Joined the Merchant Caravan
From the hill, they could see the merchant caravan in the distance.
The wagons moved along the road like a long snake, twisting and turning.
It looked like a line of ants.
But it didn’t move as one unit.
It wasn’t like a military formation under someone’s command.
Looking closer, the merchants’ wagons were grouped in small clusters—two or three, or sometimes five or six together.
Behind them were several carts.
Some were small and poor like Red Sword’s, carrying only a few items.
Others were loaded with large sacks.
Those carts probably carried food and travel supplies.
Around the wagons and carts, men moved at different speeds.
Some rode horses, but most walked.
They were probably adventurers.
Their clothes were all different—but somehow felt similar.
As Juhwan’s group came down the hill, the guards of the caravan looked at them cautiously.
One man stepped out and approached Juhwan’s wagon.
“What brings you here?”
He didn’t ask Red Sword.
He asked Juhwan.
Even here, the difference between men and women was obvious.
Juhwan gave a bitter smile and answered:
“We came from the Adventurers’ Guild. We’re looking for the Miller Trading Company.”
“Ah.”
The man looked Juhwan up and down.
“I heard about you. You’re the healing mage?”
“Yes.”
“You just look like a normal adventurer. Show me your guild necklace first.”
Juhwan showed it.
The man checked the number “3,” then pointed ahead.
“Go straight. You’ll see the largest group—that’s Miller Trading Company.”
“Thank you.”
The man glanced at the axe near the driver’s seat and spoke again.
“I heard that while each guard works for their own employer, the healing mage will provide magic to everyone. Is that correct?”
“Yes. That’s what I was told. I’ll be paid separately per use.”
The man looked relieved.
“That’s good.”
“Is something wrong?”
Juhwan asked.
The man frowned.
“It’s not confirmed yet, but it seems bandits might be following us.”
He looked toward the caravan.
“There are many merchants here carrying expensive goods.”
Someone signaled him from afar.
He nodded and turned back.
“It should be fine. Just rumors. The owner of Miller Trading Company is here personally. That’s probably why they hired a healing mage. Other merchants just joined in.”
Then he returned to his position.
Jessie from Red Sword muttered:
“So that’s why they suddenly called for a healing mage.”
Karin, sitting at the front, spoke:
“If the guild didn’t mention it, it’s probably just a rumor. If it were confirmed, they would’ve told us.”
She looked at Juhwan.
“We’re escorts. If bandits come, we fight. But you are a healing mage. Don’t fight unless it’s to protect yourself.”
“Save your mana and be ready to heal immediately.”
“I understand.”
Karin nodded and moved the reins.
“Let’s go.”
All the Red Sword members looked tense.
Their atmosphere had changed.
Their relaxed posture was gone.
They stood straighter, spoke more stiffly, and even their expressions hardened.
It was like they were wearing invisible armor.
Maybe that tension spread—
because Lizzy also looked nervous inside the wagon.
She stayed close to the opening and quietly watched the caravan.
Juhwan moved his wagon alongside the caravan.
As Red Sword passed by—
whistles sounded.
Some men shouted crude things.
Even without understanding the words, it was clear what they meant.
Red Sword ignored them, staring straight ahead.
“Ah…”
Juhwan muttered quietly.
So this is how they live.
Now he understood why they had acted harshly before.
Anyone would change after living like this for years.
Juhwan looked at the men around.
Some seemed to know he was a healing mage.
A few smiled and greeted him casually.
“Someone who is kind to me might be someone others want to kill.”
He lightly raised his hand and greeted back.
But thinking of Lizzy and Dorothy made his chest feel heavy.
They soon found the Miller Trading Company.
It was much larger than the others.
Almost ten wagons.
Many carts followed behind.
The guards looked more disciplined and experienced.
Near the wagons, a man sat on horseback.
His presence stood out.
Juhwan looked at him.
His clothes were high-quality.
His shoes too.
He looked over fifty—but not weak.
His body was strong, only his face showed age.
For some reason—
he reminded Juhwan of Gurs.
The man noticed him and approached.
“You are the healing mage?”
His voice sounded refined.
Juhwan slightly bowed.
“Yes. I’m Juhwan. My wife and daughter are in the wagon.”
“I’ve heard. I’m the owner of Miller Trading Company. Call me Leonard.”
Leonard looked at him carefully.
“You look more like a mercenary than a healing mage.”
He smiled slightly and glanced at Red Sword.
“I hope your skills match your pay. We’re about to rest. Come meet the others.”
A middle-aged man approached.
“I’m Gordon. I’m in charge of this escort. If anything happens, tell me.”
He explained further.
This caravan wasn’t one unified group.
Each merchant had their own guards.
They traveled together for safety.
“When the group gets bigger, the chance of attack drops sharply.”
So small caravans grow into large ones over time.
Gordon assigned Juhwan’s position.
“When you’re not working, stay in your wagon.”
Red Sword’s cart was placed at the very end.
A long horn sound echoed.
Then more horns answered.
It was a signal.
The caravan stopped.
It was mealtime.
Servants started preparing fires.
Usually, meals were at fixed times—
but now they were changing schedules.
“If your routine is predictable, it’s easier to attack.”
One guard kept watch.
Others sat around the fire.
Lizzy and Dorothy came out of the wagon.
As always, Oz sat on Dorothy’s head.
They all sat in a circle and introduced themselves briefly.
Not all guards were adventurers.
Some belonged to the trading company.
Most adventurers here had high ranks.
Juhwan was Rank 3 with Rank 2 pay.
There was also a mage party—two men.
One used wind magic, the other fire.
Juhwan also used fire magic.
He became a little interested.
They looked refined—not muscular.
But their attitude seemed arrogant.
Like they looked down on others.
Juhwan looked at Red Sword.
They had been silent the whole time.
Marie’s face was pale.
The others didn’t look well either.
“What’s wrong?”
He asked.
“It’s nothing.”
They replied.
Food was ready.
Servants handed out stew.
Bread and meat followed.
“It may be simple, but it tastes good. Eat as much as you want.”
Leonard sat next to Juhwan and ate.
People began chatting.
Dorothy took a bite.
Her eyes sparkled.
“It’s delicious!”
She ate meat happily—
and secretly fed Oz on her head.
Juhwan smiled slightly.
Lizzy noticed and smiled too.
Leonard used to be a magical beast hunter.
Few people knew—
but he could use a little wind magic.
Not powerful.
Just enough to make arrows fly faster.
“Magic alone doesn’t make a hunter.”
Skill mattered more.
He became the owner of Miller Trading Company because—
he married the previous owner’s daughter.
The company dealt in fur.
Animals at first—
then magical beasts.
His father-in-law arranged the marriage quickly.
“Marriage is the easiest way to make someone your ally.”
The decision was right.
Leonard grew the company rapidly.
Now it had branches across the country and even exported goods.
Recently, fur prices had risen sharply.
This journey was transporting high-value furs.
Even one wagon carried immense value.
That’s why security was strong.
Rumors of attacks were common.
But this time—
they sounded worse.
So they hired a healing mage.
The guild master had also asked Leonard to examine a magical beast.
That was unexpected—
but he trusted him.
“If it’s that man, he wouldn’t send someone useless.”
Still—
Leonard looked at the creature sitting calmly on the child’s head.
“But this…”
For a moment—
he couldn’t believe his eyes