Chapter 11: The Caravan from the South
The desert mist had yet to fully lift when a sudden scream shattered the stillness of morning. Panic spread among the people of Andora who had joined Hyunwoo's group. Some clutched makeshift weapons, while others huddled with their belongings, wide-eyed and trembling.
Black-scaled lizardmen stood surrounding them, cold reptilian eyes watching their every move.
Hyunwoo stepped forward slowly, trying to appear calm, though cold sweat trickled down his temple. Before he could speak, a piercing cry broke the tension.
"Uwaaaa!"
Everyone turned. A small girl—Lily, the orphan from Marath village Hyunwoo had brought along—was crying in fear. She crouched down, hugging her knees tightly, her body shaking.
Belinda quickly knelt beside her, embracing her gently. "It's alright, sweetie… I'm here. Belinda's right here."
The sound of the child's sobs softened the tension in the air. One of the lizardmen frowned, puzzled by the sight of a human child crying. Eventually, Krothar, their leader, lowered his spear.
"You're the one leading them?" Krothar asked in a deep voice.
"Yes. My name is Hyunwoo. We're not invaders. We're just looking for people who want to build a new future with us in Andora."
Krothar stared at him for a long moment, then gave a nod. "I am Krothar, head of the Blackscale clan. This is Rakkha, our tracker; Thog, the beast tamer; Selka, the healer; Groln, metalworker; and Vel, my younger brother, horse rider."
One by one, the lizardmen gave slight nods. There was curiosity in their eyes.
"We're not just hunters," Krothar continued. "We once lived in the far west. But our land was taken by humans from the Kingdom of Hrothgar. They enslaved us, forced us to work in mines. The ones who escaped… are standing here."
Silence followed.
"We want to live in peace," murmured Selka, a slim lizardwoman with a calm voice. "If Andora truly is a place of peace… we want to come with you."
Hyunwoo looked at each of them. "We can't promise luxury. But you'll be treated like family."
Krothar's gaze sharpened. "And you… you're not afraid to have us by your side?"
Taeyang gulped, then gave an awkward smile. "Honestly… yeah, a little. But if you're good at building carts and strong in a fight, I think… better you're with us than against us."
Groln, the craftsman, let out a low chuckle. "You're honest. That's good."
With that simple agreement, the lizardmen joined the cause.
Six horse-drawn wagons were built from salvaged wood and scrap metal. Large round wheels, strapped together with animal hide. Simple but sturdy. Two days later, Hyunwoo's caravan set off for home.
Inside one of the wagons, Lily slept with her head in Belinda's lap. Serene sat silently, jotting down the journey in her old journal. Taeyang rode next to Vel on the driver's seat.
"So… you once fought a giant crocodile?" Taeyang asked curiously.
"Two. At once. They nearly ate Thog."
"I love this story!" Taeyang exclaimed, forgetting his earlier fear.
In the back wagon, Claude was deep in conversation with Krothar.
"If Andora is ever attacked, will you help us?"
Krothar nodded. "As long as you don't betray us."
Along the way, the caravan was stopped by a group of bandits. But the moment the lizardmen stepped down, eyes sharp and weapons drawn, the bandits turned and fled in terror.
"Sometimes… reputation saves lives," Claude said coldly.
By evening, the sky tinged yellow as Andora's watchtower came into view.
"FINALLY!" Taeyang shouted from atop the wagon.
As the horse-drawn wagons passed through Andora's large wooden gates, the sun began to set, painting the sky with strokes of gold. In the distance, villagers gathered, curiosity growing at the strange procession approaching.
Arlain stood at the front, eyebrows raised at the sight of the towering scaled figures in the group. Beside him, Lurik gripped his axe, alert. Garren stepped forward, holding his breath before slowly walking toward them.
"Are those… lizardmen?" someone whispered from the crowd. The soft voice spread like wildfire.
"Hyunwoo brought back monsters?" shouted Marlen, a middle-aged loudmouth known for his exaggerations.
The crowd began to stir. Some backed away. Others whispered in panic. A young man tried to explain, but his voice was drowned out by the growing unrest.
Taeyang and Claude jumped down, trying to calm everyone, but tension continued to rise. Then Hyunwoo stepped down from the wagon with calm, deliberate steps. Behind him, Krothar and the lizardmen stood tall—silent, yet undeniably intimidating.
Hyunwoo bowed his head slightly, his voice firm but inclusive:
"ENOUGH!! They're not monsters. They're victims, just like us. They were conquered too. And all they want… is to live free."
The mood began to shift, just slightly. But doubt still lingered.
Belinda stepped forward, holding Lily, who waved toward the villagers. "If a child can see family in someone different… why do we adults only see threats?"
Claude added, "If we want to build a new civilization… it has to start with the courage to trust."
Some villagers began to soften, but silence still hung in the air.
Suddenly, from the northern gate, a commotion arose. Everyone turned. A guard ran into the crowd, panting heavily.
"Someone's coming… from the northern village!"
Tension spiked again. Footsteps echoed in the distance. Through the dust and golden rays of dusk, three familiar silhouettes emerged.
Yerin, her pink hair fluttering in the wind, walked with a gentle smile. Beside her was Wonho, carrying a large backpack and wearing a calm expression, and a third figure—cloaked and mysterious, a new face yet to be introduced.
The mood shifted instantly—relief, joy, and warmth.
Taeyang shouted, "Yerin! You're alive!"
Serene lowered her book, stunned. Belinda smiled brightly.
Hyunwoo just stood there for a moment, then gave a small smile.
Wonho walked closer, eyes meeting Hyunwoo's.
"Finally… you're back, my friend," he said flatly, but his smile was genuine.