Chapter 406 – Merchant Caravan

As noon approached, the desert sun continued scorching every inch of land. Waves of heat drifted slowly across the sandy ground, making distant dune silhouettes appear hazy under the blazing sunlight.

Pushing open the carriage door with the characteristic creak of aged wood, Ovakain stepped out of the vehicle.

Spread before the black dragon was a bustling caravan scene. This moderately-sized team appeared to be setting up camp, with strong merchants methodically unloading canvas tents from giant Bactrian camels. Five massive camels had been positioned upwind to block the sandstorms, while at the center of the campsite, a bonfire was already blazing vigorously.

“Young master, good afternoon!”

Just as Ovakain prepared to take his first steps, a clear female voice sounded beside him.

“Oh… oh, good afternoon.”

Since the black dragon currently lacked the ability for wide-range soul perception, the sudden appearance of this female voice caught Ovakain somewhat off guard.

Remembering the “identity” he should currently maintain, Ovakain immediately adopted the demeanor of a frail noble scion to respond. It must be said that Ovakain’s acting skills were far superior to Punk’s icy demeanor – his portrayal of a pampered young master was so flawless that even the most professional actors couldn’t find any fault.

However… his performance was destined to be in vain. Upon seeing the wheat-skinned girl beside him, Ovakain knew he didn’t need to pretend anymore.

Because—this wheat-skinned girl was the same one who had awakened Ovakain earlier, and most importantly, she was also a genuine professional.

Though the girl was merely a ninth-rank Apprentice-Level Stalker, as a professional, with Ovakain not concealing his soul level and their close proximity, it would be effortless for her to discern the true level of a Master-Level powerhouse.

“Such misfortune. It seems I can’t bluff my way through this. I should have properly solidified the ‘Soul Fluctuation Silence Technique’ on my necklace from the start…”

Gazing into the girl’s amethyst-bright eyes, Ovakain could only sigh inwardly.

He had initially considered that there might be professionals in this caravan—after all, no desert-crossing merchant team would operate without hiring one or two professionals as mercenaries. However, Ovakain’s plan had been to eat something, use Apprentice Rank hypnotic spells on a few ordinary merchants, then slip away quietly. Unfortunately, the black dragon never anticipated that the caravan would assign him to their hired professional’s care from the very beginning.

So… his identity had been exposed from the start. What should he do now?

Seeing the girl’s expression—completely devoid of fear but filled with pleasant surprise and curiosity—Ovakain felt the pain in his soul intensifying.Relying on his barely maintained Formal-Level strength to kill everyone in the entire merchant caravan? Then take the supplies and leave? Don’t be absurd—that would be Punk’s approach. Ovakain could never bring himself to do such a thing. In fact, the black dragon was now thinking of trading some worthless items with the caravan for food and water. After all, when it came to worthless trinkets, Ovakain, the “King of the Dragon Roar Kingdom,” had quite a few gifts from his ministers stored in his Storage Ring.

But just as the black dragon was about to wave his hand and produce a pile of exquisite silk, the beautiful girl nimbly placed a finger on Ovakain’s lips. Then, leaning in extremely close, she quickly whispered in a very soft voice:

“Don’t speak, and don’t take out any valuables. I haven’t told anyone your identity. For now, you can continue to act like a pampered young master. Listen quietly to me. First: Don’t give these merchants any valuables. They all work for a wealthy patron, and anything you give them will only bring them unnecessary trouble. Second: Don’t reveal your identity as a Master-Level professional. This desert is extremely unfriendly to anyone who has reached the Master-Level. I’ll explain your specific questions during the bonfire gathering. For now, please remain silent, alright, respected strong one?”

Hearing the girl’s earnest tone, Ovakain looked questioningly into her eyes. But now, without the ability to sense others’ thoughts, all he could see in her gaze was a hint of seriousness, along with determination and even a plea.

Without overthinking it, the decisive Ovakain gave a slight, serious nod and agreed to the girl’s suggestion. Although this “Raging Wave Sand Sea” desert bordered the Hoth Mountains, even Ovakain knew very little about it. No matter the era, the most barren regions of the Faerûn Plane were always shrouded in a layer of mystery. Such mystery might effectively hinder pursuers, but it was equally unkind to fugitives.

Seeing Ovakain agree so quickly to her proposal, the girl seemed to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

“Phew, that’s great. Though what I said might sound a bit alarming, you don’t need to worry for now. Giant Peak Camels can travel tirelessly without rest, but they need a full day’s sleep after every five or six days of travel. So, the caravan will rest here for a full day. I’ll explain many things to you tonight. Until then, just enjoy the desert’s unique delicacies. Oh, by the way, my name is Aisha. As a special privilege, you can call me Little Ai.”

After speaking quickly, the girl who called herself Aisha slipped away from Ovakain’s side as gracefully as a nimble cat. However, both her arrival and departure seemed somewhat hurried, leaving Ovakain no time to say much more.

“An interesting girl.”

Watching Aisha run off to help the merchants gather firewood, Ovakain raised an eyebrow playfully and offered his assessment. Encountering such a wild and beautiful girl in the midst of a tense escape actually made Ovakain feel a slight sense of relief in his heart.

But soon, the black dragon’s mood could no longer remain light.Standing beside the carriage with a relatively open view, Ovakain noticed several merchants gathered together to rest. However, these seemingly exhausted merchants weren’t chatting or joking as he had expected. Instead, the thin, frail individuals each took out small black statues and began praying. Five or six grotesquely shaped statues were clutched in their hands with desperate force, and sinister expressions slowly crept across their faces.

“A Cult?”

Witnessing this scene, Ovakain’s expression immediately turned grave.

“Sigh, I really don’t know if choosing this Desert to flee was right or wrong. If there truly is a Cult, Punk’s pursuit might face significant obstacles, but… the difficulty of hiding myself has also increased dramatically.”

Feeling the barely improved weakness in his soul, Ovakain couldn’t help but harbor some ominous premonitions.

But things had already come to this point, and in his current state, there was little room for reversal.

“Let’s eat something first. At least I can still listen to what that girl has to say. As for the rest… I’m afraid I can only count on the old man’s protection.”

(End of Chapter)