The Maple Leaf Mercenary Group finally walked out of the Amician Mountains and arrived at the northern slope of Steep Horn Peak.
There is a lake at the foot of Doujiao Peak, where the mercenary group can take a break and take a breather.
In order not to leave any traces, the Sun Knights took a different route out of the mountain than they did.
The Amician Mountains are not a regular route. Usually only hunters set foot there, so basically no teams set foot here.
This is how it should be.
But it didn’t take long for the team to stop for repairs.
The leader of the mercenary group seemed to have something to do, and he walked towards Xu Shuo's carriage with a hesitant expression.
Because they were just repairing for a while, even if they got off the carriage, they just stayed nearby to take a breath of fresh air and had no intention of walking around.
Seeing the leader of the mercenary group coming this way, Xu Shuo turned his head and looked over, asking questions from an angle that Sola couldn't see.
The leader of the mercenary group apologized and said: "Because there were too many wild beast attacks last night, many of our people have not recovered yet. I thought about it and decided to stay here for a while. I don't know.
What do you think?"
Sora was stunned and subconsciously looked at the young man next to him.
It's not that I don't have my own opinion.
It's just that this mercenary group was originally invited by the other party, so even if I have any ideas about it, it's hard to bring it up.
Xu Shuo looked like he was thinking: "It's okay to rest for a while, but I'm worried about the night..."
Hearing this, the leader of the mercenary group hurriedly said: "Don't worry, you two, we will definitely be able to reach Castle Castle at night! How about this? I will first send someone to Castle Castle to prepare a hotel for us to stay in, and wait for you two
You can rest immediately after entering the city."
Hearing this, Xu Shuo's expression eased.
But he didn't agree immediately. Instead, he looked at Sora with a questioning expression.
Xu Shuo said warmly: "They did work hard last night and were on the road during the day. Why don't we let them rest here more."
Sola actually felt a little flattered, and quickly waved his hand and said, "It's okay, of course."
It's just a few hours late.
Moreover, even if they arrive at Castle Castle, they will only head to the Far North Mountains tomorrow morning, so this delay is nothing at all.
Sora was surprised that the young man actually asked for his opinion. He was indeed a very comfortable person to get along with.
The leader of the mercenary group was extremely happy when he received the approval. He thanked the two people repeatedly and then turned and left.
Since they didn't just stay here for a short while, the mercenary group's original state of being ready to go has also relaxed a little. Some mercenaries looked obviously relieved and just lay down on the grass to rest.
Xu Shuo leaned against the carriage and read for a while.
Then he seemed to feel a little tired. He put down the book and rubbed his brows, then stood up and looked into the distance.
It's getting late.
The sun was setting in the west day by day, casting a fiery red sunset on the horizon, reflecting the sparkling light of the huge lake ahead.
The scenery here is still very good.
Xu Shuo walked around nearby with his feet up.
Sora's eyes were looking at him intentionally or unintentionally at first, but then he gradually turned his attention away and took his time to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
At this time, a mercenary group came over, handed her a serving of kumiss, and then asked her what she thought about dinner.
Sora looked towards the lake: "Why don't we eat fish?"
She spent all day yesterday eating dry game in the mountains, which made her taste bad.
Although the mercenary group was stationed next to the water source last night, they had been busy dealing with wild beasts almost the whole night since they settled in camp, and they had no time to go fishing in the lake.
She smashed her lips and wanted to improve the food.
The mercenary smiled and said, "Wait a moment. We just saw fish swimming in the lake. It shouldn't be difficult to catch them."
Sora felt that sitting was quite boring, so he held up his monk's skirt and trotted forward pretending to be reserved.
"I'll watch you catch fish."
…
While the girl was excitedly waiting to eat the fish, Xu Shuo wandered around the area and wandered over to the leader of the mercenary group.
"What's the matter?" he asked softly.
"Someone stayed here for a short time, and it shouldn't be Orion. That person also went into the mountains." The leader of the mercenary group said in a low voice.
"time?"
"It should be between noon and afternoon."
After the leader of the mercenary group said this, he stretched out his hand behind his back and carefully handed a grass stem to Xu Shuo.
He did not grab the grass stem directly, but carefully pinched the root of the grass stem with two fingers, as if he was worried about damaging the things on it.
Xu Shuo took the grass stem and saw the unmelted frost remaining on it.
The white frost has the texture of particles, and you can clearly feel the chill when you hold it in your hand. It is bone-chilling, and seems to be far colder than the extreme northern winter.
He gently twisted it with his fingertips, and the frost was wiped away, but the grass stems also shattered.
It wasn't Xu Shuo who crushed the grass.
But this herb has already been cracked by the frost.
"There are remnants all around that patch of grass."
The leader of the mercenary group pointed to the location near the lake and said.
This lake is neither big nor small, with a length of about 700 to 800 square meters. Its source is spring water flowing down from the steep angle peak.
Because the area was so large, the mercenary group just randomly chose a corner when stationed.
Just when the leader of the mercenary group was habitually exploring the surroundings, he suddenly discovered something strange somewhere.
He thought this thing was weird.
After thinking about it, I decided to ask adults to come over and take a look.
Xu Shuo slowly crushed the grass stems in his hands.
Fine crumbs scattered from his fingertips. He felt the remaining chill on his skin and turned his head thoughtfully to look at the Amician Mountains behind him.
"grown ups?"
The leader of the mercenary group next to him asked in a voice.
Xu Shuo said calmly: "When you leave later, send people to re-enter the Steep Angle Peak and always pay attention to the movements inside the Amician Mountains. But be careful not to expose yourself. If there is anything unusual, retreat immediately. Just bring the information back.
That’s it.”
The leader of the mercenary group nodded solemnly.
Just in time, he was going to send people to Castle Castle first, so he could take the opportunity to arrange for a few people to leave the team and return to the mountains.
Xu Shuo approached the unusual location, glanced at the remaining frost on the grass, and then directly raised his foot to crush them all.
Seeing this, the leader of the mercenary group hurriedly stepped forward: "Sir, I will handle it!"
Why do you have cold feet?
Xu Shuo didn't respond.
He stared at the frost disappearing under his feet, feeling the chill that penetrated the soles of his shoes, and suddenly smiled.
"Ice Elf..."
…
…
Sola squatted on the opposite side of the lake and watched the fish being caught.
But by chance, she suddenly noticed Xu Shuo standing on the other side. She looked up and saw the two people looking at the lake and talking about something.
She was a little confused.
It's just that I'm not as vigilant as I was two days ago.
But she still stared there for a while.
Then I saw the leader of the mercenary group turned around and greeted a person, and then the person nodded, took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and went into the water to fish.
Sora: emmm...
So everyone actually wants to eat fish?
She simply stood up, held up her skirt and trotted over in that direction. When she got closer, she received the young man's gentle questioning gaze.
Seeing her running over, Xu Shuo said smoothly:
"The lake is slippery, so be careful when running."
"...!"
Sora was suddenly startled.
The tall young man smiled lightly. The golden sunset fell on his silver hair, reflecting the dreamy sunset color. The white priest robe was also dimmed by the afterglow of the setting sun.
At that moment, the handsome young man shrouded in brilliance seemed to shine particularly brightly, and in a trance, she actually seemed to see a god.
Sola's heart beat hard and unsatisfactorily.
She felt like a deer was about to be killed.
At this time, the two of them were face to face. The young man looked at her with a puzzled look, and she suddenly realized what she wanted to say.
"You...you also eat fish?"
However, his throat was as dry as if it were knotted, and Sora was a bit at a loss to speak out.
After she finished speaking, she was embarrassed by her words.
What kind of hot chicken opening line is this?
Xu Shuo paused, then smiled and said: "It's rare to have such leisure, so let them go down and catch some fish to eat."
Sola nodded: "Oh!"
Then the atmosphere here became silent.
Neither of them spoke anymore.
There was a splashing sound from the lake.
Many mercenaries were helping with fishing, and the lake was bustling with activity for a while, but the girl standing on the shore felt more and more embarrassed.
So, what was she doing here just now?
Sola glanced randomly, and when she saw the leader of the mercenary group standing aside directing the fishing, she suddenly reacted. At this moment, it was as if the community had found a topic.
The girl quickly said: "By the way, I just saw you standing here, what were you talking about?"
Xu Shuo looked at her strangely: "I'm talking about catching some fish to eat."
Sora: "..."
Yes...yes.
Didn't she just ask a similar question?
So the situation became awkward again.
This time it was awkward for a long time, until more than a dozen unknown fish were thrown ashore. The mercenaries lit a fire and set up a pot, grilling the fish and making fish soup in full swing.
The fish here is very fresh and tender, and even without other condiments, it will still be fragrant after grilling.
As the boss who gave the money, Xu Shuo got a fish each.
As for the remaining fish, they were directly made into a large pot of soup. After all, there were many people in the mercenary group, and a dozen fish were simply not enough to share.
After eating and drinking enough.
The Maple Leaf Mercenary Group planned to continue on the road.
Because of the previously agreed upon plan, a mercenary team was sent out and rushed to Cassel Castle to prepare their entry into the city in advance.
And at the same time.
Several Sun Knights hidden in the mercenary group also quietly left the team and returned to the Amician Mountains with hidden traces, following the same route that was discovered to be unusual.
Although the people in the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group have some strength, if they encounter an unexpected situation, they may not be able to escape like the Sun Knights.
After all, they are the Knights of the Sun who are responsible for closely guarding the Pope of Light.
In terms of strength, apart from the Saint's Heretic Tribunal in the entire Holy See of Light, probably no one can match the strength of the Knights of the Sun.
The strength of a single knight may not be something to be afraid of.
But as long as there are more than three Sun Knights, even if they cannot defeat the enemy, they can definitely retreat safely.
…
In the carriage.
Xu Shuo studied tirelessly with his book in his arms.
Sora was already a little drowsy. She also didn't sleep well last night.
In fact, she couldn't sleep well for several nights in a row.
So as soon as you get on a carriage, just like some people will start to feel sleepy for no reason as soon as they get on a car/high-speed train/plane/anything that moves.
She also quite reasonably started to squint and feel sleepy.
Xu Shuo looked at her calmly.
From being extremely vigilant on the first day to almost no vigilance now, this girl's thinking seems to have deteriorated a bit.
Sure enough, as long as someone makes clear arrangements for themselves, then people will take the initiative to give up thinking.
After all, there is nothing to worry about.
Naturally, there is no need to think.
…
The carriage was swaying and after driving for about two or three hours, the mercenary group finally saw the gate of Castle Castle and entered the city calmly.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Sola woke up reflexively.
Xu Shuo glanced at her.
Well, I still have to be wary of this.
Xu Shuo smiled at her and said: "We have arrived at Castle Castle. Let's have a good rest in the hotel tonight. We will set off to the Far North Mountains tomorrow. If we hurry, we can reach the Silver City State by night, which is adjacent to the Far North Mountains."
Sora nodded confusedly.
She got out of the carriage, stepped on the mazha prepared by the mercenary group, and walked down like a lady holding up her monk's skirt.
The hotel in front of you is extremely luxurious.
The spire-style castle building, if it weren't for the shop sign carved on the wall, Sora wouldn't believe it was actually a hotel.
Xu Shuo looked at the hotel and commented: "Well, not bad, barely enough for one night. You guys did a good job."
As he spoke, Xu Shuo took out a gem and handed it to the leader of the mercenary group to show his appreciation for their arrangements for the hotel.
Sora came to his senses completely and looked at the young man in shock.
This level can only be regarded as reluctant?
Is this the great nobleman of this world?!
The leader of the mercenary group grinned: "Sir, if you have anything else to do in the future, you can come to us for help at any time. We will stay at Castle Castle for two days."
This luxurious hotel is just for Xu Shuo.
The mercenaries of the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group will not live here, because on the surface, their business ends here.
Heading to the Far North Mountains, Xu Shuo did not plan to have mercenaries escort him, but planned to go alone with the girl.
In Sola's explanation, the Maple Leaf Mercenary Group only knew that they were coming to the North, but did not know that they were going to the Far North Mountains.
after all……
Even though Sola is concerned about her own death curse, she will definitely not forget her camp mission if the mercenary group is allowed to send them all the way to the Far North Mountains.
There's no guarantee that it won't arouse the girl's suspicion.
And Xu Shuo's behavior of bringing the girl here was just to help her get rid of the curse.
It's good that both of them know this kind of thing well.
No matter how reliable this mercenary group is, it cannot be used to its full potential.
Sora stood aside and secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the mercenary group leaving.
Xu Shuo explained to her: "We came all the way just to help you suppress the curse. Once the curse is resolved, there is no need to be so anxious to go back, and there is no need to cross the Amician Mountains again."
No need to walk through dangerous mountains.
There is no need for a mercenary group to escort him.
Sora was very impressed by this explanation, and increasingly felt that the young man was gentle and considerate in his actions.
"Have a good rest tonight."
"Okay, good night Mr. Ross."
Sora saluted with a comfortable smile.
Their room was on the third floor, which was the top floor of the hotel.
Xu Shuo smiled at the girl, then entered his room and closed the door and locked it smoothly.
In the room, Zuo Fang has been waiting for a long time.