Chapter 105

105.

*

“Alright, we’ve arrived!”

“Where are we?”

“A hill near Yunberil. That place down there is the last village before entering the northern region.”

Following Nia’s words, when we turned our gaze down the hill, a rural landscape similar to Ruben came into view.

Yunberil Village.

It’s the last resting place for travelers before entering the Northern Dukedom, known as the Land of Winter.

Although the scenery of the village was generally similar to Ruben, most of the buildings were not ordinary houses but inns and various shops.

“I was planning to teleport straight to Devalleta’s territory, but the coordinates are twisted, so it seems difficult.”

“If the coordinates aren’t precise, it causes trouble, right?”

“Pattern…? I don’t know what you mean, but if we move with jumbled coordinates, our bodies will be torn apart like paper. Let’s just buy a map there and move immediately.”

Nia adjusted her backpack and walked down the hill.

“Grrk. My stomach… it feels strange.”

“Master. I’ll go ahead.”

Myna followed with a pale face, and Charles disappeared, claiming he would gather small pieces of information in the village.

‘Spatial teleportation, even at this distance, huh. She must be a magician after all.’

On the day of departure, when Nia said to gather in her workshop, I suspected something.

When we moved to the workshop with Myna and Charles in the morning, Nia, wearing a pointed hat and a robe, was waiting for us with a vibrant expression.

Nia immediately struck the floor with an antique wooden staff she had in her hand.

Then, as though being chased from the workshop, the surroundings suddenly changed.

In the blink of an eye, the spatial teleportation magic unfolded.

Through that fantastical method, we had just arrived at Yunberil Village, at the entrance of the northern region from the capital, Palamtiar.

‘It would have taken so much more time to travel by horse.’

Considering the snow-covered land of the north we’d have to traverse, quite a bit of time was saved.

‘No damage to the sealing blade, nothing left behind.’

After checking the final state of my body, I followed Nia into Yunberil Village.

‘…The Free City Alliance has fallen.’

Before moving to Nia’s workshop,

Charles handed over a letter that contained information about the Free City Alliance.

The Free City had fallen.

This signifies one thing.

One of the shields spread wide to stop the invasion has been broken.

The military forces of the abnormal shapes have managed to push back an entire nation, though not a great kingdom, but a conglomerate of three major cities.

‘The Pilgrimage Group’s maximum force failed to stop it.’

That proves the abnormal shapes have become stronger. The unsealed power of the dragon is gradually expanding its influence.

‘Either reseal it or deal with it.’

If the dragon’s power disappears, the strength of the creatures will return to normal.

As the Free City Alliance was also under Sylvester’s patronage, Helsia will personally deal with that issue.

‘We’ll focus on the northern area.’

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. First, we will go to the village chief’s house to hear about the northern situation.

However, is it because the village often interacts with travelers?

Unlike ordinary villagers, the village chief quickly knelt down and paid his respects.

“Oh, we humble beings greet your esteemed presence.”

“Stop that. I don’t want any commotion.”

Do not reveal our identities.

When I subtly put pressure, the chief glanced at Myna and Nia standing behind me and said sternly,

“This lowly one has seen nothing.”

The gleam in the chief’s eyes made me nod silently. Though it feels like he has misunderstood something,

it’s probably unnecessary to correct it.

After Myna, who was disguised as a commoner, introduced herself as a priest from the Bright Sect, the chief’s house quickly turned into a makeshift clinic.

While Myna was tending to the villagers’ health and receiving various thanks,

“Oy, it’s cold! Lucky I bundled up.”

Nia, who stepped out to catch her breath, brushed her arms.

“It’s my first time dressing so warmly in summer.”

It’s odd, but it’s summer on Altain.

Even in the daytime under the sun, one would easily sweat just by walking, and even in the night, the temperature remained pleasantly warm.

It doesn’t make sense to feel the cold, let alone the icy wind cutting through a winter robe.

“Yunberil is close to the capital. This must be…”

“They’re expanding its sphere.”

“You’re right. The snowstorm that once held in the north has now reached here. If we were any later, it would’ve been serious trouble.”

Shivering, Nia started walking again.

When Myna finished treating the patients and Nia attached herself closely, the latter’s expression softened.

A member of the Bright Sect worships the Sun Goddess, so they aren’t affected by heat or cold like mana manipulators. Being near Myna, it’s said, can block the icy wind invading our bodies.

Watching the two chatting warmly, I turned my gaze.

Beyond Yunberil Village.

In place of summer’s green, a landscape covered in white light.

‘This is strange.’

Winter is expanding.

The Northern Dukedom itself is a place known exclusively for its perpetual winter, unique even in Altain.

So, it’s understandable that the weather is being affected by the unstable mana fluctuations due to the loosened seal on the monster dragon.

‘But, the scope is widening? Did it used to be like this?’

In the novel, when the Northern Dukedom fell and the army of aberrations poured out,

there was no mention of winter. Only the highly enhanced monsters were said to have rampaged southward without reason.

“…”

I turned and moved away from the northern landscape.

The possibility of a new variable beyond the monster seal being revealed.

Whatever this uncomfortable ‘something extra’ is, it will be revealed once we enter the north.

I destroy and proceed.

*

After Charles joined us after securing the map and gathering information, we left Yunberil and officially entered the northern region.

In Yunberil, we still saw trees and grass retaining their green leaves. However, as we ascended northward, the barren tree branches and dried, twisted weeds gradually increased.

The icy air seeping through the thick clothing became more intense, and by the time Nia, who chattered her teeth, clung to Myna like glue,

we found ourselves surrounded by a sea of pure white snow.

Hooooh.

Chilled wind accompanied by large, fierce snowflakes descending to the ground.

The robes and hair were wildly flapping in the gale.

As we continued through the gradually intensifying snowstorm,

the violent winds transformed into a full-blown blizzard covering everything.

A world of white.

The obstructive snow and the snowbanks reaching our knees combined, making it hard to judge our direction.

The wind pressure alone was enough to push our bodies around.

The lightest, Nia and Charles, were barely holding their balance against the fierce storm.

“Aaaaaaaah!”

“Nia!”

I grabbed Nia mid-air as she started flying away and pulled her into my embrace.

“Phew! Thanks. I was almost blown away.”

“The wind only seems to grow stronger. Better hold on tight.”

Since Charles and Myna were also unable to move in the snowstorm, before long, all three had a firm grip on me.

Unable to take even a single step against the pushing winds,

we halted our movement and burrowed into the snow.

“It feels a bit better now that the wind isn’t blowing.”

“Magician, take off your boots. We need to check your feet.”

“Frostbite? Just a moment.”

“…They’re slightly red. It hasn’t developed into frostbite yet, thankfully. We caught it early.”

Flash.

Myna’s gentle light enveloped Nia’s feet.

I turned to see her applying healing to Charles’ body as well.

The windstorm was still raging outside.

“It’s not easy.”

We got stuck by the weather without even penetrating deeply into the north.

Since I’m a mana manipulator, I’m unaffected by the cold or wind, so I could continue moving even in this state. The issue lies with the other three.

“I could tie them behind me and move, but…”

It’s difficult to move efficiently.

“Shall I pray to the Goddess for some shielding? I think it’s possible to block out the cold.”

“I’ll handle the wind. The mana feels murky and chaotic, but managing three of you shouldn’t be a problem.”

Once their conversation ended, the duo began moving.

Myna prayed while Nia, gripping her staff, murmured some incantations.

When the faint blue and white lights enveloped each of them, Charles, who was examining the map, spoke.

“Master. Rough terrain is approaching. Ordinarily, it would be visible with the naked eye, but since it’s covered in snow, I’ll take the lead.”

“Given this isn’t a direction-distinguishing environment, can you find the path?”

“Since we’ve been heading straight north from Yunberil, it should be fine for now. However…”

“If any event occurs along the way, we’ll get lost.”

Charles lowered his head, seemingly regretful. But then, Nia, working the mana, smiled confidently.

“Don’t worry. I’ve brought something to confirm our direction just in case.”

“Compass…?”

Though a bit crude, the item Nia pulled out from her bag was indeed a compass.

After learning its usage, Charles checked the map, made a few marks, and nodded.

“Our current location has been determined. If this tool functions correctly, there shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Good. Let’s try to move as much as possible while the sun is out.”

When it becomes night, everything will be invisible.

Since our movement was being limited to fast movement, we need to move more while visibility is still good to avoid delaying the journey.

Just as we began our northward ascent again,

while gradually pushing through the fierce snowstorm,

Wooowww.

Amidst the brutal wind, a faint howl could be heard.

A beast’s howl. Amplifying my senses with mana, I spotted distant silhouettes cutting through the snowstorm.

“Wolves?”

Considering the howls and shadows, they were wolves.

I raised my hand to halt the companions and spoke.

“Something is coming.”

“What? What is it?”

“Could it be… monsters?”

“No. Beasts, a wolf pack.”

At my answer, Nia and Myna’s expressions stiffened.

A wolf pack.

Beasts that roam through snowstorms like these cannot be ordinary. And they’re not just one special individual but an entire pack.

“Looks like it’s going to be eventful from the very start.”

We haven’t even properly reached the correct territory.

“Nia and Myna, stay behind me. Wolves look for gaps. Charles! Ensure their protection!”

“Yes, Master!”

“I’ll bestow a blessing!”

“Leave defense to me!”

As white light seeped into my body, power surged within.

I confirmed that the blue barrier had enveloped the three and stepped forward towards the white wolf pack now fully emerging from the snowstorm.

Slightly murky white fur and red eyes.

All the wolves, baring their teeth and growling, were of an absurdly large size.

Twice the height of a person, they were ridiculously massive.

Their movements radiated a subtle but palpable mana.

‘Impressive how they navigate at this size.’

Considering they move through snow-covered fields, it’s surprising they manage to move so easily.

Grrrr.

As if mocking our insignificant resistance, their eyes smirked.

“…”

As each pair of eyes from the wolves that had encircled us met mine, I too raised a corner of my mouth.

Just the ride we needed.

Gripping the sword’s handle and lowering into a stance,

Hooook.

As mana surged through my body, powerful waves of power coursed through me.

The wolves’ harsh breathing. The clear view of their thick fur and flesh.

Even the sweat trickling down Nia’s jawline was perfectly visible.

As the superhuman expansive senses activated, mana currents extended around me.

When the blue light completely enveloped the wolves and dominated the area,

For a moment.

It was as if time froze.

The whirling snowflakes hung suspended in midair.

In this suddenly soundless world,

“Welcome.”

I whirled my sword towards the hastily turning wolf pack.

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