After the village prison incident, Boris continued searching for Sior without stopping.
With blind pursuit, step after step, until the night gradually began to fade away.
It wasn't even easy for the caravan members.
The chaos left behind by the attack deprived most of them of sleep, while a number of men participated in trying to search for Sior, and for Boris who disappeared behind him into the darkness.
They spread throughout the village perimeter and the edges of the forest, but without result.
No clear trace was found, and nothing appeared to indicate a specific direction.
And as time passed, it became clear that Sior had escaped.
The rain had stopped and with dawn approaching, Boris finally returned.
His features showed neither anger nor confusion… but rather obvious heaviness.
Inside, he carried harsh self-blame.
In his view, what happened wasn't a collective failure, but a personal shortcoming.
He considered that everything that happened was because of him;
If he had stayed guarding the village at night.
If he hadn't returned and sat without action.
If he had been more cautious…
Perhaps blood wouldn't have been shed.
As for the caravan, exhaustion had reached its limit.
Staying up, tension, and the long search had drained everyone.
And with the first light appearing, most of them slept where they were, agreeing to postpone departure and set out at noon.
And now, at the incident site, where everyone in the prison was killed except Darmon, who suffered severe burns but survived.
Lima was standing amidst the destruction.
Anger was evident in her features, and her teeth were clenched tightly as she observed the scene.
"He came here only to kill Darmon and silence him…" she said sharply.
"This confirms my suspicions. There's something bigger than mere forest bandits… oh my creator, grant me patience." She clenched her fists tightly.
"Dame Lima, just give the order, and I'll interrogate this criminal now to know everything," said Guerreiro as he stood beside her.
"No," she replied immediately. "We are not authorized to conduct this interrogation."
"But Dame Rosovis! This—" he tried to object, but she cut him off.
"I said no. I don't want you to do this task. Not you."
Then she added with a slightly smug smile: "Weren't you the one who said, 'Your role is protection — not guardianship?' Isn't that right?"
Guerreiro found nothing to respond with, so he remained silent.
"Anyway, we'll depart today with the caravan. I'll ensure to deliver this criminal to the capital myself."
Then she turned to him and added: "And there… I think I have a good job for you."
Lima smiled, while Guerreiro remained silent. "And now, I must console the victims' families. Let's go."
Guerreiro nodded his head and followed her without a word.
***
Boris was moving quietly through the village alleys, knocking on doors one after another.
He carried no title, and introduced himself with nothing but his name.
He would ask about the families of those killed in the prison incident, then go where he was directed.
In every house, the reception was similar. Tired faces, obvious grief, and few words.
Boris would offer his condolences in a steady voice, and listen when spoken to, then bow respectfully before leaving.
He was not confronted with blame, and was not asked: who are you and why did you even come to console us?
He was met with thanks, silent thanks or short words before the door closed.
He didn't stay anywhere longer than necessary. He didn't talk much, and didn't try to console beyond his place.
He continued like this until only one address remained.
His steps led him to a quiet corner of the village, where he stopped before a simple wooden door.
He was told this was the last house, the home of a man who wasn't killed in the incident.
Boris stood before the door for a moment, then raised his hand to knock.
"Brother! I told you, you must rest today."
"Rofa! I told you, I'm not injured. I'm fine"
The door opened before Boris. Roden was trying to leave, while his sister Rofa was holding him back with all her strength.
"Huh?" Roden looked at Boris, confusion evident on his features.
"Stop being stubborn! Huh?" Rofa also stopped when she saw Boris.
A short, somewhat heavy silence fell.
"Hello…" said Boris calmly, without exaggeration.
Boris sat in the simple wooden house of Roden and Rofa.
Before him, Roden sat without any trace of the wounds he had suffered yesterday, and his calm smile made the worry in Boris's chest dissipate for a moment.
Roden bowed his head gratefully: "I thank you for saving me."
Boris shook his head silently, trying to restrain the trembling of his hand: "I didn't do anything."
Roden took a deep breath and pointed to himself: "Although I was nearly unconscious, I remember… that girl appeared out of nowhere and healed me as soon as you were there."
Boris swallowed a heavy silence, his fingers cold, and the sound of his heart rising in his ears.
Roden combed his black hair with his fingers and said quietly: "I won't ask about anything… I just want you to accept my gratitude."
Boris sighed slowly, nodding his head, but his shoulders remained tense.
Rofa entered carrying a small tray with a cup of Goofer-Dim Coffee, offering it to Boris.
Boris's hand trembled slightly as he took the cup, thanking her with a gesture.
Rofa sat and said in a quiet voice: "You… Lad. Boris, isn't that right? One of the caravan members, like Jumana."
Boris nodded while sipping the coffee, trying to hide his tension, but his fingers trembled again.
Rofa smiled then added: "My brother Roden told me everything… that you saved him. Thank you, truly, for saving my only brother."
Boris's hand trembled violently.
Their kindness was heavy on him.
Every condolence visit, every word of thanks from relatives of those who didn't return, added weight to his shoulders.
He always felt his duty was to carry their guilt… because he was to blame, because the mistake was his.
Or so he thought.
But now… no one blamed him.
Instead they thanked him.
And that was heavier than he could bear.
He had endured the caravan members' blame for their comrades' deaths, because he believed he was guilty, because he deserved to be blamed.
And now… no one directed blame at him.
This increased the weight in his chest.
Therefore, he reached his limit.
He muttered in a low voice, addressing nothingness: "No… you're wrong."
His distressed voice rose: "I… don't deserve this thanks. What happened was my mistake! I realized there was something wrong in the forest… Darmon was hiding something! He wasn't just a robber… I should have expected… if I had killed Darmon then, if I hadn't listened to what I thought was right to satisfy myself that I was doing what's right… if only—"
He stopped suddenly, and his cup fell to the floor. Rofa hugged him tightly, as he shook in silence.
"No—" he tried to speak, but she cut him off:
"No, you mustn't burden yourself with all this! I didn't understand everything you said, but I'm sure none of it is your fault. Just your coming here makes me sure, you're a good boy."
Boris froze, silent, unable to respond, the tension in his body gradually fading into a strange feeling of comfort with Rofa's embrace.
Rofa continued in a tender voice: "I don't know what you've been through, but I bet you're a wonderful boy. So don't be hard on yourself, okay?"
Rofa fell silent for a moment, prompting Roden to say in a calm, clear voice:
"Boris… I'll tell you something, it has nothing to do with the guilt you feel, it's just a meaningless incident I want to tell you about."
Boris raised his gaze to Roden.
"The old man who was guarding the old prison… was my grandfather."
Boris's hand clenched for a moment as Roden continued: "He lived a hundred and fifty years. He was among the first to demand Goblhum, when merely demanding it meant prison or death."
He clenched his fist slightly, then relaxed it: "When we obtained those partial rights… not all injustice and exclusion were abolished…"
He looked directly at Boris this time: "Many later told him… why did you stop? Why did you accept an incomplete system? Why did you work as a guard and accept it?"
"He didn't say he was right. And he didn't say the outcome was good."
His voice became clearer: "He said that even someone who gave 3 years of his life to this cause would get tired… he decided to leave the rest to the next generation."
A short silence fell: "But you know… the next generation accepted the incomplete rights as if they were something normal…"
Then he added: "That's why I'm telling you this, Boris, do you think my grandfather was wrong to stop fighting for our rights?"
Silence remained without answer, Roden staring at Boris, while the latter remained silent…
Finally Roden moved his head in slow denial: "That's why you weren't responsible for everything. You were responsible only for what you did, the lives of everyone weren't in your hands."
He smiled lightly, without flattery: "I'm not saying don't blame yourself, you have the right to think as you wish, I'm saying that what you see as a mistake on your part doesn't erase what you saved."
Then he finished calmly: "Anyway, I aim to become the first Goblhum knight, wish me success."
Boris looked at Roden in deep thought…
After some time, Boris regained some of his balance, and left Roden and Rofa's house after a quiet farewell, feeling his heart begin to calm…
But the disturbance in his heart didn't stop.
***
With noon's arrival, the caravan had prepared itself to continue the journey.
Lima arranged a carriage for her to ride with Guerreiro, while they carried Darmon who had become silent after recent events, without anyone knowing what was going on in his head.
Roden, Rofa, and some villagers who had befriended caravan members stood to watch the departure.
"I'll miss you so much!" said one of them.
"Me too. If I ever get money, I'll buy us a Konasil so we can stay in touch!" replied another.
"Yes, I'll make sure of that," confirmed another with a smile.
Most farewells were traditional among men, mere gestures, while women were more emotional, gazing with feeling from the edges of the carriages.
Rofa stood aside after bidding her friend farewell, and began searching with her eyes through the carriages until she found him. Boris was sitting in one of the carriages, with Lia and Leo in his lap.
Rofa called out to him with a smile: "Lad. Boris! As I told you, you're a good boy… don't forget that!"
Boris raised his hand to greet Rofa before turning his gaze to Roden as well and greeting him too.
"When did you get to know Miss Rofa?" asked Zofia sitting to Boris's right.
"Yes, when?" added Sonia on the other side.
Boris replied neutrally: "It just happened…" and didn't add anything more.
At the front of the caravan, Lima turned to Kalu in the carriage behind her: "We'll start moving now, Mr. Kalu."
Kalu nodded to her, then turned to the men behind him: "Men, we're departing now!" he shouted, and his carriage began moving behind Lima.
Boris looked at the village, Roden, and Rofa, while Takashi shouted next to Anton who was driving the carriage:
"Mr. Roden, thank you very much for helping me with training!"
Roden waved his hand in response, while the carriages began gradually moving away.
Zofia noticed Saty's tension as he sat in front of her next to Ethan. She nodded to him encouragingly.
"Umm… Boris Bro…" Saty's voice came out hoarse and nervous.
Boris turned to him in surprise.
"I… I'm sorry!" Saty cried out loudly, surprising Boris.
Saty stood up and grabbed Boris's hands: "I'm sorry I didn't thank you for saving us… and didn't approach you before!"
Tears streamed down his face as he continued: "I'm sorry I blamed you for my grandpa's death even though you tried to save—"
He didn't finish, as Boris placed his hand on his head reassuringly.
"Thank you… and sorry I didn't save your grandpa," Boris said in a quiet voice with a kind smile.
Saty hugged Boris crying, while Lia and Leo moved to sit beside him taking the place of Zofia and Sonia who had to get up and sit next to Ethan on the other side.
Saty's sobbing continued for a while, while at the front of the carriage, Takashi was thinking quietly: *Atre Academy… is there a chance I can enroll?*
Takashi was remembering last night's serious conversation between Boris and Zofia, so he whispered to Anton: "Mr. Anton, we're heading directly to the capital, right?"
Anton looked at him from the corner of his eye and answered: "Indeed."
Takashi hesitated for a moment, then said: "Is there a chance for me to enroll in Atre Academy?"
Takashi knew his request was selfish, he knew Anton promised to look after them, he knew how ugly it was to exploit that.
But he couldn't resist his desire.
Anton was silent for a moment, but he didn't refuse, saying quietly: "I'm not sure… but I'll see what I can do."
***
The caravan continued its journey through the remaining part of Jugesp Forest for sixteen days without any problems.
Until they arrived on the seventh day of the third month, Maha, year 1897 NWD, to the vast plains of Entdeckt after finally exiting the forest.
Said Kalu to Imenata as he inhaled deeply: "Finally, I feel like I'm breathing fresh air."
She replied playfully: "But the forest air was refreshing too."
Kalu sighed, unable to argue with her.
A dirt crossroad appeared before them; one path going forward, another to the left, and a third to the right. There, a group of guards stood led by an armored knight.
Lima signaled Kalu to stop, and he in turn signaled the caravan to halt.
She and Guerreiro descended from their wagons and headed toward the guards for a short dialogue before returning to the caravan.
Said Lima: "It seems we will part ways here, Mr. Kalu. You must take the right path, southeast, to reach Talim City, while I and those heading to the capital of Entdeckt will take the western path."
Answered Kalu: "Yes, I understand."
Kalu descended from his wagon heading toward the third carriage where Anton was. He said:
"Anton, it seems we will part ways here. Little Saty, you must descend; Boris and the rest with Hao's family will go with Anton."
Saty embraced both Boris and Zofia, and bid farewell to the rest before descending from the carriage.
Elena also descended from Imenata's side after bidding her farewell, then boarded the carriage with Mina beside Boris and the others.
Lima approached to check the situation and said: "Is the carriage crowded? Anyone who wishes may ride with us."
Boris looked around, before descending with Leo and Lia to make room for Hao's family and the rest to be comfortable.
Ethan looked at Boris as if he were a traitor, before Elena sat beside him and said: "Sorry for any disturbance, Mr. Ethan."
Embarrassed by Elena's look, Ethan muttered: "No, not at all! Welcome, Mrs. Elena!"
Takashi turned to Ethan, narrowing his eyes more than they already were, to which Ethan responded with a foolish laugh while scratching his neck.
Why am I trembling now! Ethan felt an unwarranted tension inside him while Mina looked at him with bewilderment.
When Boris descended, he turned to Kalu: "Thank you so much for sheltering us in your caravan, Mr. Kalu."
Answered Kalu firmly: "Anytime, Young man, and.... wait a moment."
Kalu returned to his wagon and two pouches of money he had prepared earlier.
He extended one to Boris and said: "Take this, Young man."
Boris tried to refuse: "No, I don't need it—"
"It's not charity, it's your share from killing the wolves. Actually, I feel greedy for giving you only this, so accept it." Said Kalu smiling.
Some hesitation appeared on Boris's face before he accepted it with one hand and extended his other hand for a handshake: "If I reach the capital later, please ask about me at Atre Academy."
Surprised, Kalu and the others were at the information, but he extended his hand for the handshake as well: "Certainly."
Added Zofia from atop the wagon: "Me too, please ask about me, I'll truly miss you all."
"The two of you are going to Atre Academy?!" Kalu and the rest of the group were surprised, but they quickly ignored the matter after growing accustomed to surprises.
Kalu turned to Anton and gave him the other pouch of money: "And you, take this, Anton."
"But this is too much..." Anton was surprised.
"It's for you and Hao's family, please, accept it."
Anton sighed, he had no choice, so he accepted it and thanked Kalu for it.
Boris approached both Jumana and Imenata and bid them farewell.
"Farewell."
"Please take care of yourself."
Afterward, he looked at Jon for a moment, who bid him farewell coldly, but Boris smiled nonetheless.
Tamer stood before Boris and extended his hand in greeting: "So, can I say that I got to know one of the Ascendants before they became so?"
Answered Boris: "I cannot be certain, but wish for me, perhaps it will happen."
Tamer looked at Boris for a moment seriously, and opened his mouth to say something, but finally settled with: "Farewell."
Boris and the wagon passengers mounted and set off toward the capital of Entdeckt.
Behind them, everyone was waving goodbye while Ethan replied to the farewell vigorously from the wagon.
Kalu and Tamer stood watching the caravan as it moved away.
Said Kalu as he headed toward his wagon: "Ah, we should start moving too, Tamer?"
Tamer stopped for a moment while watching the horizon, so Kalu turned toward him.
Said Tamer in a low voice: "Mr. Kalu... you know? Boris's face and even Zofias'… for some reason, reminds me of an old memory..."
Asked Kalu: "An old memory?"
Answered Tamer: "Yes... a memory with an old friends... As you know about my TRAITUM that allows me to feel a person's intention toward me randomly, right?"
Kalu looked silently, allowing him to continue.
Continued Tamer: "The ability activated before Boris in our first meeting. Do you know what his intention toward me was?"
Said Tamer: "His intention was strangely random, as if he had more than one intention... then it suddenly stopped and his intention became peaceful."
Answered Kalu: "Well, this is strange."
Said Tamer: "I know... and do you know what that peaceful intention reminded me of? It reminded me of an old friend."
"Does peaceful intention differ between people?" asked Kalu.
"Not exactly, but I rarely find someone without any malicious intent... and even his appearance reminded me of that old friend."
Silence reigned between them, while the wagons continued moving away across the plains.