The caravan moved slowly on the road. Chattering between the passengers echoed throughout the woods. The riders kept their distance close to the caravan with Kraus moving up and down to check once in a while.

Nadia observed the man closely. She rode closer to Siderius and whispered.

"Kraus seems... very eager." She said.

Siderius nodded. "He is a very useful subordinate."

"You know who he was?" Nadia said.

Siderius' lips curved up. "Which one you're referring to? The cutthroats or the whore bastard?"

Nadia let out a breath and returned her gaze to the road ahead. "So you do know about his past. I was just wondering why you use him. He doesn't seem to be trustworthy to me."

"There are tasks that people like him would not hesitate to do, Nadia. Tasks that you and your people would not like to do.

That is where the usefulness of Kraus come in."

"I heard he killed his last leader."

Siderius chuckled slightly. "You're right. Big Snout Gert was killed by Kraus. Under my order."

Nadia snapped her head toward Siderius. "I see."

"He is a very capable man. His loyal does need to be tested. But I will dissect his influence soon."

"What do you mean?" Nadia said.

"You will know soon. And I have a favor to ask you."

"Please. You helped us twice. You can ask me anything."

"Very well. I will leave Mucktown soon. Once I'm gone. You need to help me keep an eye on Kraus. Don't do anything too grand, just pay him more attention than you usually.

In Santa Roberto, there is a man named Roland. He is very smart. And there is another man called Henry, a very capable fighter, much stronger than all of you. The steward of the monastery is a blacksmith called George.

Ashe will be the handler of Santa Roberto. And you will probably have a role as well. You will need to get familiar with them and make sure Santa Roberto operates as smooth as butter.

There are other things as well but I will tell everyone in detail once we are there."

Nadia listened carefully and nodded. She couldn't help but wonder. "You are very experience in leading, Lord Snow. Have you... done this before?"

Siderius didn't give a straight answer but rather smile and nodded.

The caravan continued on their path. They stopped when the sun began to fall. The passengers jumped down from the coaches and began to set up tents and campfires. A few other scouted the area surrounding their camp to make sure it was safe. Capable men were assigned at choke points and around the outskirt of the camp.

In the middle. Siderius sat with Ashe, Nadia, and Kraus to have their meal. They were having some meat that they brought within the item carts.

"We should begin consuming these meats. They won't last until winter." Nadia said, chomping down on a nicely cooked skewer.

"It's a shame." Kraus licked his lips. It had been a long time since he was able to enjoy the fullness of meat. "A lot of people would have been better if Germort didn't hoard the meat. A lot of the meat was spoiled."

"Well, at least the people of Mucktown would be able to enjoy meat for a few weeks before winter. We split a lot of meat to them." Ashe said.

Siderius had ordered the food ration to be spread amongst the people of Mucktown. It would be better to hoard them and feed the people inside Santa Roberto. That was the better action.

But not many beneficial things at hindsight would be beneficial long term. He could hoard the meat like Germort and the resentment he had gather would just transfer from him to Siderius. Give the meat to the people and they would see the difference between Germort and Siderius. He would gain something that Germort never had, the approval and trust of the people.

The caravan continued to dwell in the night. They soon fell into their slumber with a few guards being awake to keep watch at the area.

Their journey went on for days. The speed of the caravan was much slower when Siderius went on his own. But thankfully, the road was safe.

Siderius kept meditating and converting Aether whenever he had the chance.

[PSYCHOSIS -1]

[PSYCHOSIS -1]

The psychosis reduction rate had increased again as the two-hour meditating session of the third day did not lower Siderius' psychosis.

When the sun began to lower, the caravan reached a narrow pathway with thick foliage of pine trees. The light faded and darkness slowly took hold. The sky bloomed a soft orange color.

Siderius' golden eyes looked at the surrounding woods. He blinked twice, expanding the pupils and activated his night vision.

"Halt!" He shouted.

The entire caravan came to a stop. Kraus and Nadia rode to his sides.

"What's wrong, Lord Snow?" Nadia said.

Kraus kept a serious look and glanced at the surroundings. He could already sense something was not right.

Siderius jumped down from the horse and passed the reins to Ashe. "Remember your training."

Ashe nodded. "Be on the move and shoot as many arrows as possible."

"Summon the other riders." Siderius said.

Kraus shouted, "Attention! Come forward, brothers."

Kraus, Nadia, and Ashe were in the front with the eight riders. Eleven riders in the total while Siderius was on foot.

He took down the bow on his back and grabbed a handful of arrows.

"Stay here."

Siderius advanced further in a careful manners. His eyes stayed fixed in the front and his ears focused to every sound in the area.

Suddenly, he spun to the side and lowered his body. An arrow screamed through the air and pierced into the foliage of a pine tree.

A scream of terror echoed as a man fell down to the ground, his body bloody with the head of the arrow went through the gap of his ribcage and broke his lung.

"Artmis!"

"We're blown!"

"Attack now!"

Noises came out from branches of the trees. Siderius quickly hid himself behind a large trunk. Arrows were shot at him and stopped at the thick trunk behind him. The trunk was shot to look like a porcupine.

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