.
The country along the merchant route was known for unusual magical goods and rare handicrafts.
Perhaps he would find something suitable for her there.
Something small.
Something she would like.
Something that wouldn’t make her suspicious.
Raizen carried the quest notice toward the information counter.
By the time he arrived, Clara had just finished explaining the Wildbell Flower quest to Luciana.
“The southern woodland isn’t too far from Silvermere,” Clara was saying.
“Follow the main road until you reach the old watchtower.
From there, the woodland path will take you toward the flower fields.”
Luciana nodded as she carefully memorized the directions.
“Thirty Wildbell flowers.”
“Yes.”
“And I shouldn’t wander too deeply into the forest.”
“Correct.”
Luciana smiled.
“I understand.”
Clara noticed Raizen approaching and looked toward him.
“And you’ve chosen a quest as well?”
Raizen placed the notice on the counter.
“Merchant escort.”
Clara read the request.
“This caravan is leaving this afternoon.
You’ll be traveling across the southern border and into another country.”
Raizen nodded.
“The journey should take several days.”
“Yes.”
Luciana, who had been gathering her things, glanced over.
“Another country?”
Raizen looked at her.
“Yes.”
She walked a little closer.
“What kind of quest?”
“I’m accompanying a merchant caravan.”
“Oh.”
For some reason, Luciana felt a tiny bit disappointed.
She wasn’t sure why.
Perhaps she had simply gotten used to having someone familiar around while traveling.
Or perhaps she had expected to see him again after finishing her flower quest.
She looked down at her own quest notice.
“Then you’ll be leaving Silvermere?”
“For a few days.”
Luciana nodded.
“I see.”
She didn’t say anything else.
Raizen noticed the slight change in her expression but didn’t comment.
Instead, he asked Clara about the departure point and the caravan’s expected route.
Luciana listened quietly.
Once everything was settled, Raizen turned toward her.
“Take care on your journey.”
She looked up.
“You too.”
Then she smiled.
“Good luck with the merchant caravan, Raizen.
Have a safe journey.”
“I will.”
Luciana hesitated for a moment before adding,
“Maybe I’ll see you again when you come back.”
Raizen looked at her.
“Perhaps.”
She gave him a small smile.
“That’s your favorite word, isn’t it?”
“It seems useful.”
Luciana laughed.
“You really are a weird guy.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
She shook her head.
“Well, goodbye for now.”
“Goodbye, Luciana.”
They left the guild together.
Outside, the roads immediately separated into different directions.
A merchant wagon waited several streets away, preparing to leave Silvermere.
Luciana’s route toward the southern woodland lay in another direction.
For a moment, they simply stood there.
Raizen looked toward the merchant road.
Luciana looked toward the road leading out of the city.
“So…
I guess this is where we separate.”
“Yes.”
Luciana adjusted the strap of her bag.
“Then I’ll see you later.”
Raizen nodded.
“Stay safe.”
“You too.”
She smiled and turned toward her own road.
After taking several steps, Luciana glanced back.
Raizen was already walking toward the waiting merchant caravan.
She watched his back for a few seconds.
That same strange feeling returned.
She had only known him for a short time.
They had completed one simple quest together.
They had argued over fifteen silver coins.
They had talked about nothing particularly important.
Yet somehow, watching him leave felt a little different from watching Alex and Sara leave.
Luciana frowned at herself.
“What is wrong with me?”
She shook her head.
“He’s just a weird beginner traveler.”
That explanation seemed perfectly reasonable.
Luciana turned around and continued toward the southern woodland.
Behind her, Raizen joined the merchant caravan without looking back.
He had already made his decision.
A few days apart would be good for her.
She needed to experience traveling on her own.
And he needed time to find something worthy of giving her.
Neither knew that their separate journeys would soon create stories of their own.
For now, two travelers simply walked along different roads beneath the same sky.
Luciana headed toward the forest.
Raizen headed toward another country.
And somewhere along the way, an ancient god was quietly searching for a gift for the girl who still thought he was simply a strange beginner traveler.