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In the afternoon, the caravan set out on the dirt road leading to the Sunset Grasslands, everyone riding on horseback.

Porter and Zachary rode their horses at the very front of the line.

Several experienced, newly recruited adventurers guarded the carriages loaded with dry rations, drinking water, and essential supplies, riding alongside them.

Matthew and Aidan traveled at the very rear of the group—this was an arrangement Matthew had proactively suggested, on the grounds that bringing up the rear as an archer made it easier to keep watch.

In reality, he had not forgotten the potential dangers that might be lurking on the road ahead.

In the spring afternoon, the sunlight shone at an angle, stretching the shadows of the riders and their horses long. A gentle breeze swept across the wilderness, bringing the fresh scent of green grass and soil.

Matthew looked up to see the winding dirt road ahead, the wilderness on both sides growing increasingly open as it stretched all the way to the horizon.

He thought to himself, ‘I didn't expect that my first time leaving Anda Town would be to head straight for the county seat...’

Aidan rode his horse closer and asked with a hint of curiosity, “Brother Matthew, how long will it take us to reach the county seat?”

Matthew pondered for a moment, recalling Instructor Calm's teachings, and replied:

“We all have horses. If we push ourselves, we should be able to get there in about a month. If we take a safer, steadier pace, it'll probably take about a month and a half.”

He paused, looking up at the distant horizon:

“The main part of the journey involves crossing the Sunset Grasslands. Once we pass those grasslands, the road ahead will be much safer.”

According to Instructor Calm, the real danger in the Sunset Grasslands did not come from the terrain or wild beasts, but from the horse bandits who appeared unpredictably and moved like the wind.

Unlike the bandits at Mute Pass who held a single location and waited for caravans to pass, the horse bandits on the grasslands mostly rode horses and actively launched raids.

They roamed freely across the vast grasslands, making it incredibly easy for them to slaughter slow-moving, poorly guarded caravans.

Even if they ran into a tough target, because they had no fixed base, scattering and fleeing was exceptionally convenient.

Because of this, several large-scale horse bandit groups had gradually emerged in the Sunset Grasslands. Many of these fierce forces were led by Silver Rank Class holders, making the area fraught with danger.

Hearing this, Aidan nodded beside him, giving a half-understanding response.

Matthew seeing this said no more, while keenly sensing someone approaching from his flank and rear.

Turning his head, he found a young female archer with wheat-colored skin and heroic features—Sierra.

In terms of looks, she was not exceptionally beautiful, but her temperament was enough to add a touch of unique charm to her.

Matthew was not surprised to see her approach. He already knew Sierra was an archer, and he had been looking for an opportunity to exchange a few words with her.

With a slightly reproachful look on her face, Sierra lowered her voice and said:

“It's only been a few months since we last saw each other. Why are you acting like you don't know me?”

Matthew smiled and denied it in an equally low voice, “Of course not, Sierra.”

He paused, then continued to explain in a natural tone:

“It's just that my identity on this trip is somewhat special, and there are many people around, so I didn't take the initiative to greet you.”

In fact, when he first saw Sierra at the town entrance, Matthew had anticipated she would ask this, and what he said now was the explanation he had prepared beforehand.

At the same time, he also needed to find out if Sierra knew who they were traveling with, so he could find a way to warn her. Otherwise, if Sierra mentioned Brody in front of Regg, it would be disastrous.

However... after observing him over the past few days, Matthew had gradually seen that Regg was someone who valued practical interests.

Even if Regg noticed some clues, he probably wouldn't take Matthew's life because of it. Instead, he might use it as leverage to recruit him.

With these thoughts in mind, Matthew couldn't help but think to himself, ‘It seems strength is indeed the ultimate foundation for making a living.’

As he was thinking, Sierra's slightly puzzled voice came over:

“Special identity?”

“Yes, Young Master Regg is the Eldest Young Master of the Fiery Lion family.”

Matthew gestured slightly toward Regg ahead of them, his voice still kept very low.

“So there can't be any slip-ups on this escort mission. We must be especially careful with our words and actions to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“The Fiery Lion family... the Eldest Young Master?”

Although Sierra was somewhat prepared, she still let out a low gasp upon hearing this. After composing herself slightly,

She quickly reigned in her expression and nodded slowly, her tone becoming cautious and understanding:

“So that's how it is... No wonder you've been so... quiet along the way.”

She looked at Matthew, a silent understanding in her eyes:

“Don't worry, I know my boundaries. I know what to say and what not to say.”

Hearing the implication in her words, Matthew raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking to himself, ‘Indeed, no one who goes out adventuring is a fool, let alone someone selected by Porter from among the town's many adventurers...’

Remaining calm on the surface, he merely gave Sierra a slight nod, returning her tacit understanding. Then, steering the conversation, he asked as if in passing:

“What about you? Why did you decide to take this job? The road to the county seat isn't peaceful.”

Sierra's expression stiffened slightly, a fleeting look of complexity crossing her eyes. After a moment of silence, she said in a low voice, “I wanted to go to the county seat... to look for opportunities. Since this caravan was heading there, it just happened to be on the way.”

Matthew could see that she was holding something back, as if she had some unspoken difficulties. But since she was unwilling to speak openly,

He did not press further, simply nodding. After chatting with her casually for a few more moments, he fell silent.

Seeing this, Sierra tactfully did not linger. She lightly nudged her horse's flanks, riding back to her original position at the rear of the caravan.

Watching her receding figure, the faint worry in Matthew's heart finally eased.

Sierra's response was both swift and appropriate. This wordless understanding brought Matthew a rare sense of comfort on this unfamiliar journey.

With his mind at ease, Matthew stopped dwelling on the matter.

Raising his head, he cast his gaze once more over the vast scenery before him.

The early spring wilderness stretched endlessly before him, the wind brushing across the tips of the grass, creating rolling waves of green.

He calculated how he should spend the next month or so of travel.

Since he had chosen this escort path and left the fragile border village, he was unwilling to let time slip away in monotonous travel.

Having experienced the changes brought by physical enhancement, and the sense of fulfillment and control from a disciplined life, comfort was no longer a state he yearned for.

On the contrary, he found himself more inclined to keep progressing through training.

His thoughts settled here.

With withdrawing his gaze from the distance, his right hand naturally reached for the quiver hanging by the horse's flank, and an arrow appeared in his hand.

In the sky, several circling birds seemed to sense something, flapping their wings as if about to fly away.

Matthew's movements had reached the realm of perfection—raising the bow, nocking the arrow, drawing the string, all steps blending into one, as fluid as breathing.

Under his steady strength, the bowstring pulled back into a full, precise arc. The arrowhead glinted like a cold star in the sunlight, instantly locking onto the trajectory of one of the birds.

He did not deliberately aim; the moment the arrow on the string aligned with his gaze, it left his hand.

A faint sound of slicing through the air rang out, so brief it was almost swallowed by the wind and the clattering of hooves.

The arrow turned into an elusive, slender shadow, shooting straight into the sky.