Meanwhile the Northern Expedition led by the Cold Roses guild suffered as they moved. Then one of the Rangers scouted out a path.
"The position of what was once the largest Castle of the Northern Village has been found. But we've yet to acquire any information related to our goal. Maybe more information can be found by walking around in the town and Castle."
Drum made the report in a weak voice. Guild master Oberon listened to Wizard Drum as he finished.
“We can’t explore in that way. They’re already talking about us resentfully.”
If not for Oberon’s reputation and guild’s power, the saturated complaints about the expedition would have been enough to break the expedition apart.
Doreum nodded in agreement.
“Then there is only one way.”
“Only one?”
“The best option is to move to a higher elevation. Sendeim Valley. We will go to what the Northern residents call the Valley of Death.”
People gazed, wide-eyed, at their new destination on the map.
The terrain map of the Northern Region has been completed by direct reconnaissance. The villages were listed but the interiors had not been explored. Indeed, only the name and location could be seen on the basic map.
Kerberos found the Valley of Death. It was a secluded place in the very North of the Northern Continent.
“A place close to the capital of the Nifleheim Empire. It’s close to Bent Castle. Is there a reason we need to go?”
The ranger simply replied.
“Because that place is very cold.”
“It’s freezing?”
"Yes. It is the coldest part of the Northern Continent. Try to recall if you have something that can lower the temperature of the continent. Judging by the rumors, perhaps the Serbian Witch's necklace is broken."
“The broken glass bead necklace of the Serbian Witch!”
The Serbian Witch that appeared in the Versailles Continent’s history.
She made many things. Serbian’s broken beads were among the highest grade of unique items ever recorded.
“I can’t be sure, but, according to the information we received from the travellers and the locals, the Northern Continent was not an area that was originally this cold.
“You’re saying that the reason the North is this cold is due to the broken beads of Serbian, right?”
“It is likely the case.”
Oberon, Drum and Kerberos’s eyes met.
At this point, they had no better option.
Oberon decided.
“Okay. Let’s head to the Valley of Death.”
The expedition clutched their hungry bellies as they marched.
There was not much food supply remaining.
Although the Rangers could have moved away from the group to hunt for food, they were the only ones who knew the precise location of the Valley of Death, therefore staying together was less risky.
Whiiing!
Every time a cold wind blew, the expeditionary forces shrank their bodies. Especially during the ice storms, they weathered under a hill that left the expeditionary force shivering in fear.
“If this keeps up we’re going to wiped out.”
“It’s fine. Just make sure to watch out for incoming storms.”
"Of course! I will be watching carefully with both eyes. Don't worry about me."
Pavo and Gaston stuck together.
An Architect is needed to dig a hole. Therefore if you were beside him during an ice storm, you can crawl inside the hole until it is safe to come out again.
There were a lot of artisan surrounding Pavo. Artisans such as Blacksmiths, and Tailors.
“Whew, we are going to need the Architects to survive.”
Pavo did not think of this and shook his head.
They had dreamed about an adventure. If they wanted to build strong building they would need them. However he did not want to rely on other people and felt bad. Around Pavo the cooks were getting cold stares.
“They should have some food to spare....”
“They irresponsibly used up all the food ingredients.”
The cooks thought differently.
‘They eagerly ate when we cooked for them.’
‘Lets try to make something tastier.’
‘We just cook its not our fault!’
However it was not the time to complain, the Cooks could only hold on their complains.
Hunger forced the expedition into the Valley of Death. Though they expected snowstorms and ice, they met neither one.
But as they moved deeper into the Valley they were met with a tremendous cold wind.
“Ah-Choo.”
“Bless you!”
The expedition much like a group of refugees went through many hardships but finally arrived at their destination. They were surprised yet again.
“There are flowers that bloom even in this cold ground.”
“There are trees growing.”
The yellow flowers that did not match their surroundings were blooming everywhere. The trees were blocking the strong wind that the Valley was so proud of.
The rangers did nothing but gawk.
“When we came before we didn’t.....”
“This wasn't here before, where did all of the ice go?”
Oberon asked in a calm but serious manner..
“What's going on?”
Doreum shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I do not know.”
They were happy to see a valley filled with flowers instead of ice. In fact this scene was burned into their memory for some time.
Any expression of coldness and clattering teeths dissipated. To them, the place was unlike any other.
The expedition was surprise that it was really happening. The people stood at the entrance to the Valley of Death!
They sighted Weed.
Weed, Seoyoon, and Alveron all stood downwind. Oberon and the expedition came slowly through the snow.
But all their eyes, filled with surprised, settled on Weed.
“That man, is Weed right?”
“That’s right. I saw Sculptor Weed in Rodium.”
Gaston and Pabo knew of Weed
Dark Gamer Volk also heard of him.
“A Sculptor named Weed?”
“Honey! You said the Sculptor of Rosenheim Kingdom went by the same name, right?”
“The name Weed is not uncommon. But the face... is the same! Weed. It’s the Weed who carved the bouquet I confessed with!”
Volk’s eyes were open wide surprise.
His attire was different from what he wore in Rhodium. When Volk initially met Weed he looked like the most wretched of beggars. He only noticed the similar face when Weed was dressed in rags. But after hearing the name Volk was quite certain.
“We finally meet again, Weed.”
Volk wanted to see Weed. But he would have never thought that he would find him in the Northern Continent, where no players ever ventured. He began to run towards Weed.
“Weed!”
“Hey it’s Geomchi320!”
"Come here and make me some food. I'm starving. The food you make is incredible tasty."
“Euheoheoheong”
The hungry Geomchis made their way towards Weed. Oberon, Kerberos, and Drum listened to the conversation of Volk and the others.
“Sculptor?”
Drum said with interested.
“So it seems to be.”
Oberon nodded in agreement..
“That guy is the famous Sculptor who carved the Sphinx?”
After making the Sphinx statue, all the guilds wanted to recruit him.
Oberon also sent people to recruit him but by then Weed had already left the Rosenheim Kingdom. He had wanted to somehow meet Weed, but had not expected to see him here.
Kerberos smiled brightly.
“If he is the Sculptor Weed then we are fortunate indeed.”
Drum readily agreed.
“If he created a sculpture somewhere here, it'll be a big help to the expedition.”
As usual, Weed was not pleased of their arrival. The expedition had sprouted a new awareness of the Artist Professions and the Production Professions.
Especially in extreme weather conditions, struggling to live is bound to take a toll. Open appreciation to the professions!
Other Productions and Art Professions did not have the opportunity.
They had been ignored and were not able to adapt to a normal hunting party. However, even for himself, it was difficult to survive in the Northern Continent, therefore it showed their remarkable ability.
The novice Sculptor Depp had made a fire sculpture!
A large number of people benefited from that sculpture.
The usefulness of sculptors was recognized.
Weed took the expedition to the place where his statue was.
“It’s warm.”
“Now I feel like I’ll live.”
The Geomchis were able to lie down and stretch their legs.
Oberon and the rest of the expedition saw the Geomchis and the statues.
“Could this be the effect of the statues?”
Oberon and the rest were surprised.
***