Chapter 176 - 171: Riverside Village
The sun hung low in the western sky as the expedition approached Riverside Village.
From a distance, it looked peaceful.
A narrow river curved around the settlement like a protective embrace, its clear waters reflecting the orange glow of the evening sun. Stone cottages with thatched roofs stood neatly along winding streets, while several wooden fishing boats bobbed gently against a small dock.
Thin streams of smoke rose from chimneys as families prepared supper.
Children played beside the riverbank until they noticed the approaching caravan.
"Look!"
"So many wagons!"
One of them shouted excitedly.
The children ran back toward the village, their voices carrying through the air.
Within minutes, curious villagers had gathered near the entrance.
---
Commander Gareth raised a hand, signaling the caravan to slow.
A middle-aged man wearing a simple brown cloak stepped forward from the waiting crowd.
His beard had begun to gray, but his posture remained straight.
He smiled warmly.
"Welcome to Riverside."
"I’m Edwin."
"The village head."
Gareth dismounted and shook his hand.
"Commander Gareth of the Royal Exploration Guild."
"Thank you for receiving us."
Edwin chuckled.
"We don’t often host expeditions this large."
"But we’ve prepared as best we can."
"We appreciate it."
---
The expedition slowly entered the village.
Unlike Valenor, Riverside was small enough that everyone seemed to know one another.
Villagers greeted each other by name.
Several elderly women waved from their front gardens.
A blacksmith paused his work to watch the caravan pass.
John looked around quietly.
It reminded him of Greenhollow.
Simple.
Peaceful.
A place where everyone lived at an unhurried pace.
---
The wagons eventually stopped in a wide open square near the village hall.
Commander Gareth addressed the expedition.
"We’ll remain here until sunrise."
"The villagers have generously offered spare rooms."
"Those who cannot be accommodated indoors will use tents near the square."
A few members of the expedition immediately began organizing supplies.
Others thanked the villagers for their hospitality.
---
Lythriel stretched her back.
"A real bed for one more night."
"I’ll enjoy it while I can."
Aerion smiled faintly.
"You say that as though sleeping outdoors is torture."
"It depends."
She replied.
"Is it raining?"
Sylvara laughed softly.
"I think you’ll survive."
"I probably will."
Lythriel admitted dramatically.
"But I’d still rather have a mattress."
John couldn’t help laughing.
Some things never changed.
---
After helping unload a few crates from the library wagon, John wandered through the village.
The evening air carried the scent of freshly baked bread and grilled fish.
Near the river, several fishermen were repairing their nets while discussing the day’s catch.
A group of children chased each other across a grassy field.
One little boy suddenly stopped.
He stared at John.
Then at the small black horn just visible through John’s hair.
The boy hesitated before walking closer.
"Um..."
John knelt so they were at eye level.
"Yes?"
The boy pointed carefully.
"Are you... a dragon?"
Several nearby children immediately turned toward him.
John smiled.
"I am."
Their eyes widened.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"I was born as one."
Another little girl stepped forward.
"Can you breathe fire?"
Lythriel, who had just caught up with him, smirked.
"Oh, here we go."
John chuckled.
"A little."
"Can we see?"
The children asked almost in unison.
John glanced around.
Making sure no one was too close, he raised one finger.
A tiny black flame flickered above his fingertip.
It was no larger than a candle flame.
Warm.
Controlled.
The children gasped.
"It changed color!"
One exclaimed as hints of deep crimson briefly danced within the dark flame.
John smiled.
"It responds to my mana."
The children watched with fascination.
None of them seemed frightened.
Only curious.
After a few moments, he extinguished the flame.
---
One little girl tugged gently on his sleeve.
"Mister Dragon..."
John blinked.
"Yes?"
"Are dragons scary?"
For a moment, John didn’t answer.
He thought back to the monsters he had fought.
The fear ordinary people often felt when hearing stories about dragons.
Then he smiled gently.
"Some are."
He admitted honestly.
"But some just want to protect the people they care about."
The little girl smiled brightly.
"I think you’re one of those."
John laughed softly.
"I hope so."
---
Watching from nearby, Sylvara smiled warmly.
"You really are good with children."
John looked embarrassed.
"I don’t think I did anything special."
"You never do."
Lythriel teased.
"That’s why they like you."
Before John could reply, the children were already asking another dozen questions.
"How fast can you fly?"
"Do dragons eat cows?"
"Can you breathe ice?"
"How old are you?"
Lythriel crossed her arms.
"I think you’ve become today’s entertainment."
John sighed dramatically.
"It appears so."
---
Eventually, one of the children’s mothers called them home for dinner.
They waved enthusiastically before running off.
"Bye, Mister Dragon!"
"Come visit again!"
John waved back.
"I will."
---
As dusk settled over Riverside, the villagers prepared a simple welcoming meal for the expedition.
Long wooden tables were arranged in the village square.
Nothing extravagant.
Roasted river fish.
Fresh vegetables.
Warm soup.
Homemade bread.
But everything had been prepared with genuine hospitality.
Commander Gareth stood and addressed the villagers.
"On behalf of the Royal Exploration Guild..."
"Thank you."
"You’ve shown us great kindness."
Village Head Edwin smiled.
"We’re happy to help."
"My grandfather always said that travelers bring stories."
"And stories keep villages alive."
---
The meal was lively.
Researchers exchanged ideas.
Guards shared old travel tales.
Even the usually reserved Darius Voss answered a few questions from younger scholars about historical expeditions.
John listened quietly from across the table.
He noticed something interesting.
Darius wasn’t arrogant.
When someone asked a question, he answered patiently.
When he didn’t know something...
He simply admitted it.
That surprised John.
He had expected someone famous to behave differently.
---
Later that evening, as most people began returning to their rooms, John stepped down to the riverside.
The water flowed gently beneath the moonlight.
He sat on a smooth rock near the shore, enjoying the peaceful sound of the current.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Mind if I join you?"
John looked up.
It was Darius Voss.
For the first time...
The two historians stood face to face.
John smiled politely.
"Not at all."
Darius sat on a nearby rock, leaving a respectful distance between them.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Both simply listened to the flowing river.
Finally, Darius broke the silence.
"I’ve been meaning to introduce myself."
"I’m Darius."
John nodded.
"John."
"I know."
Darius replied with a faint smile.
"I’ve heard good things from Aldric."
John looked surprised.
"You know Master Aldric personally?"
"We’ve argued about history for nearly fifteen years."
He chuckled softly.
"We rarely agree."
"But I respect him."
John laughed.
"I can actually imagine that."
"So can I."
Darius looked toward the river.
"He speaks highly of you."
John felt slightly embarrassed.
"I’ve only been studying under him for a few days."
"Sometimes..."
Darius said thoughtfully.
"A few days are enough to recognize someone’s potential."
John remained silent.
There was no arrogance in Darius’s voice.
Only calm sincerity.
After another quiet moment, Darius stood.
"We’ll have plenty of time to talk during the journey."
He offered a small nod.
"Good night, John."
"Good night."
John watched him walk back toward the village.
His first impression was simple.
Darius Voss wasn’t the rival he had imagined.
He was simply another scholar following the same trail.
Far above them, unseen by anyone in Riverside, a lone raven circled beneath the moonlight before flying north.
Toward the distant silhouette of the Ashen Peaks.
The mountains were drawing closer with every passing mile.
And so was the truth buried beneath their ancient stone.
---
100 ps = 1 extra Chapter
200 ps = 2 Extra Chapter
1 Golden ticket = 3 Extra Chapter