Chapter 272: Sorrow of Parting
"Yo, Uncle Warriv, morning!"
The next morning, I saw the Caravan in the Central Square of the Camp. Calling it a Caravan was a bit generous; it was really just over a dozen Mule Camel Beasts and a few dilapidated Wagons. After all, most of the Camp residents were self-sufficient, so the demand wasn't large. Transporting the Local Specialty Products acquired by the Camp to Lut Gholein, however, would make the load a bit heavier.
Warriv crawled out of his Tent, rubbing his sleepy Eyes, and yawned. Despite being a Great Merchant, he was still wearing that rustic grey, white, and blue Civilian clothes, earthy yellow waterproof long boots, and a small round iron hat on his Head. He had an ordinary face that would be impossible to find in a Crowd.
"Ah, Elder Fan, what a pleasure, what a pleasure. Visiting my humble shop so early in the morning, what might you be looking to buy?" Seeing it was me, Warriv's face immediately broke into a warm smile. He rubbed his hands together as he came forward, looking at me as if I were an Easy Mark. Give it a rest, you cunning merchant. I've been to Lut Gholein and seen the world, alright? Don't think you can Deceive/Bluff me with that junk anymore.
I secretly thought 'Boss' to myself, but didn't dare show it. After all, I still needed him to guide the way to Lut Gholein this time. Therefore, with the idea of hearing something useful and broadening my horizons from the knowledgeable Warriv, we started chatting endlessly. From Rogue Encampment to the Plains, to the Misty Forest, and even Lut Gholein, he could spin some half-true, half-false anecdotes. The Knowledge stored in his Brain was definitely not something a Little Druid like me, who had only been in Rogue Encampment for two or three years, could compare to.
When I came back to my senses, the morning sun, which had been half-hidden behind the mountain, had already climbed into Mid-air. The warm Light shone on the dew drops in the Grass, emitting a Moist and fresh scent. Seeing that Time was getting late and Warriv needed to sell off his Cargo quickly, I didn't bother him further. I said goodbye to him and walked away leisurely. Huh? Why do I feel a bit like those idle Middle-aged Women?
Coming back to my senses again, I was startled to find that, somehow, my arms were already full of a large pile of strange things. Damn it, did I still not escape Warriv's brainwashing-style dumping? Forget it, just consider it paying tuition. Comforting myself this way, I shoved all these things into my Inventory. Who should I give these to? ...
The taste of parting is hard. The News of Warriv's return quickly spread. Hearing this News, the Lar Family was immediately immersed in sorrow. Lars and Aunt Shali grew up in Rogue Encampment, and now they had to leave their Hometown. Moreover, it was very likely they would never return, so the sorrow of parting goes without saying. Doug and Gus were also somewhat sad. Although their Hometown was Harrogath, they had both stayed in Rogue Encampment for over ten years. This kind of Feelings/Emotions wasn't something that could be easily given up.
Among everyone, only Sarah was relatively Calm. Although she had also lived in the Camp for over ten years, her Age was not yet sufficient to understand the taste of homesickness. She didn't have any very close Friends, her Parents were together, and her Big Brother was also with her. What did she have to lose? Curiosity and excitement about the long journey and Lut Gholein accounted for a large part of her Mood instead.
However, unfortunately, Sarah couldn't stay in Lut Gholein the whole time. According to the original plan, she had to stay in the Camp to continue Training. After all, it wasn't easy to find a Sword Master, and the Camp's training facilities were the most complete. But after getting permission for Remote Teleportation, I discussed it with Lars and decided to take Sarah along on the journey anyway, to put her mind at ease. I could send her back using Remote Teleportation when the time came; I could afford twenty Chipped Gems. As for the future, I didn't need to worry about Sarah being alone in the Camp, because Velas would also stay in the Camp to continue her Mage Training Course. The two of them living together could look after each other.
Taking advantage of these few days while Warriv was selling off his Cargo, the Lar Family said goodbye one by one to the familiar Neighbors around them. Aunt Shali's tears hardly stopped these past few days. Doug and Gus seized the opportunity to hang out with other Adventurers in the Tavern. Their Friends, their juniors, and that honest Barbarian young man who always asked questions when Doug was bragging, were Instructed by him dozens of times.
On the fourth day, Warriv, who had sold off all the Cargo on the Carriage, told us that we would Depart when the Sun rose tomorrow and told us to prepare early.
"Hiss—rustle—"
Rustling sounds came from the Tent. Velas's Petite Figure was constantly pacing back and forth. She picked up a piece of Cotton Clothes in her hand, thought for a moment, then changed to another one... A continuous stream of things was stuffed into sacks one by one. When I opened them and looked, they covered clothing, food, housing, and transportation, all sorts of miscellaneous things. She even stuffed a whole sack of the Mololo grown at home. Was she planning for me to sell them in Lut Gholein?
"What are you doing? At the latest, I'll be back once every six months. Why do you need to bring so much?" I hugged the busy Velas in my arms, feeling both amused and helpless, while playing with her Small Hair Tie and breathing onto her fair ear and saying.
"Lord, six months is not short at all. I need to prepare properly," Velas said seriously with puffed cheeks. She made to get up, but was held tightly in my arms.
"Alright, my little darling, this is enough. My Inventory is almost full." Looking at the six or seven Large Sacks neatly lined up, I broke out in a cold sweat. It seems I'll have to find Doug and Gus to share some of the load.
"Mm!!" Hearing me say this, Velas only then nodded prettily and reluctantly agreed in a low voice, falling silent.
"Little Lulu, are you really not coming with us?" I gently stroked her soft hair and asked again. With Sarah added, I didn't mind having Velas too. Chipped Gems or whatever, it didn't matter how many were used, as long as it made them happy.
"Lord, I still decided not to go," Velas shook her head again and said softly, leaning against my Chest.
"I started learning later than Sister Sarah, and I'm not as diligent as her usually. My Talent is even less comparable. So I want to use this month or so to close the distance. If I can get Job Advancement with Sister Sarah, wouldn't that save a lot of trouble?"
"Little Lulu, you really are my little darling." I was moved and kissed her. It's been hard on her; over these years, she has always been thinking of me and working hard.
"Moreover, Fanfan and Lulu (those two Lambs) can't be left unattended, right? And the Vegetable Patch, the Clothes..." Velas counted them off one by one on her fingers.
"Alright. Since you've already made up your mind, I won't force you. After you and Sarah get your Mercenary Promotion, our Family must properly make up for this journey."
"Mm," Velas responded with a nasal sound, shyly lowering her Head. "As long as Lord is happy. Compared to this, I, I..." Her Head lowered even further, pressing harder against my Chest. Looking down from above, the small section of fair neck revealed between her hair was already bright red. Secretly gritting her teeth, Velas suddenly brought her fair, pretty face, red as if about to ripen, close to my ear.
"Lord, compared to this, I, I want a child even more."
I was stunned for a moment—This... can this be described as seduction?
Roar~~!!
Holding Velas, I fell onto the bed...
"L-Lord, please... please cherish me well..." Instinctively curled up, Velas shyly closed her Eyes...
Lord, please come back quickly. Compared to a child, I hope it's you even more—Such willful words, in the end, I still couldn't say them.
The sky was just starting to lighten. I gently disentangled myself from Velas's soft, fragrant, and smooth Body. Gazing at that sleeping beautiful face, I finally hardened my heart, put on my Clothes, packed everything up, and left without looking back. I was completely unaware that behind me, a pair of large, dark, bright Eyes were watching for a long time. The moment my Figure disappeared through the Door, a clear tear finally fell from the corner of her Eye.
The Sun hadn't risen over the mountain yet. The gray Plaza was Enveloped/Covered in a layer of suffocating moisture. The morning wind carrying a bone-chilling coolness blew against my face, surprisingly feeling a bit sad. While the East Gate, which should have been sparsely populated, was now packed with people, blocking the entire Door completely. Noisy sounds, low sobbing sounds—These sounds mixed together, making the cold morning appear even more desolate. The Lar Family and the two Barbarian brothers arrived a few moments earlier than me and were currently saying goodbye to everyone one by one. Seeing me come over, everyone quickly made way for a path. Countless fervent Gazes looked at me.
"Lord Fan, you must take good care of Shali's family!" "Lord Fan, I'm entrusting Doug and Gus Boss to you!" "Lord Fan, have a smooth journey!" "..."
Countless words of Instruction passed through my ears, directly striking my heart. Surrounded by countless sounds, I was bewildered, and could only keep nodding my Head, constantly making those simple and sincere faces reveal reassuring smiles.
Aunt Shali had already cried herself into a tearful mess. Little Sarah was also affected by the Atmosphere, her Eyes were red. Seeing me arrive, she ran and threw herself into my arms, refusing to let go. Lars was surrounded by a group of aunts and elderly women, who were just saying things like, "You must listen to Shali well in the future, and absolutely don't be reckless," and so on. Doug and Gus were gathered with their chatting buddies from the Tavern, not knowing what they were saying.
Time would not stop its Footsteps because of everyone's reluctance to let go. When the Sun cast its first piercing ray of Light from the other side of the mountain, Warriv, sitting at the very front of the Wagon, turned his Head and said hello: "Get ready, we're about to Depart."
This sentence was like a catalyst, causing the entire East Gate to erupt. Aunt Shali's body suddenly went limp and she fell into Lars's arms amidst everyone's exclamations. Then, no matter how everyone tried to keep us or how they wept, we still slowly followed behind the Caravan, constantly turning our Heads back to wave at everyone.
For Lars and the others, this parting might be a permanent farewell. Turning my Head back to look at the Camp's Door that was gradually getting smaller, I suddenly felt that I could probably understand Older Sister's Mood when she left.
Just at this moment, a graceful Figure in a pure white Robe emerged from the Crowd, waving at me from afar. That posture standing against the wind was like the most simple, most gentle, and also the strongest and most beautiful flower on the Plains.
At this moment, my heart was filled with an indescribably complex feeling. A surge of impulse arose in my heart, and I moved without realizing it. Cupping my hands around my mouth, I used all my strength: "Velas, I love you!!"