Goblin Dependency
Chapter 78 - 78 54 Convoy

78: Chapter 54: Convoy 78: Chapter 54: Convoy Evening.

The molten gold-like orange sun slowly sinks into the horizon, with meandering clouds tinged with twilight, decorating the sky like an oil painting.

The golden wheat fields gently sway under the dim light, emitting a subtle yet grand “sasha” sound amidst the shimmering waves.

The dusty, sturdy wooden wheels “creak” as they roll, splashing a few specks of mud, leaving a deep rut on the soft meadow.

Xia Nan sits outside the carriage, leaning against the heavy cargo piled behind him.

On both sides of the road, the pastoral scenery at sunset retreats swiftly in the jolt and sway.

Feeling the gentle breeze brushing against his cheeks, he can’t help but squint his eyes in comfort.

By now, it’s already the second day since he left the tavern.

After confirming that the Professionals contacted by Hai’an would pass through River Valley Town in more than seventy days, leaving him ample time.

Also to verify some of the suspicions in his heart.

He accepted the commission from “Rock Hammer” shopkeeper Barn and joined the caravan traveling from River Valley Town to Kalanfor as a guard.

To be honest, this journey, which takes a total of four to five days round trip, is work that Xia Nan needs to complete with dedication in an objective sense.

—He indeed prepared earnestly and adhered to his duties.

But from another perspective, for him who has already crossed over and entered Mist Forest twice in just a few dozen days.

This trip far from the demon-populated area can be considered a short holiday for himself.

Unlike the myriad entertainment options in the modern world, Xia Nan, staying in River Valley Town, besides daily meals, sleeping, and training Battle Skills, at most drinks some wine and chats with the adventurers in the inn.

A day or two is fine, but over time, though still within bearable limits, it inevitably becomes somewhat monotonous.

Now…

“Creak creak.”

The wheels, gradually slowing down due to the heavy cargo in the wagon, emit a grating noise that calls Xia Nan back to reality from his scattered thoughts.

No signals from the lookout, nor any slight commotion in the caravan.

Most likely nothing’s wrong.

But he simply and neatly jumps off the carriage, unconcernedly stepping into the moist mud with his boots.

He looks around on both sides.

A footstep comes from the front of the caravan.

Appearing before him is the honest person he met twice in River Valley Town, who remained silent in the face of “Drunk Bernie”‘s provocation.

He is also the captain of the current caravan—

“Jeff.”

From the steady and unhurried steps of the opposite party, it’s clear that the caravan’s stop isn’t due to any mishap.

And indeed, that’s the case.

This simply dressed middle-aged man scratches his head in a down-to-earth manner upon seeing Xia Nan has jumped off, saying,

“Mr.

Xia Nan, we’ll stop here for today.”

“Dinner is being prepared.

It’s…

uh, it’s stew by Mr.

Alton.

If you don’t mind, you can try some later.”

“Even though we’re close to Kalanfor, we’ll still need a few of you to help keep watch at night.”

“Don’t worry, it’s what we should do.” Hearing this, Xia Nan smiles and nods.

But he’s somewhat puzzled in his heart.

Alton?

Stew?

Recalling the memories of the past two days, his expression remains unchanged, though he’s considering whether to make do with self-supplied rations.

…

The caravan’s number is not many, including Xia Nan and the temporary guards, there are only about a dozen people in total.

And just like his first mission’s end, he met two children and their mother on the return trip.

On this continent, there exists an invisible barrier between ordinary civilians and adventurers.

In the two-day journey, the times the caravan members took the initiative to communicate with Xia Nan can be counted on one hand.

Even for rest and dining, it’s usually a circle of adventurers, with the others sitting in another circle.

Only occasionally does the caravan captain “Jeff” bring some snacks, in the meantime discussing the subsequent itinerary.

Tonight is no exception.

Xia Nan sits around the bonfire with several fellow adventurers.

Not far from him, several carriages are strategically and crookedly parked at the roadside.

This way, it doesn’t obstruct the watchmen’s views, and the sturdy bodies of the carriages can be used as cover if danger arises.

Naturally, simple vigilance traps have already been set up once they confirmed stopping for rest.

The night watch order has also been internally confirmed.

Xia Nan is in charge of the latter half of the night and needs to rest early to preserve his strength.

At the moment, he’s applying honey—specifically bought from the general store before leaving—to the warm jerky in his hands.

In front of him, several adventurers engage in intermittent conversation:

“Hey, did you hear?

Some strange-looking buildings were recently discovered in Mist Forest, could they be remnants of some ancient ruins?”

“That… haven’t Advanced Adventurers from the Association already checked it out?

They didn’t find anything.”

“Huh?

I thought there would be a Secret Realm, spatial pocket, or something.”

“Even if there were, would it be our turn?”

“True…”

“By the way, do you know about Bernie’s incident?”

“Of course, I was there at the time!

The scene was…”

On the other side,

Xia Nan, saying nothing, seems to be focused on handling ingredients, but quietly he’s perked up his ears.

From the “strange-looking buildings” mentioned by the speaker, he can probably guess.

What they are discussing is what he previously encountered with the Half Elf and his group, as the entities from the Otherworld.

The dilapidated ruins stretched from the depths to the outskirts of Mist Forest, and naturally, they couldn’t escape the eyes of those adventurers who frequent the forest.

But…

“Nothing was discovered.”

Speaking of it, back then, both the Half Elf and Wood mentioned that they came to the place where he vanished, but didn’t get teleported into a cave.

And now even high level professionals can’t discover the secrets within.

Does this mean I have some special aspect that allows a connection with what is suspected to be a “Secret Realm” cave?

And the only significant difference between him and the natives of this world is…

“Thump, thump.”

Heavy and sluggish footsteps come from behind.

Xia Nan instinctively turns to look.

In sight is a wobbling large iron pot, occasionally sloshing steaming broth from its sides.

In the dim light, the big pot seems enchanted with some magic, hovering in the air, shakily approaching them.

But if you observe more closely, you’ll see under the pot, a pair of exquisite high boots embroidered with four-leaf clover patterns.

“Stew’s here!”

“Give me a hand, I can’t hold it any longer!”