Chapter 359
The storm had transformed the sky into an endless sea of snow. The city was enveloped in a silvery white veil, with no trace of sunlight. Were it not for the tall buildings that provided some shelter from the wind, the streets would have been completely devoid of Professionals.
William gazed into the distance and confirmed that the phrase "silver and plain" was an apt description. The entire city lay buried beneath a thick blanket of ice and snow. It seemed that apart from the chimneys, very few households were still inhabited.
But this wasn't surprising. The Glacier Kingdom's capital had a relatively small population, barely exceeding half a million. Most of the inhabitants preferred a free life outside the city, engaging in activities such as hunting, whether it was ordinary animals or dangerous Beast. If all else failed, they would hunt orcs to exchange for food.
In this extreme cold, people who didn't have indoor work stayed home, indulging in drink and warmth. Wine was more coveted than grain in the far north and fetched a higher price. Even in the harshest conditions, people willingly parted with their Gold Coins to obtain it.
The men of the north complained all day long but still couldn't resist the allure of wine vendors' offerings. They were reluctant to resort to robbery, fearing that it might scare away foreign merchants. Without traders, there would be no more wine.
Thus, wine made from grain was not just a luxury; it was a lifeline for those in the far north. You could go without food, but you couldn't go without wine. Even if they starved, they needed to be drunk when they met their end.
If only they weren't so far from here, William thought, he'd open a portal and sell wine in this city.
But it was too cold, unbearably so. Depriving oneself of a source of warmth like wine was unthinkable.
Yet, despite the bitter cold and fierce snowstorm, six individuals and a horse pressed on northward.
The temperature was a bone-chilling 50 degrees below zero. The wind was relentless, and an ordinary person would have been swept away like a feather, experiencing the sensation of flying.
William felt the cold too, but feeling it didn't mean their physical resilience couldn't withstand it. Not to mention the unicorn; their five masters, along with Olaf, a local high-level warrior, were more than capable of facing this snowstorm head-on.
Still, they continued further and further north, venturing into increasingly desolate territory. Olaf was beginning to feel a bit apprehensive.
Then he reminded himself, what was there to be afraid of? Could those five masters possibly pose a threat to him?
He had four Gold Coins in his pocket, and the new coats had been purchased along the way. What else could he worry about?
So they journeyed northward, battling the biting cold and relentless snowstorm, from noon until nightfall. Finally, they spotted a small town on the horizon.
The steel gates stood wide open, devoid of guards or sentinels. It was as though the town had been abandoned, a ghostly, eerie place.
However, the Glacier Kingdom's walls were solid and thick. Soldiers could find warmth within and secretly observe the outside. The absence of gate guards suggested that there was no immediate danger.
The streets were empty as well, as most civilians had taken refuge in their homes, where countless chimneys released plumes of black smoke. Observing the darkening sky, Olaf couldn't help but remark, "This is the northernmost town in the Glacier Kingdom. Whether we continue north or not, we should stay here for the night. The temperature drops sharply after dark, and I have a feeling the snowstorm will worsen."
William patted the snow off his fur and nodded in agreement. "Agreed. What lies farther north?"
Olaf began to explain, "The Northern Duchy is the last territory before reaching the Grand Duchy in the north. It serves as the first line of defense against the Orc Empire. The Blue Frost Empire, Glacier Kingdom, and Snow Kingdom all maintain a substantial presence here to repel orc harassment and attacks."
Since William had inquired, it was evident that they intended to head to the Northern Duchy. As for their specific mission, Olaf had no knowledge of it.
However, Olaf had great confidence in the Northern Duchy's defensive capabilities. He didn't harbor any concerns about William and his group causing trouble. Rather, he suspected they were eager to witness a large-scale Orc army.
Hundreds of years ago, there had been no Northern Duchy north of the Glacier Kingdom. Instead, that region was governed by a Duke from The Blue Frost Empire. This Legendary powerhouse had led thousands of troops to explore east and west, rapidly expanding The Blue Frost Empire's territory by defeating hundreds of thousands of orcs.
As a reward, The Blue Frost Empire granted him that territory and bestowed upon him the title of Lord of the Northern Duchy. To protect against orc counterattacks, The Blue Frost Empire dispatched legions, while the two allied kingdoms sent additional troops. Mercenaries and hunters also congregated there.
Over 200000 troops stood ready, forming
the first line of defense against the Orc Empire. Among them were renowned warriors.
William had read about this in books from the library. In his previous world, however, the Northern Duchy had vanished. More than two million people, including soldiers and civilians, succumbed to a deadly curse that spread rapidly, leaving no time for a response. Even Legendary mages sent by The Blue Frost Empire arrived too late, finding only a group of dying Professionals.
As William contemplated this, he said to himself, "If my calculations are correct, the curse should erupt again in about a month."
"Finding the source of the curse a month in advance might not be enough to prevent the crisis," he continued. His visit was not for The Blue Frost Empire's reward; they wouldn't provide one without knowing the curse's severity. Rather, he was there for the rewards of the system tasks.
However, if he couldn't locate the source of the curse within the next 20 days, he was resolved to leave. Making waves was one thing, but he wouldn't risk his life here. The Professionals who had perished from the curse included both great masters and Epic Level heroes, a testament to its formidable power.
William added, "This curse is different from the Curse of the Doom Goddess; it's a fatal curse. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to make waves."
The group soon found lodging for the night. In the far north, even small towns provided a comfortable place to stay, and first-class rooms ensured warmth. The unicorn attempted to follow Annie into the hotel but was instead led to the stable by the tavern owner. Fortunately, the stable had a stove.
Annie glanced anxiously at the unicorn but soon forgot about it when William called her.
Shortly after, the hotel owner returned from outside, brushing snowflakes off his body. Shivering, he said, "That horse is incredibly strong. I almost couldn't handle it. It must be a Beast, quite extraordinary! However, there are six of you, and we only have five first-class rooms. You'll have to double up."
"Five rooms are sufficient," William replied.
"That's fine. We have five superior rooms available. They are cozy and well-insulated, with ample wood supplies. The stables, equipped with their own stove, are also available. Two Gold Coins from each of you adults should cover it."
"Five Gold Coins, and please provide the finest food your establishment offers. Do you have any Beast meat?" William suddenly inquired.
"Yes, indeed, sir. Please wait a moment, and we will ensure that you receive the best food and drinks," replied the middle-aged innkeeper as he gladly accepted the Gold Coins. He promptly called his wife to prepare the meal and drinks.
Olaf, looking at the innkeeper as he walked away, couldn't help but comment, "There's no way the food and wine in this small, run-down city are worth five Gold Coins, even Beast meat is quite affordable."
William chuckled, "It's just for appearances. No need to pay too much attention to it. As long as you serve as my guide for 30 days, I'll reward you with 10 magic crystals. What do you say?"
Olaf was taken aback, "What are magic crystals?"
Just as William was about to negotiate further, Olaf shook his head and countered, "Keep those magic crystals for yourself. Give me 1000 Gold Coins, not for 30 days, but for three years…"
Burned Cinder, Legolas, and Old Leather couldn't help but raise their eyebrows. "You're quite the bargainer. Aren't you interested in the more valuable magic crystals? 1000 Gold Coins would only last a few years."
Olaf, unaware of the true value of magic crystals, sighed and said, "Magic crystals are great, but in this wretched place, Gold Coins are the most practical currency. I wouldn't sell magic crystals if I had them, but how am I supposed to sustain myself with just 10 magic crystals?"
William considered his offer and said, "Very well, we can discuss this further later."
With the business settled, Olaf inquired, "So, how should we allocate the rooms?"
At that moment, several figures quickly moved, and Burned Cinder, Legolas, and Old Leather each chose one of the superior rooms.
Olaf glanced at Annie, who was admiring the room's interior, then back at William and proposed, "Why don't you stay in my room, sir?"
William's clenched fist showed his frustration.
Olaf nodded and turned away.
Then, the prince suggested, "There's only one room left. We'll have to share it."
Annie, behaving like a playful penguin, pushed his hand away, turned her head, and teasingly asked, "I sense some ulterior motives in you."
William feigned innocence, "Absolutely none."
Annie continued, "Well, you can't sleep in the bed."
William remained stoic. "You won't let me sleep in such cold weather?"
Annie laughed, "I'm just teasing you."
The prince smiled, "I know my Annie wouldn't let me freeze!"