On the Way to the Kingdom of Vintermoor
The horse-drawn carriage moved slowly over the snow-covered road. A cold wind seeped in through the cracks in the carriage, making the air inside even colder.
Damian sat leaning back, reading a book. Beside him, Liam shivered.
"I I I… It's so cold…" he complained. "If this keeps up, I'll turn to ice."
Tessa, sitting across from him, snorted softly. "That's because you've been sleeping. Try helping Rin out sometime."
Rin, who was scribbling something in her notebook, smiled slightly.
"It's okay. I'm happy to be able to take care of my own work and not bother you guys."
Damian closed his book and looked out the window. In the distance, the pine forest was covered in snow, while the gray sky stretched above them.
"If I remember correctly," Damian said quietly, "the Kingdom of Vintermoor once fought against Frostvale, right?"
Liam nodded. "Yes, Master Damian. During the Great Northern War. What's funny is that before that war, Frostvale had even invited them to join forces to attack Evercrag."
Tessa frowned. "Then why did they go to war?"
"Because the people of the Kingdom of Vintermoor were too stubborn," Liam replied. "They were very arrogant in their own strength. When Frostvale offered an alliance, they took it as an insult."
Damian nodded slowly. "That's right. I read about it in my father's history books. They preferred defeat with their dignity intact rather than victory with the help of another kingdom."
Rin looked at Damian. "And in the end, Frostvale defeated them?"
"Yes," Damian replied. "But Vintermoor wasn't an easy kingdom to conquer. After the war ended, Frostvale didn't destroy them. Instead, they became allies."
Liam smiled slightly. "It makes sense. It's better to have an ally as strong as Vintermoor than to make them an enemy."
Damian nodded. "It also means we're heading towards a kingdom filled with strong… and stubborn people."
Tessa immediately glanced at Damian. "Suits you."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Inflated ego, hard to talk to, and thinks he's the strongest," Tessa answered without hesitation.
Rin immediately covered his mouth, trying to hold back laughter. Liam laughed first.
"That's a fact, because Master Damian is the strongest in the world..." Liam said proudly.
Damian looked at Tessa proudly. "Hear what Liam said? FACTS..."
Liam laughed again, while Tessa was only annoyed, but with a faint smile. In the middle of the long journey to Vintermoor, the horse-drawn carriage was filled with laughter again, banishing the boredom of the journey.
Vintermoor Main Gate
The carriage stopped right in front of the main gate of the Vintermoor Kingdom. The large black steel gate stood stoically, guarded by two soldiers dressed in thick snow-hunter's clothing. Each held a long spear as they scrutinized everyone who entered.
"Identification," one of the guards said sternly.
Damian got off the carriage and handed over his Zephyrus Academy ID card and the official document they had brought.
"We are students at Zephyrus Academy," he said politely. "We have come to conduct a field research program."
The guard examined the card and letter for a moment before nodding.
"Zephyrus, huh?" he said, returning the document. "Please come in. We always welcome guests from that academy. But remember, the weather and people here are not as friendly as in other kingdoms."
"Thank you," Damian replied curtly.
They finally walked through the gate into the Vintermoor Kingdom.
Liam patted Damian on the shoulder with a smile. "See? It's much easier than getting into Evercrag."
Damian smiled faintly. "Maybe because they're more busy hunting than politics here."
As soon as they passed through the gate, they immediately saw the atmosphere of Vintermoor's main town.
Wooden houses lined the streets neatly, their roofs covered in thick snow. The open-air market in the center of town was filled with vendors selling animal pelts, bows, arrows, and various hunting results. People were milling about carrying firewood, game meat, and hunting equipment. The town had been bustling since early morning.
Rin looked around in awe. "Look at that… they even sell deer antlers as decorations."
Liam also noticed the array of weapons displayed in one of the shops. "The arrows here are huge. The people of Vintermoor truly live for the hunt."
Tessa nodded slowly as she watched the residents help each other carry their wares.
"The atmosphere is different," she said. "Everyone seems busy, but they're helping each other."
Damian also observed the surroundings.
"I've read about that," he said. "In Vintermoor, the distinction between nobles and commoners is not so pronounced. The most respected here are not their titles, but their abilities and strength."
Liam smiled broadly. "Then, Lord Damian will quickly become famous here..."
Damian immediately shook his head slowly.
"No...thank you," he said flatly. "Since the party at the Evercrag Kingdom, I've been quite traumatized by the word famous."
Rin immediately chuckled, while Tessa lowered her head with a shy smile, recalling the chaos that had ensued at the nobles' party a few days earlier.
Amidst their laughter, their journey through the Vintermoor Kingdom officially began.
Vintermoor Central Market
They walked down Vintermoor's main street. On every corner of town, blue flags depicting white wolves fluttered in the wind. However, their attention was drawn to the large banners hanging almost everywhere.
The large writing was clearly visible even from a distance.
"Vintermoor Annual Snow Hunter Festival – Hunting Game Starts in Three Days!"
Liam immediately stopped walking. "Hunting Game?"
Rin approached the notice board beneath the banner and began to read it.
"A hunting festival in the snow region... and open to everyone?"
Damian read the notice along with him. A faint smile appeared on his face. "Looks like we've come at just the right time."
Tessa immediately glanced at him suspiciously. "Don't tell me you want to participate."
Before Damian could answer, Liam raised his hand enthusiastically.
"Of course I'm participating! This is a chance to see how strong the hunters of the Vintermoor Kingdom are!"
Damian glanced back at the banner, his gaze filled with enthusiasm.
"Not only that," Damian said calmly. "A festival this big is sure to bring together many hunters from all over. If the person we're looking for is in Vintermoor, chances are he'll show up there too."
Liam immediately nodded quickly.
"Now that's a good reason!"
Tessa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Liar."
Damian and Liam both turned their heads in fear..
"You two just want to fight, right?" Tessa said angrily.
Damian fell silent.
Liam fell silent as well.
Several seconds passed without anyone answering. The veins on Tessa's forehead began to show.
"IDIOTTT!!" she shouted.
Fire immediately ignited in her palms.
"YOU TWO! WHEN YOU HEAR THERE'S A FIGHT, YOUR EGOS WILL IMMEDIATELY RISE!"
Two fireballs shot toward Damian and Liam.
"WAAA—!" - Liam
"TESSSA, WAIT —!" - Damian
BOOM!
Moments later...
Damian and Liam were kneeling in front of Tessa. Their hair was singed, their clothes covered in ash, and their faces covered in bruises.
"I'm sorry, Tessa…" they said in unison, almost crying. "We promise we won't make that mistake again…"
Tessa still had her arms folded, her face upset. "LOUDER!"
"I'M SORRY, TESSA!!"
"LOUDERRRR!!" - Tessa
"I'M SORRY, TESSAAAAAA!!"
Several passersby immediately quickened their pace. Even a small child quickly hid behind her mother when she saw Tessa's anger.
Amidst the chaos, Rin quietly read the festival announcement again.
"But…" she said quietly.
Everyone turned to her.
"This festival is actually a great opportunity," Rin said with a sly smile.
Damian and Liam immediately stopped crying.
Rin continued, whispering to the three of them, "We can participate as participants while disguising ourselves and gathering information. If our target is indeed in Vintermoor, he or she will most likely participate in this Hunting Game as well."
Tessa was silent for a moment. She thought for a moment before nodding slowly.
"…That's right."
Damian and Liam immediately looked at each other hopefully. Tessa took a deep breath.
"Okay. This time… I forgive you."
Both of them immediately smiled, tears welling up in their eyes.
"But don't do it again. HMPH!" Tessa immediately looked away.
Damian and Liam immediately bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Rin…" they said almost simultaneously, still with tears in their eyes.
Rin smiled slightly before clapping her hands. "Then it's decided."
She looked at her three friends in turn.
"We'll participate in the Vintermoor Hunting Game Festival," Rin said with a smile.
They continued their walk through the market….