"Got it." Tilan nodded, then skewered the lamb chops in front of herself and Ores, examining them curiously and sniffing them.

The smell was indeed a bit gamey, but still tolerable. After all, being able to eat meat here was an extreme luxury.

"An exquisite delicacy." Flan couldn't wait to skewer the roasted meat, clearly very much looking forward to it.

On the other side, Guy sat with Daggerstick, talking about recent events, occasionally shaking his head, as if reminded of something sad.

Tilan held a wooden stick and watched the lamb sizzle and grease up beside the flames. Although it was somewhat gamey, after sprinkling a bit of salt, the aroma made her appetite grow.

Indeed, the scent of grilled meat is a genetic preference. Beside her, Ores also grabbed a stick, imitating Tilan's continuous rotations, staring intently at the oily, golden-brown lamb chops.

Seeing that it was almost ready, Tilan placed the lamb chop on a stone slab, cut it with a small knife, and couldn't help but pick up a small piece to taste. The burning hot slice of meat, mixed with the greasiness of the lamb's fat and a few coarse grains of salt, had a particularly good taste.

The two slowly enjoyed their roast meat as the flames crackled. A few women in the settlement were also simmering some unknown beans in clay pots, sharing them with the children. Some kids looked on enviously as they ate the meat, but were pulled back by their mothers, who whispered admonitions and then bowed slightly in apology from afar.

After dinner, Tilan felt a bit drowsy, having traveled across the grasslands for two days without much rest.

At night, the people of the Lake Wind Settlement lent them two small tents for the night. Tilan and Ores slept on soft woolen mats, the most comfortable night's rest they'd had since arriving in this world.

Upon waking the next day, Tilan resolved to buy a soft, comfortable woolen mat; after all, sleeping on straw beds was too unpleasant.

In the morning, they gathered in the settlement's open space and shared breakfast with the people of Lake Wind Settlement, which was the same porridge made from the beans Tilan saw the previous night.

"Names for it vary by region. This bean is creamy inside, with a light purple skin. When dried, it becomes very hard and can be preserved for a long time." Flan ate with a spoonful of the soup.

"When I first arrived, I had it at a small outpost in the South. I didn't expect to find it here too," he commented while eating.

"It's quite filling, but in terms of nutrition, it doesn't offer much."

"Looks like you know quite a bit." The settlement leader, Daggerstick, approached, holding a steaming bowl of bean soup.

"How did you sleep last night?"

"Slept quite well. Thank you for your hospitality, Daggerstick." Guy replied politely, then introduced the remaining three to him.

"This is Flan, a traveler temporarily staying in our settlement, from the Southern Slami Association. These two are Hexia and Ores. They also come from distant places on their way to the big city."

"Oh, guests are they?" Daggerstick seemed slightly surprised.

"Yes, but they can be trusted. We've been through quite a lot together," Guy explained.

"Then they are our friends as well, haha." Daggerstick then asked where they planned to go next.

"You're seeking ancient relics and things from the past? Those are exceedingly rare." Upon listening to Flan's description, Daggerstick shook his head.

"A lot of technology and knowledge has been lost. Some treasures, once used, are gone forever. All the major powers are keen on collecting them; acquiring them isn't easy."

"You'd better head to Shilin Mountain Castle and speak with the scholars there. They even have a library you can borrow from, though the cost is quite expensive, but it allows them to earn quite a sum."

"As for the big city Miss Hexia mentioned, I've only been to Shilin Mountain Castle. Further north, there's said to be a large power, with mature forging techniques. Many of the weapons and tools on our land come from there."

"Thank you for the information." Although the news was vague, it at least gave her a rough direction.

Then they talked about the trade for this trip. Daggerstick remarked that they weren't short of clothing and fur, and if they insisted on exchanging, the price would be very low.

"This is a bit tricky. If we want to buy a low-legged draft horse and cart, we'd need to pay with goods, but clothing and packs are priced very low here." Guy rubbed his brow.

"We still have to trade, don't be reluctant," Flan quipped.

"I really don't want to push a cart again. You know I'm a guest, not a slave working for your settlement."

"Slaves, huh?" At this mention, Guy remembered something.

"This time, we really ought to buy a few slaves back to supplement our manpower."

"Slaves, huh?" The young woman knew the term, but coming from a civilized world, she still felt somewhat unfamiliar and repelled, having received equal education since childhood.

"Indeed, the settlement is short on hands right now. Though slaves are not very reliable, having some is better than none. If they perform well, gradually bringing them into the settlement as members isn't out of the question," Guy replied.

"Alright," she conceded, unable to persuade otherwise given the entirely different social setting.

"Haha, Miss Hexia must come from a wonderful and prosperous place. From your surprised look, you must dislike slavery," Flan teased.

"I do have some concerns."

"Actually, becoming a slave is considered a good ending for some people, Miss Hexia." He glanced at the herding people on the prairie.