Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Eilsnor Expedition
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People were chattering away. They said encountering a giant beast and surviving was incredible luck. With excited faces, they repeated the same words about spreading word of today's events to everyone. It was a novel and astonishing experience. Even with the mystery of magic right beside us, we'd been utterly overwhelmed by that massive creature.
Exiting the jungle, we soon crossed the border. We sped through the long borderlands and galloped along the highway for days on end.
The road from the border to the capital was a straight shot. It was a busy route with constant travelers, so there were no monsters. That meant we reached the capital in the blink of an eye.
And so, we arrived in the Parman Kingdom. The massive capital came into view from the distant horizon. Along its vast encircling walls, tall buildings rose and fell like waves.
"Parman Kingdom is a bit unique," Durel explained. "It's built along a great river, with canals crisscrossing the city to create a stunning vista. Naturally, you can tour it all by boat."
'Like Venice...'
Gazing past the capital as I listened to Durel, I took in the mana pervading this world, which carried so much information. Mana's flow shifted with its surroundings—in watery places, it streamed like rivers; in windy spots, it swirled like gusts.
True to Durel's words, Parman brimmed with water. Mana cascaded downward from the skies like waterfalls.
"Beautiful."
Blue mana poured over the white city like a torrent—a sight only I could behold. Durel, standing beside me, tilted his head, clearly not grasping my meaning.
The merchant caravan passed through the capital's main gate without much delay. Once Kalam, the caravan leader, slipped hefty pouches to the guards, everything smoothed out.
After a perfunctory check of the wagons and carts, we rolled through the grand gate.
The first thing that greeted us was a vast, open canal. Grand and modest buildings lined its long stretch to either side, with more canals branching off between them.
It was exactly as I'd imagined. The one difference from the watery cities I knew was how wide the regular streets were—plenty of room for carriages to pass.
As soon as the caravan reached its destination and the wagons halted, Durel and I gathered our things and stepped out.
Kalam waited ahead, holding a heavy pouch.
"You've worked hard over this long journey. Please, consider our caravan again next time..."
Our promised payment. As I reached for it, Durel swiftly snatched it up first.
After parting with Kalam, Durel and I strolled slowly along the broad avenue.
The river flowing alongside the long canal was crystal clear. Fish of all sizes swam beneath the surface, sending tiny ripples dancing atop it.
"What a place."
"Master! What do you think of this one?"
I turned at Durel's voice. He'd wandered ahead and was pointing at a building. Unlike its neighbors, it soared high in an extravagantly ornate style.
It felt detached from the rest of the city, like it belonged elsewhere. Yet it didn't clash.
Won't be cheap. The thought crossed my mind, followed by our fresh earnings.
'A day or two of luxury wouldn't hurt.'
With that, I headed over without a second thought. We'd earned a proper rest after all that toil. It was the smart choice for staying in top form.
Late that evening, I stepped out of the inn alone. I'd called for Durel, but faint snores echoed from his room—he must have been exhausted from the grueling trip, sword practice included. His body had to be aching.
Parman's nightscape held a different allure from daytime. Lanterns blazed everywhere, casting big and small lights bobbing along the grand canal. At a glance, it almost looked like an ordinary street.
Maybe that's why warning signs dotted the canals.
"Tourist?"
A stranger's voice. I turned to see a girl a head taller than me beaming at me. Her outfit marked her as a local.
"Something like that."
"Adventurer, maybe?"
"Do I look it?"
She shrugged at my question. It had been ages since I'd chatted so casually. Out for a light stroll, I hadn't bothered with my cloak or hood—must've blended right in.
"Want a city tour guide?"
"Not free, I bet."
"Of course not. But I won't charge much. One gelit?"
"That's steep."
"Huh? That's a bargain!"
"Pass."
I turned to leave. A guide would be convenient, sure. But I wanted to explore this city on my own—wandering freely, taking it all in with my own eyes, not some scripted rundown.
"Wait, hold on!"
"Not paying."
"...Fine. I was heading home anyway. Mind some company?"
I glanced back. Pouting, she fell into step behind me—clearly after something.
She kept tailing me, undeterred, pitching her guide services.
"That's the Paruya restaurant. Most famous in the kingdom... You listening?"
"Told you, no need."
"Come on, don't be like that..."
I stopped and turned abruptly. She blinked up at me, mumbling to a halt.
"Know anything about the Western Wind?"
"Western Wind? Hmm... Oh, yeah, I heard something. Adventurers were buying up cold-weather gear, saying the Western Wind was coming."
"Cold-weather gear?"
"Yeah. Probably talk of winter hitting."
'Not a place name, then?'
No, that didn't fit. Raymond's letter explicitly said to seek the Western Wind. It couldn't just mean waiting for winter.
"Anything else?"
"Uh... umm..."
She clutched her head, deep in thought. Then her eyes lit up.
"Not Western Wind exactly, but..."
She trailed off, gauging me. I fished a small coin from my pouch and flicked it her way.
Ting! She snatched it midair with ease. Grinning now, she spoke.
"Heard there's a huge snowfield out west. Maybe that's what you're after?"
"Snowfield?"
"Place called Eilsnor. Snows year-round. Those adventurers probably stocked up for a trip there. Helpful?"
I'd need to verify with more sources, but it was a solid lead. The vague outline of my destination sharpened just a bit.
"Way better than pointless tour guides."
"What? You saying my guiding's pointless? I mean... hey, wait!"
I walked off before she finished.
The next morning, after breakfast with Durel, we dug into info on Eilsnor.
"When the sky exhales, the snow falls."
That's Eilsnor.
Folk call it the "Land of White Snow," but locals just say "the Western Edge." Seasons skip this place entirely—snow falls without cease from year's start to end.
Fields gleam white, frozen trees shine like glass. Day and night blur, bewildering first-timers as if the world flipped.
Ancient myths claim the gods' final breaths shaped this land, and traces linger still.
Its crisp air is the gods' breath; winds over the snowfields, their song.
So, traveler, visit Eilsnor.
Stories buried in the frigid snow await you.
Eilsnor info was easy to find—just scribblings from cheap tourist pamphlets sold on every corner.
"Western Edge... Could be what you're seeking, Master."
"I think so too."
"Hunt another escort job?"
"Not yet. Need more intel first."
Durel and I spent a couple more days combing every scrap on the west. Eilsnor topped the list.
Destination set. We headed to the adventurer guild to scout escorts to Eilsnor.
"None?"
"Afraid not... Caravans rarely go to Eilsnor. Too poor a region—no profit. Sure, local specialties fetch a premium, but merchants say it's all losses."
The guild's words hit hard. No escorts meant prepping the trip solo with Durel.
Then my eyes caught a notice pinned to the big board.
-Eilsnor Expedition-
Seeking companions for the journey to the frozen land of Eilsnor. 📍 Destination: Eilsnor ⏰ Departure: Immediately upon gathering members 🕰 Journey Time: Unknown 🎯 Purpose: Treasure hunt in the slumbering snowfields, search for the vanished ancient city 👥 Recruiting: 5 people
Preferred Qualifications
'Better with a group than just us two...'
Even standing watch would be easier. I reached out casually.
In that instant, a soft breeze stirred, and the notice flew from the board into my hand.