"Oasis of Lunaris," he replied with a smile, his name carrying a sense of pride and belonging.
"I am Balto of the 'BlackBoar Mercenary'," the man replied with a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you, Oasis of Lunaris."
Oasis and Balto exchanged words for a few minutes.
From Balto, Oasis learned that the mercenaries had been contracted to escort the son of the city lord of 'Belvan Town'.
The young lord had been attending a meeting about a betrothal alliance with 'Mistvalley Town', just a few kilometers from the valley where they now stood.
Through their conversation, Oasis also learned more about their current location.
The place was an independent region, nestled between Verdantia and the Kingdom of Ironhold, known as 'Dawnhail'.
Dawnhail was a rugged and somewhat lawless area, where various factions operated with little oversight.
The region was valued for its strategic position as a buffer between larger powers, but its independence also made it a hotbed of intrigue and conflict.
As Balto explained further, Oasis realized how they ended up being chased by the serpent.
It turned out that the serpent was a summoned mystic beast, sent by the Mistvalley city lord's people to sabotage the alliance.
The serpent wasn't native to this valley, and it was clear that the ambush had been carefully planned.
"Oh, it makes sense," Oasis mused. "From the look of the serpent, it cannot be a resident of this valley."
Oasis then asked, "Uncle Balto, what's the nearest town from here?"
"That would be Belvan Town," Balto replied.
"Since you're heading there as well, I might as well join you," Oasis suggested.
Balto agreed, recognizing the strength and calm demeanor of the young cultivator.
As now the leader of the remaining group, Balto took charge and suggested they bury the fallen mercenaries before continuing.
After some time, they finished the solemn task, with Balto distributing herbs to help speed the recovery of the remaining men.
"Done, now we're ready to go," Balto announced.
He opened the carriage, revealing a scene inside. A chubby boy, about the same age as Oasis, was sleeping soundly amidst the chaos.
"Hey, wake up," Balto said, poking the boy to rouse him.
The boy stirred and then jolted awake, panic flashing in his eyes.
"Huh!!! The big snake! The big snake!" he screamed in terror.
"Relax, it's dead," Balto reassured him.
One of the mercenaries approached Balto and said, "We've finished gathering the beast's remains."
"Give everything to Oasis since he slayed it," Balto instructed.
"No, no, Uncle. It's all yours. You've already lost a lot here," Oasis said, politely declining the offer.
"He's a good lad," Balto thought, appreciating Oasis's generosity. "We're grateful, Oasis."
The fat boy, still shaking off his grogginess, looked at Oasis with curiosity.
"Who is this kid?" he wondered, his eyes darting between Oasis and the others.
"So, he was sleeping through all that,"Oasis thought aloud.
Balto explained,
"Our leader, who has also fallen, knocked him out. He was screaming non-stop while we were being chased."
"If we hadn't knocked him out, he might have lost his mind or gotten himself killed."
Oasis looked at the boy, struggling to find the right words to describe him.
"He is..." Oasis began, but decided to drop it, shaking his head.
"Anyway, let's get moving," Oasis said to Balto, as they paid their respects to the fallen before leaving the scene.
The fat boy, now more subdued, kept glancing at Oasis with a mix of curiosity and gratitude as they moved through the valley.
As they traveled, Oasis took the opportunity to learn more about the area from Balto.
The Dawnhail region was a place of rough terrain and sparse vegetation, marked by rocky valleys and small clusters of settlements.
It consisted of about seven towns and three major guilds, each with its own influence and territory.
The BlackBoar Mercenary Guild, to which Balto belonged, was one of these guilds, known for taking on risky contracts and being fiercely loyal to their clients.
The largest town in Dawnhail was Belvan, a bustling trade hub that served as a connection point between the Kingdom of Ironhold and Verdantia.
Despite being smaller in size, Belvan Town wielded considerable influence, primarily due to its location and the wealth generated from trade and farming.
The other towns in Dawnhail varied in size and importance, with each having its own local power structure, often dominated by guilds or powerful families.
The Kingdom of Ironhold, on the other hand, was a militaristic state with a strong focus on mining and metallurgy.
Some of the things about other kingdoms oasis was already aware since he studied about them in the academy.
Dawnhail's independence was often challenged by these neighboring powers, but it managed to maintain its autonomy through strategic alliances and the strength of its local guilds.
The town Oasis was heading to for his mission was also part of the Dawnhail region,
and he learned that it was relatively isolated, with a reputation for being a neutral zone where no single faction held power.
As they continued on their journey, Oasis felt a growing sense of anticipation for the mission ahead.
The knowledge he gained from Balto would undoubtedly prove valuable as he navigated the complexities of Dawnhail and the challenges that awaited him.
As Oasis and the group continued their journey, the rocky valleys gradually transitioned into more forested areas, the dense foliage creating a canopy of green overhead.
The path they followed was well-worn, evidence of frequent travel, and the signs of life became increasingly apparent as they approached Belvan Town.
Villages dotted the landscape, nestled among fields of crops, and small outposts stood as sentinels along the road, providing both shelter and security for travelers.
"So this is life outside of Verdantia," Oasis thought, a mixture of curiosity and realization in his mind.
"It's surprising that I'm exploring more places outside of Verdantia than within it."
His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of something more substantial in the distance.
A formidable wall came into view, standing tall and imposing against the backdrop of the forest.
Guards patrolled its top, their silhouettes outlined against the sky.
The town of Belvan lay beyond, a bustling hub of activity that served as a gateway to the rest of Dawnhail.