Farewell, Until We Meet Again

At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun painted the outline of Turan Town with a warm golden hue.

The caravan leader, Carl, returned to the inn where they were staying with two adventurers who had finished handling matters in town.

Judging by the somewhat relaxed expressions on their faces, the trip seemed to have gone fairly smoothly.

Cui Ciyou went to the inn courtyard to find Carl, who was giving instructions to her subordinates.

When she saw Cui Ciyou approach, Carl smiled warmly and took the initiative to greet him:

"Ciyou! Did everything go smoothly?"

"Is there anything you need my help with?"

"Or... have you finally changed your mind and decided to join our 'Redbeard' team?"

After spending so much time together, they had grown quite familiar with one another.

She asked half-jokingly, though there was a trace of barely perceptible anticipation in her eyes.

Cui Ciyou shook his head slightly. Even on his usually expressionless face, there was little visible emotional change at that moment.

He said calmly, "No, Carl! I... am leaving."

"Leaving?"

The smile on Carl's face froze instantly, and her thick brows soon drew tightly together. Her tone was full of surprise and confusion.

"You're leaving? Where are you going? By yourself?"

"Roa. Of course I'm going alone." Cui Ciyou nodded and spoke the name simply and clearly.

"..."

Carl fell into a brief silence.

Her sharp eyes studied the black-haired young man before her with a complicated gaze.

It was as though she wanted to see something beneath his calm, unreadable expression.

But in the end, she merely sighed softly.

A hint of regret flickered across her face, but there was even more understanding and respect.

"Fine." Carl said in a low voice,

"Since you've already made up your mind, I'm not the sort of person who likes forcing others. I won't stop you."

She paused, then spoke solemnly:

"However, Ciyou, you must be careful while traveling alone!"

"Although the Asla Kingdom is the strongest human nation, it is by no means peaceful within its borders. The Grey Wolf Bandit Group in Fitoia Territory is an example."

Carl seemed to remember something.

She reached into her clothes and pulled out a small leather coin pouch from inside.

Without giving him a chance to refuse, she pressed it into Cui Ciyou's hand.

"There are some coins in here. It isn't much, but consider it a small personal token from me."

"You'll be traveling alone, and you'll always have expenses for food, clothing, lodging, and travel."

"And this..."

She also unfastened the well-maintained one-handed longsword that had accompanied her for many years and handed it, sheath and all, to Cui Ciyou.

"This sword is the best one in our 'Redbeard Adventurer Team,'"

She gently stroked the cold scabbard. There was a trace of reluctance in her eyes, but even more sincerity.

"Though it can't compare to the legendary 'magic swords' that can cut through iron like mud, or 'magic weapons' that contain great power."

"It is still a fine weapon forged from superior steel through countless hammerings. I hope... it can serve a greater purpose in your hands."

"And that white horse." Carl pointed to a tall, magnificent steed with snow-white fur in the stable not far away.

"This may nominally be a subordinate town of Roa, but it is still quite a long distance from Roa's actual main city."

"Ride it. It'll make traveling easier and save you plenty of energy."

Cui Ciyou looked at the heavy coin pouch and sharp longsword Carl had offered him, then at her eyes, filled with sincere concern and reluctance.

A warmth rose within his heart.

He hesitated for a moment, knowing the value of these gifts and the depth of the feelings behind them.

But in the end, he did not politely refuse. Instead, he accepted them solemnly.

"Thank you... Carl! I'll remember this kindness." Cui Ciyou said with utmost sincerity.

"Take care, Ciyou! I hope we'll have a chance to meet again someday!"

Carl grinned, revealing teeth slightly yellowed from years of drinking poor-quality ale.

She extended her fan-sized hand and gave Cui Ciyou's seemingly slender but sturdy shoulder a firm, yet somewhat restrained, pat.

Just then, the young guard Dak hurried over from the other side of the inn after hearing the news.

When he learned from the scattered words of his mother Carl and the other guards that Cui Ciyou was about to leave, this young man, who admired Cui Ciyou without limit,

immediately had an expression full of unconcealed disappointment and reluctance on his youthful face.

"Brother Ciyou! You... you're really leaving? Where are you going?"

Dak rushed up to Cui Ciyou in a few quick strides, his voice trembling slightly with anxiety and reluctance.

"Brother Ciyou, let me go adventuring with you!"

Dak spoke with great excitement.

Seeing this, Carl's face immediately darkened. In a stern, unquestionable tone, she sharply stopped her son:

"Dak! Don't be ridiculous!"

"Ciyou has his own path to walk and his own things to do."

"How can you casually interfere and follow him? Step back at once."

Dak's body trembled slightly at his mother's sudden, harsh rebuke.

Though he lowered his head in grievance and unwillingness, he no longer dared say another word.

Cui Ciyou looked at the kind, brave youth before him, whose heart was full of admiration for him.

For once, his heart softened involuntarily.

He slowly extended his hand, originally intending to pat Dak's shoulder as Carl had patted his, offering comfort and encouragement.

But when his hand reached halfway, he felt that such an action would seem somewhat awkward coming from him.

In the end, he merely gently ruffled Dak's soft brown hair, slightly curly like his mother Carl's.

Then, in as gentle a tone as he could manage, carrying a hint of encouragement,

"Dak... train hard from now on, and become stronger!"

"We... will meet again... goodbye."

"When we meet next time, you must become a 'hero,' okay?"

"You don't have to be someone like North God II to count as a hero. Even accomplishing small things can make you a 'hero'!"

After saying that, Cui Ciyou did not linger or hesitate any longer.

He faced Carl and Dak, mother and son, as well as the other caravan guards who had come after hearing the news and were looking at him with equally complicated, reluctant eyes.

He gave them a slight nod, expressing his farewell and gratitude.

Then he turned around and nimbly mounted the magnificent snow-white horse.

With a light squeeze of his legs, accompanied by a clear, pleasant clatter of hooves, he swiftly rode out of the inn in Turan Town.

Under the complicated, reluctant gazes of Carl, Dak, and the others, his figure appeared somewhat thin and lonely.

Before long, the man and horse disappeared completely at the end of Turan Town's streets, no longer visible.

I didn't bring much besides a few changes of clothes. Carl, on the other hand, prepared a whole pile of things for me. Thanks.

Cui Ciyou thought gratefully to himself.

Carl and Dak, mother and son, along with the caravan guards, stood silently at the inn entrance.

They watched Cui Ciyou's gradually receding back in silence for a long time, without saying a single word.

The air was filled with an indescribable sense of parting and faint sadness.

"Mother... Brother Ciyou... will he come back someday?"

After a long while, the young Dak finally could not help asking his silent mother beside him in a soft voice tinged with both disappointment and hope.

Carl was silent for a moment. She slowly shook her head, her eyes full of complicated emotions and reflection.

Then, as though she had thought of something, she nodded lightly and said in a low voice:

"I don't know... Dak! I truly don't know whether we'll ever meet Ciyou again!"

"But I have a strong feeling..."

"In the near future..."

"We will surely hear all kinds of legends about Ciyou from traveling bards or adventurers."

Having left Turan Town, Cui Ciyou was now riding the magnificent white horse alone.

He had already clearly decided on his next destination:

— "Asla Kingdom - Fitoia Territory - Fortress City Roa."