Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Chapter 148 Last City before the Desert

Alfred and Karla were also surprised when they woke up and saw all those things ready for them to eat. In fact, they even thought it was too much.

"All this for breakfast? I'm not used to eating so well," said Alfred.

Despite having said that, he took the opportunity to eat a lot, taking the fruits and also the meat that William had prepared on the fire.

William had already eaten before they woke up - he and Louise - so he just waited for them, and of course, chatted.

"It seems like it's been a while since you've slept well," he said.

Alfred, in good spirits, said, "you bet. First time in days that the 3 of us have managed to sleep at the same time. Keeping watch sucks."

Taking turns meant that one of them would always have to face the day sleepy, until it was time to stop again to sleep. But with William's help, the 3 of them were able to rest, and because of that, they already trusted William much more.

"What about your carriage? Isn't there a danger of someone finding it and stealing it?" William asked.

"I don't think there's a problem," said Alfred, "we hid it very well. But we couldn't get here with it."

After William said that, they started to worry a little and reflect on the matter. Could someone have stolen their carriage?

Because of that thought, they decided to return to where the carriage was as quickly as possible, just to be sure. William wasn't against it, as he wanted to continue his journey, but this time, sitting in the carriage.

They put out the fire and went together to where they had hidden their carriage. It wasn't very far from there.

"We used the vegetation to hide it," Alfred said, "the creatures pulling the carriage are somewhere else." Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire

William had no idea what kind of creatures Alfred was talking about. He was already getting used to seeing carriages being pulled by other creatures, not horses.

And he was right. The creature pulling the carriage was a kind of huge dog, with a brown coat that appeared to be the color of sand.

Alfred had tied them up in a more secluded spot that seemed safe. Both creatures were fine.

William was impressed by the size of those dogs. They were bigger than wolves, much bigger. They were formidable magical beasts.

"These kinds of creatures are common around here," Alfred explained, "they are very strong, they hardly get tired, and they are the best for walking in the desert. I think there is no better land mount than them. I mean, there must be, but it's a lot more expensive, right?"

William was very happy to have found those three. In addition to being willing to travel with him - and give him a ride in the carriage - they still knew a lot of things, things he didn't know about that continent.

In other words, it was a great opportunity to learn from them, and not be completely lost during the trip.

Alfred went to the dogs and started to untie them. "Can you help me here?" Alfred asked.

Now that another man was there, Alfred wanted to take some of the heavy lifting off his sister Louise, and Karla too. William saw no problem in helping, especially considering that he was a guest there.

The two worked together to remove those desert dogs and take them to the carriage. There, they tied them in front of the carriage, leaving everything ready to continue the journey.

Louise was the one who decided to give a tour of the carriage, which was actually quite simple. It was only one compartment, but the space was enough for them. With William's presence, the space became a little smaller, but nothing that would hinder it that much.

William looked around, puzzled. "And where are your supplies?" he asked.

Alfred pulled back a cloth that was hiding several crates. "We don't have much," he said, "but it should last for a few days."

He explained that supplies weren't a problem. They were currently traveling through an area with few taverns or places to replenish their stores, but that would change in the coming days.

They were the ones who knew the surrounding area, so William trusted them.

"I'll go," Alfred said, climbing into the driver's seat of the carriage.

Someone had to control the desert dogs, but it was much better to be up there guiding them than walking, as William had been doing before. He could finally rest his legs and talk to the others while Alfred drove.

"What's our first destination?" he asked.

Louise was the one who answered. She seemed to be in charge, at least from William's perspective.

She grabbed a map – which was far more detailed than William's – and showed him the locations they would visit first.

"We'll stop here first," Louise explained, pointing at a spot on the map with her finger. "It's a good place to get supplies and also enjoy some lakes and beautiful views. After that, it's all desert, and it will be harder going, so we want to enjoy ourselves first."

William nodded. "Can I see the map?"

"Of course."

He took the map and studied it, eager to learn more about their destinations. It was just as the fisherman in Saltwind Village had told him: the main part of the continent was a desert. The rest, well, it had more forests the farther one went from the central region. But out of all the details, something else caught William's attention.

"What's this area right here?" he asked, pointing at the northern part of the map.

The area he was pointing to was darkened on the map, the name "Ancient Lost Valley" scrawled across it in faded ink.

"Oh, that..." Louise trailed off, her voice a little shaky. "That's one of the most dangerous places on the continent. Some say demons lived there, but I think that's just stories to scare people away."

William, of course, was immediately intrigued. It seemed that what Asura had said was true: demons had indeed lived on this continent. He already felt the pull of the Ancient Lost Valley, a desire to explore its depths despite the rumored dangers. He was starting to think that the risk was worth it.

"Maybe later," he thought to himself. He had just arrived; there was much to see and do before venturing into such a perilous region.

And what a region it was! The next few days were a blur of green. They traveled through dense forests, the sunlight filtering through the leaves like shimmering gold. The air was alive with the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of leaves. Sparkling streams crisscrossed their path, and the scent of wildflowers filled the air. It was all so different from the dry, rocky terrain he was used to.

They followed a winding road, occasionally catching glimpses of clearings where deer grazed peacefully. Even the desert dogs seemed to enjoy the change of scenery, their hooves thudding softly on the damp earth.

In the evenings, they camped beneath the stars, the crackling fire providing warmth and a sense of security. They shared stories and laughter, their voices blending with the nocturnal symphony of the forest. William learned about their lives – Alfred, the gruff one, had a passion for carving intricate figures from wood, while Louise, with her sharp wit, secretly dreamed of becoming a scholar.

He felt a growing connection with these people. They were becoming friends, bound by their shared journey and experiences.

Finally, they emerged from the forest into a sun-drenched valley. Nestled amidst rolling hills and shimmering lakes, the city of Whisperwind beckoned. Excitement bubbled up inside William as they approached. The city walls, built from pale stone and draped with ivy, shimmered in the sunlight.

Whisperwind was a haven of tranquility. Cobbled streets wound through colorful houses with flower-filled window boxes. The air was filled with the gentle murmur of conversation and the laughter of children playing in the squares. Fountains splashed in courtyards, and the scent of baking bread wafted from open doorways.

They found a charming inn with climbing roses adorning its facade. After settling in and seeing to the desert dogs, they gathered in the cozy common room, eager to enjoy a hot meal and the company of others.

"This city is packed with people," William commented, taking a sip of his tea.

"Of course it is," Louise replied. "There are some beautiful lakes around here, so people come to relax. And it's also the last city before the desert starts."

Whisperwind was their final stop before venturing into the arid expanse. They planned to enjoy their time there for a few days, relaxing and restocking their supplies before continuing their journey.

As they chatted and ate in the tavern, William noticed someone staring at him intently. The person wasn't even trying to hide it, making William feel a bit uncomfortable.