Chapter 81: The Small Boat on the River
The increase in magic skill level didn't bring any noticeable sensation.
To be precise, there was no feeling at all.
Li Meng extended his right hand, and with a thought, white mist surged from his palm, instantly condensing into a three-foot-long icicle.
The icicle was white and transparent, radiating an intense chill.
"This is truly amazing!"
Every time Li Meng used magic, he found it incredible, especially the skill "Ice Element Control."
It was far more advanced than spells like Wind Blade.
This skill allowed him to directly and freely manipulate the power of ice.
Li Meng waved his hand, flinging the small icicle deep into the forest.
The icicle shot out instantly, crossing dozens of meters and striking a large tree.
"Hiss!"
A sharp sound echoed as the tree was pierced through.
The icicle continued its momentum and hit another tree beyond.
"Crack!"
Sitting at the doorway, Li Meng snapped his fingers.
The icicle, which had penetrated the second tree, suddenly shattered mid-air, transforming into a cloud of white mist that rolled outward.
Everything it touched was frozen solid.
In an instant, that small area was completely encased in ice.
This terrifying scene made the nearby goblins exchange nervous glances.
Even though they kept a distance from the frozen area, they could feel the cold seeping into their bones.
Gobu Mo and Gobu Gao looked at their leader with fanatical admiration.
"The power has indeed grown much stronger!"
Satisfied with the display, Li Meng nodded. He stood up, turned, and entered the wooden house.
When he came out again, there was a package strapped to his waist.
"Gobu Mo, Gobu Gao, you two will continue guarding the Throne Cave Dwelling!"
Gobu Mo and Gobu Gao quickly nodded without saying anything further.
Li Meng strode out of the tribe.
Watching their leader leave, Gobu Mo and Gobu Gao were filled with questions.
Why did their leader, who was supposed to be in charge, always leave the tribe?
Couldn't he delegate tasks to them, his subordinates?
And why was he always alone, without even taking a companion?
---
Half an hour later, on the northern bank of the Goblin River.
Li Meng walked unhurriedly out of the dense forest.
Standing by the river, he gazed at the vast Goblin River before him.
"Ha ha ha, freeze!"
Li Meng laughed loudly, stomping on the water's surface.
"Crack!"
A sharp cracking sound echoed as white mist surged out like a charging army, spreading across the water.
In the blink of an eye, a ten-meter-wide icy pathway appeared on the river, which was several hundred meters wide.
"It feels like something in my body is depleting... could it be magic power?"
Looking at the ice path across the river, Li Meng thought to himself.
He didn't dwell on it for long. Grinning, he stepped onto the icy path and walked toward the other side.
---
In the Irisis Principality, near the border region, the Goblin Forest stretched across rugged mountains.
The Goblin River snaked through like a long dragon.
It was midsummer in July.
On the river, a small boat was sailing upstream.
The boat carried five people: one steering and four rowing against the current.
The boat was modest in size, about ten meters long.
Two of the men wore armor, with swords, shields, and axes placed on the boat.
Another man, dressed in leather armor and wearing a hood, had a bow and arrows by his side.
The two women wore robes—one in white, the other in black—with staffs inlaid with blue crystals beside them.
"It's so hot! Odyssey, is this the route you picked?"
Under the blazing sun, the girls on the boat were drenched in sweat.
Feeling sticky and uncomfortable, the girl in white glared angrily at the man steering the boat.
Odyssey gave an awkward smile.
"Martha, Eileen, you can't blame me. Taking the water route is the safest and quickest way. If we went by land, it would be more exhausting and take almost twice as long. Could you endure that?"
Martha and Eileen pouted but continued rowing.
Meanwhile, Payes and Rachel focused on rowing silently.
"If I'd known, we should've rented a floating ship from the Crystal Temple!"
Eileen sighed in frustration, her face full of regret.
"Come on, we don't have that kind of money!"
Odyssey's words drew angry glares from the other four.
The reason they were broke was right in front of them.
Facing their reproachful gazes, Odyssey laughed awkwardly.
"Well... sorry!"
The four ignored him and continued rowing.
"Captain, no matter how much you donate, that money will never reach those children!"
After a long silence, Rachel broke it.
Rachel's words made Odyssey frown slightly.
"Rachel, what do you mean?"
Odyssey looked at him with confusion.
Rachel hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the truth.
As a Crystal Paladin, Odyssey was naive and oblivious to the harsh realities of the world.
The other three were also curious about Rachel's statement.
They supported their captain's donations to orphanages, as the children were the offspring of adventurers.
As adventurers themselves, they couldn't remain indifferent.
Finally, Rachel decided to speak.
"Captain, you know I used to be a mercenary. During those years, I witnessed things you might not even imagine. What I'm about to tell you is true—it's what I saw with my own eyes."
The other four looked at Rachel with curiosity, eager to hear more.
"Do you know why the orphanage in Rock Town only takes in girls?"
Martha raised her hand.
"I know, I know! It's because boys are taken in by the militia!"
The militia, a group funded by merchants and nobles, was tasked with protecting local towns.
Though they were affiliated with the regular army, they were not directly managed by the authorities.
Their primary role was to safeguard towns and settlements.
Rachel's face darkened as he forcefully rowed the boat.
"On the surface, that's true. But secretly, it's a different story. During my mercenary days, I came across a slave caravan carrying girls from the orphanage in Rock Town. Some were adults, while others were still children!"
"This... that's impossible!"
Rachel's revelation shocked the other four.
Martha immediately objected, glaring at him.
"The head of the orphanage is Sister Tataru, a nun from the Crystal Temple. How could she do such a thing?"
As a Crystal Priestess, Martha couldn't tolerate anyone tarnishing the Crystal Temple's reputation.
"Rachel, could you have been mistaken?"
Odyssey also found it hard to believe that Sister Tataru would commit such acts.
In his mind, Sister Tataru was always a kind and gentle woman.
"Maybe..."
Rachel chose not to argue further with his companions.