Chapter 1296 - 637: Frost and Ice Trees

Mist Hills, or rather, the Frost Forest.

Located at the border between the Northeast Frontier of the Sevia Kingdom and Northern Ongtargard, it has become an unofficial buffer zone for the two nations, each guarding its own boundary after the war that took place years ago.

To this day, adventurers and caravans frequently traverse the area, often uncovering relics left by soldiers from both nations during the war, amidst the brittle, ice-laden branches and beneath the thick layer of snow on the ground.

The Royal Geographical Society of the Sevia Kingdom believes that the Frost Forest is formed by the collision of cold air from the northern plateau and warm, humid airflows from the southeast ocean over the local hill terrain.

The low-temperature environment, ample water vapor, hilly terrain, dense local vegetation, and a touch of crucial magic particles, all contribute to making this crystal forest, perpetually covered in ice and snow, a tangible reality in the world.

In contrast, Northern Ongtargard’s explanation of the origin of Mist Hills leans more towards the mystical.

They believe the Frost Forest was created by the Winter Goddess, Ouluer, and is made from fragments of her garment torn during a great God War.

If these interpretations were placed in a past life, Xia Nan would undoubtedly believe the former explanation without hesitation.

But in the present-day Aifala Continent... considering the Glimmer of Fate dice he wore, the divine creation claimed in the latter theory doesn’t seem completely unconvincing.

The team’s destination is a small human settlement called "Ice Tree Village," located in the southern part of Mist Hills.

As planned before resting the night before, the group of five reached the village at noon, and from the other side of a nearby hill, they could already spot the distant smoke rising from the forest.

Similar to the remote villages Xia Nan had encountered in previous adventures, Ice Tree Village lacks meticulous architectural planning. It centers around a narrow, mossy path that runs through the village, with houses sprawled to either side, arranged haphazardly in rows.

However, unlike the relatively warm climates of the Southern Islands and Pan Yun, Su Bin Province,

Ice Tree Village houses are mostly semi-underground, with interiors dug into the ground and outer walls framed with sturdy fir and oak wood. The roofs are steeply pitched to shed accumulated snow and prevent the houses from collapsing under the weight.

The residents of the village dress simply, favoring dark colors like gray, black, and brown. They wear multiple layers to bundle themselves up thoroughly, with most sporting felt hats that cover their ears.

Without deliberately concealing their presence, the villagers spotted Xia Nan and the others from afar.

This caused quite a stir.

As they arrived at the village entrance, an elderly man, presumably the village chief, with grey-white hair and a hunched, slender frame, stood waiting in the cold wind, surrounded by villagers at the entrance’s clearing.

"Oh! Dear sirs and madams! Please forgive me for not coming out sooner to greet you, a thousand apologies!"

Even before they approached, the elder, with a posture that was extremely respectful and tinged with reverence, tremulously took a few steps forward, his tone warm yet humble.

Perhaps due to years of exposure to biting winds, the villagers of Ice Tree Village seemed much older than their actual age.

The village chief, judging by his life’s aura and vigor, is estimated to be in his fifties.

But the deep, wind-carved wrinkles on his face could convince anyone he was seventy or eighty.

Fully aware of what the identity of an "adventurer" signifies to ordinary villagers, Xia Nan was not surprised by the reaction of the village chief and the villagers.

His dark eyes turned, scanning over the villagers, whose expressions were filled with fear and trepidation.

In his mind, Xia Nan was crafting his words, considering how to convey his intentions as gently as possible without overly disrupting the villagers’ daily lives.

Beside him, the "Sulfur Dragon Breath" squad, his temporary teammates, had already stepped forward to communicate with the elderly village chief.

"Hey! Old man! Have any other adventurers passed through your village in recent days?"

Treating the villagers’ enthusiasm with indifference, and even deriving some enjoyment from the fearful gazes of the commoners, the green-skinned orc named Gangke arrogantly raised his chin and spoke rudely.

This made Xia Nan frown slightly, casting a glance at this fool.

But soon after, the villagers’ somewhat unnatural behavior under his keen perception drew his attention again.

It became evident that no sooner had the orc finished speaking than the gathered villagers at the entrance exchanged knowing glances, a subtle upheaval arose.

They muttered surprise-laden interjections, their lips opening and closing, yet moments later, they fell into a curiously mutual silence, as if jointly guarding some secret unknown to outsiders.

Before he could muse further, the village chief had already hunched his back even more, obscuring his facial expressions while saying softly:

"This damn cold is unbearable. Lords, please step inside first."

"The fire’s already lit, whatever’s urgent can wait until we’re warmed up."