Chapter 226

Chapter 226: Gufia Grassland (Part Two)

The two had not much luggage, making it quite easy for the horses carrying them. As they traveled north, Lolan Hill got to see various races of beastmen.

Most of their appearances were similar to humans, with some distinct animal features such as horns on their heads, ears, or tails.

These beastmen rode horses to herd sheep and cattle across the grasslands, constantly moving to new areas. Occasionally, one could hear their melancholic songs, which were short in tune, often just a few lines. The ancient melodies felt like the soaring of eagles, free and distant.

When night fell, Nia and Lolan would take down the packed tents from the horses, setting them up with soft carpets. They slept in a small tent about two meters in diameter.

Fortunately, the weather was neither too cold nor hot, so sleeping in the tent wasn’t too uncomfortable.

After crossing two rivers on the grassland, they continued northwest for two days and finally arrived at Nia’s hometown, the place where the Goat-Horned Tribe lived.

They trotted on horseback across the grassland, the bells around the horses’ necks ringing occasionally. The soft ground was kicked up by the hooves, stirring up grass and dirt. After crossing a low hill, the sound of hooves gradually slowed.

“Can you see that higher hill over there?” Nia pointed toward the distance.

As the sun set, red, orange, and purple hues painted the clouds, casting a warm golden light over the world. Smoke rose from the foot of the distant hills, and thousands of white sheep moved slowly across the grassland, with several shepherd dogs running around them, barking.

“Is this where Nia grew up?” Lolan Hill brushed back her wind-tangled hair and looked at this beautiful world. Two tiny figures gradually approached the large tents under the hill.

—

The tall tents were over five meters high, lit by huge candles they usually couldn’t afford to use. The scent of burning candles mingled with the smell of grass inside. Inside the ten-meter-diameter tent stood many people, mostly wearing fur coats. Years of hard work made their hands rough and their skin dark.

After arriving, many villagers came to see them, their eyes full of curiosity.

“How are things at Emanas?” An uncle eagerly asked.

“What Sequence are you at now?” Many also cared about this.

“How long will Nia stay?” A kind elder asked.

“Does Nia bring any good food back?” Several children surrounded Nia.

The not-so-big indoor space was crowded with about twenty villagers, all with curved goat horns. Some were bigger, some smaller. Standing close, their horns sometimes bumped lightly.

Everyone asked curious questions, and many secretly observed Lolan, the black-haired beauty standing beside Nia.

This black-haired girl had a gentle and exquisite appearance, with no obvious additional features. Could she be human? She seemed to be from the distant East.

Even though she hadn’t spoken, her beautiful face and figure already made many young men of the Goat-Horned Tribe feel infatuated.

Finally, a young man couldn’t resist his curiosity and desire, and asked.

“Nia, who is this person beside you?”

“This is my classmate, Lolan. She comes from Clancia.” Nia introduced to the villagers.

This ignited a pile of dry firewood; everyone’s curiosity couldn’t be suppressed anymore, and they started asking all kinds of questions. Seeing the scene getting out of control, Nia clapped her hands, and a red flame flashed in the air, separating everyone, then she led them out.

“Sorry, Lolan, let me apologize,” Nia felt ashamed. Most of her villagers were not well-mannered. If she and some elders hadn’t controlled the situation, someone might have said something inappropriate.

“It’s nothing.” Lolan shook her head. She wasn’t that petty, but she was a bit surprised.

Dinner was roasted meat paired with vegetables, and they drank the shepherds’ special yak milk tea.

Red charcoal burned in the fire basin. Nia brought a small iron grill, slicing lamb and roasting it. Then she sprinkled salt and other spices, releasing a fragrant aroma. When the meat turned yellow and oozed oil, she picked it up and placed it on a clean plate, letting it cool slightly before eating, to avoid burning her mouth.

Watching Nia focus on roasting meat, Lolan felt a bit strange.

Nia was a member of the Goat-Horned Tribe, roasting lamb, with yak milk tea nearby. Something didn’t seem right.

“Do you like lamb, Nia?” Finally, Lolan couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“Hmm, I do like it. Why?” Nia raised her head, looking at Lolan, quickly understanding the reason.

“Lolan must be thinking about something strange,” the firelight reflected on her face, smiling slightly before continuing.

“The Goat-Horned Tribe only has horns similar to sheep, but we have nothing to do with sheep.”

“If a common Wolf-Eared Beastman ate lamb, you’d probably find it normal.”

“Here.” Nia handed over the plate, already filled with several slices of roasted meat.

“Thanks.” Lolan took chopsticks and ate a bite.

Freshly roasted, still warm, the texture was excellent, slightly chewy with a mild spiciness.

Nia also put a slice in her mouth and slowly savored it.

After eating, she drank a cup of warm yak milk tea, washing away the greasy taste in her mouth. The fragrance of tea and milk spread in her mouth, warming her belly, making her feel very comfortable and a bit sleepy.

“Are you full?” After finishing the meat, Nia quietly asked.

“Almost.” Lolan’s appetite wasn’t big.

“That means you’re not full.” Nia stood up, ready to get more.

“No need, it’s quite late now.” Lolan thought it unnecessary to trouble her further. Besides, from their previous conversation, she knew even shepherds don’t eat meat every day.

“No, if you get thinner after going back, everyone will blame me.” Nia blinked and refused.

Then she pulled back the tent curtain and came back with another dish after a while.

She lifted the copper lid, revealing a square block like tofu, pale yellow in color. Nia cut it with a small knife, releasing a fragrant milky aroma.

“This is a high-quality cheese, filtered and cooked several times, very clean. Don’t worry, go ahead and eat it.”

Nia placed the small pieces of cheese in front of Lolan, explaining again to reassure her.

(End of Chapter 226)