Tempted by the allure of silver coins, Socduo quickly gathered ten or so careful and bold young men. With only some simple equipment, they headed in the direction of the rising smoke.
As the smoke drew closer, a young guard couldn't help but mutter.
"How long are they going to cook…? It's been over an hour, and the smoke hasn't dissipated."
As soon as his voice dropped, another guard beside him casually replied.
"Maybe it's not cooking. I remember iron smelting furnaces producing quite a lot of smoke too."
Whispers spread throughout the team.
"Isn't that smoke a bit too much?"
"Maybe there are many people over there?"
Socduo didn't participate in the guards' chatter, but he heard every word.
Regardless, thick smoke always meant a good sign—it indicated the presence of civilized people ahead.
The group pressed on, and soon, towering barricade walls loomed before them.
