It has been some months since I left the Aditi Estate to become a Mercenary.

Personally, I prefer the term 'Wanderer' or 'Traveler'.

Since I departed from home, I've been heading eastward, reaching various parts of the Kingdom that I never traveled to in my past. These are largely remote territories, filled with Noble Lords who rule their respective patches of land.

Each Lord has several villages under them, as well as undeveloped land to take care of.

The goal is for these Nobles to develop the areas. The more prosperous their regions are, the more recognition they are bound to gain from their superiors—the Barons. This is how they improve in repute and strength. It is the equivalent of Knight Households raising more powerful warriors or obtaining more Armaments to strengthen their foundation.

This is why Knight Households—even the High-Rank ones—do not manage a lot of settlements in their territories. Usually, only family members live in their domain. Exceptions exist, of course, but not more than one or two villages should exist under a Knight Household's territory.

Take the Aditi Household, for example.

We don't have any 'villages' under our rule. Our land simply houses family members, stewards, and retainers who serve or are affiliated with the Aditi Household.

This is the case for most Knight Households, and is also one of the main reasons why they are usually very poor compared to the Low Nobility, even though both exist in the same societal hierarchy within the Kingdom.

After traveling for these few months, I have somewhat broadened my horizon on life in these remote areas of the Kingdom. In the Royal Academy, I tasted wealth and luxury unlike any other, but this journey has shown me the opposite.

I have been exposed to the more humble facets of the Kingdom.

In most of these areas, Armaments beyond D Grade have been elevated to the point of myths and legends. In fact, the highest Grade of Armaments one will find there are F or E Grade, even among the Nobles who rule there.

Thus, my C Grade Armament has become something of a mystical artifact in their eyes.

Potions have also suffered the same thing.

Grade 1 Potions are rare in these communities, and Grade 2 Potions are largely nonexistent. Those that exist have been adulterated to the point of containing far too many impurities, yet they are treated as prime goods.

Thankfully, I stocked sufficient supplies before starting my journey, so I don't have to purchase any of these substandard products.

Also, with my current skills, I can make some Grade 1 and very few Grade 2 Potions on my own.

Many other things, like Magivores, food, clothing, and so much more, have completely different meanings in their eyes compared to mine. For the first time, I have gotten a glimpse into how commoners really view the world.

It is… quite limited.

I can't help but reflect on myself and also recognize how limited my view must be compared to those High Nobles of the highest strata, or even the Royal Family.

All of these things came as a shock to me at first, but I've been quick to adapt.

This is simply part of life.

Accompanying me on my journey is my C Grade Armament, Silver Lightning Thunder Sword, which I obtained from the Royal Academy as the Valedictorian. I also possess other Armaments, like the wanderer cloak on me—a D Grade Armament called Night Traveler's Cloak. Then, the lightweight armor set that's placed on specific regions on my body is the Purple Iron Guardian, also a D Grade Armament.

In essence, I have three Armaments equipped in my travel at all times.

Each Armament has its special qualities, and accompanied by my skills as a Knight and my vast wealth of experience, I doubt even Cadre 3 Magivores are my match.

Against a Cadre 4, though… I'd still lose badly.

Speaking of Magivores, my steed is also one, albeit domesticated.

Cadre 3 Magivore, Gray Turtleback Camel.

The beast resembles an ash-colored camel with a large shell behind it, as well as a robust body more akin to a stallion than the thin, long frame of an ordinary camel. Its body is covered in thick, hairy fur, and despite the sound of its name, the shell behind the camel actually resembles a snail's rather than a turtle's.

It is useful for many things, and I only purchased it after I reached a major trading center upon realizing how inconvenient travel by carriage is.

Carriages can only properly travel on plains or proper roads. When it comes to rocky areas, dense forests, unfavorable weather, and so much more, they become very useless and could leave the owner stranded.

To be fair, Carriages are rides of convenience and luxuries, so they wouldn't even be used to traverse those terrible regions, to begin with.

But, I am a wanderer.

As such, I will be visiting a lot of places inconvenient for travel.

Normally, people would simply have horses for this purpose, but with all the load I have with me, it's quite impossible for a single horse to carry everything. Plus, in cases where I require emergency shelter or protection, I wouldn't be able to rely on the horse alone.

At least carriages have roofs and windows, but horses do not offer such benefits.

Hence, I realized pretty quickly that I need a Magivore.

Cadre 1… Cadre 2… Cadre 3… Those three are pretty much the only ones on the market, with the latter evidently being the most costly.

Despite the cost, I still had to get the Gray Turtleback Camel.

The convenience it offers is simply too great!

For one, it is a colossal monstrosity that stands at nearly four meters tall. If you add its large shell to the mix, it approaches seven. Not only is the animal strong, fast, and has immense stamina, but I can also stay inside its shell as if it were a carriage.

All my luggage is safely protected within its shell, which has a lot of space inside.

Even now, as I journey, I'm within the shell of my steed, watching the nearby scenery from the transparent corners of its crystal black walls. Sometimes, I like to sit outside to enjoy the breeze or take in the amazing sights, but there really isn't anything exceptional about the current area, and it's pretty late, so I have simply decided to remain indoors.

Ah, where was I?

Yes… The Gray Turtleback Camel can also cover most of its body parts inside its shell for protection. It does this whenever it wants to sleep, and since my accommodation is at the topmost layer of its shell, none of it affects me in any way.

Most importantly, this Magivore is VERY tame and has a non-violent nature.

It has also been trained with a series of commands, and by tapping on its head or shell a number of times, I can pretty much make it do whatever it is I want—based on its pre-existing training.

Lastly, it is very easy to feed.

Honestly, this is the first Magivore I've seen that doesn't require Special Resources or some unique kind of food to survive. Apparently, the normal Turtleback Camel does require those special conditions, but the Gray variant was artificially created and has been specifically bred to only consume plants and even rocks.

It also doesn't have frequent need for water, but when it drinks… it takes a whole lot of it.

Even though the price was atrocious, I just had to get this beast.

Since it is a Cadre 3 Magivore and it has a massive body, it will naturally ward off weaker Magivores, and with its defense mechanism in place, I'll not only be protected, but also warned about any strong threats that come my way.

It is large and doesn't need much rest, making its travel speed amazing as well.

Honestly? Truly a beauty!

After traveling for a while, we finally stop near a mountainside, and I finally let the creature rest. I think I'll call it Gray from now on—just for the sake of convenience.

While it sleeps, I remain awake and write in my journal, detailing everything I experienced today.

In order to get into the proper mood, I walk outside and climb its shell, sitting at the very top so the moonlight bathes my visage, and my body is exposed to the cold. After drinking a Grade 1 Potion of Clear Sight, reading and writing in the dark isn't a problem for me at all, so I simply take my time and enjoy the quietude of the night while documenting my experience.

I'm thinking of publishing a Treatise once I return home.

As a practicing Scholar, I'm supposed to publish works like this to remain relevant.

I don't have a clue about the central theme or topic of the piece yet, but by taking in everything and simply writing it down, I believe they will prove to be sufficient resources for me when I begin compilation.

"Ahh… what a quiet, peaceful night."

As I sit atop the black shell of my steed, casting a silent gaze across the landscape to see several hills and mountains around me, I let out a chuckle.

How could I have experienced something like this in the Academy or at home?

No way!

"This is truly a blessi—" My words are interrupted by suppressed noises, and I witness an ongoing commotion a distance away.

A few people, resembling stragglers, are running in my direction. Thanks to my elevated height, I can also see their pursuers a distance away chasing after them. Since it's night, and the landscape is pretty uneven, it seems the pursuers are having a hard time finding the runaways, not to mention catching up to them.

"Hmmm…" My eyes narrow slightly as I focus my attention on the three runners.

They have bald heads and hairless skin, wearing rags for clothes. With pointy ears and a delicate appearance that gives them a feminine allure regardless of gender, they look wretched as a result of their evident exhaustion.

These people… are they Fae'lkyns?

They must be!

All sorts of humans exist on this world, but in the Randalorion Kingdom and many others in the Continent, Nowe'arns—my race—are the most dominant. We are also generally regarded as 'normal' humans by the people of the land.

Fael'kyns, on the other hand, are the opposite.

They are deemed as inferior, usually relegated to the position of slaves.

I heard they migrated here from another Continent as a result of the wars and hardship there, but they unfortunately met a cruel fate upon arriving here.

'Those Faelkyns must be runaway slaves… and the ones looking for them have to be their masters. No, not masters… they probably work for their owner.'

As I sit atop my steed's shell, I am faced with a penultimate question: should I help them?

The answer is obvious to me.

Of course.

Without wasting any further time, I slide down the smooth area of the shell, slowly descending from it until I touch the ground. Afterward, I wait next to the slumbering beast for the three Faelkyn to come closer.

It's dark, and they're in a hurry—not to mention exhausted—so they can't possibly see me standing so still. They don't even recognize that they are before a Cadre 3 Magivore.

After ingesting a Potion of Muffled Steps, I approach the three and knock them out at nearly the same time. This prevents them from making any sound that can implicate me or give away our position.

Then, I carry them and enter the shell, ascending to the topmost floor by relying on the floorings carved out in its interior by the ones who sold the Magivore to me. This makes the ascension easy, as it's almost like climbing a flight of stairs.

The three Faelkyns are also very lightweight—no problem for me in the slightest.

After I reach my residence at the top layer of the shell, I place the three on the ground and look out my window, watching diligently until I see their pursuers leave the vicinity.

Then, and only then, do I feed them Grade 1 Potions that jolt their consciousness awake.

"A-ahhh! Please spare us!"

"D-don't hurt us! Please! We made a mistake!"

"E-eeek!"

They scream and make all kinds of excuses, begging me to spare their lives. I suppose they think I'm with their pursuers, so it's only natural that they react this way.

It's also why I knocked them out and didn't try to explain anything to them earlier.

As people who have likely been slaves for a long time, I honestly don't think they would trust me so easily. However, since we're in my premises, isolated from the outside world, I have more than enough to explain the matter to them.

Hopefully, they listen.

**************

It took some time, but I believe they finally understand what is going on.

Now that they do, the three siblings—one boy and two girls—are on their knees, and they won't stop thanking me for my kind deed. Despite how childlike and delicate they appear, these three are actually in their thirties.

In essence, they are currently older than my current appearance.

I suppose the adage is true—Faelkyns truly don't age.

Regardless of my fascination with them, I maintain a distance from the three since I can still sense hints of apprehension from them. I feed them, treat their blisters and other injuries, and have a bit of conversation with them to understand their plight.

Just as I expected, they are indeed runaway slaves who seized an opportunity and are trying to return to the place where they were smuggled from.

Since the overall direction is where I'm headed anyway, I've decided to give them a lift.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

"You have saved us from certain doom! We are so grateful!"

"You are our hero!"

I maintain a calm face, not accepting or refuting their praise. They have certainly been through a lot, and for that… I empathize with them.

For the night, I allow them to sleep in my bed while I watch them.

As much as I wish to help them, I can't particularly lower my guard when it comes to strangers.

It seems they also had the same intention to watch me, refusing to sleep, but exhaustion eventually took hold of them, and they fell asleep.

The next day arrives, and my journey continues. I take them to the nearest stream, where they bathe and clean their dirty bodies. I give them a fresh change of clothes and also prepare a decent meal for all of us.

Once more, they express their gratitude through praise.

I can only sigh helplessly.

After a few days of traveling like this, I finally find the mountain pass they described to me and even locate the hidden cave for them.

As expected, some Fae'lkyn cautiously proceed out of the cave to greet me.

Even the Elder of the entire Village approaches and bows before me, her bald head touching the hard, dirty ground. If I were a random passerby, they would have remained hidden. If I were only moderately strong, they would have cautiously ambushed me, but my current strength is simply too overwhelming for them to resist.

My steed is a Cadre 3 Magivore, and I possess three Armaments—one of them being C Grade.

How can such a small village of the most disenfranchised race fight back?

In fact, I could probably take them all as slaves now, and they wouldn't be able to refuse my might. Their population is only in the few hundreds, and their most powerful warrior can't even be on the same level as a Low-Rank Knight.

There are probably tens of thousands of caves like this scattered all over the Randalorion Kingdom, containing Fae'lkyns who are trying to survive.

It's sad. But…

… This is the reality of these people.

After returning the three Fae'kyns to their people and also trading with them by giving them supplies in exchange for their local goods, all of them begin to revere me, praising me with all manner of venerable names.

Once again, I sigh to myself and maintain silence.

"HERO! HERO! HERO!"

They chant aloud, their voices filled with worship and gratitude, and their friendliness beyond what my conscience can bear. They offer all kinds of hospitality, including sexual relations and even ownership of the most beautiful women or men in the village, if such is my preference.

But… of course, I refuse.

I do not seek to take advantage of these people, but to them it would be their greatest honor.

How strange, yet oddly reminiscent of the state of the world.

In the end, I leave that mountain pass and settlement with a heavy heart and a guilty countenance on my face.

Hero? Savior? That doesn't apply to me at all.

Those Fae'lkyns… they believe I helped them, and so they adore me greatly.

But they know nothing.

Just like those other villages I have passed, it seems they, too, have a very limited view of the world, including their own fates.

I know.

Even in the future, their situation does not get any better.

Fae'lkyns will still be the most popular and profitable merchandise when it comes to slaves. They are very fertile, and they possess attractive, ageless appearances, making them the perfect commodity. Though they are delicate and largely weaker than most other Races, they have perpetual youth, which makes them capable of working hard until the day they die of old age—though I doubt many of them even live to that point.

Despite knowing all of these things, what am I doing to help them?

Nothing.

This is why I do not consider myself a hero.

I simply cannot do anything about their situation, and I haven't actually helped them in any meaningful way.

What exactly are they praising me for?

The resources I shared with them? The three I rescued from potential capture? Taking care of them and bringing them back home? One could look at these things in isolation and truly believe I have done a good deed.

But… I do not see it that way at all.

What I have done—is simply prolong the inevitable.

'Eventually, this cave will likely be found and plundered by traders or marauders, and all of those Fae'lkyns will be captured. Based on probability alone, it'll happen at some point in the next couple of years.'

This is the vicious cycle of the Fae'lkyn subjugation—an endless process of hardship.

I won't even be surprised if some traders already have their eyes set on this place, but are simply waiting for the Fael'kyn population to increase before capturing them.

Looking at the logistics, it is simply more profitable to let the Fae'lkyns repopulate on their own, creating a sustainable civilization for them to thrive and increase their numbers. Then, they will be captured, leaving only a few remaining to repopulate once more and repeat the process.

This creates a never-ending supply of slaves, and the burden isn't even on the slave owners

In fact, how can I even be sure that the runaways weren't simply let go intentionally, so they could lead the owner to even more Fae'lkyns? That way, the man could obtain more slaves from the source and not through traders.

This is the harsh reality of this world and the lives of these ignorant Fae'lkyns.

Despite knowing these things, though, there's nothing I can do.

Thus, I am no hero at all.

I'm only a man.

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