In the following days, life for Lis was rather dull and uneventful.
But for the caravan, that was what normal daily routine should look like—no regular caravan encounters danger every day.
During these days, following the White Wolf Mercenary Group, Lis reacquainted himself with the operations and precautions necessary for adventuring in the outside world, just like in his previous life.
Overall, it wasn't very different from the game; the various operations were much the same. Without the game's casting times and status effects to worry about, Lis found it all a bit simpler and more relaxing.
After being effortlessly overpowered by Lis, Fink sulked for an entire evening but returned to his normal self the next morning.
Or rather, his attitude toward Lis had become even more enthusiastic.
Fink had been clinging to Lis these past few days, very eager to learn how someone of his own age could become so powerful.
After giving it some thought and obtaining Magat's permission, Lis began to train Fink during their rest periods.
With a forceful exertion, Lis's Longsword struck directly on Fink's Long Spear. Fink tightly gripped the trembling spear and involuntarily leapt backward a few steps to dissipate the force of the blow.
"You're really strong, Moriarty,"
said Fink, rubbing his wrists as he spoke to Lis.
"Your body is quite tough; how did you train it?"
Lis casually performed a stylish flourish with his sword and sheathed his Longsword.
"There's nothing special about it, just practicing the Body Forging Technique with everyone in the Mercenary Group. Do you want to take a look?"
Fink pulled out a small booklet from somewhere and handed it to Lis.
Lis took it and saw that the booklet was titled "White Wolf Body Refining Technique," which appeared to be a specialized technique of the White Wolf Mercenary Group.
After flipping through it briefly, Lis returned the booklet to Fink.
It was nothing more than a common technique.
For players just starting the game, this Body Refining Technique was quite precious as it could enhance physical fitness and provide some attribute points, but for Lis, it was just so-so.
Moreover, there was nothing particularly special about it upon Lis's examination.
Other members of the White Wolf Mercenary Group didn't possess the same extraordinary physical quality as Fink, so Fink's uniqueness must have originated from himself.
Given that, it wouldn't be an issue that could be resolved in a short period of time.
Lis stretched lethargically, feeling the urge to return to the comfort of the carriage.
It wasn't that Lis was lazy; rather, after confirming his hypothesis, it was more essential to continue studying arcane magic when possible.
It was now midday, and the October sun was still somewhat scorching.
Other mercenaries took over from Lis and the others, while the rest of the caravan took a brief respite by the roadside.
Caravan hands were busy watering and feeding the beasts of burden while everyone else took the opportunity to sit and rest for a moment.
As the caravan gradually moved away from Bright City, human presence became increasingly scarce, and the convoy's guards and mercenaries gradually heightened their vigilance.
Lis followed Magat to a small carriage belonging to the White Wolf Mercenary Group. It was Magat's personal property, storing the squad's luggage and sundries. Normally, one mercenary was enough to guard it, as most people still relied on their legs for transport.
After all, the labor of beasts of burden was quite valuable, and it was impossible to spare a carriage for resting while the caravan was on the move.
Magat also took out some dry food and clean water from the carriage, and everyone hastily ate to replenish their strength—there was still half a day's journey in the afternoon!
Lis thought for a moment and also took out some pastries from the storage ring to share with everyone.
The faces of the mercenaries from the White Wolf Mercenary Group were slightly abnormal, but they still accepted the obviously over-elaborate pastries.
As for Fink, after hurriedly thanking Lis, he wolfed down the food.
In the afternoon, Lis and Fink, among others, said their goodbyes, claiming that his superior had arranged other work for him, and he could no longer follow them.
Fink was somewhat regretful, but still thanked Lis for his guidance these past few days.
Magat and the others also wore faces of regret, though it was unclear for whom.
After Lis returned to the carriage and sat down, he shook his head—was it really too early to have met Fink?
These past few days had yielded no gains.
But Lis's mindset was good; how could everything go as one desires? This could also be considered laying groundwork for the future.
Soon, the caravan resumed its slow journey northward. Amidst the slight rocking of the vehicles, Lis closed his eyes again, immersing himself in the arcane world.
While Lis's caravan silently moved forward, other places in the Fanor Continent were anything but peaceful.
On the border between the Feis Kingdom and the Boditch Kingdom, in Duke McKay's Domain.
This was one of the most important traffic arteries between the Feis Kingdom and the Boditch Kingdom, with numerous merchants passing through each year, bringing specialities from other parts of the continent to the Boditch Kingdom, and taking seaside specialties from the Boditch Kingdom back to the Feis Kingdom.
With the Feis Kingdom growing stronger over the years, its powerful military might ensured the safety of merchants traveling to and from the Feis Kingdom, leading to even more prosperous trade based along the Gedo River.
More and more caravans chose to come to the Feis Kingdom, bringing goods from their homelands here and purchasing specialties from other regions.
This spontaneous activity by merchants resulted in a gradual increase in the total value of goods sold from the Feis Kingdom to the Boditch Kingdom, far exceeding the value of goods the Boditch Kingdom sold to the Feis Kingdom.
In the eyes of the King and Nobles of the Boditch Kingdom, this was nothing less than the exploitation of their wealth and the plundering of their resources, something the short-sighted could not tolerate.
They never considered that, as a nation along the eastern coast of Fanor, they had excellent seaports coveted by the Feis Kingdom, yet they had never thought to develop their trade better and were instead satisfied with imposing high taxes on their citizens to maintain their luxurious lifestyles.
What was even more laughable was that, despite being aware that the Feis Kingdom was profiting off their wealth through trade, they took no meaningful countermeasures.
Instead, they chose to raise the transit tariffs at the border.
When the Feis Kingdom likewise imposed retaliatory sanctions and raised tariffs, they couldn't take it anymore.
Deprived of goods from the Feis Kingdom, their life of decadence would be greatly affected.
It could only be said that almost the entire ruling class of the Boditch Kingdom was rotten to the core,
Yet even so, they knew that having a powerful Feis Kingdom as their neighbor was a threat.
Therefore, they chose to amass a significant number of troops in Duke McKay's Domain, which bordered the Feis Kingdom.
After all, there were no threats to the Kingdom of Boditch from the sea to the east.
Once the King of Boditch made such arrangements, thinking he had nothing to worry about, he continued to seek pleasure in the Royal Capital.
In Beelu City, the most important city in Duke McKay's Domain and the trade and military hub of the Boditch Kingdom's western border, the city was now devoid of its usual bustle and liveliness.
A banner with a blood-red Longsword fluttered above the ramparts of Beelu City.