The ice butterfly pattern swayed in the cold wind. The two young men walked out of the village side by side, and then their figures gradually melted into the wind and snow. The young man on the left was carrying a giant sword, and his solid muscles were like a copper wall, while the young man on the right was slightly more muscular.
Thin, or rather sickly.
The day after the banquet ended, the second prince Umber sent an invitation to his brother, inviting him to explore the ice field with him.
Bjorn would never refuse such a request, because he is wild-minded and likes to challenge things that are still beyond his reach.
In addition, his brother, who has always been soft and weak, rarely plans to go out for a walk. As an elder brother, Bjorn naturally has no reason to refuse.
There was no carriage, no servants, no guards or monitors. The two brothers each carried their luggage and walked deep into the ice field while chatting.
The sun went from dazzling to weak, and finally slowly sank into the horizon. A bonfire swayed in the wind, and the half-cooked animal meat dripped with grease.
"Brother, are you serious about what you said earlier? I admire Master Boom and Master Rikka very much, so I don't want to see them harboring grudges against the frozen continent."
"You also know the situation here. Most of those who can stay are locals. As for those strong people, they are just passers-by."
"So my only wish is to see the two mentors again one day in the future, and to be able to show my full strength by then."
The eldest prince Bjorn said softly while fiddling with the bonfire. He knew his brother very well, and would never invite him to go deep into the ice field unless something happened.
Although he looks stupid on the surface, he is not an idiot. After suffering Rikka's indiscriminate blow, both his strength and his mind have matured a lot.
He was waiting, waiting for a fact that he did not want to face. Only he and Boom knew about this matter, and it was also something that the other party specifically informed one day.
The reality is so cruel, every word Boom said still rings loudly, as if it has never disappeared from his ears. As expected, his brother found him, and as expected, he refused to follow any servant.
But until now, he still retains a trace of fantasy in his heart. He hopes that his brother will not do anything stupid, so as not to damage their relationship.
"Now all our efforts are in vain, because Teacher Boom and Lord Rikka have already made a decision."
"But I think you still need to fight for things that you can fight for. If you weren't weak, you wouldn't be so cowardly."
"And as long as the climate of the permafrost continent remains unchanged, there will be no possibility of qualitative changes in crop yields. This is our destiny, and it is also the biggest stumbling block to development."
"Strong people are important, just like Lord Tanya, the Divine Blessed Knight, who is the cornerstone of our frozen continent. But strong people cannot completely control a principality, or even change any outcome."
"Wisdom is far more important than kindness. You can't understand my thoughts, and I can't understand your conclusions. But as a brother, I have to say these words."
The debate between the two princes lasted until late at night, and eventually they fell asleep one after another. The next day, Bjorn stood beside an ice crevice, thinking about things alone.
As for the second prince Umber beside him, he quietly loosened the scabbard in his leather sleeve, and then inserted it into his brother's vest without hesitation.
There was no scream, not even a cry for help. Bjorn fell into the ice crevice like falling snow, and only made the sound of breaking ice picks.
"The only thing to blame is that you are my brother, and I am considered trash by everyone. But I will send someone to retrieve your body. This is my last mercy."
The second prince Umber sighed, then punched his hands till they were covered in bruises, and then turned around and walked towards the village. Three hours later, Ragnar's eyes widened, staring at him in disbelief.
Second son.
Tanya stood aside expressionlessly, neither asking nor expressing any regrets. Boom and Rikka, who were wandering in their thoughts, also regained their minds.
"Send people to look for Bjorn's body. Tanya, you will lead the team yourself. If you want to see the person alive, you will see the body if you die!"
"Umber, please go too. May the gods keep your brother safe and sound."
Ragna waved his hand, and then left the hall first, not knowing what was more important. Tanya nodded after hearing this, and then hurriedly left with the second prince Umber.
At this time, only Boom and Rikka were left in the hall. The former stretched out without any surprise, but the latter had a gloomy face, and the slightest trace of beastly aura could not be suppressed.
"Brother, Bjorn is his first apprentice. As a mentor, I want to ask Umber for an explanation."
"I've never liked that kid. If it weren't for my brother's protection, he would have been beaten into a pig's head."
Rikka lowered his head and spoke word by word. He was indeed angry, not because of the other person's death, but because of the feeling of being treated as nothing.
"Why are you angry? Is Bjorn your relative or your heir?"
"We are just passers-by temporarily living in the tundra continent. These things are Ragna's headache, not you and me."
"You're a hiking apprentice, I don't remember teaching you these things. Rikka, remember that you are the most important at all times, and everyone else is dispensable."
Boom looked at the sunset outside the window and seemed to be mumbling to himself, but every word was unquestionable. He was very disappointed with Rikka's behavior because he was not cold and ruthless at all.
Whether it was his experience as an orphan in Ogu City in his early years, or his subsequent separation from Rikka, Boom's philosophy has never changed. Apart from himself, only Rikka can make him care.
As for any bullshit apprentice, it is best to live, and it doesn’t matter if he dies. And in Boom’s heart, although Umber is an ordinary person, he is far better than Bjorn.
"I always feel that Umber is the future successor of the frozen continent, because he has a good mind and many of his ideas are even inferior to mine."
"Although Bjorn is the most orthodox Viking, his style of conduct is too simple, which is not what a ruler should do, and he is not the first choice for the frozen continent."
Boom raised his hand to pull Rikka back into the chair, and then pinched her little face to indicate that she should stop worrying about these things.
Rikka, on the other hand, took advantage of the situation and relied on Boom. It is estimated that this kind of ability would put even the North Sea monster Kraken to shame.
"Brother, is my apprentice so miserable? Bjorn is not a fool, at least he is not as bad as you seem."
"That little guy is very shrewd. I have a feeling that this matter is not that simple. I think only those who know the truth will understand."
"Rikka's intuition is always very accurate. Just wait and see. Bjorn will not die, at least he will not die in vain."
Rikka fiddled with Boom's hair and replied with a smile. She didn't believe that a person who was about to become a high-level professional would die in the hands of ordinary people, even if the other person's mind was extremely careful.