Rudell had crossed the Bladehook Mountain Range two days after leaving the Count’s Domain.
“Finally made it down…”
Though only two days had passed, the faces of Rudell and the traders looked like they’d aged fifty years.
The biting cold wind and blinding snowstorms constantly obstructed their view.
Along with steep slopes and treacherous terrain, monsters and beasts lurked at every turn.
Crossing the Bladehook Mountain Range had been a true ordeal.
“I think I know why the Nord Clan doesn’t come this way…”
Rudell muttered under his breath as he gazed at the turbulent mountain scenery.
Even if they somehow made it through the treacherous natural environment, all that awaited them were a small territory with practically nothing to plunder.
For raiders, it simply wasn’t worth it.
“Everyone! Just a bit more effort!”
Seeing the exhausted faces of the traders, Rudell yelled in encouragement.
Thus, after emerging from the eerie corridor filled with bizarre rocks and ice…
“Finally…!!”
A low gasp escaped Rudell’s lips when he saw the vast expanse of the snowy field before him.
Ice pillars and bizarre rock formations grown like blades.
An endless blanket of white snow stretched out as far as the eye could see.
In the distance, massive mammoths with gigantic tusks were wandering in herds.
The Eternal Winter Plains.
They had arrived at the Nord Clan’s homeland, a wild land.
“Young master, how about we rest here for today?”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Nodding at Kyle’s words, Rudell looked up at the sky.
The sky had begun to turn a crimson hue.
“Hurrying won’t do us any good…”
Rudell had no intention of rushing this.
Despite having an invitation from the Duke, they still had plenty of time before the date arrived.
Even if that weren’t the case, considering they had just crossed one of the most dangerous mountain ranges in the kingdom in just two days, everyone felt worn out.
The Eternal Winter Plains was not a place to be taken lightly.
It was a realm where the struggle for survival was a daily reality.
Therefore, maintaining their energy to operate in such an area was of utmost importance.
“Alright, everyone, let’s camp here for tonight. Make sure to stick to the previously decided night watch.”
“Huff…”
“F-Finally…”
They seemed to lack even the energy to cheer, as everyone sighed and began to prepare for the camp.
They lined up the wagons to form a wall, set up tents, and lit a campfire.
Before long, a decent-looking camp was established…
“Well done, everyone.”
Kyle approached Rudell, who was standing on the roof of a wagon surveying the surroundings, offering him a warm cup of milk.
“It’s not me doing all the hard work; it’s all of you.”
“Let’s not talk about that. We can’t just sit back while the young master comes all the way to this dangerous place for the territory.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Rudell replied with a faint smile and drank the warm milk.
The warmth spread through his body, and he shuddered slightly…
“I’ll take the first watch tonight, so you’d better get some rest.”
“How could I rest before you, young master?”
“That’s an order. Rest.”
Rudell spoke in a firm voice to Kyle, who bowed his head.
From here on out, they might have to engage in battle.
Considering that the others, aside from Kyle and Rudell, wouldn’t be of much help against the born warriors of the Nord Clan, it was vital that at least one of them maintained their condition.
“If you insist…”
With those words, Kyle climbed down from the roof while Rudell also got off the wagon after surveying the area a bit longer.
“So, what I’m saying is, at Aunt Katlea’s house…”
“Have you tried this? One piece of bread and a bowl of freshly made stew can fill you up for the whole day!”
“Leaving home~♬ Riding in a wagon~♪ Off to the foreign land~♪”
Completely forgetting that this was a hazardous area, the workers were laughing and chatting amiably.
And Rudell watched the scene with a faint smile.
The place they were in was among the most dangerous in the continent.
Thus, the tension and stress they were likely experiencing were unimaginable.
If they could relieve that tension and stress in such a way, it would greatly benefit their mental health…
“Young master! Come and join us for a meal!”
“Thank you! I’ll enjoy it.”
Just as Rudell was watching with a satisfied expression, one of the workers brought over a steaming bowl of stew.
Rudell nodded, took the bowl, settled next to the workers, and started eating.
And thus, the first day in the Eternal Winter Plains was coming to an end.
*
Crackle. Crackle.
As the bonfire crackled brightly, Rudell threw logs onto the fire to keep it alive.
With a clatter, the embers danced and scattered. Looking at this, Rudell gazed up at the sky.
“This sky is beautiful too.”
The view was almost the same as that seen from the Count’s Domain.
Two large moons, countless stars, and the Milky Way stretching between them.
It was a sight that never got tiring, no matter how many times you saw it.
“If only I could meet that guy too…”
As Rudell observed the scene, he let out a short sigh, shifting his gaze back to the roaring bonfire.
A transaction with the Nord Clan.
The ludicrous gamble Rudell was pushing forward had its roots in wanting to outsmart the high-ranking traders and resolve the financial issues of the Count’s Domain, but there was another hidden reason.
In the original story, he was a member of the protagonist’s party, a powerful figure capable of one-on-one combat with Leje.
His hometown was right here, in the Eternal Winter Plains.
Although it would still be almost a full year until he made his debut in the story, it was a reality that anything could happen, like Sindri’s betrayal.
Thus, Rudell felt an urgent need to gather the protagonist’s party as soon as possible.
That was the only way to prepare for unexpected situations.
As Rudell was organizing his thoughts for future plans in his head, he heard…
“Young master.”
“Huh?”
Turning around at the voice behind him, Rudell was met with the now-awake Kyle, ready for his watch.
“It’s time for the night watch.”
“What? Already?!”
Stunned by Kyle’s words, Rudell checked his watch. It was already 3 AM.
“Yawn… Wow, time really flew by…”
Having not paid attention to the time, a sudden wave of fatigue hit him as he stretched with a yawn.
“Then, I’ll leave the night watch to you until morning.”
“Leave it to me.”
As he got up, Kyle bowed, while Rudell headed toward his tent.
At that moment…
Rustle.
“…?”
Rudell turned with a puzzled expression at a sound coming from a nearby wagon.
‘Did I hear that wrong?’
Just as he thought that, another rustling sound prompted Rudell to call out to Kyle with a serious face.
Kyle, looking confused, turned to him, but soon he heard the rustling noise too and drew his weapon.
With silent steps, the two approached the wagon, arriving at the entrance where supplies were stored. Without waiting for anyone, they pulled back the tent flap covering the wagon where the sound was coming from.
And…
“Who’s there!”
“…!?”
As Kyle shouted, someone inside the wagon turned around with a startled expression.
It was someone with a clear, damaged, leather armor over sun-kissed skin, riddled with scars.
His red eyes glinted faintly even in the dark, and his disheveled ivory hair stuck out in all directions.
Looking like he hadn’t eaten for days, the boy’s gaunt face was almost unrecognizable as he crammed his hands full of supplies into his mouth.
“You…!!”
Rudell couldn’t help but blurt out in disbelief at the sight.
After all…
The boy standing before him was the one he had yearned to meet, even coming all the way to this far-off Eternal Winter Plains.
