Apparently, I've been reincarnated in a random town within the country of Yolhalm. Now, I'm aboard a stranger's caravan, heading toward one of Yolhalm's capitals, Isselburg.
The merchant I met earlier, named Juan, has been trading for years. He mainly deals in vegetables, fruits, and books. Juan's a kind and easygoing man, and we've spent the last hour talking about this world. I've learned more in one conversation with him than I ever expected to.
Isselburg, it turns out, is one of the five main cities of Yolhalm, and while it's the smallest of the three capitals in the country, it holds its own in importance. In this world, each county has multiple capitals, anywhere from three to five, depending on its size.
"So, Juan, why did you let me ride with you in the first place?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Juan's expression softened, a faraway look in his eyes. "You know, when I was your age, I was saved by a merchant too. My village was raided by monsters out in the countryside of Yolhalm. My parents… they didn't survive. I had to flee, and I was starving when Michel, a traveling merchant, found me. He took me under his wing. We traveled the capitals of Yolhalm together, even reached Gothalm, a neighboring county, by the time I was 17. We traveled for a decade. Then, one day in Gothalm, he gave me this very caravan as a parting gift when he retired."
Juan's story hit me hard. His life had been filled with loss, but here he was, still kind and generous. I mumbled an apology for his parents, feeling a weight settle in the air as we continued toward Isselburg.
…
Two hours passed before we finally reached the city gates. A long line of caravans stretched out ahead of us, all waiting to be inspected.
"Juan, what's going on here?" I asked, seeing the commotion.
"Today's the day candidates submit their names for the governor's election," he replied, glancing around. "It's a big deal. The governors hold office until they either die or resign, and the royal family oversees the election phase. Security is extra tight with them in town. The election phase runs from tomorrow until the end of the month, then the voting begins."
As we inched closer, the gates loomed above us—massive, at least three stories high. Armored guards swarmed the entrance, meticulously inspecting every caravan. Finally, it was our turn. A knight approached, his gaze shifting from Juan to me.
"Juan, good to see you again. Where are you coming from this time?" the knight asked, clearly familiar with him.
Juan smiled warmly. "From the port of Beno. Also, I've brought a friend along. That won't be a problem, will it?"
The knight glanced at me, nodding slightly. "Not at all. What's the young man's name?"
"I'm Jacob," I said, extending my hand.
"Well, Jacob, just sign your name here." The knight handed me a piece of paper, and I quickly scrawled my name. With that, we were allowed through the gates.
The city of Isselburg buzzed with activity. People recognized Juan almost immediately, waving and calling out to him. As we made our way into the city, the acting governor himself approached us. It wasn't long before the conversation shifted, and the governor offered Juan a chance to run for the position.
Juan shook his head, smiling politely. "I appreciate the offer, but trading is in my blood. I can't abandon that."
Watching Juan refuse such a powerful position only solidified something within me. At that moment, my desire to become a merchant took root deep inside. I thought to myself, I will become a merchant in this world and leave my mark.
…
After the encounter with the governor, we headed to an inn for the night. Juan, ever generous, paid for my room, cementing why people in this city adored him.
"You all right?" Juan asked as we settled in.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I've just been thinking... what if I became a traveling merchant like you?" I said, voicing the thought that had been swirling in my mind.
Juan grinned, clapping me on the shoulder. "Then chase that dream! Don't let it go."
His words struck a chord in me. "You're right, Juan. I'll make sure I become a merchant worthy of your recognition."
Juan chuckled. "Don't worry, Jacob. I've got your back."
The next morning, Juan said his goodbyes and left Isselburg to continue his journey, while I stood at the city gates, ready to start my own path as a traveling merchant.
But...