Besides the ancient sword, Caravala's delegation had brought a golden sapling this time.
On a street in Golden Automaton Alley.
Yan Huan was passing by with shopping bags when he happened to spot Silvermane, Pavor, and the others standing in a corner.
Pavor dug the soil himself while Silvermane watched in reverence. Yunli and Huaiyan were slowly approaching them.
"Oh? General Huaiyan and Miss Yunli?"
"What brings you here to witness this?"
Huaiyan smiled faintly.
"My granddaughter was deeply inspired by the heroic tale Mika Chivasha told. She insisted I bring her here to see it."
Yunli nodded.
Pavor gazed at the golden sapling and sighed.
"I am descended from the keepers of Caravala's monument. My family has guarded the great stone monument left by that Nameless Hero for generations."
"Over the centuries, a golden tree grew beneath the monument. Its branches never withered."
"The people of Caravala regard it as proof that the myth was real."
"Before setting out, I took a cutting from that tree. I hope it will take root here and bear witness to the hero's return home."
"Excellent." Huaiyan nodded.
"Xianzhou people have no coffins or memorial tablets. I'm sure he would be pleased to rest in his homeland, somewhere bustling with people and everyday life."
Pavor continued:
"The hero asked our ancestors to carve some words into the monument."
"I brought a rubbing of the inscription with me on this visit."
"Time has worn away the inscription, but it still appears legible—"
He took out a scroll and invited them to look at it together.
Huaiyan studied the writing and read aloud:
"Adrift in a foreign land, death close at hand. At least I have not failed in my duty."
"Should a passerby take pity, please carry a handful of earth from before this