Chapter 483

Chapter 483 Awakening

A few days later, Jena arrived at a city on the border of Blackrock. This city led to the Red Gravel City in the southern region of Clancia.

But after entering the city, she was quickly surrounded by a group of mercenaries who surged forward with pikes, creating a forest of spears that hemmed her in on all sides in the narrow streets.

Seeing no other choice, she had to use some overburdened skills to break free from the city, but she sustained severe injuries in the process.

“This is bad.”

On the mountain path, Jena lay slumped on her horse. One of her arms seemed to be fractured, hanging limply. She tried to move it, but the pain stopped her.

As she rummaged through her pack for potions, she heard hurried hoofbeats from behind, like the jingling of a death knell.

She struggled to stand, whipped her horse, and fled towards the border.

After turning a corner, she jumped off her horse and dived into the forest, letting the horse continue along the mountain path to draw the pursuers away while she slipped away in another direction under the cover of the trees.

The mountain road was rugged, covered with fallen leaves, and sometimes hidden stones. Only stepping on them revealed their presence. Jena stumbled through the hills and forest for seven or eight miles before night fell.

Tall trees with lush branches blocked out the moonlight. During the day, there was still some sunlight filtering through the canopy, but at night, everything was pitch black.

Unable to see, she tripped and rolled down the hillside. Her body collided with tree trunks, causing unbearable pain, and she kept tumbling. Pain filled her mind until finally, her head hit a tree trunk, and she lost consciousness.

It felt like ages passed before Jena slowly regained awareness.

Strange tent ceiling.

Where am I? Who am I? She turned her head, puzzled, surveying her surroundings.

She remembered. She was Jena, a resident of the Blackrock Duchy and a second-year student at Emanas. On her way back to school, she had a conflict with the Halberd faction and was chased to the border, where she fell down the hillside.

This was a tent, sparsely furnished, seemingly hastily erected. Outside, she could hear several people talking.

Jena tried to move, but found her arm already bandaged and her wound treated. The method looked like it was done by a herbalist, not a cleric or extraordinary potion.

Of course, in the wilderness, how could there be clerics or precious extraordinary potions?

It seems I was saved. I must thank them properly, but I need to leave soon. If the pursuers arrive, they might get involved.

She tried to get up again but failed. She called out, “Hello, is anyone here?”

Her voice was soft, unaccustomed, and tinged with unease.

Soon, the tent flap was pulled aside, and a girl around her age entered. This girl had light brown skin and wore woven linen clothes, with long braids framing her face.

“Hello, are you awake?”

“Hello, where am I?” Jena looked at the unfamiliar girl.

“We are the Lake Trade Caravan. We found you by the roadside in the mountains. You were lucky; if we had arrived two days later, you might have been eaten by a big wolf.” The girl made a gesture beside her face, showing a humorous expression.

“Thank you,” Jena said gratefully.

“Do you want something to eat? You’ve been asleep for almost two days.”

Only then did Jena realize how hungry she was. She nodded.

“Alright, wait a moment.”

“Mm.”

As the girl was about to leave the tent, Jena asked, “What’s your name? I’m Jena.”

“Just call me Sophie,” the girl replied, smiling at Jena before exiting the tent.

Sophie? Jena remembered the name, lifting her slightly healed right hand to examine the bandage, which had a small bow at the end, clearly the work of a girl.

Not long after, the tent flap opened again.

“There’s still some porridge left from this morning. It’s just warm. Soft food would be better for you since you just woke up.”

Sophie re-entered the tent, holding a pottery jar.

She placed the jar aside, helped Jena sit up, and then placed the jar in front of her.

“Eat directly from it. There’s a spoon inside. Finish it all so I can wash the jar easily,” she said, sitting beside Jena and steadying the jar.

Jena looked at the reddish-brown pottery jar containing porridge with white and pale yellow grains, floating with bits of vegetable leaves, and a wooden-handled long spoon beside it.

She picked up the spoon, scooped some porridge, and put it in her mouth. The grains were soft and slightly sweet, not unpleasant.

“Is it good?” Sophie asked, her dark eyes watching Jena.

“It’s good, seems a bit sweet?” Jena asked curiously, sugar wasn’t cheap.

“Yes, I added some extra sugar. It makes the taste much better.”

“Oh, don’t look like that. Actually, our caravan isn’t very wealthy, but recently we met a kind young lady who gave us a lot of sugar and sweets for free. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do something so luxurious.”

“Auntie once told me that injured and sick people are more sensitive and afraid of being abandoned, so we should be extra careful and kind.”

While Jena ate, Sophie shared some small stories about the caravan, easing the awkwardness and making Jena feel a unique warmth and care.

Unconsciously, half the jar was empty, the spoon scraping the bottom, unable to scoop any more. Jena realized and put it down, feeling slightly embarrassed looking at Sophie.

“Very good, you ate it all clean. Not wasting food is best.”

Sophie took the jar and placed it aside.

“If you’re not full yet, you’ll have to wait until lunchtime.”

“How’s your leg? If you can, I’ll help you go outside and sit in the sun. Staying indoors too long can be uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay, I want to go out and see.”

Jena nodded.

When someone was injured and couldn’t move, staying indoors for long could create a sense of loss and panic. This was something her teacher had casually mentioned, but she hadn’t paid much attention. Now, it seemed true.

“Okay, let me know if anything feels wrong.”

Sophie helped Jena stand up slowly from the mat and moved towards the tent entrance.

Though both were young girls, Sophie seemed particularly healthy and strong, supporting Jena steadily, giving her a sense of security and relaxation.

Outside the tent, they were in a small mountain village. Smoke rose from a few homes on the distant hillside, the fields between the mountains were lush and green, birds chirped, and a few youths were playing with goats, their laughter echoing happily.

The sun emerged from behind the mountain, its golden rays warming the neatly arranged fields, reflecting vibrant colors.

(End of Chapter)