Later that evening, Clive helped his mother with chores before heading into the village with his best friend, Eric. The streets of Lunadell were quiet, bathed in the warm glow of lanterns.


    Eric, a tall boy with brown hair and sharp eyes, smirked as he glanced at Clive. "You look pissed. What happened this time?"


    Clive sighed. "Argued with my father again."


    Eric chuckled. "Let me guess he told you to stop dreaming about the outside world?"


    "Something like that," Clive muttered.


    They walked in silence for a while before stopping in front of an old, worn-down shop at the edge of the village. Eric gave him a confused look.


    "Why are we here?"


    "You’ll see," Clive said.


    Inside, an elderly man sat behind the counter, polishing a glass orb. He looked up as they entered, nodding in recognition.


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    "You finally came for it, then?" the old man asked.


    Clive stepped forward and placed a small pouch on the counter. "Thirty silver coins, as agreed."


    The old man counted the coins before pulling out a rolled-up parchment and placing it in Clive’s hands.


    Eric peered over his shoulder. "A map?"


    Clive nodded, carefully unrolling it to reveal a detailed layout of the surrounding lands kingdoms, roads, mountains, and borders.


    Eric’s smirk faded. "Clive… what are you planning?"


    Clive didn’t answer immediately. He stared at the map, his fingers tracing the unknown lands beyond Lunadell.


    "I’m going to leave the village," he said.


    Eric sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’re really serious about this, huh?"


    Clive looked at him. "Yeah."


    Eric shook his head but smiled faintly. "Then I guess I better make sure you don’t get yourself killed."


    Clive chuckled. "I’d expect nothing less."


    Meanwhile, back at the Rosefield home, Gerald sat with his advisor, William, a sharp-eyed man who had served as his right hand for years.


    "Something’s not right," Gerald said, rubbing his chin. "Aron isn’t the type to visit without a reason. And that relic he gave me it’s probably enchanted."


    William nodded. "That, and his warning about the village attacks. It’s too much of a coincidence."


    Gerald exhaled. "We need to be ready. If Aron is right, then something dangerous is heading on our way."


    "And what about Clive?" William asked. "He won’t stay here forever, soon enough he''ll grow up to be a man and eventually leave.


    Gerald’s expression darkened. "I know."


    He stared at the flickering candlelight, not knowing that the peace of Lunadell wouldn’t last much long.