Summoner's Second Chance

Chapter 29

The morning before their departure was the most hectic Trace's group had ever experienced. They had to check their gear, the supplies in their dimension bag, the amount of potions that they have, and everything that may help them survive longer in the wild, all were checked, and none was missing. After a morning that passes much quicker than the ones before, everyone finally gathered at the gates. "Is everyone ready?" Trace had planned on taking some of Ursa's mercenary with him, but he decided that crossing a mountain would be much safer with only eight people. Gilbert, Liu, Fang, Melody, Olivia, Alice, and Rose. Including me, eight people in total. Trace nodded, and went to the guard that has been waiting on them.

After confirming the necessary documents, the guard nodded, and signaled to the others to open the gate. Before the group left, the guard saluted at Trace, and said, "May luck be with you." Trace replied with a polite bow, and embarked on his first adventure beyond the mountain ever since he was thrown back in time. The road towards the Death Mountain was not difficult, but Trace knew that the real challenge was waiting for them at the peak of the Death Mountain. Although, if anything, he did not want to face that kind of opponent just yet. Still, he put on a brave and confidence look, for the group's morale is in his hands.

Night came as the group made camp near the foot of Death Mountains, and knowing that this is their first time outside the walls, Trace told them about the world outside Lumen and the surrounding area. "I'm sure you all know this, but east from Lumen is the Kingdom of Gerstad." Trace drew a circle, and made a long, winding line, before making another circle, connected to the first one he created. "This is the Kingdom of Gerstad, just east of us. As you all heard, the kingdom of Gerstad is a seaside kingdom. That is why we have fish, salt, and other marine product in our market. Our merchants have been doing business with them for quite a while now. Then, the news yesterday." Trace dragged another line, and it connected to three triangles overlapping with each other. After that, the line continues and connects to another circle. "This is our destination. The Queendom of Bittrost. We do not know how friendly they are regarding foreign merchants, but I know that they have an open trading area, based on what the merchants from Bittrost said to me."

Trace looked at all of his friends, and noticed that everyone but Gilbert, who is asleep while seated, is listening intently. Although that, too, is within his calculation. He then continued his explanation. "The reason why I wanted to go to Bittrost first, and Gerstad later, is the fact that we don't know much about them. We know that Gerstad is a seaside country, and we know that the sea is to the west and south, while the Death Mountains cuts off our access to the rest of the world. Now, imagine this. What if there's other human settlements out there, beside Gerstad and Bittrost?" The others nodded at Trace's words, and started to think. Although it was easy enough to guess what they were thinking. Trace clapped his hands, and stood up. "That's all for tonight's lesson, and I hope you all understand why I'm doing this." Trace walked into his tent, and retired for the night.

Fang and Liu was talking among themselves, while Gilbert is still sleeping. The girls on the other hand, is discussing the matter Trace just explained. "So do you think everything will be fine?" Rose, who have never been outside the walls with Trace's group, asked. The other three who already experienced it, smiled reassuringly. Melody rested her hands on Rose's shoulder, and said, "If anything, we can all be sure that Trace will keep us safe." Olivia nodded, supporting Melody's claim. Alice nodded too, but after doing that, she put a hand on her chin, and went silent. Olivia saw this, and put a hand on top of hers. "Alice?" Alice, sensing the worry in her friend's tone, shook her head and smiled. "I do admit that Trace is strong, but... No, I must be hallucinating that time..." Olivia furrowed her eyebrows. She was obviously curious, and she couldn't help but to ask. "That time?"

Alice nodded, and remembered an event that transpired not too long ago. "Do you remember when we went gathering at the Eruga Plains a few weeks back and a pack of raging red skinned boar chased after us?" A shadow casts itself over Olivia's and Melody's face. How could they forgot? Because of their weakness, they had to leave Trace as he stopped the red skinned boar by himself. Alice continued quickly, not wanting the mood to turn even more sour. "You see, just as I turned back to try and help him, I noticed a large, shining green light, and its shape was also peculiar. It was shaped just like one of the Red-class Aesir I saw in a book once. The important thing is, as the light fades away, I can see Trace lying down on the ground, and the red skinned boars were nowhere to be found."