"Ah, looks like I really need to remember not to flaunt my wealth!"
Duke let out a helpless sigh, and at that moment, Rage broke free of the chariot's reins. His body inflated like a massive balloon, rapidly growing until he resembled a heavy tank, his form etched with molten, lava-like patterns that pulsed with furious red energy.
Both the bandits and the caravan members widened their eyes in shock. Rage's three heads glowed like lanterns, radiating an ominous, terrifying light.
Some of the bandits dropped their weapons outright, while others muttered incoherently, as if in a trance.
"Bakay…"
"Huh?" Duke raised an eyebrow, shaking his head slightly. "He's not a Bakay. He's Rage!"
Bakay refers to the failed products of ascension rituals—neither human nor ascended being, pitiful and tragic remnants.
"Take them all out!"
Duke gestured, and Rage surged forward, while Duke's gaze swept over the caravan. The bandits had obviously interrogated the caravan for information. Pelam, Samira's subordinate, had leaked Duke's presence when gathering intelligence on Viktor.
To them, Duke tossing fist-sized gems like toys for a dog was both enviable and tempting. Information, after all, often equates to profit.
Duke had run into Samira before because of the ebony wood he carried, and now these bandits, too, because of leaked intelligence.
Seems I'll need a guide. And from now on, I can't just flaunt wealth along the way. Otherwise, trouble will keep following me.
He murmured to himself as the roar of cannon fire erupted behind him. Rage, now in tank mode, unleashed a relentless barrage against the scattering bandits.
Each cannon blast echoed across the quiet desert, traveling far into the night.
The caravan members were bewildered, their faces tense. Their leader emerged from the wagon circle, bowing in deference.
"Forgive my earlier rudeness, honored guest!"
"No harm done. Just a misunderstanding," Duke replied with a wave, hands resting lightly on his coat pockets. His smile was measured, neither distant nor overly warm.
"Then, can you answer my questions?"
"How far is Vikora, and which direction should I head?"
Shamara, the caravan leader, glanced at Duke's massive war chariot behind him. Swallowing nervously, she spoke respectfully, "To reach Vikora, you must first arrive at Kenneseth. Then follow the dry river south, and you will arrive at Vikora."
"Understood."
Duke paused, then asked, "And your name?"
"I'm Shamara. We trade in Narima silk. Our plan is to head south toward Kenneseth."
"Shamara…" Duke nodded thoughtfully and produced a pouch of coins from thin air. "I need a guide to Vikora. I will ensure their food, water, and safety, and reward them generously once the journey is complete. They can go wherever they wish afterward."
"Would anyone be willing to take this job?"
He scanned the group. Shamara didn't even glance at the pouch, her expression conflicted. Merchants had their own goals—they couldn't simply abandon their route to serve as guides.
"Sorry, sir, I'm afraid we—"
"May I?"
A clear, birdlike voice interrupted. A petite girl stepped forward from the caravan.
"Huh?"
Duke raised an eyebrow, studying the girl who had boldly come forward. Her brown, mid-length hair was restrained with a headband. Her eyes, bright yet slightly timid, were framed by short, thick eyebrows, giving them extra expressiveness. Freckles dotted her rosy cheeks, the hallmark of youth.
She wore an Ionian-style robe and skirt, long sleeves hiding her hands, and beneath the thick outer layer, a Shuriman-style tunic peeked out.
"Ionian robes? Not common here in Shurima, little girl," Duke noted.
"I'm Taliyah, from the Stoneweaver tribe. These clothes are from my recent trip to Ionia, but that's not important. You need a guide, yes?"
"Yes. Do you think you're capable?"
Duke crossed his arms, eyeing the spirited little stonebird from the Shuriman hills. She seemed recently returned to Shurima and likely separated from her teacher, Yasuo, not long ago. Now she was on the way back to her tribe.
"I can do it, sir!"
Taliyah nodded earnestly. Duke's gaze lingered on her, then he asked, amused, "Aren't you afraid of me?"
"You know, your caravan was trembling in fear just moments ago!"
"My mother said that every life is woven into the grand tapestry of the world. If even one thread frays, it can unravel the whole."
"I feel this meeting… might be arranged by her."
"And Shamara and her people welcomed me unconditionally and guided me to Kenneseth. I want to repay their kindness. This is the moment!"
Taliyah explained her reasoning. Duke chuckled, shaking his head. "Such a good-hearted girl."
"All right, you're hired."
He reached for the coin pouch and tossed it to Taliyah. "This is yours, Taliyah. Prepare yourself; we leave in five minutes!"
"But I don't need—"
Taliyah hesitated, holding the heavy pouch. She had only accepted the guide job out of gratitude; she didn't need the money.
"I never mistreat those who work for me. Take it—it's yours!"
Duke's tone left no room for debate. Taliyah shrank slightly at his stern expression.
"All right, sir!"
As Taliyah accepted the coins, Shamara stepped forward, gratitude clear in her voice. "Thank you, Taliyah!"
"No problem. Shamara, you brought me along. It's my chance to repay your kindness."
"Here, you might need this."
The caravan's second-in-command handed Taliyah a water pouch, barely glancing at the coin bag she held.
A responsible, loyal girl like her would be admired by anyone.
"Taliyah, if you ever need help, come find me!" Shamara patted her shoulder. Taliyah nodded.
Meanwhile, Rage had finished dealing with all the bandits, leaving behind scorched marks where the cannon fire had baked the sand into semi-transparent crystals.
"Rage, hitch the chariot!"
Duke climbed back onto the wolf chariot. Rage reverted from tank mode to his three-headed dog form, shrinking with each step until he returned to his original size. He allowed Duke to place the reins over him, molten drool still glimmering at the corners of his mouth.
"小麻雀, it's time to go!"
Duke's voice rang from the chariot. Taliyah responded energetically, "I'm ready, sir!"
"Farewell, Shamara!"
Carrying the heavy coin pouch, water bag, and her belongings, Taliyah approached the chariot. She stared at the intricate, luxurious vehicle, puzzled.
"Sir, this…"
Duke remembered—the chariot was currently in single-passenger mode. Only his seat was available.
"Wait a moment!"
He tapped a few keys on the control panel. The front and rear wheels expanded, the cabin transformed, and a rear seat and luggage compartment appeared.
"Put your belongings in the rear compartment. You'll sit in the back."
"All right."
Taliyah stowed her luggage, while Duke deployed the firefly drones for surveillance and mapping.
Once she sat, Duke clapped his hands. Rage stepped forward, and the chariot began moving.
Soon, they disappeared from the caravan's view. Shamara looked at the bandits' remains and shouted, "Rest quickly! We need to set off early tomorrow!"
The next morning
"Taliyah, wake up!"
The girl stirred from a deep sleep, wiping drool from her mouth, cheeks tinged with embarrassment.
The chariot was unlike anything she'd ridden before—smooth as sliding over sand, no bumps, no jostling. Riding Shamara's wagon had almost shaken her to pieces, but Duke's vehicle offered complete comfort.
Thus, she had slept soundly through the second half of the night.
Duke, smoking a cigar, gazed ahead. After a night of racing, they arrived at the infamous Kenneseth. The next leg of the journey would require Taliyah's guidance.
This little stonebird, native to Shurima, was resilient, kind-hearted, and a capable guide.
"What is it, sir?"
Taliyah peered from the back. She was astonished—the usual caravan would take three days to reach Kenneseth; they had made it in just one.
The Kenneseth market spread out before them.
"We've arrived!"
Seeing the bustling market, Taliyah was fully awake. Duke said, "Let's find somewhere to eat, then adjust our course before continuing."
"All right, sir. Kenneseth has specialties from across Shurima. You could explore while we're here."
Taliyah assumed her role as guide. Duke shrugged. "Whatever works."
"Perfect. I'll also gather some information while we're here."
End of chapter....
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