Three' carriages rumbled along a bumpy road. Huge valleys rolled under a bright blue sky.

This was the road that leads to the northern border of the Kingdom of Temolus, to the so-called city of merchants, Relinur. The City of Relinur was at the centre of two big kingdoms so naturally, it would be bustling with travellers and merchants. However, a journey to get there from the city of Rugroru from the far south was dangerous.

The valley between the border and the dense forest zone was infested with monsters. Many years ago, wars were fought there in the valley thus its name, valley of the fallen. Mountains of corpses littered around attracting monsters. Largely neglected, the valley remained home to vicious monsters...as well as bandits and criminals who fled Temolusian territory. Few were eager a journey through it. Though few, such travellers still did exist. Trading merchants and those on urgent business from Rugroru to the north came through from time to time.

The leader of this small caravan was not your ordinary traveller though. He was a Baron by the name of Gul Ceone, the patriarch of the once-prominent house Ceone. But why would a nobleman travel such a dangerous route, much less, with his family? The reason for this was because of their safety. Although he was a noble, he was stripped of his honour, lands, and title; you might as well say that he no longer is one. To regain his reputation and honour he thought of becoming a merchant in his wife's birthplace.

With goods, and resources as well as his loved ones, he needs reliable escorts. Fortunately, he could afford the service of professional adventurers.

It was getting dark. The carriages stopped. Mercenaries came out of the rear carriage to set up camp, others check their equipment for any damages, and some cook for dinner, while a few scouted ahead. As the scouts made their way through the valley. They marvelled at the sheer walls of rocks on both sides.

* * * * *

"Shit... Mir, this is the valley of the fallen. Why are we resting in a place like this..?" The one who'd spoken was a member of the C-ranked party that was assisting the carriages, he was light-skinned with short blond hair and a relatively small build, and he wore a light chest armour and a sword around his waist.

A man that looked like the leader, dark-skinned with short brown hair and who was also lightly armoured replied. "Oi, Han. Don't you know that we can only travel further if we rest?" Then he added, "If we come across a monster when we're exhausted, even a rank D mercenary like you will have to join the fight."

"Ughhh..."

"Stop complaining and go fetch some water."

"Ah fuck, it's getting dark too..."

Mir looked like he could devour you any minute asked. "Fuck?"

"Eek! A no-wait." Before Han could even explain, Mir had already kicked him in the butt.

"Seriously, the way you talk! Hurry up before it gets darker!"

Before Han could reach the ravine he was already having second thoughts. 'I'm getting a bad feeling about this... let's just quickly get some water and head back.' He thought. "Hmm, what's this? Why's there seaweed in a ravine?" DUDUM! What greeted him there was not seaweed but instead a dead body.

"...A... ARRRRRRGH!!!"

Han ran back to camp gasping for air. "What happened?!" Mir asked. "Did you see a ghost?" another mercenary said.

"Th-there's a dead body, in the ravine, there's a dead body!" Han shouted with a pale face.

"That guy's such a wimp. He probably just mistook it for a log."

"There's no way there's a dead body in a place like this." Some mercenaries bickered.

"Where did you see it? I'll go take a look." Mir proposed

"O-over there..!" Han pointed out.

"Don't just point, lead the way! You need to retrieve the water bucket!"

As they were approaching the ravine, Mir and Han felt a cold breeze down their spine. "I-I think we should head back..." Han hesitated.

"Just lead the way, if you mistook it for something else, I'm going to kill you," Mir exclaimed.

"No! swear... I-I'm certain it was around here... ARGH! OVER THERE..!"

At the bank of the river, the dead body was found. He had black hair that was around shoulder length; he was relatively young, around 15 to 16 years old. He had a honed body like a swordsman that was trained at a young age. As well as a strange marking on his right hand.

"...It really is a dead body."

"See! told you! I was fucking serious! UGH, come on let's head back, I don't want to look at it anymore-"

"Hmm..? Wait."

Mir quickly rushed down and checked the corpse's pulse. "Han, get over here!" He ordered.

"HAAAA!?"

"It's not a dead body! He's still alive!" Mir added. "What are you doing!? Hurry up and help me carry this guy to base!"

* * * * *

A crowd of mercenaries surrounded Mir and Han. Gul noticed the crowd and decided to have a look. "What's the ruckus about?" Gul asked, beside him was his daughter.

"Sir we found this kid at the ravine, he's barely hanging for his life. I know I'm in no position to ask this but please help him." Mir begged.

In a panic Han immediately bowed his head. "Please forgive him for his absurd request, sir!" Han said then he added, "What do you think you're saying, Mir!?"

But Mir didn't flinch, he just sat there staring directly at Gul. "I will take responsibility for him, sir, I swear on my honour as an adventurer."

Had it been any other aristocrats and Mir's head would've been sent flying by now. But Gul was different; he was known to be a kind and understanding Baron. That was why his people loved him, but that's also why he had been framed and exiled. He believed that as long as he can help his people, no wealth or power would surpass that. However, this time's different. A lot of people are aiming for his head so it would be understandable to be wary of strangers he meets along the way, you might not know if he's an assassin or not.

Why were people aiming for his head you asked? See, Gul had been framed for instigating a revolution against the royal family by other aristocrats out of jealousy. He should've been beheaded but because there were a lot of people who supported him, some even in the royal family, the King and other nobles had no choice but to exile him instead.

Under pressure whether he would help this kid or not, his daughter steps in. "Bring him in the tent, I'll heal him." She said.

"But what if–"Gul tried to stop her but she responded, "Didn't you teach us to help people in need father?"

"However, this time's different, we might be stepping into some sort of trap!" Gul objected.

"What could an injured kid even do to us!? If you're worried about me then don't be, I'm already an advanced class mage, I can handle myself now." She exclaimed.

Hearing that, Gul was left standing dazed. 'Yeah, what was I even afraid about? Just because of some threats you've lost your morals, Gul?' Gul thought as he slapped his cheeks.

"Wait.. you're only an advanced class in healing magic though..?" Gul remembered.