Chapters 355–358
The Blue Frost Empire, as the name suggests, is a vast northern land dominated by ice and snow. Roughly half of its territory lies in the frigid north, where only a few hardy plants can grow. In this magical world, these plants possess extraordinary resistance to heat, cold, and drought, unlike anything found in the ordinary realm. However, the people living closer to the far north must either buy food from the south or trade their prey for sustenance.
For the inhabitants of the far north, food is a luxury that only the most skilled can afford. Although meat is plentiful, consuming it daily can grow tiresome, especially given the scarcity of edible salt in these regions. Despite the challenging conditions, the people here have endured for thousands of years. Ordinary folks and Professionals near the far north lack the ambition to migrate south, preferring to hunt orcs and serve in the army.
After all, in the eyes of the northern men, they can live a lifetime this way, whereas those who venture south will live only for a few decades, and those few decades will likely be filled with suffering.
Many Professionals who return to the north after experiencing the softer southern climate often complain about the harsh conditions. Yet, this is the way of life here, governed by its own set of rules. Rules that dominate every aspect of daily life, particularly in the larger cities.
And so, they endure, day after day, where every action they take adheres to the rule, just as it has been for generations.
Upon arriving in The Blue Frost Empire with Caesar Jack, the Dawn City party bid their farewells and promptly made their way to the northernmost edge of the empire, Glacier Kingdom.
Here, the portal was the closest to the far north, and as they emerged from it, they were greeted by two towering soldiers huddled around a brazier to fend off the bitter cold. But they weren't simply warming themselves; they had sweet potatoes, rabbits, and pheasants skewered on their swords, emitting a tantalizing aroma.
However, they paid little mind to the onlookers, as rules were scarce in this realm. Instead, they cast curious glances at the attire of William and his companions. Even with fur gloves, the fact that they were using flames to stay warm attested to the extreme cold of the area.
William ignored their curious gazes and pushed open a heavy door, allowing the frigid air to sweep in, instantly dropping the temperature by dozens of degrees. Snowflakes as light as goose feathers filled the air, obscuring visibility, and dark clouds loomed overhead. It seemed they had arrived amidst a snowstorm.
William and Annie, having seen their fair share of snow, remained unperturbed. But Burned Cinder, Legolas, and Old Leather couldn't help but marvel at the white flurry, wondering if they could eat these marshmallow-like snowflakes.
"Close the door and start a fire, brothers," the guard instructed in a friendly tone, well aware of the newcomers' discomfort. After all, it was rare for anyone to venture this far north through the portal.
The group remained silent, awaiting William's lead. With a chuckle, he tossed five Gold Coins to the guard, whose eyes sparkled with appreciation as he bit into one. He couldn't discern the origin of these coins but was content with their gold value.
Not forgetting the young soldiers at his side, the guard handed two Gold Coins to the younger one, advising, "Don't squander it on the brothels. The women there may talk of love, but it's all a ruse to part you from your money. Once they've collected enough, they'll migrate south, find honest men, and live a comfortable life. Meanwhile, you'll remain here to endure."
The young soldier received the Gold Coin without a word and continued roasting the rabbit, his frustration evident. The members of Dawn City observed in silence, understanding that their mission required discretion and restraint. Every piece of information, every conversation, and every observation was carefully noted, to be discussed in privacy later.
The middle-aged guard's advice didn't elicit any reaction from them. They would carry out their mission with utmost care and discernment. Discretion was their ally.
With a friendly nod to William, the middle-aged guard remarked, "You seem quite familiar with the Glacier Kingdom."
"Yes, could you serve as our guide?" William inquired with a smile.
"No problem at all. Few people come through the Glacier Kingdom's portal. My nephew can accompany you. If the noble master requires my guidance, it would be my pleasure," the guard replied.
"You needn't address me as 'noble master.' Just call me William. What's your name?"
The bearded guard grinned and shared three simple words: "I am Olaf."
William nodded, the exchange laden with meaning. "Let's proceed. First, we'll purchase warm clothing. We can discuss further matters later."
"Of course. Apart from other things, I am well-acquainted with the trading shops and chambers of commerce in Glacier, Capital City. I guarantee I can lead you to the most affordable shops with the finest quality items," Olaf declared, tapping the two axes at his side confidently.
However, William had other plans. As he pushed open the door once more, he looked out at the snowstorm and shook his head. "No, we won't settle for the best; we'll settle for the most expensive."
Olaf's grip on his axes slackened as he realized that the world of the wealthy was beyond his comprehension.
In truth, William and his companions maintained certain disguises. The unicorn's horn remained concealed, and Annie concealed her identity as a Moonlight Elf. However, William was nonchalant about revealing his Half-Elf heritage, as full-blooded Elves were a rarity in these northern lands. Even though he possessed striking features, he was often
mistaken for a Half-Elf.
Indeed, he was a Half-Elf.
As they stepped out of the portal's warmth, the biting cold and heavy snow immediately caused Burned Cinder, Old Leather, and Legolas to shiver. Grandmaster Level Professionals could withstand temperatures as low as –30 degrees with ease by activating their Battle Energy shields, rendering the cold negligible. However, William, wearing just a few layers of clothing, chose not to activate the shield, leaving his three companions to brave the cold.
Olaf noticed their discomfort and whispered to William, "Something's amiss with your servants. It's freezing, and yet they refuse to activate their Battle Energy shields. Are they unaware of the option?"
The three of them exchanged glances, their faces filled with a mixture of shock and resignation. They observed several Professionals in the street, all dressed in similar, albeit indifferent, attire, braving the elements with Battle Energy shields. A sudden desire to give up overwhelmed them.
However, what truly intrigued them was a burning question: Why wasn't William affected by the cold? Was William immune to it as well?
The answer was, of course, no. Even King Kong, with his extraordinary endurance, would feel extremely cold in temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees. The current weather was undoubtedly chilly.
In the far north, wearing thick clothing was not just practical; it was a matter of survival. William and the others soon stumbled upon a shop filled with leather clothes. Ten minutes later, they emerged, each sporting a new ensemble.
William and Anne donned elegant snow-white fox fur coats. Burned Cinder chose a dark bear Beast coat. Diablo opted for a leather coat, one that allowed for easy movement without hindering his archery skills. As for Old Leather, the flamboyant fox-like character selected a coat with a bear's head on it, giving him the appearance of a polar bear from a distance. Olaf also exchanged his attire for a new set of fur clothing.
But as they gazed ahead at the five men, Olaf couldn't help but wear a puzzled expression. It wasn't right.
This was on a whole new level.
Tanima had money to spare, casually throwing out more than 60000 Gold Coins as if it were nothing. It was almost incomprehensible.
With this kind of wealth, he could easily afford to marry three daughters-in-law just based on the value of these outfits. The Glacier Kingdom was known for its small population and sluggish economy, even among the aristocracy. What advantages did they have, except for their fearless soldiers and an abundance of single women?
Yes, that's why this old bachelor had entertained the thought of getting married!
"Lord William, where are we headed next?" inquired one of their companions.
"To the north," William replied matter-of-factly.
"What? You're not afraid of snowstorms, even as a high-level Professional?" The question was met with a teasing tone.
William smirked. "Of course not. I'll lead the way."