The next day, the team continued to move forward under Abel’s lead.
“The quality of the dwarf’s map is really good.” Abel sighed as he walked. “To be able to draw every road on this island so clearly, I’ve never seen it before.”
“That’s true.” Claremont nodded. Today, it was his turn to walk to the front and lead the way with Abel. “I feel that we don’t need to worry too much about the route we’re taking.”
“How did they do it? They spend a lot of manpower and money on it every year,” Abel said.
“The dwarf guild is so popular. This is also their way of making a living,” Claremont commented.
“Mm.” Abel nodded.
It was almost December. Staying in the mountains, it felt like it was already winter.
“Is it because the place is different? It feels like this is the coldest winter I’ve ever experienced,” a soldier said as he looked up at the sky.
“According to the time, it’s not winter yet,” a soldier replied. “I reckon that by the end of December, the entire valley will be frozen.”
“Fortunately, we should be near the volcano by then. It shouldn’t be colder than staying here,” the soldier said as he sniffed.
Abel noticed that the moisture in the air had become scarce. He also heard the coughing sounds of the soldiers behind him. He said worriedly, “If the soldiers catch a cold at this time, it will be troublesome.”
Hearing this, Claremont looked behind him and said, “The bodies of the soldiers shouldn’t be so weak.” At least he felt that although the autumn wind in the valley was bone-piercing, it still didn’t affect his body’s status.
“The air on the island in this season is cold and humid. It’s different from the situation in the Nahrin Desert,” Abel explained. “We walk in the mountains and forests, and we can’t see the sun behind the clouds all day long. After a few days of living like this, the cotton-padded jackets worn by the warriors might be soaked.”
“Do the elves have any ideas?” Hearing this, Claremont was distressed for a while, and then he thought of the spell that Abel and the other elven soldiers had cast a few days ago.
Abel pursed his lips and shook his head. “Our bodies are already oversaturated. In this environment of the entire island, that spell can’t do anything.”
“It doesn’t matter. Humans have their ways. Among the various races that live in this world, the ones who have fought against nature the most are the humans. Just remind the warriors to be careful,” Claremont said optimistically.
“Yes,” Abel replied.
After noon, the sky became darker and darker.
After advancing for a few hours, the two people leading the way began to plan for everyone to stop and rest before finding a place to set up camp.
Claremont slowed down his pace. He watched as the scouts passed by him and counted the number of people.
“Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven. All present,” Claremont said quietly.
“Claremont.” Devitt walked to Claremont’s side and called out, “Are you ready to let the troops rest?”
“Yes. After all, the weather now…” Claremont pointed at the dark sky.
“But it’s only four o’clock in the afternoon.” Devitt widened his eyes and said.
“So early?” Claremont glanced at Abel’s back. He didn’t pay much attention to the time. He just looked at the drowsy sky while listening to Abel’s conversation. He had the illusion that it was already evening.
“Although the time for marching will be shortened in the future, we still have to make good use of time to move forward on such days,” Devitt said with a slightly serious expression. “I’ll go explain to Captain Abel.”
Devitt handed the task of tailing the troops to Claremont and walked to the front row himself.
“Captain Abel.” Devitt walked to Abel’s side and called out.
“Eh? Captain Devitt, why are you walking in front?” Abel turned around and glanced at Claremont who was following behind the troops.
“I think that even in this season, we have to maintain more than eleven hours of marching time every day,” Devitt said directly.
“Yes.” Abel understood what Devitt was referring to, and then voiced his doubts. “But I’m worried about the environment in the valley after dark.”
“Don’t worry about that. I brought something back from the centaurs,” Devitt said.
“What?” Abel was a bit curious. He didn’t expect Devitt to buy other items after entering the market.
“This.” Devitt took out an item that looked like a lantern.
Abel pointed at this magical artifact in surprise and asked, “What is this?”
“This magical artifact is called the Light of Caucasia. After opening it, any species outside of the light will find a way to avoid it,” Devitt introduced. Then, he handed the magical artifact to Abel, he hoped that he could inject a trace of magic into it.
Abel circulated his power suspiciously as usual, and his spiritual power surged to his fingertips. The ‘lantern’ immediately absorbed the spiritual power between his fingers.
After a moment of silence, “Bang!” Something seemed to explode in the lantern.
Then, the magical artifact emitted a dazzling light, which made Abel gasp in surprise. The other soldiers noticed this movement and also cried out in alarm.
The areas surrounding the scouts shone as bright as day. This light followed Abel’s will and attached itself onto every soldier.
Whether it was the humans or the elves, when that light attached itself to their bodies… Their vision became bright.
Abel himself also noticed this change and exclaimed in admiration, “This magic artifact is really powerful. However, under such great power, won’t the user be able to react to any side effects?”
“No.” According to the owner of the shop, this magic artifact has a long history. In the beginning, the effect it displayed was far more than that. However, after it fell into the hands of all kinds of people, it can only have this effect now. It’s already considered a waste,” Devitt explained.
“For us, it’s enough to achieve the legendary effect of driving out other races.” Abel used his finger to caress the gap on the magic artifact and guessed, “Even so, the price that the shop owner offered is still high, right?”
“Five gold coins. For us who need to hurry, it’s worth it,” Devitt replied.
“I’m really curious about the price level in the centaur market. From the looks of it, there is indeed a considerable gap between different shops,” Abel pondered.
