Chapter 288: Seidler’s Reminder.

“Seidler!”

The little Fairies rushed forward enthusiastically, crowding Moresy off the steps and surrounding the white mage with delighted cries.

Moresy: “...”

Talk about blatant favoritism!

Seidler looked at Shu Li and the others in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Every adventurer who came to Snow Village was headed for the Kingdom of Snow to explore the Snow Mountain Labyrinth. If he remembered correctly, weren't these youngsters still Mage Apprentices?

“We're going to the Snow Mountain Labyrinth, and we picked up a few assignments in the Kingdom of Snow along the way,” Shu Li said cheerfully. “I never expected to run into you and Moresy here.”

Seidler was a fourth-year student at St. Velia Magic Academy and had to return every semester for his examinations. Moresy followed him around like a shadow, practically inseparable from him.

Anyone with eyes could see what Moresy was after.

Whether Seidler returned his feelings was another matter. Although they frequently traveled together, Seidler always seemed to keep him at arm's length. Whether their relationship would ever blossom depended on how hard Moresy was willing to try.

Shu Li figured that if Seidler truly disliked Moresy, he wouldn't keep teaming up with him on adventures.

“The Snow Mountain Labyrinth is extremely dangerous,” Seidler said with a frown. “At your level, I'm afraid you won't even make it to the Kingdom of Snow's royal capital.”

“We're all Mages now!” Dixio pulled aside his cloak to reveal the badge pinned to his mage's robe. “And with Seriu and Halis here, we'll be fine.”

Seidler stared in astonishment at the badge identifying Dixio as a Junior Mage.

He had been in such a hurry during his last end-of-term visit that he'd left the academy immediately after his examinations, without checking their magic assessment results.

St. Velia Magic Academy had no shortage of geniuses, but those who advanced from Mage Apprentice to Mage in less than two years could be counted on one hand.

These ten youngsters were truly extraordinarily gifted.

Moresy sidled closer with a broad smile. “The more, the merrier. Why don't we team up? We can look out for each other.”

He directed the question at Seidler, clearly seeking his approval.

Even after learning that Shu Li and his companions had all become Mages and that Seriu and Halis were leading them, Seidler remained concerned.

Seriu and Halis were certainly capable, but they rarely ventured beyond the Central Court and had little adventuring experience. A perilous place like the Snow Mountain Labyrinth, where one wrong move could cost someone their life, called for an experienced veteran to guide the way.

“All right,” Seidler agreed with a nod.

“Yay!” Dixio and Budno exchanged an enthusiastic high five.

They were delighted to have Seidler joining them. As for Moresy, he was merely a free bonus.

The Light Squad hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so the group headed into the restaurant, chatting and laughing as they went.

Moresy watched Seidler disappear through the doorway, surrounded by the eager rookies, while he was left standing alone in the freezing wind.

He rubbed his nose.

Falm never missed an opportunity to eat.

The moment it caught the delicious aroma of food, it leaped out of the Fire God's Mark on Shu Li's body and promptly settled itself in front of an empty plate, waiting for Shu Li to serve it some tasty roast meat.

Curious, Moresy reached over, pinched the little magical beast by one wing, and lifted it off the table.

“Well, look at you! It's been two years, and you're still exactly the same. Haven't grown a bit, have you?”

“Awroo! Awroo! Awroo!”

Falm protested furiously, flailing its short, chubby paws.

Seidler shot Moresy a cold glance. “Put it down.”

Moresy immediately released his grip.

Falm landed back on the table and bared its teeth at him viciously.

That rotten Dark Elf! Just wait until I've eaten my fill. I'll show you! Hmph!

Moresy caught the little beast's furious glare and shrugged indifferently.

It was only a low-ranking fire-type magical beast, barely more than a baby. He could deal with it using a single finger.

Mages were generally extremely cautious about choosing contracted magical beasts. They would rather have none at all than settle for anything below a high-ranking beast.

Yet this young Mage named Sperien had gone and contracted a low-ranking magical beast so early. Moresy couldn't imagine what he'd been thinking.

Did the little thing serve any purpose besides eating?

Falm ignored his disdainful look and buried its face in its roast meat.

After devouring a piece almost as large as itself, it licked its lips and demanded another from Shu Li.

Shu Li speared a small piece of roast meat with his fork and dropped it onto Falm's plate.

Falm swished its tail indignantly.

Big! Big! I want a big piece!

“Are you full?” Shu Li asked.

As he spoke, he took the meat off its plate.

Falm was dumbfounded.

I said I wanted a bigger piece, not that I was full! How dare you cut my rations! Outrageous!

Spotting the enormous platter of roast meat in the middle of the table, Falm spread its wings, let out an excited “Awoomph!” and launched itself forward, claiming an entire large piece for its own.

When Amanda discovered that Falm had started gnawing on his roast meat, his eyes nearly narrowed into vertical slits.

Dragons were fiercely possessive of their food. The fact that he hadn't exploded in rage after having his meal stolen right in front of him was proof enough of his good temper.

Shu Li pressed a hand to his forehead and called a server over to order another platter of roast meat.

Moresy raised an eyebrow. “That little thing has quite an appetite!”

“Y-Yeah!” Shu Li replied.

If the Dark Elf had ever seen Falm's true size, he wouldn't be saying that.

This amount of food wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between its teeth!

Seidler set down his cup of warm water and turned to Shu Li.

“You'd better pack plenty of meat to take with you.”

“Why?” Shu Li asked, puzzled.

Before setting out, they had already stocked their storage pouches with enough food to last well over two months.

“It takes four or five days of climbing to reach the Kingdom of Snow's capital,” Seidler explained. “There's very little game along the route, and with so many adventuring parties around, getting meat isn't easy. Food becomes even scarcer once you enter the Snow Mountain Labyrinth. It's best to bring extra provisions in case something goes wrong.”

“Can't we resupply in the capital?” Hector asked.

Seidler's voice grew grave. “Prices in the Kingdom of Snow are ten times higher than they are down here.”

“Hiss—”

Several of them sucked in sharp breaths.

Shu Li promptly ordered a generous quantity of additional roast meat from the restaurant owner, just in case.

After breakfast, the group left the restaurant.

Shu Li mentioned that their carriage was still at the inn and that he wasn't sure what to do with it.

Seidler told him that Snow Village had businesses specializing in carriage storage. They charged ten gold coins a month, which was quite reasonable.

Shu Li immediately arranged for the carriage to be looked after and paid the fee without hesitation.

“You all have magical equipment to protect yourselves from the cold, don't you?” Seidler asked quietly.

“Yes. Why?” Shu Li was completely bewildered.

They were dressed so lightly that anyone could tell they had magical protection against the cold.

Seidler gazed at his innocent face and sighed softly.

Moresy was considerably less tactful.

He gave a derisive snort. “Are you trying to advertise your valuables to every bandit in the mountains?”

“Bandits?” Shu Li froze.

Seriu and Halis exchanged a glance.

“You mean... there are bandits in the Kingdom of Snow?”

They had done extensive research before coming here, but this was the first they'd heard about bandits operating in the kingdom.

“Security inside the Kingdom of Snow's capital is strict,” Moresy explained. “Theft and fighting are forbidden. Outside the capital, though, it's another story. New adventurers who've just entered the mountains aren't much of a threat. The real danger comes from veterans who've been stuck up there for more than three years. They've accomplished nothing, but they don't want to go home empty-handed, so they prey on newcomers.”

His bloodred eyes narrowed as he surveyed Shu Li and the others. He shook his head and sighed.

“Just look at yourselves. Every last one of you is traveling light. Anyone with half a brain can tell you're carrying valuable treasures.”

Their drab, hooded cloaks did nothing to conceal that fact in the Kingdom of Snow.

“Then what should we do?” Dixio asked.

Ace raised a hand and pointed toward the nearby shops.

“Maybe we should do what everyone else is doing and buy some fur clothing.”

Seidler nodded approvingly.

“Don't worry about how bulky fur coats are. When magical equipment stops working, a fur coat is your best protection against the cold.”

The Light Squad promptly stormed into the shops.

Each of them bought a fur coat, a fur scarf, fur gloves, and fur boots. Once they were dressed, they looked like a pack of enormous furry bears.

With their cold-resistant belts and fur clothing combined, they were so warm they were practically sweating.

Now fully equipped, the party finally set off toward the entrance to the Kingdom of Snow.

Snow covered the entire road, making every step a struggle.

They weren't the only adventuring party on the move. Hundreds of people trudged forward together against the biting wind, creating a rather spectacular sight.

After walking another seven or eight hundred meters, they finally caught sight of a towering, magnificent wall of ice and snow.

It stretched endlessly in both directions like an enormous dragon, encircling the majestic snow-covered mountains.

No wonder most adventurers would rather wait three years than attempt to sneak into the mountains.

The ice wall alone stood more than a hundred meters high, and countless high-ranking magical formations had been embedded in its surface.

Without overwhelming strength, there was simply no way to climb over it.

Nasha gazed at the ice wall, glittering like crystal beneath the sunlight, her heart heavy with worry.

How had her brother entered the mountains back then? Had he been hurt? Had he reached the Kingdom of Snow safely?

She was growing desperate to see him again.

“That's the Ice and Snow Gate,” Seidler said, pointing ahead.

Everyone looked up.

In the distance stood an enormous pair of tightly shut gates made of solid ice. Large numbers of adventurers and mercenaries had gathered in front of them, all waiting expectantly.

“Isn't this one of the years when the Kingdom of Snow opens its borders?” Hector asked in confusion. “Why is the gate still closed?”

He'd assumed they could head straight up the mountain as soon as they arrived!

“It is an open year, but there are restrictions on the hours,” Seidler explained. “The gates open at nine every morning and close at four in the afternoon.”

Understanding dawned on Shu Li.

No wonder so many adventurers had been stranded at the inns the previous night. They'd missed the day's entry window.

“Let's go wait over there too!” Shu Li declared, waving his hand and leading the group forward.

Just as they were about to reach the gathering crowd, the Ice and Snow Gate opened without warning.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

As the magical formations activated, dazzling light spread across the gates.

Then the two massive doors of ice slowly swung open, revealing a staircase leading up the mountain.

Shu Li expected the adventurers at the front of the crowd to rush through, fighting to be first.

But none of them moved.

Instead, they quietly stepped aside and waited.

Just as he was wondering why, Shu Li noticed a group of people coming down the mountain.

Every one of them looked utterly wretched, as though they hadn't bathed in years.

Some wore tattered clothing and had filthy faces and tangled hair. Others were covered in blood, their expressions numb and vacant.

What surprised Shu Li even more was the sight of several people carrying a coffin, their faces etched with grief.

Were these adventurers who had entered the Kingdom of Snow during an earlier opening?

“Nine out of ten people who enter the Snow Mountain Labyrinth never make it out alive! There's still time to change your minds! If you don't want to die, turn back now!”

Someone among the waiting adventurers shouted the warning.

“Captain Nasak, if you want all the labyrinth's treasure for yourself, just say so!” a middle-aged man retorted gruffly.

“No one can claim all the labyrinth's treasure,” another man, younger this time, declared. “Whoever wants a share will have to earn it!”

“We don't even know if we'll make it to the summit! What's the damn point of arguing about treasure now?”

More adventurers joined the shouting.

“Exactly! Doesn't everyone know that the infamous Hunting Squad is waiting halfway up the mountain to rob people?”

“We ought to stick together and survive the Hunting Squad's attacks before worrying about anything else!”

“There are hundreds of us! Are we really supposed to be afraid of one bandit group?”

“That's what the adventurers before us thought too. Want to guess what happened to them? How many do you think made it off the mountain alive?”

“Is the Hunting Squad really that terrifying?”

“If you've got any sense, stay with the main group and don't wander off alone. Otherwise, you won't even know what killed you!”

“And you beautiful women had better stick close to your teammates!”