Regarding this long journey, to be safe, Xia Nan made thorough and detailed preparations before the official departure, even drafting a plan for wilderness survival in case of the most extre situations where all equipnt supplies are lost.
It’s not entirely foolproof, but at least Xia Nan is ntally prepared, having plans for various potential ergencies.
From the border of the Kingdom to the southern coast, the journey takes nearly fifty days.
The comrce of the Sevia Kingdom is quite developed. "River Valley Town" and "Suo Yu Bay" are large human settlents with branches of the adventurer association, so there is naturally traffic between them.
Perhaps there are sections in Xia Nan’s planned route where packhorses and vehicles might not conveniently pass, but that was intentionally designed by him to save ti.
For the most part, the journey has clear and distinct route guidance.
With multiple references, there are ample choices for towns and villages to stop and rest along the way.
Xia Nan doesn’t need to blaze new trails and take risks like the pioneers of this continent; just follow the map.
Of course, since it’s the first ti traveling so far after coming to this world, no matter how detailed the preparations, there’s always a bit of uncertainty.
So, he thought about whether he could take a little shortcut and find so shortcuts.
It would be ideal if there was a caravan that could take him along the way.
This would not only provide mutual care during the journey but also allow experienced individuals to handle situations, making it more convenient.
Unlike those low-level adventurers who struggle with even a few goblins, as a "veteran expert" who has obtained a Professional Level, if Xia Nan doesn’t demand a gold coin reward, just hitching a ride and helping the caravan solve so minor road troubles along the way,
he is quite sought-after in the market of the inn.
After all, which caravan leader would not appreciate such a professional who is well-known in the town, willing to act as a temporary guard without needing paynt?
The only concern is whether the other party’s intent is not just to give a ride but perhaps harbors other motives.
And this only influencing factor ceased to exist yesterday when Xia Nan t those two acquaintances in the tavern, who were also preparing to set out, with a destination in a small town on his planned route.
"Are you all ready?"
Seeing from a distance, a young man with black hair on the road ahead.
A spirited woman with her hair tied in a dark golden braid, along with a dwarf beside her, approached proactively.
Xia Nan, carrying a backpack, nodded while approaching swiftly, glancing over at the two figures ahead.
——Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad:
Leader "Margaret," Level 4 [Swordsman], with a fighting style leaning towards offense and burst attacks; a seasoned professional with many years of adventuring experience, a steady and calm human woman;
"Soldin," Level 4 [Shield Warrior], is the front-line in the squad, responsible for drawing enemy attacks to create output space for teammates, also experienced, a dwarf fitting the stereotypical appearance and deanor of the race.
Xia Nan’s initial interaction with Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad was through the [Iron Stomach Flail], now sent to a distant nephew of the dwarf.
Back then, it was the squad who purchased this weapon from him, allowing him to slightly recuperate the depleted bank balance from forging the [Ash Fall] straight sword.
Later, during a goblin cleansing mission deep in the Mist Forest, they unexpectedly t and tead up to fight against a Purgatory Devil possessing Abi’s body.
It was in that battle that Xia Nan fully initiated [Embers Resonance], gaining the ability to advance to the second stage.
Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad also lost two teammates due to the devil’s overwhelming power.
It was a novice mage and a sharp-tongued wanderer, if I rember correctly?
Xia Nan’s dealings with this adventurer team ended when they completed the task and returned to River Valley Town, signing the commission reward-sharing agreent.
He assud there would be no further interactions thereafter.
But unexpectedly, just yesterday, at the White Sparrow Tavern, Xia Nan happened to et the two mbers.
Through casual conversation, he learned that after their significant losses last ti, Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad hadn’t made much progress in recruiting new mbers, and with two fewer mbers, their overall strength was much diminished.
However, life must go on. They couldn’t be disheartened by a single setback, so they took on a relatively low-difficulty escort mission as a two-person team.
Xia Nan initially didn’t think much of it.
Until he learned from the two about the escort caravan’s destination, discovering it was right on his planned route.
Then, for Xia Nan, who was contemplating hitching a ride... the developnt that followed naturally fell into place.
With the recomndation and guarantee of these two veteran professionals, any potential concerns from the caravan disappeared.
As a temporary guard, Xia Nan beca a mber of the caravan.
Compared to the relatively steady personality of Margaret, who only shook hands with him, Dwarf Solting was especially welcoming of Xia Nan’s inclusion.
The copper rings adorning his beard swung and clinked against the front of his light plate armor with a crisp sound due to his gait.
The dwarf, standing just over five feet tall, stretched his sinewy arms and gave Xia Nan a hearty hug with laughter.
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