That night, the tired caravan group was able to find a good roof to sleep under. Most of the people fell into a deep slumber while some of them stayed awake to guard the unknown danger of the night.

The bandits were stripped of their weapons and held inside a wooden house while a few guards stood outside. There was still a chance that they may rise up and attacked the caravan group in the night but Siderius had already arranged for Kraus to look after this matter.

There were many things that Kraus couldn't do. But he exceled in keeping people in check.

Furthermore, what kind of idiot would try to escape under the eye of a witch. They all knew how cruel a witch could be. They wouldn't dare to attempt to escape.

The injured bandits were held in a different house to with much less guards. But they were restrained for the safety of the caravan group and themselves.

As for the caravan, they split themselves up. Some slept in the wooden houses. Some still set up tents to sleep outside.

Siderius, Ashe, Nadia, and Kraus weren't sleep yet. They gathered around the big campfire to have a big full meal together. Along with them were a few other people that helped them manage everything.

Kraus had Geolark and Billy.

Nadia used to have Alex. But now she had other people. A woman named Inira and Carsten, the boy that was once infected with the witch's terrible curse, the Gray Death.

They didn't have much time to eat since they had to make sure the bandits were arranged accordingly. They also had to command the people of the caravan to split the houses, prepare dinner, set up tents for those who didn't have a room, and many more.

Ashe let out a tired breath. "Midnight must have passed, already. We don't have much time to rest."

Siderius gave her a piece of fine roasted meat and patted her head. "Stay strong. You can sleep in coach tomorrow if you're too tired."

Ashe shook her head. "Don't worry, Master. I can do it."

"My lord. May I ask a few questions?" Kraus said.

"Go on."

"What are you going to do with the bandits, my lord?"

"Bring them to Santa Roberto first. There are many things that these man can be useful at. They can help rebuild the monastery. A lot of the structure was destroyed the last time I was there.

The dirt in Santa Roberto is also very fertile. It doesn't have any fields right now but it should be easy to grow some crops. These bandits would be great farmers for us.

The Rocky Pit and the Rose Springs are two very valuable quarry as well. They can mine there to pay for their crimes." Siderius said.

"So.. they will be a type of slave?" Kraus said.

Siderius nodded. "Precisely. But different from slaves, these 'prisoners' have a chance to redo their life and become a freeman again. If they serve their sentence with a good behavior, of course. For trouble one, they can keep rotting in prison."

The people around Siderius thought deeply. They had never thought about such a way to deal with criminal. It seemed... too forgiving.

"You are still that kind boy that I met, Snow." Carsten said.

Kraus and the others immediately shot their gazes at Carsten. He had gone out of line and addressed Siderius too casually.

Ashe also found it to be inappropriate. But she knew Carsten and was closer to him.

"Carsten! You can't speak to Master like that!" Ashe hissed.

Carsten scratched his head. They were friends for a while. Carsten knew Ashe before Siderius. But she seemed to be more protective of Siderius even more now.

They grew really close to each other. Carsten thought silently. To think that I was the first to know her.

"It's alright, Ashe." Siderius waved his hand.

He turned to Carsten and said, "I haven't really asked you how we met before. You recognized me. But I don't know you at all."

"Ah. About that. We met a few times, Sno... I mean my lord.

When you were still a child in the circus, I came there once. I was still a small little kid back then and I saw you. A frail boy with a face that was more pretty than any girl.

You tell me you were bored. Your late mother was busy with performance so you had nothing to do. I didn't like circus that much so I asked for my parent to go out and play in the field.

That's how we met. We play with each other for a long time. Until the sun fell and my parents had to take me away.

I came the day after. And the day after that."

"But you disappeared on the fourth day..." Siderius suddenly interrupted.

"You remember?" Carsten widened his eyes.

"I remember. You were... very different compared to back then. And you never told me your name either."

Carsten shared a bitter smile. "Yes... Many things happened. My parents passed away. Without no one to take care of me, I was sold to the mine.

Luckily, I met Nadia and her father, Boris. They treated me very well. The work there was unforgiving. But we miners managed."

"I see..."

Siderius' gaze lost its focus. Snow did remember Carsten. But he was much different then. He paler, more mischievous hidden between his eyebrows. The Carsten now still had that aspect of him inside but it was much more hidden now. He seemed more burden and tainted by the world, even though he always tried his best to stay positive.

"And how did you meet Ashe?" Siderius said.

"Oh. I saw her in the market. Lost as a lamp in the woods. She didn't what to do, where to go, and who to ask. She was scammed a few times actually by the merchants. I just couldn't let that continue, you know."

Ashe was embarrassed. She lowered head and avoided meeting anyone's gaze. She didn't want to remember the first few weeks in Mucktown. A lamp in the woods was a compliment. She basically a baby that didn't know how to survive without her nobility privileges.

Siderius nodded. "It is a pity."

"About what?" Carsten smiled.

"Everything. You are a good man, Carsten. Life dealt you a bad hand.

But now, you have met me. I will make a true man out of you, Carsten. A man full of potential and promises."

"What are you talking about, Snow?" Carsten said.

He addressed Siderius informally again. But this time, no one dared to interrupt. They already knew he had a connection with Siderius.

"You will see. In the future. But what important right now is to set the people up in Santa Roberto. I will also need to deal with whoever the Royal Court send."

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