The desert heat was a merciless curse. William felt as if his body would melt, dying a second time under the searing heat. Of course, it was just a silly thought—an absurd image born of the heat creeping over his skin and forcing his mind to wander.
Elizabeth looked up from her horse. A small, calm smile crossed her face, never quite disappearing.
"We can't just stop once we enter the desert," she said. Her voice was cool yet gentle, like the whisper of a wind trying to calm a fire.
William let out a long, hoarse sigh, then whispered commandingly to Jones.
"Keep fanning me."
Jones obeyed, though his face clearly showed his annoyance. The fan moved up and down, expelling a small portion of the inferno that had enveloped them. Ironically, the usually defiant burly man now bowed obediently, merely a shadow loyally dispelling the heat for his master.
For the first time, William's arrogance cracked. His body looked fragile, his pale skin reflecting the harsh sunlight until it shimmered, streaked with a burnt red hue. His face, which was usually adorned with a sneer or a lopsided, challenging smile, now looked weary, as if the desert were swallowing his greatness.
Elizabeth finally spoke again, her worry unhidden.
"Are you really all right, Will? If you need to, we can rest for a while."
William didn't answer. He simply took several deep, labored breaths as if his lungs were crushed by sand. But his ears, still as sharp as ever, caught the sound of a horse's receding footsteps, slowly lost in the clinking heat.
A few minutes later, the carriage came to a stop. Its wheels groaned as they left tracks in the burning sand. The caravan had chosen to stop at the edge of the track. People quickly dismounted and set up makeshift tents under a sun that seemed intent on baking them alive.
After hiding behind his hood for a while, William opened his eyes. He saw Elizabeth dismount her horse along with Louis. Both were calm as they walked toward him. With her unfading grace, Elizabeth climbed into the open carriage where William was reclining. She sat beside him and offered him a bottle of water; her eyes were filled with genuine concern.
William glanced at her briefly, raising his eyebrows. A strange feeling struck him—concern. He shook his head and dismissed the bottle with a small gesture.
"Are you all right?" Elizabeth asked again, her concern still evident.
William smiled faintly, though fatigue weighed heavily on his face.
"It's okay. I'm feeling a little better," he replied. This time, he sounded more relaxed, as if he were trying to mask the cracks within him.
The long break gave everyone a chance to catch their breath, though the heat lingered. Sitting beside him, Elizabeth finally struck up a new conversation.
"William, how do you know Sir Jones? Did you wander around at the rest stop that night and accidentally get into trouble?"
William casually responded to Elizabeth's question, though his calm eyes held an unmistakable note.
"I only cause trouble when it helps me gather information," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
But that statement immediately made Louis—who was standing beside the open carriage—frown. A harsh snort escaped his nose.
"You never think about the consequences, William. You're just an outsider who happened to be on this escort mission."
William slowly turned his head, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Haha, a self-righteous nobleman. You sound boring." His tone was light but piercing.
Louis held his tongue. A rebuke threatened to spill out, but he reined in his anger. With heavy steps, he simply walked away, letting a frustrated snort hang in the air. Elizabeth knew full well that William was a difficult character to reprimand, let alone change.
Witnessing the tension, Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. At least Louis had managed to restrain himself. Otherwise, the flames of an argument would have flared up in the scorching desert heat.
To ease the tension, Elizabeth turned her attention to Jones, William's new valet. Her voice was calm but carried a regal air.
"Sir Jones, our previous introduction was less than pleasant. However, I am truly delighted to become better acquainted with a talented sentinel such as yourself. Even if you are not officially part of the Royal Order."
The burly man, Jones, bowed his head humbly. "I am truly honored to receive such praise from Miss Elizabeth. The Aldwych family is so well known that I never imagined I would meet you in person."
Elizabeth smiled slightly and waved her hand as if to dismiss the awkwardness. "Don't flatter me. It feels a bit strange. But thank you, Sir Jones."
William listened to the conversation halfheartedly. The desert heat continued to seep into his body and press against his pale, sun-reddened skin. He waved his hands in front of his face, seeking a false sense of coolness from the hot air.
Then, Elizabeth spoke again, this time more seriously. "So, it's true that you witnessed the purple-robed group that regularly attacks caravans on the Golden Triangle Route?"
Jones's gaze hardened. A bitter memory was etched on his face.
"It wasn't just witnessing, Miss. My men and I fought them. Their mana aura was difficult to detect, blending with the shadows of the desert. However, for a moment, I sensed a dark aura from one of their members." His voice was low and bitter. "My men were wiped out, slaughtered mercilessly. It was a merchant caravan that only I could save. I managed to rescue the merchant's immediate family and bring them to safety. Since that day, guilt has haunted me. That's why I refuse to accept caravan escort jobs again."
The story sounded heartbreaking to Elizabeth's gentle ears, but William just heard a series of passing words. He remained seated with his fan in hand, idly moving it to dispel the desert heat that seemed intent on baking him alive.
Jones continued in a hoarse, emphatic voice.
"What makes things even stranger is that caravans have recently been disappearing while passing through the desert path to the Kingdom of Duness. Though vast, this desert is known as the safest route through the Golden Triangle. But, for the past two years, caravans have begun vanishing without a trace. Many assumed it was bandits, but the valuables remained behind. Only the people were missing, as if swallowed by the earth."
Elizabeth frowned, clasping her hands across her chest as if hugging herself. "A mysterious group?" she murmured softly, trying to piece together fragments of a memory. "Louis once mentioned a dark sect operating in this region."
As if summoned by her words, Louis reappeared from the rear of the caravan. He brought several bottles of liquor and distributed them one by one to Elizabeth, Jones, and William, who accepted them reluctantly.
Elizabeth took only a sip, then immediately turned to Louis, urgency in her voice.
"Louis, wasn't the old man you fought with a survivor of that dark sect?"
Louis nodded slowly, his deep eyes reflecting the last of the desert light.
"Lady Ginerva has investigated the man's origins. His name is Sir Maxim Aluz, a once-famous spice trader. He traveled from a small town to a great empire long ago. However, he and his family vanished while crossing a desert path in the Golden Triangle. There was no trace of blood or sign of a struggle. They were just… gone, along with his entire caravan and merchandise."
The name made Jones sit up straight. His gaze sharpened and his voice trembled.
"Young Master Louis, did you say Sir Maxim Aluz?"
Louis replied with a firm nod. "That's right."
Jones took a deep breath as if burdened by old memories.
"I once escorted Sir Maxim's entourage before he disappeared. After that, he was never heard from again. His business simply went under. The branches of his shop in various cities closed without warning because his spices were no longer being distributed. Sir Maxim's disappearance truly took not only his life, but also the glory of his trade."
Elizabeth fell silent, deep in thought. The sunlight reflecting off the sand seemed to cast a shadow over her face.
"The spices from Sir Maxim's shop were of priceless quality. My servants always bought them. But later, they said that Maxim's Spice Shop had closed. Even the other branches suffered the same fate. That's why I began to suspect something."