บท 2: The covert operation has been set in motion
In Hammerstone Town, Lady Freya, the mayor, is a figure of immense respect among the townsfolk. This admiration stems not from her elevated status, but rather from her kindness and benevolence. Thanks to her, the annual taxes they are required to pay are significantly lower than those in neighboring towns, allowing the townspeople to lead lives that are far from desperate. To them, having a good lord is the greatest fortune in life.
It is said that Lady Freya hails from the imperial capital, a person of notable lineage who left the bustling city after her husband's death on the battlefield to seek solace in this tranquil town. The origins of this tale are uncertain, yet the townspeople steadfastly believe in it.
Around the end of October, a lavishly adorned carriage rolled into Hammerstone Town, heading directly to the countess's residence. Thus, the townsfolk were denied a glimpse of the distinguished personage within. They could only speculate about the remarkable figure, supposedly from the imperial capital, by the throngs of well-equipped guards surrounding the carriage.
The following day, the townspeople noticed that the numerous and well-armed guards had established camp outside the town. The soldiers did not disturb the townsfolk, nor did the townsfolk dare to intrude upon them. Both sides coexisted peacefully, with only the town's children displaying their curiosity by frequently approaching the military encampment to observe the soldiers training under the scorching sun. The adults, noticing that the soldiers bore this intrusion with equanimity, allowed the children's behavior, merely reminding them not to get too close to the camp.
Aside from this, the town appeared unchanged. Well, it cannot be said that there were no changes; at least, the day after the carriage arrived, the townsfolk discovered that the countess's residence had welcomed a young woman.
The girl, approximately eighteen years old, possessed cascading golden hair and wore a delicate sky-blue mage's robe that accentuated her captivating figure. Her youthful face bore a gentle and delicate expression, intertwined with a hint of resilience—her fresh and graceful demeanor reminiscent of a sweet and lovely neighborly sister, evoking sympathy from those around her.
From her daily conversations and manners, the townsfolk could discern that she was a well-bred noblewoman. Like Lady Freya, she was an amiable aristocrat, and her beauty made her a goddess in this somewhat remote town.
It was said that she was a relative of the countess, studying at the renowned Martial and Magic Academy, the "War Academy," and had come to visit her distant relative during the academy's break.
"Ah, Lux, while life here may not rival the luxury of the imperial capital, I trust you find joy in it nonetheless?" Lady Freya inquired with a warm smile during one evening's bonfire gathering. Thus, the townsfolk learned the girl's name was Lux.
"What a lovely name," the townsfolk remarked in praise.
Occasionally, the townspeople would see Lux taking evening strolls with the countess after dinner, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun as they gazed out at the Wintery Embrace Forest, obscured by towering trees in the distance. Her gaze seemed to seek something elusive.
When encountering the townsfolk, the girl would greet them kindly, yet until the day heavy snowflakes began to fall, nearly no one managed to engage in meaningful conversation with her. Their encounters were akin to clouds soaring across the sky and streams flowing across the earth—occasional glimpses without convergence, forever separated by different realms.
However, this does not mean that there were no interactions between the girl and anyone in the town.
On a chilly morning at the end of November, as the weather turned frigid, a dry and cold wind swept through the streets, heralding the imminent arrival of snow in the minds of the townsfolk. Meanwhile, within the countess's mansion, Lux received exhilarating news.
"What? Found it?" The melodic lilt of her voice brimmed with excitement and disbelief. "Is there truly such a thing in the Wintery Embrace Forest?"
"Indeed, ma'am. Over the past month, we have scoured every nook and cranny of the forest. Though we suffered some losses from monster attacks, we finally pinpointed a general location in the northwest of the forest, thanks to the readings from the detector," reported one of the soldiers, a hint of exhilaration in his voice. The myriad of beasts, insects, and fierce monsters in the jungle had posed a great challenge, making the successful completion of their mission a welcome relief.
"Excellent! Relay the order to prepare the equipment; we shall set off by noon. Our objective is to retrieve the item and return to the imperial capital by tomorrow!" Lux exclaimed, excitement radiating from her. Then, a thought struck her. "By the way, has the Lord of Winter's Embrace reacted to your movements during this time?"
"Um... no, ma'am. Aside from the occasional minor beasts harassing our ranks, the Lord of Winter's Embrace has remained elusive. We've encountered few high-level monsters, let alone any sign of the lord," the soldier replied, refraining from personal commentary. It is a soldier's duty to avoid introducing personal opinions into intelligence reports, as it may cloud the commander's judgment.
"Could there be some underlying scheme?" Lux mused, not particularly surprised by the lack of high-level monsters encountered in such a notoriously dangerous area of the continent. After all, high-level monsters are not without intelligence; it is wise for them to avoid provoking the forces of Depon. However, the absence of any action from the Lord of Winter's Embrace, the ruler of this territory, stirred a feeling of unease within her.
"Nevertheless, we have no choice. Even if we must face a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, we must proceed. This is crucial for the future of the empire. We can only be cautious," she concluded after much contemplation, realizing she had no alternative.
Yet, at that moment, Lux was unaware that her command would bring monumental change to the future of the entire continent.
"Understood, ma'am," the soldier acknowledged before departing the room.
"Is this restless feeling a sign of impending danger?" Lux wondered, gazing into the distance with a touch of concern. "But historically, the Lord of Winter's Embrace has always been a high-level monster residing within the forest. Although high-level monsters are generally proud, they shouldn't risk their strength merely for territorial instincts. After all, they are not mindless beasts. Yet... why do I feel so apprehensive?"
"Enough of this," Lux sighed deeply, gritting her teeth. "Regardless, that item is of utmost importance. We cannot afford to search for another legendary location; we must locate it swiftly! We can't delay, the empire can't delay, and Javen can't delay either."
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