We walked toward a broken cart standing by the roadside.
Beside it were three people—a middle-aged man and woman, and a teenage girl helping them. When we got close, we stopped our horse cart.
Before any of us could speak, the man greeted us first.
"Hi," he said with a polite smile. "My name is Martin Guor. This is my wife, Esha Guor, and this is our daughter, Marlin Guor."
I gave Hasami a small signal.
She stepped forward and calmly introduced herself, then everyone else in our group. We stayed seated on the cart and didn't get down.
With a worried smile, Martin spoke again.
"We're farmers. We were returning from Abik after selling vegetables, but as you can see… our cart broke. Could you please help us?"
As I observed them quietly, Roberto asked,
"Where are you heading?"
"Mahna Village," Martin replied quickly, still smiling.
Roberto glanced at me without drawing attention. I met his eyes and gave a small nod.
Keeping his expression neutral yet kind, Roberto said,
"Alright. We're passing through that village. You can come with us. But what about your cart?"
Relief spread across Martin's face.
"I'll ride the horse and leave the cart here. After reaching the village, I'll return with tools to fix it."
After a bit more conversation, his wife and daughter climbed onto our cart, carrying a large bag. When Marlin came closer, Mac and Arim couldn't help staring—she was a little pretty. But when she smiled at them, both of them quickly turned away, their faces red.
Martin mounted his horse, and Roberto started the cart again.
I leaned toward Roberto and asked casually,
"Grandpa, can we reach the village today?"
Miss Esha smiled.
"Yes, but it'll be late at night."
I nodded, then said,
"Then we must reach it today. We've already finished our food."
Everyone stared at me for a moment—Roberto included.
"Oh," Roberto said awkwardly. "I forgot about that."
I sighed inwardly.
Using the system in front of so many people is risky. Roberto told me item bags aren't rare among large merchant groups, but still… I shouldn't use the system for now.
Moneru, not understanding the situation, snapped in frustration,
"You should've told us earlier! We could've eaten less!"
I was about to respond when Miss Esha spoke gently,
"Oh my, you can have our food. We still have some left."
Hasami smiled and shook her head.
"No, miss. We ate not long ago. You should keep it."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Miss Esha then asked about us. Hasami explained that we were a newly formed merchant group called Falcon, and also a family. Meanwhile, Roberto and Martin chatted quietly about farming and travel.
Marlin suddenly asked with curiosity,
"If you're all merchants, then where are the goods you sell?"
Her mother scolded her sharply.
"Marlin! You can't ask things like that."
I smiled slightly.
"We carry our goods in an item bag."
Marlin's eyes sparkled.
"So that's why your carriage is empty! Can I see the magic bag? I've never seen one before."
"Marlin!" Miss Esha scolded again. "That's rude."
Before I could answer, Arim suddenly said,
"Why not show her, right, Loid?"
Everyone turned to me.
I replied calmly,
"Sorry, Miss Marlin. That bag isn't something we can show."
Miss Esha bowed apologetically.
"I'm sorry for my daughter's behavior."
"It's fine," I said with a smile. "If we ever do business in your village, you might see it then."
Marlin smiled brightly.
"Really? Thank you!"
As we continued talking, I learned more about Mahna Village and its people. By the time we reached the village gate, it was late at night.
The village was surrounded by a wooden fence, with three guards on watch. They stopped us and asked who we were, but before we could answer, Martin spoke up.
"They're a merchant group. They are with us."
One of the guards recognized him.
"Oh, Martin, you're back. Where's your cart?"
"It broke," Martin said as he got down from his horse. "These people gave us a ride."
An old guard nodded gently.
"If Martin says so, you may enter."
Inside the village, everything was dark. Most houses had their lights off—it was very late.
I asked politely,
"Miss Esha, is there an inn nearby?"
She smiled warmly.
"What are you saying? You'll stay at our house."
Marlin nodded eagerly, and Martin added,
"You're our guests. How could you stay at an inn?"
I hesitated.
"Thank you for your kindness, but we don't want to burden you."
"What burden?" Martin said firmly.
"Just for tonight," I replied softly. "Tomorrow we'll move to an inn."
He sighed helplessly.
"…Looks like you won't listen to me."
Eventually, we arrived at the Guor residence.
Miss Esha and Marlin prepared food, with Hasami helping them. After washing up, we sat down together. They served bread and soup.
Mac, Arim, and Moneru struggled with spoons—it was their first time using one. Everyone stared, but somehow they managed.
While eating, Marlin asked,
"What are you selling?"
Everyone except Roberto looked at me. I answered,
"Farming tools and household necessities—spoons, knives, pots, and more."
Martin chuckled.
"Loid, you answer every business question. Are you the leader?"
The room went silent.
Before I could respond, Roberto spoke calmly,
"Yes. Loid is our leader."
The Guor family looked shocked.
"I'm sorry," Miss Esha said. "That was rude."
Martin bowed slightly.
"I'm really sorry."
I smiled.
"It's not a big secret."
Miss Esha smiled in amazement.
"It's fascinating—a child our daughter's age leading a merchant group."
Moneru puffed her chest proudly.
"Loid is amazing! That's why he's our leader!"
Hasami nodded, and everyone agreed.
Later, rooms were arranged. Hasami, Moneru, and Marlin shared one room. Moneru, excited, blurted out,
"Is this really a bed?!"
Hasami quickly covered for her, explaining they hadn't slept in beds for days.
In another room, Roberto, Mac, Arim, and I somehow squeezed together. Mr. and Mrs. Guor slept on the living room floor.
As everyone fell asleep instantly, I stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow, I'm definitely renting three rooms at an inn. I can't sleep like this again.
I screamed silently in my mind.
.