"We're here, haha! We finally made it!"
The towering Great Wall finally came into view, and the man wrapped in a white robe cried out in delight.
Old Luka, walking along the Third Ring elevated highway, finally had a trace of relief on his face, as though the clouds had parted.
The journey had taken them a full two days.
Apart from the fellow named Blake they had encountered at the start, they had run into at least three groups of attackers along the way.
Of course, the latter two groups had just been small fry. Their weapons were shabby and their morale low. After being sprayed with two magazines, they quickly scattered like birds and beasts.
As for the man in the white robe walking beside them, they had rescued him from the last group of raiders.
His name was Har. He came from the Sunset Province and, according to him, was a prince of the Lion Tribe, heir to the oasis, and a believer in the Spirit of the Sea of Sand.
When asked why a prince and heir like him had traveled thousands of miles to the south of Clear Spring City only to be captured by a gang of thugs wielding fire pokers, he awkwardly explained.
"...Our kingdom has many princes. We must do something to prove that we possess the courage and qualities needed to govern the kingdom."
One of the younger diplomats asked curiously.
"Like what?"
Har spoke enthusiastically.
"For example, bringing back something that doesn't exist in the desert. It is our tradition. Whoever brings back the most valuable thing will qualify as a candidate to inherit the throne."
Another, older diplomat asked.
"So, did you find anything?"
Har's expression turned subtly awkward, and he gave a light cough.
"...I only just arrived