The cloaked figure turned around and looked at him.
However, because they were fully cloaked from head to toe, Vesper couldn't see their face.
"Mortals have a saying…" The figure spoke in a hoarse voice, "If you don't see or hear something yourself, never believe it to be true. But… sometimes, even the things you see and hear aren't true either."
'Huh?' His words took Vesper off guard for a moment.
Then, as his mind whirled, he narrowed his eyes, vaguely realizing something. But he couldn't be sure of his assumption, as it was too absurd.
So, he opened his mouth to ask the figure what they meant, "What do you—"
Swoosh!
However, before he could, the figure stepped to the side and rushed away, disappearing into the forest.
Vesper stood there, looking in the direction the figure disappeared with an incomprehensible expression on his face before shaking his head.
'There is no use in thinking too much. I just need to focus on becoming stronger. Then everything would be clear.' He thought.
He then glanced at the old man, who was wiping beads of sweat off his forehead, and smiled, "See, I was right. You didn't die."
"Ah, y-yes. Thank you, young Lord." The old man hurriedly said,
Vesper shook his head. "I didn't do anything. You should have thanked that man."
Although he didn't recognize who the figure was, from their body shape and the changed voice, he knew that figure was a man.
"No," The old man shook his head. "He clearly came to save you, young Lord. So, if not for you, I would've died."
Vesper chuckled, "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have been in the danger of dying either."
The old man smiled wryly.
Vesper looked at him and curiously asked, "How did you find out James planned to kill us all?"
"I have experienced many things in my long life, young Lord. I can vaguely see through people's nature and their intentions after observing them for a while." The old man said,
"I see," Vesper nodded in understanding.
He then opened the carriage to check up on Alric.
He should have heard his and James' conversation and the commotion that followed. So, it was strange that there was no movement from him.
Upon opening the carriage, he realized why this was so—Alric was asleep.
A tender smile broke out on his face, and he gently closed the door.
All the worries and exhaustion of the past few days had drained Alirc, and because he woke up quite early today, he was naturally sleepy. After sitting in the carriage for over two hours, it was nothing strange that he fell asleep.
Looking at the tall and sturdy horse standing near the bridge, Vesper thought for a moment before walking over it.
He had never ridden a horse, but seeing how tame it was, he thought he wouldn't have any problem.
He gently stroked its head and then its neck.
The horse looked at him for a moment before looking away, causing him to let out a sigh of relief. He then grabbed onto the saddle and jumped, but because his jump didn't have much force and the horse was taller than him, he failed to scale it.
The old man smiled in amusement when he saw this. He got down from the carriage and walked over to him. "Let me help you, young Lord." He offered.
Vesper felt a little embarrassed but didn't show it on his face and nodded, "Alright."
With his help, he was soon sitting atop the horse, holding onto the reins.
"When you want it to start walking, heel it one time, young Lord. If you want it to run, heel it two or more times quickly, and when you want it to slow down, stroke its neck, and when you want to stop, pull the reins." The old man guided.
"I understand," Vesper nodded. "Thank you for the help, old man. Now let's go."
He was about to urge the horse to walk when the old man asked, "Young Lord, do you know the way to Vista Village?"
"...No." Vesper shook his head, his lips twitching.
"Then, why don't you—"
"Alright. I'll follow behind the carriage." He interrupted the old man, looking away.
The old man smiled kindly and returned to the carriage.
Because James could no longer threaten his life and they had already covered the dangerous part of the journey, he was relaxed and his mood was good.
…
In the evening, when the sun was about to set, they reached Vista Village.
Phew!
"We are here, young Lord." The old man announced, heaving a breath of relief.
Vesper nodded and urged the horse to come beside the carriage before he looked at the village ahead.
It was very small, barely one-tenth the size of Ironhart town, and was surrounded by a very old , five-foot-tall, mud and stone wall that didn't offer much protection from the wild beasts, which the old man, Josh, told him was one of the main problems the villagers suffered.
"How many people live here, Grandpa Josh?" He asked.
The old man Josh lived in this village and thus knew everything about it.
"There are around two hundred families and around seven hundred people in total." Old man Josh replied as a pained glint flashed in his eyes.
Vesper noticed this but didn't ask anything. He would have more than enough time to inquire about everything, as this place was going to be his home for the foreseeable future.
As they approached the village entrance, old man Josh called out, "Jeremy, kiddo, open the gate!"
As soon as he called out, a head popped up on the wall. It was a boy, just a few years older than Alric.
Seeing old man Josh, he smiled happily. "You've returned, Grandpa!"
"Yes. Now, open the door. Young Lord here is tired and needs to rest."
Hearing this, Jeremy shifted his gaze to Vesper, and a look of awe appeared on his face when he saw the large horse beneath him.
"Jeremy!" Old man Josh let out an exasperated shout.
"Ah, yes. Opening." Jeremy snapped back to his senses. Then, his head went down, and a moment later, the wooden doors flung open.