Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 126: The Northern Region (2).

The Allen-Mercenary Group had to prepare to leave for the North just two days after returning to Vermandois. They barely had any time to rest, but since their previous trip to the capital was nominally a leisure trip, they prepared to leave without complaint. After all, they, too, were feeling a bit uneasy about receiving money for three months without any work.

Since the journey required a forced march, they did not look for a trading group to accompany them for extra pocket money. If a trading group were to join, it would inevitably slow down their pace.

Thus, exactly three days after returning to Vermandois, the mercenary group set off for the North in the early dawn.

The general perception of the Northern Region among the continent’s people was roughly as follows:

Savages.

Poverty.

Cold.

Snow.

All the other members, except for the experienced Kalisman, had no experience with the Northern Region. So, their imaginations were not much different from the common perception on the continent.

“They say white powdery stuff falls from the sky instead of rain there. When it piles up, everything turns white…”

As Furball Geese described the Northern snow, the dim-witted youngest member, Kori, scratched his head, shedding white flakes like snow, and asked.

“But why are the Northern folks’ skins all copper-colored instead of white?”

“They say the snow reflects sunlight like a mirror, so they all get tanned.”

“Oh, that’s freaking interesting.”

Then Allen chuckled and added.

“The regions with a lot of snow are even further north in the North. Almost no one lives there. It’s tough to survive.”

“Is that so?”

“You might occasionally see snow falling, but it’s rare to see it piled up thick. You won’t have any reason to go up there anyway.”

More than half of the Northern Region was unexplored land untouched by human hands. There was neither a reason nor the resources to develop it in the first place. Moreover, the coniferous forest perpetually covered in snow was a den of mysterious monsters, so there was no need to approach it unnecessarily.

Due to the limited arable land, the North was once the most war-torn place on the continent. Even now, the relations between territories are not exactly friendly. Honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if a territorial war broke out at any time.

Because of the numerous wars, the number of men decreased relatively, and Northern women started to take on all sorts of tough jobs. The North also had the highest ratio of female warriors on the continent.

Women of the North considered receiving the seed of a great man and bearing as many children as possible as the highest virtue. Therefore, it was a point of pride, not disgrace, for a robust man to have multiple wives.

…Even though these Northern women were very resilient, they were the least popular on the continent when it came to feminine appeal. This was true even among men from the North. The reason was that they lacked any feminine charm. Growing up in such a harsh environment was the cause. Thus, Northern women were considered a lower tier even in brothels.

Of course, for Allen, who was going there to work, not for sex, it didn’t matter what Northern women were like.

“As I said last time, we are going to cure the Demonic Disease. I can’t guarantee how powerful the demonic beast might have become.”

Natasha, the Itty Titty Swordsman, was the most sensitive to the word “Demonic Disease.” Her eyes vowed to eradicate the demon’s influence and cure the disease. It was a sense of solidarity from having experienced the same ordeal, regardless of the mission.

Still, Allen thought that if Ingmar were alive, treatment wouldn’t be impossible. Natasha, who had her energy drained for half a year, survived, so could the Tiger of the North really be dead already?

If he really died, that would indeed be a lack of mental fortitude.

A month after leaving Vermandois.

They finally arrived at the massive watercourse dividing the Central and Northern Regions, the Marg River. Because it was fed by the melted snow of the North, the water temperature was extremely low. Naturally, it was almost impossible to bathe naked.

On the river where thin ice floated, there was a massive stone bridge, the only crossing connecting the Central and Northern Regions. Without this stone bridge, one would have to take a very long detour through the East or West. In other words, it was a crucial traffic hub.

Quite a number of carriages were coming and going there. Allen’s group also followed closely behind the procession of carriages heading north.

After crossing the stone bridge, they arrived at the large city of Marbi, not far away. It was the city governed by the only ducal family in the North.

The mercenary group rested there for just one day and set off again the next day. Their direction was northeast from the city.

Two days after leaving the big city, the Allen-Mercenary Group saw snow for the first time in their lives. The sight of white flakes fluttering down from gray clouds that looked as if they were about to pour rain was a spectacle. Even the strong female swordsman, Natasha, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow.”

Of course, Allen had seen snow quite often while living on Earth, but seeing it here brought back special memories.

Unlike other regions, in the North, one had to worry about the cold at night rather than bandits. The desert in the West was quite cold at night as well, but not to the point where one could freeze to death like here. Whenever Allen camped, he recalled his military days and the extreme cold weather training. That was how bitter the cold was.

“Damn it… I won’t be coming to the North again.”

Furball Geese swallowed his runny nose every morning, trembling in the Northern cold. The other members seemed to feel the same.

From what they heard, this was the coldest time of the year. It was just their bad luck to be here at this time.

Enduring the cold for five more days, they finally arrived at their destination, the mid-sized city of Varnamo.

The stone castle standing tall against the background of a field lightly covered in snow was designed with no regard for aesthetic beauty, focusing solely on practicality. It was truly a warrior’s land.

Unlike Vermandois, where various races mingled, this place was clearly inhabited only by Northerners. Everywhere they looked, there were rugged men and women who seemed to declare, “I am a warrior.”

The children running through the streets, regardless of gender, were engrossed in war games, and even common peddlers with potbellies were hard to find.

The mercenary group stopped near the guild house station. And as soon as they got off, countless eyes were on them. It was because outsiders rarely came to the North.

The Northern youth Aidar led the Allen-Mercenary Group hurriedly to his hideout, not far from the guild house.

Andelson, the Vice Group Leader of the Ingmar-Mercenary Group, who occupied an entire two-story building, welcomed Aidar’s group back after several months with great enthusiasm.

“Oh, Aidar!”

“Vice Group Leader!”

The Northern youth warmly embraced the Vice Group Leader and then introduced the trailing Allen-Mercenary Group.

“This is Group Leader Allen. He was introduced by Group Leader Viola.”

The man introduced by none other than Viola, one of the Top 10 Group Leaders, left no room for doubt about his abilities.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Anderson Kurgi, the Vice Group Leader of the Ingmar-Mercenary Group.”

“I’m Allen, the Group Leader of the Allen-Mercenary Group. Nice to meet you.”

The two exchanged a handshake and introduced themselves for the first time.

Aidar asked if the companions sent elsewhere had returned.

“The group that went west came back first. But they were of no help.”

He then quietly cursed the boastful mage. From that, Allen could sense a deep-seated hatred for magic.

“Group Leader Allen has a precedent of curing the Demonic Disease.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

The Vice Group Leader urgently pleaded with Allen.

“Can you take a look right now?”

“Is it that urgent?”

“Yes… it is, somewhat.”

Just then, a hearty, resonant laugh filled the hall where they stood.

“What’s the rush? What’s so urgent?!”

Appearing in the hall was a middle-aged man, gaunt but with eyes still brimming with life.

“No need to make a fuss over a little ailment.”

“Group Leader!”

[Strength: 35] [Agility: 28] [Stamina: 30] [Intelligence: 11] [Magic: 10]

[Talent] [Will] [Late Bloomer] [Hearty] [Lustful] [Foolhardy] [Sensitive] [Insomniac] [Hatred] [Weakness]

As soon as Allen saw the middle-aged man, he gave a slight nod. He immediately recognized who he was.

“Nice to meet you, Group Leader Ingmar. I am Group Leader Allen.”

“I am Group Leader Ingmar. It seems I’m showing you an unseemly sight.”

The mercenary Group Leader representing the North.

The Tiger of the North.

The brave warrior of the North.

Ingmar Garbo.

“You’ve come a long way, so please rest for now. It’s not too late to look around tomorrow.”

“But, Group Leader…!”

The young Northern man called out worriedly to the Group Leader, but Ingmar calmed the anxious member with a soft exclamation.

“A day’s delay won’t kill anyone. Don’t worry. First, make our guests comfortable.”

It was the kind of spirit that naturally invoked pride in the North.

Allen didn’t refuse. It didn’t seem like he would drop dead within a day. Besides, he, too, wearied by travel and the cold, desperately wanted to rest.

“Then, we shall meet again later.”

“Let’s do that.”

That was Allen and Ingmar’s first meeting.