The midday sunlight poured down. They paused, while people around them continued moving forward. Before them stood a city that looked simple yet massive, its bustling atmosphere evident even to outsiders.
"It's better than I thought it would be..."
"Yes, it is great..." Cael smiled in agreement and slowly raised his arm, using the back of his hand to wipe the sweat that ran from his forehead to his chin.
..In the midst of the bustling city and its many people, this town had a unique and charming culture. Without a ruling government, without laws, and without authority, it was like an independent state where people looked after and helped each other. The locals were often kind and friendly, but this wasn't true for everyone; people from many other lands had come in, altering its character.
The clatter of horseshoes against the stone-paved road echoed throughout the street. Carts filled with people moved slowly through the busy atmosphere, where many people wore traditional long attire. Even after walking through the crowds and around the city for quite some time, Cael's face remained expressionless. A voice in his head surfaced:
"No slaves... no soldiers... no social classes? What does this city mean!?"
A loud noise rang out, but he was reminded of her words amidst the city's clamor, spoken when she was walking near him just a few days ago "It's a culture originating from the Rektus lands. There, people aged 15 and above live freely, seeking their own paths. It's perfectly normal to be something else while being a student."
Her words shattered his doubts into pieces, like a stone wall instantly crumbling. He looked around in a frantic state of shock. He quickly ran through the bustling crowd, nearly bumping into people, before stopping abruptly in front of a merchant who was looking at him in bewilderment.
"Huh...!?"
"I just arrived in this city for the first time... Where is the port?!" Cael quickly reached into his pocket, grabbed a handful of coins, and hastily handed them to the merchant, snatching a piece of fruit from the stall.
"Just walk another mile to the left, and you'll get there." A muscular man in simple clothes stood with his arms crossed, a willing smile on his face. He scanned Cael from head to toe, raised an eyebrow, and asked,
"But... are you sure you're a traveler?"
Cael quickly grabbed the fruit from the stall, shoved the money into the merchant's hand, and darted away immediately. "Thank you!"
The attire of the people was striking and strange compared to his own clothes. This city had no conflict of class or inequality; every life proceeded peacefully and warmly. Near the stone bridge, four young men were engaged in an animated discussion, while others simply walked along. Only a few horse-drawn carts passed by.
On the other side, Rogan had momentarily separated himself from the group. He still looked distinct and completely different from a student coming from a culturally influenced land. His journey was like a young man's search for life.
The warm sunlight of sunset streamed down, interspersed with the gentle rain—a part of the people's way of life. Rogan decided to walk away from the group because he was deeply engrossed in a Traveler's Journal. People were captivated by the spirit conveyed through that book. Learning about the lives and great deeds of historical figures made Rogan feel that he wanted to stand in the same place as them.
"A novel once said... Fall down like the rain... I think anyone would want to do that."
The once-bright smile suddenly dropped, leaving behind only a meaningless, lingering half-smile. The eyes of this new traveler were profound, as if hiding many stories. His internal emotions were a strange contradiction; they plummeted to the extreme like the deepest ocean but, at the same time, erupted violently like a giant wave on the shore.
"Just noise if the lightning doesn't strike... Hahaha..."
A group of young men quickly approached Rogan, who was sitting by the canal. They looked eager and friendly, as if something fun was about to happen, though it was actually just an expression full of energy. Suddenly, one of the men in the group froze when his eyes met Rogan's.
"That guy..."
The rest of his companions stopped as well. They all looked at Rogan with thoughtful expressions, and then the silence was broken by an open and sincere smile on their faces. The first young man confidently stepped closer. He stopped beside Rogan and crouched down.
"You're a traveler, aren't you! We're locals, and we'd be happy to help you with anything!"
Rogan glanced over briefly, revealing a face that made the young man stop short. A cold, icy gaze appeared on his face, a contrast to the other's cheerful, cunning, and talkative demeanor. But he quickly shifted and offered a small smile.
"Sorry, I'm just passing through."
Rogan said only that, but his words made the entire group of teenagers, who were eagerly listening, pause. The young man sitting next to him immediately eased his nervousness and let out a smile.
"Okay! Got it, got it. We just wanted to say hi. If you need food, a place to stay, or want to know anything about the town, just tell us! We're always free."
Rogan looked up at the group of teenagers who were sending sincere smiles his way. They were open in their expressions; there was no unsettling behavior or suspiciousness hidden at all.
"I'm going to another city..." Rogan said boldly. (Although being brave was no longer necessary.) In a moment when a certain comfortable feeling was welling up in his heart, he chose to tell them his next destination.
The young man next to him dropped his smile slightly, but still maintained a friendly expression. He slowly stood up to rejoin his friends.
"Understood! Then travel safely! Have a great journey!"
The teenagers waved cheerfully before walking away.