Mage Legend

"Understood, understood," Wislin said. "Given my current position, I don't yet have the right to choose whom to cooperate with, but I'll remember what you've said. For now, let's focus on the near future. I have a map here that marks the safe villages, which should make your journey easier. Of course, since your destination is those towering mountains, you'll inevitably have to pass through some beastman-infested areas."

"They can't stop me! If I get the chance to roam those areas a few times, I guarantee those hairy upright swine will all roll back to the Cold Ice Field!" Morgan said confidently. "This time, I can go on a killing spree!"

"I think, by then, we'll mainly need to act covertly," Lynch replied. "After all, there are ladies and children in the team. You can't let them get caught up in your hunting games."

"Who says I can't?" Zilvra appeared quietly behind Wislin, startling the paladin. "Though hunting those beastmen is just tedious work, simple and unchallenging, it's still better than being bored."

"Oh, I so agree with you!" Morgan clapped his hands and shouted. "I think we should drink to our common ground!"

"You just drink your liquor honestly; I won't indulge in alcohol like you," Zilvra said, her eyes glancing at Lynch. She didn't wait for Lynch to ask any questions, pulling Soka along as she headed upstairs. "I need to take care of our little one now; you all can discuss slowly here."

With that, she stomped up to the second floor. Soka whistled for her pet tiger to follow, then made a funny face at the mage.

"I say, how did you get to know her?" Wislin asked. "Her temper is really peculiar; earlier this morning she was all smiles, but now... never mind, I won't say more. Here's the map for you."

"I'm rather used to her being like this. Anyway, thanks for the map." Lynch glanced at it and then tucked it back into his spatial bag. "When is the elf team due to arrive?"

"I don't know, I'm afraid it will be a few more days. Going by sea is relatively faster, but now you have to switch to land routes," Lynch said. "I heard from Macken Knight that you wanted to sail to Moon Harbor City. Although that would have avoided some of the divine enemies to the south of Holy Pate, it leaves no other way out. Now, aside from the sea, there's no other way to leave that city."

"Alright, since you say so, I'll take your advice." Lynch drank the wine in front of him, ending the sumptuous lunch, and then said, "Let's prepare to set out then. I heard you have everything ready, so what are we waiting for? After all, time waits for no one."

The mage's party stayed in Yim's Red Wind Port for only three days before deciding to hit the road. Macken Knight bought a sturdy horse-drawn cart from local traders, which will be their mode of travel for the foreseeable future. In the eyes of a knight skilled in horsemanship, only those robust horses are the best tools to cross the frozen field. So when three stocky horses appeared before everyone, Soka exclaimed in admiration.

"Where did you find these guys?" Lynch scrutinized them for a long time before concluding, "Oh, while I know you people from Holy Pate adore horses, the two horses you bought might tempt starving dwarves to treat them as emergency rations."

"Oh, that won't happen!" Morgan put the wine barrel at the back of the cart, very displeased with Lynch's accusation. "I have always loved animals!"

With Macken as the leader of the carriage, they traveled steadily and swiftly. Yim had done an excellent job maintaining the roads, with carriageways connecting all the villages. Now, in this late autumn season, no large crops could be seen in the fields. Farmers who just experienced the joy of harvest sat leisurely on the stone ridges beside the road, puffing smoke rings and waving friendly greetings to the passing cart.

"Wishing you good health!" Morgan placed his warhammer by his side, raised a large mug filled with ale, and kicked back, relishing the breeze as he toasted to everyone who greeted them.