Pioneer Wizard's Notebook

The cold wind howled, and the swirling snowflakes scraped against my cheeks like blades.

The rangers' hooves pounded the snow as they moved forward.

After finding shelter at the foot of a slope, Linde opened the map to confirm the team's current location.

The frozen plains in winter are a vast expanse of white as far as the eye can see.

In the absence of visual references, pedestrians can easily lose their way.

Thinking they were moving forward, they were actually going in circles, eventually exhausting themselves and being buried by the heavy snow.

Fortunately, the location of the riverbank is easy to identify.

About eighty kilometers downstream along the Mecca River lies the town built along the river within the territory.

Based on the speed at which maned horses travel in the snow, the journey will take two days.

When Linde came out, he brought a gray furnace rat with him.

The little guy was huddled under his furry collar to escape the cold.

When camping in the wild at night, simply feed it charcoal, and the warm sun and breeze will envelop the camp, allowing the rangers to sleep comfortably.

Without the threat of the cold night, the two-day journey proceeded smoothly.

It was noon that day.

Linde looked up.

Following the direction of the river, the general outline of the town could be faintly seen emerging from the snow and ice in the distance.

Riverbend Town, the lord town of Riverbend Territory, is just ahead.

Compared to Sunflower Manor and Spring Flower Town, River Bend Town is much larger, with a permanent population of around two thousand.

This is mainly due to the town's location by the river, which provides a stable food source.

In spring, the ice on the river melts.

It can also serve as a trade route, allowing trade with Fengya City in the rear and even southern cities.

The reason the Riverbank Baron married Lady Maria of the Sunflower family was to secure a stable supply of goods such as furs, timber, and herbs from the Ice Mist Forest.

The two companies are responsible for commodity supply and foreign trade, respectively.

Join forces and earn tons of gold coins.

Yes, the idea is wonderful, but reality is cruel.

The combined strength of the Flowery Territory and the Riverbank Territory is far from sufficient to forge their own trade routes.

The goods that were shipped out were eventually intercepted by Fengya City downstream.

Faced with the powerful Hyacinth family and the threat of trade taxes, the two families had no choice but to compromise.

As an upstream supplier for the hyacinth family, one can only earn a meager living by running errands.

Trade by force was the norm among nobles, and it did not affect the harmonious relationship between the three noble families who clinked glasses and chatted during banquets.

At least on the surface, that's how it seems.

I've sorted out the information about Hewan Town in my mind.

Lind rode forward, leading the rangers closer to the town.

Broken spears and arrows were stuck all over the ground, and the surface of the six-meter-high wall showed charred marks from burning oil.

Wooden watchtowers collapsed and fell to the ground, with blood-stained strips of torn cloth left on the broken ends of the wooden stakes.

What came into view was a scene of ruins that had just experienced war.

Even the air seemed to be filled with a strong stench of blood.

"An attack from the Icefield Demons, a brutal war for survival. I didn't expect the Riverbank Baron to be so courageous and dedicated to his duty."

Riding his horse over the wreckage, Lin De sighed in a tone of awe.

Compared to his father and elder brother, who abandoned their territory and fled alone, the Riverbank Baron's family died on the battlefield, which can be described as heroic.

Unfortunately, in the northern ice plains, heroes are always short-lived; after their glorious burning, only unnoticed embers remain.

Even family members can only pray for the protection of others.

Linde shook his head, no longer paying attention to the battlefield, and approached the town gate.

The heavy cedar wood door was already open.

The team that received the news came to greet them and gathered on both sides of the road.

Leading the group was a blonde woman dressed in a warm cashmere robe, with a cloak draped over her shoulders bearing the ship's coat of arms of the Riverbank Baron, the Pharos family.

Lind's aunt, Mrs. Maria, inherited the Sunflower family's signature blonde hair and beautiful face.

She is over forty years old this year and has five children.

Aside from the wrinkles around her eyes, she looks remarkably young, like a woman in her early twenties, radiating a unique feminine charm.

Beside her stood two girls, one older and one younger.

Twelve-year-old Monica inherited her father's brown hair and always maintained a ladylike posture.

Nine-year-old Agatha has hair color between her parents', a smooth tan with slightly curly ends.

At that moment, Agatha's calves, clad in white snow boots, were moving restlessly.

She would occasionally stand on tiptoe, craning her neck to look ahead.

"Be quiet and don't move around."

Monica, the older sister, cautioned that her younger sister's impolite behavior had made her somewhat unhappy.

"Okay, I understand."

Agatha, feeling wronged, pouted and turned her head away, not wanting to talk to her sister.

Suddenly she noticed a troop of cavalry approaching in the distance, braving the wind and snow.

The leader's brilliant blonde hair fluttered in the cold wind, and his sunflower-patterned blouse shimmered in the sunlight.

"It's Brother Linde!"

Ignoring her sister's displeasure, Agatha jumped up on the spot, waving her little hands excitedly.

Linde rode closer, jumped off his horse, and smiled as he opened his arms.

The petite and soft girl threw herself into his arms.

A strand of brown hair brushed against the tip of her nose, releasing a sweet fragrance.

"Squeak!"

The gray furnace rat, squeezed out from in front of his chest, shook its head, ran to Lind's shoulder, and raised its big tail in protest.

"Oh, what an adorable little squirrel! Hello!"

Agatha raised her little head and, upon seeing the fiery red fur of the Ash Squirrel, reached out her little hand to touch it.

The gray furnace rat turned its head away unhappily, lay down on Lind's shoulder, its big tail covering itself, but it did not resist being petted.

"have not seen you for a long time."

Linde patted Agatha's head, and she looked pleased.

Because she and her sister Colisa were about the same age, the two little girls quickly became good friends.

Linde was very close to his sister, and by extension, he was also acquainted with his cousin Agatha. He used to take care of both girls often.

That's how children are; they become close to whoever spends the most time with them.

Holding Agatha, Lind walked toward the door.

Behind him, seven rangers dismounted and stood guard around him.

These young men, despite having experienced numerous life-or-death battles, showed no fear of challenges on the battlefield.

However, living in a remote town for many years has limited his horizons.

He had felt ashamed of himself for almost making a fool of himself back in Blackrock City.

Before setting off, they discussed it among themselves and finally approved Knight Mark's proposal.

Upon arriving in Hewan Town, everyone stood tall and remained expressionless.

As long as they don't react, no one will see through their country bumpkin nature!

The effect is obvious.

With the Rangers marching in unison behind him, Linden could clearly feel the change in the gazes of those around him.

The chilling atmosphere, honed by the battlefield, exudes a sense of oppression, amplified by the surrounding wreckage.