NOVPUB"You will accompany Mr. Rocky, escorted by the Flying Dragon Cavalry, and reach the Northern border with the utmost speed," the secretary explained to the bodyguard Siegler about the upcoming journey in the study of Lanci’s private residence. "From there, on the snowfield, we’ll be relying on you to escort Mr. Rocky. Please ensure his safety at all costs."
Siegler nodded, glancing at Lanci, who was leisurely sipping tea at the desk.
Generally speaking, if there was no particular rush, they wouldn’t call upon the Flying Dragon Cavalry to quickly transport them to the very north of the Empire within its borders.
This way, the journey within the borders could be shortened by several times to just half a day by air, but the cost of air transport would also be many times higher than traveling by land.
Further north, the dragons were unable to fly through the darkness, extreme cold, and blizzards, so land travel was necessary when crossing the Land of Perpetual Night.
"The path across the snowfield strictly passes through several independent city-states..."
The secretary continued to instruct Siegler while looking over the itinerary.
Lanci also opened the pocket atlas with one hand, browsing it idly in the meantime.
He had developed a habit of always carrying a child-friendly version of the map, even if there was a guide.
Under normal circumstances, the Land of Perpetual Night, being a vast expanse of snowfield, was quite treacherous, with packs of ferocious beasts, chaotic law and order, and a tendency to reject humans.
Now, it was even wartime.
The current situation in the neighboring countries meant that Stealth Blood Clan scouts might also appear on the snowfield.
The journey, already dangerous, was thus further complicated.
As for the route across the snowfield, it had already been planned out, or rather, there was only one optimal path—
Lanci had accepted a job to repair the statues worshipped by the Beastmen City-States along the way. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
The Beastmen City-States held their deities in particularly high regard, believing their long-lasting prosperity was due to the protection of the gods, and the statues in their city-states were indispensable objects in their rituals and ceremonies.
Unfortunately, the Beastmen were not skilled in this kind of craftsmanship, and they usually had to ask artisans from surrounding countries to maintain their statues. However, due to the increasing tension between humans and Beastmen in recent years and the already poor law and order in the Land of Perpetual Night, renowned craftsmen were unwilling to travel to the snowfield.
Moreover, it was said that some of the irate Beastman Great Lords might even attack the artisans if the repairs were unsatisfactory.
As a result, none of the half-baked craftsmen were willing to risk their lives on such pretenses.
Even Small Stone City, the closest to the Palante Empire and most friendly towards humans, had sought craftsmen from the Palante Empire several times, but no master artisan was willing to take on this arduous, thankless task with such high risk.
After all, no one was confident enough to guarantee the satisfaction of the Beastmen.
Of course, on the other hand, if the repairs were well-done, it was possible to gain considerable favor and preference from them, as they were quite straightforward in nature.
This time, it was heard that a royal master craftsman from the Palante Empire was willing to take on the job, and it was not just a single job but the repair work for six city-states from south to north. The Beastmen City-States were very much looking forward to it and guaranteed that they would do their utmost to ensure Master Rocky’s safety along the way.
Lanci was well aware that the Land of Perpetual Night, being the route between the Demon World and the Palante Empire, was even more crucial during war times.
Gaining the support and assistance of the indigenous Beastmen meant tremendous convenience; likewise, this was a territory that absolutely could not fall into the hands of the Blood Clan.
Lanci intended to convey the Huo Ning Empire’s intentions of aggression to the Beastman Great Lords to the best of his ability.
Even though the prejudice of the Beastmen City-States against humans was still great, someone had to take the first step to possibly create change.
"This gentleman is quite esteemed. When you lead him through the Land of Perpetual Night, please follow this Red Cover Book and don’t let him suffer any harm or unpleasantness in the Beastmen City-States," said the secretary as he handed a red-covered book to Siegler, who flipped through it reluctantly and then nodded.
If it weren’t for the money, she wouldn’t want to escort such an overly delicate master at all.
"Damn, what a hassle," she muttered to herself.
"Shush!"
The secretary was so startled that he shivered,
"You can’t use such vulgar language in front of this gentleman," he quickly admonished Siegler, praying that the Prime Minister had not heard that remark.
"What do you mean by ’vulgar’ language?"
Siegler asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"It means that your choice of words needs to be more elegant and polite," the secretary explained to her patiently.
Although he also knew that this coachman had some small issues, such as the potential to offend the Prime Minister unwittingly due to her ignorance and fearlessness, she was indeed skilled at handling trouble. Leaving the Prime Minister in her care was the most reassuring option.
"I haven’t been to school. I don’t know how to say those so-called elegant words."
Siegler spread her hands.
Previously, most of her escort missions were for merchants going to the Snowfield to do business. Rarely had she heard of a high-ranking noble willing to personally visit the Land of Perpetual Night. Even if they had official business, it would typically be a professional troop escorting them, not a secretive private commission like this.
"Miss Siegler…"
The secretary felt the words catch in his throat.
He couldn’t tell Siegler that this gentleman was the Prime Minister, who also bore a unique responsibility and needed to travel incognito to the north.
"No worries, no need to trouble the kid."
Lanci sat at the table and lightly chuckled as he set down his teacup.
Although he personally did not swear, he did not try to alter the speech habits of others.
Moreover, the kid didn’t understand.
"Alright."
The secretary was quite grateful to Lanci and continued to explain the remaining details to Siegler.
The Prime Minister had never made things difficult for him and had always been considerate to his subordinates at work.
Siegler glanced at Lanci again.
It seemed like this client was a bit different from the high and mighty nobles she had imagined.
...
That afternoon.
A few hours’ journey passed in the blink of an eye.
On the silvery white expanse of the Palante Empire’s northern border with the Snowfield, a girl wearing a beret was driving a sled, her figure calm and efficient, as if merging with the beauty of this icy world.
Ahead of the sled, two Mystical Deer dashed through the snow, their hooves kicking up a mist of snow, almost as if drawing nature’s own map on the snowfield.
Siegler had set out with Lanci in the morning and taken a flight to reach the northernmost part of the Palante Empire.
After renting the fastest magical beast for travel in the Land of Perpetual Night, they left the border.
The girl’s cheeks flushed slightly in the cold wind, and the Reindeer Whip in her hand swished softly, making sounds at intervals.
Behind her, a man sat quietly in the backseat.
His gaze was focused on the small handbook map in his hands.
The map fluttered in the wind, its corners waving gently, as the young man seemed to ponder the journey ahead.
"Actually, we’ve already completed more than half of today’s journey. The first thing I’ll need when we reach tonight’s stop is for you to find me the most spacious inn available and to buy some groceries for me. I’ll give you a list, and you can purchase accordingly," Lanci said as his brown hair waved gently in the cold wind, his face full of anticipation for the journey through the north.
"Why not just eat at a restaurant?" Siegler asked, slightly turning her head.
She thought these clients were too fussy.
During the trip within the Palante Empire’s borders, they had had little interaction. It seemed as though he was quite tired from his work a few days earlier and spent most of the time resting with his eyes closed.
"I thought so too, but my chef advised me to cook at home," Lanci said, glancing at his shadow, sighing.
Cat Boss always said to eat out less.
When he and Cat Boss were in the Northern Continent before, Cat Boss was often the chef once they started their journey.
"Fine."
Siegler took out a pen and scribbled on a notepad.
After all, according to the contract, such basic expenses were to be borne by the party hiring her.
The better the client’s experience, the more she could justifiably snag some extra food.
Usually frugal, now she didn’t have to pay for food and accommodation during work, and the boss didn’t mind the expenses, so she just had to carry a bit more.
Lanci watched her scribbled handwriting from behind, a faint smile curling his lips.
Even if she was somewhat reluctant, her professionalism was commendable, taking note of everything.
