Above The Sky
Chapter 383 - 383 355 A Broader World 33

383: Chapter 355 A Broader World (3/3) 383: Chapter 355 A Broader World (3/3) Ian’s departure had been a long time coming.

Thus, when Ian brought Elan to the Elder’s Hall the next day and showed his Knight’s Medal to Elder Prude, the old man even scoffed, indicating that he had already heard about it from the Viscount the night before.

“I’m not the least bit worried about you,” the Elder said.

“What worries me is how much trouble you’ll manage to get yourself into.”

Prophets attract benefits and avoid harm; they can evade the vast majority of wrong choices—but that also means they can easily stir up major troubles that ordinary people would not even dare to contemplate.

Leaving aside other matters, Ian’s every action in the Labyrinth was astonishing enough; just the things he could talk about were enough to scare the Elder half to death, let alone those he couldn’t mention…

His heart just wasn’t that strong.

In response, Ian simply embraced Elder Prude.

“Take care of yourself, Elder, and follow the doctor’s orders.

You have to stay alive to see our family’s rise.”

“And you too, Elan.

With me not at home, you listen to Elder Prude.

If you need anything, you can ask for help from Brother Scott and Green Tide.”

“Mmhmm,” Elan, gripping Ian’s hand, opened his eyes wide, gazing at his brother’s face.

He wasn’t worried about Ian’s long journey; instead, he revealed a big smile.

“I understand brother’s, feelings.”

“I can understand, so…

I’m also, very happy!”

Elan stayed behind, while the young man chased out of the Elder’s Hall returned home alone.

Ian knew that Elder Prude just didn’t want to cry in front of him.

He picked up the luggage that had already been prepared, and then set out for the White Chamber Commerce Guild.

A caravan of the White Folks awaited Ian’s departure.

Their destination was Nauman City, where Ian could travel part of the way before heading to the Leyan Territory.

Within the caravan was an acquaintance, the herb collector Brin—this man, who had fought alongside Ian against the natives, had also made a name for himself; his penny-pinching love for money was quite fitting for the caravan’s operations.

Many people, including Senan, said their goodbyes to Ian, looking very regretful.

Without saying more, without Ian to appraise some of their seemingly rare catches and herbs, their income was sure to decrease.

But traveling was a custom of the Terra Continent.

When Ian returned from his travels, stronger than before, he would naturally be able to lead the family further ahead.

They looked forward to such a future.

Viscount Grant and Fiscal Officer Lamar both came to bid farewell to Ian, bringing him his ‘armored clothing’ and ‘side sword.’

These two items were quite bulky, so they arrived a step later than the medal, only reaching that morning by way of a caravan from Nauman City.

The armored clothing was a set of ordinary Alchemist’s Armor, consisting of a sleek chest shell and layers of fine metal plates around it.

Although its defense could not compare with that of proper armor, there were hooks for a waist belt on the sides, and the helmet featured a simple breathing mask that could adapt to most common poison-proof modifications—overall, quite ordinary.

As for the side sword, it was something of a surprise for Ian; it was a hand-and-a-half sword forged from frost metal, well-crafted, sharp, and sturdy, more than qualified to serve as his apparent weapon.

“If you manage to become an Inspector Knight, of course there are benefits, but if you can’t, don’t force it,” said the Viscount.

Grant handed Ian a heavy bag of silver coins, around eighty Talle, amounting to quite a fortune.

The noble instructed him, “Although you can’t return to Harrison Port, I also have a residence in Nauman City.

There’s a key in the bag; don’t lose it.”

“If you don’t wish to travel, just return to Nauman City in disguise.

Mr.

Silver Workshop is aware of this residence, and he would be very happy to meet you, to entrust you with some work.”

Ian donned his armored clothing, and the Viscount personally fastened the longsword and helmet on him.

Beneath the full-coverage helmet, only a pair of light blue eyes could be seen.

When necessary, even this small gap could be sealed off with a waterproof film to prevent the alchemist from being affected by his own potions.

Ian could feel that the Frost Butterfly found the helmet quite agreeable, fluttering happily; with it, the chill she emitted would not dissipate.

Thanks to the Little Fairy, his helmet would not become overly stuffy either.

“Now you look the part.”

Examining the young knight before him, the Viscount nodded with satisfaction, “We know your level, but outside Harrison Port, no one does—covering up your overly youthful face is also a good thing.”

The original model for the Knight’s Medal was a ship’s compass, representing that Ian became a knight due to ‘merits at sea.’ It wasn’t entirely incorrect.

Inside the medal case was also a knighthood certificate bearing the inscriptions and marks of Viscount Grant and the South Ridge Governor.

Most of the time, it didn’t need to be shown, as long as Ian could prove he was a Sublimator, and had the medal, most cities and checkpoints would let him through.

Only more strict locations required the certificate for identification.

All preparations were in place.

Then, it was time to depart.

Today was an exceptionally fine day, with scattered clouds and radiant sunlight.

The early summer temperature, mixed with the northward-blowing sea breeze, caused the caravan’s flags to flutter slightly.

Due to the news of the Labyrinth and the bounty of Demonic Beast Materials and herbs produced by the Labyrinth’s anomalies, the number of caravans entering and leaving Harrison Port had increased significantly; the departure of a trade caravan affiliated with the White Chamber Commerce Guild amidst the bustling traffic seemed commonplace.

The Giant Horned Camel Beasts pulling the carts walked with an even pace, their thick and sturdy hooves easily trudging through the wetlands and swamps of South Ridge.

Their slick fur also resisted bites from many kinds of mosquitoes, but required regular removal of the fungi and moss that grew on it.

Wild Giant Horned Camel Beasts didn’t have this trouble.

They could even grow a thick layer of lichen armor.

A mere touch would release a large amount of paralytic fungus and miasma, causing even Sharp Claw Tigers to worry upon sight.

Due to their lack of natural predators and not much fear of humans, they had become the most common Camel Beasts in South Ridge.

Ian occupied a cart by himself, pulled by a gentle female camel beast—he had this right, after all, as this trade caravan was registered under his Sublimator status.

He helped his family, and his family would help him.

Ian was well aware that the majority of his Alchemy Materials were purchased by his own commerce guild from distant cities.

The youth, clad in armor, would not take it off before entering a city.

Terra Continent was not the same as Earth; here people could even sleep in full armor, and the ever-present danger kept everyone in a state of readiness for battle.

After ensuring that all his luggage and equipment were ready, he turned his head and looked back at those seeing him off.

The Viscount had already returned to the mansion.

Bishop White Mist seemed to be bestowing a distant blessing.

Senan stood among the White Folks, having prepared for Ian a high-quality seasoned dried fish, which, when shaved off a bit into soup, was absolutely delicious.

Scott had not come, as he had patrol duties today, but Green Tide was standing quietly beside the White Folks, gazing silently.

Elder Prude was leading Elan, and his little brother was waving at him.

Smiling, Ian waved back at them, saying his goodbyes.

The breeze skimmed the edge of the clouds, and a shadow swept across the port.

The Bison Mountain Range stood tall between the sky’s light and the cloud’s shadow.

A flock of birds burst from the mountain ridge, flying towards the coast, stirring up a commotion.

Meanwhile, the caravan moved in the opposite direction to the birds, towards the lands beyond the forest, north of the azure seas, and the other side of the cloud shadows and mountains.

Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling.

The melodious sound of bells rang out as the camel beasts took their steps.

“Goodbye,” Ian murmured softly to himself.

The young man set out towards a broader world.

Without looking back.