The goddesses attempted to gain my salvation.

However, everyone inadvertently overlooked one thing.

The appearance of the magical artifact [Thirteen Bells] was already a very unusual thing, and what's more, the Adventurers' Guild and the Grudos Merchant Guild behind it were offering a huge reward of 20 million gold coins for this expedition.

Everything indicates that this punitive order and the monster uprising are unlike any other before.

Chapter 285 Reencounter with Ziel, the Far North Where Danger Lurks

On the icy plains, adventurers traversed the snow and wind in a grand procession.

The cold wind, like sharp knives, pierced through their cotton-padded clothes, tearing at their flesh and blood. On their rough, freckled skin, it left behind red frost, a mark of hardship.

However, their desire for money was enough to overcome the cold; they were full of fighting spirit and walked with firm steps.

Along the way, the adventurers would take out the strong liquor they had brought, along with some processed and woven rations. They would walk and drink, chatting with those around them.

The overall atmosphere was incredibly relaxed, like going on a picnic.

However, the major labor unions acted contrary to their usual practice.

In previous large-scale raids, they were always at the forefront, afraid of falling behind and letting others steal the monster with the highest bounty. But this time, they chose to stay in the middle.

As top-tier adventurers, they possess perception abilities beyond those of ordinary people.

They instinctively sensed that this campaign was different from the past and required caution. These men stood out starkly from the relaxed, picnic-like atmosphere around them; their faces were grim, and they remained poised to draw their weapons at any moment.

Time passed by second by second, and in the blink of an eye, the sun had completely set in the west.

The predicted time had long since arrived, and they had already crossed the border of the far north, arriving at this northern exile land that no one could set foot in.

This is where the empire exiled criminals.

Further north lies the place where the monsters live.

However, the area is too cold, and the magical beasts that inhabit it are mostly powerful. Therefore, the area north of the border was not incorporated into the empire's territory.

Even the most comprehensive world map to date only roughly outlines the extent of this region.

As for what's inside, nobody knows.

into the night.

The cold wind grew stronger, and the adventurers decided to stay put and rest for a while before continuing their journey the next day.

The Adventurers' Guild began setting up camp, and campfires were lit one after another on the ice plains, looking like stars from high above.

Several fire-attribute adventurers, capable of resisting the cold, were responsible for perimeter security, while several light-attribute adventurers were responsible for patrolling the entire area from high above.

Ryan sat quietly by the campfire in the crowd, eating beef jerky and drinking freshly warmed liquor.

The shadows seemed to move restlessly in the firelight.

"Speaking of which, you're actually... not an adventurer, are you?"

"And judging from your skin, you're not from the Empire."

Beside Ryan, a young man named Lukin was chewing on beef jerky and chugging alcohol.

They've been talking for half an hour.

It must be said that Lukin's intuition was extremely sharp.

He sensed in Ryan a composure and a detachment from money that adventurers could never possess.

“That’s right.” Ryan didn’t hide anything.

Lucien flicked his wrist, pointing at Ryan with the remaining half of the beef jerky. The gilded short sword at his waist gleamed in the flames.

"Although this raid order is officially open to anyone, according to past practice, only adventurers registered with the association will receive rewards in the final settlement."

“You’re not an adventurer, so there’s no profit to be made from hunting monsters. You’re not from the Empire either, so you wouldn’t be here because of some so-called patriotism. So, I don’t understand why you’ve come all this way to the far north.”

"If I were you, what I would do right now is to turn around and leave immediately."

Ryan shrugged, glancing at the adventurers around him who were gradually getting into their sleeping bags and falling asleep, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"I'm actually here to look for something."

"Looking for something?" Lu Jin leaned forward and quickly asked, "Is there some treasure hidden here?"

Ryan took a small sip of his drink and popped the rest of the beef jerky into his mouth: "Have you ever heard of the Skyship?"

Lukin squinted and remained silent for a long time.

"So, you're here to find the legend."

"Admirable and respectable."

"However, this godforsaken place is nothing but cold and monsters. The legendary sky ships that can sail in the sky... just take it as a story."

Ryan didn't argue.

Just then, a girl carrying a huge lute walked over.

"I don't think so."

"The Sky Ship really exists."

After saying that, the girl took off her hood, revealing a smile that Ryan knew all too well.

Black and white striped stockings, black biker-style studded shoes, and a modified punk-style papal robe.

“It’s you, Ziel.”

"I never expected to see you here."

"Didn't you stay at the college to continue your college system reforms?"

Ryan smiled, took the lute from Ziel, and draped a thick cashmere coat over her shoulders.

Ryan possesses a fiery inner fire, which is why he is not afraid of the cold.

Ziel sat down next to Ryan, placing his hands beside the campfire: "The academy's institutional reforms are now complete. It's a pity you didn't get to see the end."

"If you manage to stay at the academy, you'll be amazed by the changes it has undergone."

"Do you remember what we talked about in the dean's office back then? Now, the magic academy has basically achieved what we envisioned back then."

"Go back and take a look when you have time."

They all miss you.

After listening, Ryan forced a bitter smile.

He knew, of course, who Ziel was referring to when he said "them".

However, he still had one important thing to do.

Orina is sleeping soundly in the shadow at his feet.

"I will go back after this is over."

Ziel sighed.

“You always say that, but every time you end up not being able to return to the academy.”

"The academy isn't going to eat you..."

Ziel and Ryan chatted as if no one else was around, while Lucin across from them seemed a little dazed.

On one hand, Ziel's attire was bizarre; Lukin had never seen such a style before. Although it looked strange, Ziel's cute appearance and almost perfect figure (except for her chest) perfectly complemented this eccentric style of clothing.

It is bizarre and wonderful, yet full of a harmonious beauty.

This was the first time Lukin had encountered this.

On the other hand, Luckin heard the word "magic academy" several times during the conversation.

Magic Academy...

Are these two people from the magic academy?

Lucien had also attended a magic academy as a child. He felt a sense of familiarity and affection for the academy.

After graduating, due to the decline of his family, Lukin left the family and became an adventurer.

However, magic academies are different from the Holy See, so it's normal for instructors to go solo.

What surprised Lukin was Ziel's statement that the Sky Ship was real.

He was also very interested in adventure and legends, among which the skyship and the aurora route were shrouded in myth and legend, and he was deeply attracted to this legend when he was young.

"Madam, are you saying that the Sky Ship really exists?"

"Do you have any evidence?"