Chapter 9

"Of course, the purpose of forming the alliance is for this!"

George said loudly.

"I have already discussed with the other people in the carriages and arranged for them to give up their positions. In the future, the members of our Golden Broom Alliance will sit in the carriages near each other! This has also been approved by the Black Robe!"

"Moreover, we noble gentlemen will form a guard team to take turns protecting the safety of these carriages! Of course, this is under the premise of assisting the Black Robe Knights. As for the beautiful ladies, issues such as logistics and cleaning will be your responsibility!"

"As for weapons, you don't need to worry. I have already made preparations and even managed to get a crossbow!"

George loudly stated his plans.

After a brief discussion, the young men and women all expressed their support.

"Good! We agree!"

As for the position of the guard team leader, it naturally fell to George. George then took the opportunity to assign several tasks.

Subsequently, he announced that the banquet would continue, but it was clear that everyone's enthusiasm was not as high as before.

"I originally planned to find you another cross sword, but it seems that's not necessary now!"

George, holding a wine glass, walked up to Ralin and pointed at the sword hilt on Ralin's waist.

"Is it true that every wizard caravan passing through the Great Grassland always has casualties?" Ralin asked.

"Of course, at best it's one or two, and at worst, it's about ten!" George shrugged. "Otherwise, why would I go to such lengths just to form an alliance that will dissolve upon reaching the coastline?"

"Seeds sown will always bear fruit!" Ralin said with a smile.

No matter what, forming a group indeed increases the survival rate. These surviving apprentices will develop goodwill towards George and his family. As long as one of these apprentices advances to become a wizard, it will be a significant return.

Even if none do, it's not really a loss, right?

"Besides your swordsmanship, your wisdom also amazes me!" George's eyes brightened. "These are also what my father instructed."

"Then! Are you willing to help me?" George extended his hand.

"As you wish!" Ralin smiled, and their hands clasped together.

...

Ralin's agreement to George's request was not a momentary impulse but a well-considered decision.

He was not very familiar with the dangers of the grassland, and in such a situation, joining a group and working together to pass through was a good strategy.

Whistling winds blew, cutting like knives on the face. Ralin sniffed and smelled the scent of fresh grass.

"It's already been fifteen days since we entered the Great Grassland!"

Ralin looked back at the carriages, his face darkening as he saw the marks on several carriages.

These marks were three in a row, resembling the claw marks of some creature.

"The dangers of the Great Grassland are indeed beyond what ordinary people or even aspiring knights can resist!"

Since entering the grassland, despite the increased patrols by the Black Robe and White Robe adults and the apprentices banding together, there were still casualties.

The marks on the carriages were caused by a pack of grassland scavenger wolves, which had attacked the caravan when they first entered the grassland.

Although there were no casualties, the wolves had charged to the edge of the carriages, even damaging the carriages, leaving a deep impression on Ralin.

"Since then, apprentices can no longer camp on the ground and must sleep on the carriages! Even so, there were still casualties."

Ralin's face was grim.

Although the Black Robe Knights protected the carriages, the young men still had to go out to rest and attend to their physiological needs, which meant danger in this perilous grassland.

One young man was bitten by a poisonous insect and died while getting off the carriage.

"The root chip analysis shows that the poison of that insect can erode the brain's nerves in 13 seconds, leaving no time for treatment. Even the White Robe Wizards could only watch the young man die..."

Since then, the apprentices only got off the carriages when absolutely necessary. The carriages were cramped, and with so many people, the smell was not pleasant.

Ralin, in exchange for driving the Black Robe's carriage, earned the opportunity to get some fresh air.

Although sitting outside the carriage might seem dangerous, with the Black Robe Knight nearby, it was actually safer.

As for the carriage-driving skills? The chip had completely recorded them after Ralin spent a short time with the Black Robe.

"It's getting dark! Everyone, form a circle with the carriages and rest on the carriages!"

A voice from the front called out, and the entire caravan stopped.

Traveling at night was dangerous, and the horses needed rest to avoid dying, which would cause more trouble.

"You're quite skilled at driving the carriage!" The Black Robe Knight, who had been half-closed his eyes, opened them and spoke in a low voice.

"Thank you for the compliment!" Ralin nodded.

Returning to the carriage, a strong smell hit him, making Ralin frown. Seeing the blank faces of the apprentices, he sighed inwardly.

Since the casualties, the young men and women had fewer smiles, and the atmosphere was gloomy and tragic. This was one reason he disliked staying in the carriage.

"Ralin, you're back!" A freckle-faced young man managed a smile and greeted him.

"Um!" Ralin sat down, glanced around, and took out a few pieces of flatbread to eat.

The dry flatbread tasted like sand, but Ralin forced himself to swallow it, feeling a sharp pain in his throat. He quickly opened his water flask and took a few large gulps before letting out a deep breath.

Since entering the grassland, even supplies had become a problem. Although the apprentices had gold coins, they were as useless as stones without shops or merchants.

"R... Ralin, how's the situation? How many more days until we leave this damned grassland?"

The freckle-faced young man asked after Ralin finished eating.

His words clearly caught the attention of the people in the carriage, and several gazes focused on Ralin.

"While driving, I talked with the Black Robe. We have already covered half the distance. If the rest of the journey goes smoothly, we should reach the coastline in about half a month."

"Oh! God! Another half a month! I can't even bear one more day of this hellish life!"

The freckle-faced young man grabbed his hair in frustration.

"Hey! Cheer up, Cassa! Just fifteen more days, and we'll reach the coastline. Delicious fruit juice, soft white bread, comfortable beds, and warm baths are all waiting for you!"

A young man beside him encouraged Cassa, though it was unclear if he was talking to Cassa or himself.

Knock knock!!

A rhythmic knocking sound came, and the carriage door opened. George, wearing soft armor and a long sword at his waist, looked like a handsome knight. "Hi, gentlemen and ladies! It's time to rest! Those who want to go out and relax, please come out. Those who don't need to, please stay on the carriages, as it's dangerous outside..."

There was a commotion in the carriage. A few blushing girls exchanged glances and got off the carriage.

Ralin shrugged, picked up his cross sword, and said, "Let's go!"

As a guard, he also needed to get off to protect these young ladies, though his role was mostly to raise the alarm and call for the Black Robe Knights to rescue.

"I... I'll stay for now!" Cassa fidgeted uneasily.

"Alright!" Ralin shrugged and got off the carriage.

Stepping on the soft grass, Ralin stretched lazily. The endless grassland looked beautiful at this moment. If it weren't for the dangers, he might have liked the scenery.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" George looked at the slowly setting sun and said.

"It is beautiful, but also dangerous," Ralin murmured.

"Danger is everywhere, friend! Disease, famine, war—this world is full of life and death. Here, it's a deadly danger for us, but for the White Robe Wizards, it's like strolling in their own backyard!" George gripped the standard long sword in his hand.

"Are you trying to say that with power, one can gain safety and freedom?"

"Exactly! Like Cassa, he has lost his courage. On the path to power, he lacks the spirit of adventure. Even if he safely reaches the Wizard Academy, he probably won't become a wizard. After all, the process of learning magic is a hundred times more dangerous than the Great Grassland!"

George threw a stone far away. "It's time to protect our beautiful little treasures!"

Watching George's back, Ralin smiled. "Courage? But for me, who seeks the truth, caution is equally important!"

"Chip! Start scanning!" Ralin thought silently.

Following the command, a three-dimensional image formed in front of Ralin, showing the nearby terrain.

On the light blue map, there were scattered white dots representing the apprentices, indicating no threat to Ralin.

The Black Robe Knights were bright red dots, which the chip analyzed as potential threats to his life.

In the center of the carriages, several White Robe Wizards resided. Ralin didn't even dare to scan them with the chip, fearing that the fluctuations would be detected, which could lead to an unpleasant outcome.

Through continuous scanning, the surrounding dangers appeared one by one in Ralin's mind.

"Even the poisonous insect couldn't escape the chip's scan. It seems relatively safe here now."

This was the assurance that allowed Ralin to venture out.

Although he had agreed to be part of the guard, he wouldn't put himself in unnecessary danger.

Through the chip, he could grasp the situation within a twenty-mile radius, ensuring his safety to the greatest extent.