Demon Laws
Chapter 60: The Fate of Adventurers
The Snow Wolf Charge Army Camp was very standard. One look will know that they are people who are used to camping in the wild.
This low-lying terrain can serve as a windbreak. The two high slopes next to him were very defensive. If something happens, just keep the gap in the middle then the security of the camp can be guaranteed.
Dewey and Dardanelle followed Beinrich walking into the camp, so the mercenaries who greeted them looked at them in surprise.
According to Dewey's estimation, the camp was about a hundred people. The mercenaries were different from the private army of nobles or the local garrison Dewey had seen. They don't wear armor or uniform equipment. Most of them were dressed in private. Some were wearing leather jackets, some were wearing leather robes, some were wearing leather armor.
However, most wear white to easily disguise in the snow.
Their weapons are even more strange. Some use swords, some use machetes, some use axes and short spears. Dewey even saw the person holding the weapon like a nutmeg flower weapon.
Moreover, everyone without exception had a sturdy aura and an arrogant expression. When Dewey walked into the camp, some people who were grinding guns looked at Dewey and Dardanelle coldly.
Someone even exclaimed, “Hey, Chairman! Why did you bring a boy in? Is he a new member you recruited? Looks like she's still nursing.” Then the guy laughed.
His words made everyone laugh.
Beinrich's expression darkened, then he shouted, “Shut up! Do your own work! Be polite! This is my honored guest!”
It seems that this chairman is very authoritative. After he shouted, everyone fell silent even though some did not accept.
“Sorry, Your Highness the Witch. They are all rude men, do not understand manners.” Beinrich invites Dewey to his tent, but Dewey subtly refuses. Then, the chairman set up a small tent in the middle of their camp.
Shortly after, the chairman told his subordinates to deliver two thick blankets.
“They are less friendly to us, yes.” Dewey looked at the soldier who was delivering the blankets away with a cold expression, then smiled at Dardanelle.
“Very reasonable.” Dardanelle pout. “Ordinary new people are hard to accept in this kind of group. They trust more old colleagues who have been adventuring together. Regular army is also so.”
At night, the mercenaries made some huge flames in the middle of the camp. The mercenaries sat around the fire and waited for dinner.
Beinrich himself invited Dewey to a meal together so that he huddled in front of the fire with them.
The mercenaries were being kinder to Dewey. The chairman should have announced Dewey's identity. However, there were still some people who were staring at Dewey with suspicious gazes. Anyway, he's too young.
Not only the mercenaries, even Beinlinch was suspicious.
After sitting in front of the campfire and taking off the leather cap that covered a third of his face, Dewey looked smaller. Beinrich thought, Is this little boy really a witch?
Even if she was a witch, she might just be a level one magician or magician, judging from her age.
Although witches were rare, if it was only a magician disciple or a level one mage, it was worthless.
The mercenaries sitting in front of the campfire did their respective jobs. They melted the snow and heated it into hot water with some large pans, then two sturdy men brought some strange-looking large and small animal corpses from the tent. Dewey looked at it closely, but could not tell whether it was a cow or a goat. Dardanelle. He frowned and said in a low voice. “It ... Oh my God, it's a snow camel monster! It's a digging cow. There are also snow wolves. My God, did you guys eat this for dinner?”
Beinrich laughed and said, “No, not us, but us and you. We'll eat this for dinner.”
“Carcass monster.” Dardanelle took a breath.
“Ya, monster.” Beinrich smiled. “In my opinion, they are no different from ordinary beasts. At least it doesn't feel much different in the mouth. They can be magic when alive, after death become our food.”
Dewey said nothing. He saw the two men pull out a sharp knife, and decompose the bodies of some monsters into pieces, then throw them all into a large iron pot to cook.
The skins of those monsters had been stripped away. Dewey watched the two big men return to the tent and took out more monsters. He could not help but whistle. He looked at Beinrich. “Chairman, it looks like you guys gained a lot from this trip.”
Beinrich said flatly. “It is not easy to make a living. Life like this is life threatening. But you are right, harvest times are indeed many. We have been surrounding this forest for five days and hunted a total of over twenty monsters. But I also lost seven or eight subordinates. Three dead and three permanently disabled.” The mercenary leader sighed. “Monster skin can be sold at a high price in the south, while their magic core ... witches are willing to pay a high price to buy it.”
Dewey inevitably looked at the corpses of the monsters a second time.
Dewey knew the ice demon wolf that was taken out by the mercenaries. The last time he had been toyed with by an Illusory Monster in Half-Angle City, he had seen an ice demon wolf.
However, the corpse of the ice demon wolf brought out by the mercenaries was clearly smaller than the one that came out from the wolf in the illusion back then.
Boiling water, the smell of meat spreads. Not a few mercenaries inhaled it strongly.
The mercenary chief asked the people to take some wine from his tent, the mercenary immediately cheered, then released some leather bags. Every mercenary sipped wine. In cold weather like this, drinking a sip of wine to warm yourself is indeed delicious.
Beinrich did not forget to serve Dewey. He took out a silver bottle from his hand and said with a smile, “This is my personal collection, the best wine in the north. Your Highness the Witch, will you taste it?”
Dewey smiled, picked up the bottle and took a sip, as a result of which he almost choked to death.
“Uhuk, uhuk! What wine is this?” Dewey coughed uncomfortably, his voice hoarse, he felt like there was a fire burning in his mouth.
Dewey could only take the snow and put it in his mouth. After swallowing three handfuls of snow in one breath, he felt the burning sensation in his throat subside.
Beinrich laughed and said, “Your Majesty the Witch, this is a good drink. I've soaked this wine with the magic core of the fire rhino. When I drink it, it feels like there is fire in my throat. Pretty steady. Especially in this cold weather. A single sip can make the whole body hot all night.”
Dewey pressed his nose. “Thank you. I can't stand that drink.”
Beinrich laughed loudly, then took a sip of it himself and showed a satisfied expression. He shivered a few times and gasped for breath, at the same time shouting, “Mantap!”
He handed the bottle to Dardanelle. “Bro, drink!”
Dardanelle hesitated to taste it, but her tolerance was much stronger than Dewey's. After taking a sip, he shivered a few times like Beinrich, but showed a satisfied and praised expression, “Enak! My body is warmer! Shit, like there's fire in my stomach!”
Next, Dewey tasted some cooked monster meat. The flesh of the ice demon wolf was already a bit old, it tasted sour. Dewey was not used to eating it. However, in a place like this being able to fill the stomach with a piece of meat was already lucky.
When he was with an old witch last night, Dewey only ate dry food.
Hm, is that old man watching me right now? I drank wine and ate meat, the old man ate wind. It doesn't feel bad.
Dewey ate a little, his spirit got a lot better. He tried to drink two sips of Beinrich's special wine. This time, he was already fully prepared so it was not as uncomfortable as before. Besides, this wine is really good wine. After drinking it, like there is a fire that burns the internal organs so that the whole body is immediately hot, the cold air inside the body is expelled.
“Your Majesty the Witch, you came to this forest to search for magical beasts, right?” Beinrich said with a smile. “The purpose of the witches coming here is for that matter. If so, maybe we can help each other. Maybe I have the magic animal you need.”
Dardanelle and Dewey glanced at each other. Dewey nodded, Dardanelle replied, “Chairman, have you heard of the Golden-eyed Piton?”
Beinrich showed a surprised expression. “Golden-eyed python? The animal is very strong. When I was young, I once saw a witch capture him here, but we ourselves never caught the animal.”
He hesitated for a moment, then said slowly. “This place is just a fringe of Frozen Forest. High-level monsters like the golden-eyed Piton existed in the deeper forest. Strong monsters move in the heart of the forest, there will be no outside. But the further inside, the more dangerous.”
“Heart area?”Dewey smiled. “I'm sorry. This was my first time coming to the Frozen Forest. I am a young witch and am not familiar with this place. For the heart area you said .. We've been walking in the woods for two days. Is this still on the fringes?”
“Of course.” Then, Beinrich shook his head. “Frozen Forest is too big, no one has ever measured how big this forest is. I heard, twenty years ago, a powerful mage led some temple knights to walk into the forest for a month, but they could not reach the other end of the forest. Who knows where the other side of the forest is? Maybe at the end of the world. Moreover, the size that can be checked in the current record is twenty years ago. At that moment, a great magician from the Magic Union entered along with some high-level holy knights from the temple. Too bad, in the end, only witches came out alive. Listen, there are many high-level monsters that haunt the heart of the Frozen Forest. Even a great mage could not handle the encirclement of some high-level monsters. While mercenaries like us only move in the outer region. The furthest trip we ever took was nine days. That was a few years ago.”
Dewey was surprised.
A magician along with some high-level saint knights walking for a month could not even get to the end?
This forest is that big
Dardanella's expression was rather sour. Where is the golden-eyed python?
“I want to suggest you both.” Beinrich's expression was very serious. “The Snow Wolf Charge Army group has been hunting monsters in this forest for many years, I also met some witches who came to look for monsters. But even some magicians did not dare to go too far, at most only reaching around the Round Lake. I know that if you are a witch, I also respect the abilities of witches. But I still advise you to cancel your plan when it is not needed.”
Dardanelle's ugly expression. He thought for a moment and suddenly said, “Chairman, thank you for your kindness, but I have to find a golden-eyed Piton. Hmm ... and ..” He suddenly showed a strange expression. “I know that your people sell monsters. If possible, I am willing to pay you guys a high price to help me find ...”
“Sorry, can't.” Beinrich refused strongly. “Although we make money that way, I also know that the greater the risk, the greater the profit. But if you know you're going to die and do it anyway, it's not taking risks, it's idiots. The group of the Snow Wolf Bay Army did not have the ability to enter the heart of the Frozen Forest. No matter how high the price you offer, we cannot accept it.”
Dardanelle took a breath. He knew that Beinrich was right, so he did not speak anymore, just sipped wine.
Beinrich's attention returned to Dewey. He thought for a moment then said, “Your Majesty the Witch, I am very curious about you. As far as I know, very few people of your age are qualified as magicians. I have lived for forty years and have twenty years of adventurous experience. I met many witches, but have never seen a genius like you.”
Dewey smiled wryly.
A genius? That's because you don't know.
Dewey's current strength was only around a level three mage. Compared to the two genius girls Dewey met, Dewey had nothing to be proud of.
At the age of fifteen over sixteen gained the qualifications of a new level eight genius mage! Dewey met two people.
Seeing Dewey not speaking, Beinrich fell silent for a while before slowly taking out a scroll.
Dewey's eyes sparkled. “What deal?”
“Look, I know that witches are very rich, so if I give you possessions, you are definitely not interested. So ...” Beinrich smiled. “I and my men will go further north for about four or five days. We'll go to Lake Bulat, then turn around. Since you and your friend will be going north as well for the next few days, you better be with us. Me and my men can be your guides, taking you all the way to Lake Bulat. If there is no guide, in such a large forest it is easy to get lost. What do you think?”
Beinrich opened the scroll in his hand. “This is a map of Frozen Forest. Maps like this can't be found on the market, even if you spend 10,000 gold coins. Because this map I drew based on my memory after 40 adventures in this forest for 20 years. I guarantee you a map as detailed as this can't be found in the entire empire.”
Dewey's heart moved!
He took the map and opened it.
In the picture there is a sign of a large forest. At the southern end are several entrances to the forest. The map also marks several small towns south of the Frozen Forest as well as Storm Troop patrol posts.
Dewey catches a glimpse and finds his way in with the old witch the night before.
Not knowing what the whole forest was, but after Beinrich pointed it out a little, Dewey had an idea.
“This is where we are now.” Beinrich's finger pierced a single point on the map.
From the map, this location was very, very close to the entrance on the southern edge of the forest. Dewey was desperate. After two days of walking, he had just shifted slightly from the entrance.
Beinrich smiled, then pointed a single point within the forest on the map. “This is my travel destination with my people, Round Lake.”
A lake is marked with a rather flat circle on the map.
Beinrich briefly introduced that the lake was located in a forest and was a medium-sized forest lake, but the area was quite large.
“The width of the lake was at least about five miles. Although I have been there several times, I have never measured it. Actually, I've never been across the lake. Round Lake includes a dividing line for several adventurer groups in the Frozen Forest.”
“Means?” Dewey wanted to know about everything in the Frozen Forest.
“Power dividing line.” Beinrich laughs. “Basically, in the south of the lake is not too dangerous, a mercenary group like us can still move. But few people dared to go north of the lake. To my knowledge, those who dared to cross the lake and walk further north were famous strong people all over the land. At least I don't include people like that. I once took my men to the Round Lake several times, but did not dare to walk further north.”
After a moment of silence, he smiled strangely. “There's something I want to add. If it's summer, I won't take people to Lake Bulat. Where there is water, there are usually dangerous beasts. This also applies to magical beasts. Magical animals also need to drink water and love to take a bath. Although the weather here remains cold in the summer, it is not as cold as it is now. Now that it was only the beginning of spring, the water of the lake was still not melting so no monsters would come to the lake. Another is summer. In the summer, it was a gathering place for monsters. I've heard that several mercenary groups, hundreds of people were attacked by monsters on the shores of that lake. The whole team died there. It's winter, so I dare to go there. If it was summer, I would definitely be all the way from there.”
After Beinrich said all this, he looked at Dewey. “How, Your Highness the Witch? My deal is very simple. Me and my men will take you to that lake, and this map will be given to you. Although I have never been to the north of the lake, I've been gathering a lot of information over the years. All the news was spread by some great people who had been to the north of the lake. The information is draining my pockets. Even if you cross the Round Lake and walk directly north, at least the map will show the land two or three days later.”
Dewey glanced at Beinrich. “Esteemed chief, I was curious. If you are not planning to go north of the lake, why do you collect information about the north of the lake?”
There was a hint of emotion in Beinrich's eyes, his expression extremely sincere and solemn. “Your Majesty the Witch, please remember that I am an adventurer.”
When he said those words, his expression looked dignified.
“I'm an adventurer! Even though I am now doing mercenary work and profiting by taking risks in the Frozen Forest, I am not a fraudulent businessman. Adventurous blood flows in my body.” Beinrich said solemnly. “I've been adventuring in this place for half my life. Ever since I was young, I've been listening to these legends. I always thought, what is the Frozen Forest like north of the lake? Although I know that my strength is far from the strong people in the mainland – moreover now there is a large group of people following me, I must take responsibility for them – I have a dream. My dream was that one day when I was old and retired from the position of leader of the mercenary group and my people were handed over to the new leader. When I am alone and have no responsibility, I will cross that lake and go north to see it. I've been around this place my whole life. If I die without seeing what it looks like in the north, I will regret it. I gather information to make future plans. I plan to go alone once I'm ready. I'm even ready to die north of Lake Bulat. Even if I die, I can at least see what the north looks like in the legendary Round Lake. By dying there, I arguably have settled the fate of an adventurer!”
Beinrich said something that amazed Dewey.
“As an adventurer, dying in bed is a shame. As a true adventurer should choose to die on the most adrenaline-pumping trip!”
Dewey took a deep breath, his tone becoming more respectful. “Dear Chief, you promised to be our guide and give us this map. Then what do I need to do for you?”
“Very simple.” Beinrich smiled. “I only have two requests. First, as long as we walk together, if we encounter a problem like being attacked by another person or a monster, please side with us. At any given time, we need the help of a witch.”
“No problem.” Dewey answered immediately. “We walk together means partner. That should have been.”
“Thank you. My second request is if you can return after completing this adventure .. Forgive me for using such unlucky words, but I will advise you one last time. North is very dangerous.” Seeing Dewey not taking his advice, the mercenary chief sighed. “If you can go back, then you are the most powerful witch I've ever met. You are still very young. I have no other word to describe it other than the word ‘genius’. I believe, you will definitely become a famous magician on the mainland. So, if you succeed, I hope you can remember the name of the Snow Wolf Charge Army. I'd like you to remember that the Snow Wolf Paying Army once helped you. You simply help us when needed to return this favor.”
Very smart leader!
Dewey has a little more respect for this chairman.
If the words ‘destiny adventurer’ earlier made him seem like an idealist, then his request showed that the mercenary chairman had a long-term vision.
Actually they don't pay any price for this. They had originally planned to go to the Round Lake. The team of over 100 people, it was fine to bring two more people. Instead, there was a witch accompanying on the street.
In addition, the map was made by the chairman himself. Although he gave it to Dewey, he could draw again at any time. No loss.
And he made a witch owe him a favor.
In Mainland Roland, witches were more valuable than gold, especially powerful witches. This chairman's calculations are very smart. Dewey had become a magician at such a young age that his future must have been bright. As long as he could return alive, it meant that the Snow Wolf Charge Army Group had made friends with a great magician candidate.
Later he could ask for the help of a great magician!
An idealist, but a sly.
This is Dewey's assessment of Chairman Beinrich.
Tonight is quiet.
The next morning, when Dewey came out of the tent, the Snow Wolf Charge Army Group was ready to set off. Some of the soldiers who were not afraid of the cold were rubbing their bodies with snow, while others were shaving beards with daggers. The people who were used to the life of this adventurer had a strong temperament. After which, they called out to their friend with a loud shout to depart.
Dardanelle's mood was a little bad.
After Chairman Beinrich introduced the frozen forest situation last night, Dardanelle knew very well that the chances of finding a golden-eyed python were very small. Even the help of the wizard Harry Potter will not be enough.
Dewey consoled the loyal soldiers of the Liszt family with a few words, then continued on with the group of the Snow Wolf Charge Army.
The group of the Snow Wolf Bay Army was walking slowly. Two teams broke up to spread the search way. This afternoon, Dewey witnessed the process of hunting mercenary group monsters.
The search team found a cave of magical animals. The roots of the towering tree were hollowed out, a gigantic snow-white bear hibernated within it.
This is ‘Baruang Snow Roaring’. This magical beast was almost twice the size of an ordinary bear. It looks like the polar bear Dewey knew in his previous life, but the Roaring Snow Bear can emit a roar-like magic attack that can create a small tornado.
The group of the Snow Wolf Charge Army seemed to have a very skilled way of dealing with this magical beast. Dozens of sturdy warriors tied themselves and their friends with ropes, throwing burning pine branches into the bear cave to force the bear out, then attacking it with arrows from afar.
The roar of the giant bear created a small tornado that threw the two large men into the air. Fortunately, they were tied up with their friends, Although they fell badly, they were not seriously injured due to the heavy snow. Just a poor guy whose ass hit a snow-covered rock, his waist sprained.
The mercenaries locked up the bear, then divided it into four directions, dozens of big men pulling hard on each side.
In the end, Chief Beinrich carried a giant axe and stood about fifteen steps away from the giant bear.
The mercenary chief cut the giant bear's head in two with just one axe!
Dewey was inevitably surprised when he saw it.
Chairman Beinrich's martial arts were indeed great. One of the three great northern mercenaries did possess skills.
Dewey secretly compares him to the martial arts masters he has seen, and discovers that neither Knight Robert nor Swordsman Alpha, his father's bodyguard, are as good as Beinrich.
Probably almost on par with Joanna's martial arts.
Amidst the cheers of the mercenaries, everyone came forward to retrieve the body of the giant bear. A captain skillfully cuts the bear's belly with a dagger, takes out the bear's gallbladder, then the magic core from the bear's head and stores it.
The rest, the three soldiers quickly peeled off the entire bear's skin. While the bear meat is divided into several parts to be carried by the soldiers, then continue the journey.
Today, Dewey saw similar scenes four or five times. The group of the Snow Wolf Bay Army hunted down two more demon wolves. Unfortunately, when hunting the second demon wolf, the stomach of a mercenary was clawed until his entrails came out.
“This is the life of adventurers. Every day adventuring, anyone will be a victim.” Dardanelle whispered to Dewey. “I once lived a life like this, but then I chose to stop.”
The mercenaries only showed a hint of condolence to the comrades who had died, then buried their comrades and continued the journey with their heads raised.
At night, everyone ate the flesh of the demon wolf, but when taking turns drinking wine to warm up, Dewey realized a detail.
The dozens of mercenaries sitting around the campfire did not touch the wine bag that was being distributed.
“They are the guard tonight.” The group leader looked at the confused Dewey and said flatly. “They should be 100% alert and rational all night. Because if a night watchman is negligent in a place like this it could kill an entire team. Therefore, the night watchman was not allowed to drink a drop of wine at all. But as a gift, the night watchman will drink twice as much wine and get extra from the harvest tomorrow.”
After saying that, the group leader added in a low voice. “Of course, if they can come back alive at that time.”
Hearing that, Dewey looked at the soldiers who were looking at the night guards who were calmly watching their comrades cheering and drinking. There was a little respect in his eyes.