Book 15: Chapter 64


    The Northwest wasntpletely uninhabited. Some ces hadnt been flooded and were maintained as they were. As a matter of fact, the surrounding ice that melted and the rise in temperature allowed things to be nted in some locations, which brought some people here. Even now, there are viges and mid-sized towns here and there. The areas nearby the Imperial Capital in the East had undergone some changes. Because of elves and humans residing in the vicinity of the Imperial Capital and myself, the anthropoids lifestyles had gradually changed. They no longer lived in primitive ways. Further out, on the other hand, the anthropoids lived as their inherent nature guided them, so most of them were crude. Frankly, it was quite a scary sight to behold.


    Although I ruled the North, authoritys influence in the remote location was too minimal. I was just an ordinary man in the area. The mountain we exploded wasnt on this side. The warm breeze didnt seem to reach the ce, unfortunately.


    The further we went in our target direction, the more nostalgic it felt. Ling Yue and I used to live in this cold all the time when we were in the war. The snowy mountains were on the edge of the continent. The cold winds blew the ice and snow thatd been umted for centuries onto our faces. The shape of thend had also begun to rise and sink as opposed to being level. The White Deer King was strongly against Mom grabbing her, so Dragon Mom and I rode on the White Deer Kings back.


    Dragon Mom had her hip firmly up against me in her hugging position. Honestly, I thought that Moms body was truly useful. I felt warm with her hugging me from behind. Her body temperature was the same as a small fire. No wonder why I waked to find myself hugging the only warmth avable. It was no wonder I was always clinging to Mom or the White Deer King.


    It waste, but wed reach the vige tomorrow. As it was dark, we couldnt see how the small vige halfway up the mountain looked. What we shouldve been concerned about was where we were going to stay for the night. We hadnt found anywhere suitable yet. Worse came to worse, Id have Dragon Mom transform and curl up around us. The only problem was that there might be misunderstandings if we were seen.


    There werent many people in the Northwest, but wed seen multiple viges here, so that must be the most popted area in the Northwest. With my eyes on the fire in the darkness, I suggested, Mom, there seems to be a small vige up ahead. How about we go in and take a look?


    From behind, Mom nodded: All right


    It was good as long as it was a vige. Viges and towns were inhabitable. Wed be good once we reached a vige. I didnt ask that there was a bar. Even a stable would do. I just wanted somewhere to set up a tent. Fortunately, I learnt some basic anthropoidnguage from Ling Yue, so I was able to get across that I wanted a small ce to stay.


    I would imagine that was the outermost perimeter of the vige the rabbit came from, or rather, its neighbour, which was located at the foot of the mountain. The closer we got to the vige, the more signs that people once lived there sighted. There was also a small field with troubling stuff nted there. It didnt appear as though the ce could produce much stuff with agriculture. With that said, judging from the newly dug upnd, it seemed that agriculture had begun to take off in the area. It mustve been thanks to the rising temperature and flowing river that the vige had begun to dip in agriculture.


    As the original vige chief said, it was impossible to nt crops in the area. The ce relied on hunting to exchange with the nearby town. Id already passed said town. Unfortunately, the town had been abandoned. It was just a ruin after being hit with a flood.


    There was a lot of running water because of the melt, so even dredged waterways had floods every now and then, particrly when the ice and snow first melted. The strong currents poured down and almost flooded the entire Northwest. It had settled down a little, but I surmised that floods could still happen.


    In the past, the Northcked finances and manpower in addition to people believing that there was nobody left in the Northwest. As a result, Freya didnt pay attention to the situation in the Northwest. However, I felt the flowing river problem in the area needed to be resolved. Else, wed have to set our development course toward the Northwest. As such, if the waterway wasnt dealt with appropriately, the impact would be significant. That said, since the vige still existed, that meant the vige on the mountain should be safe. Subsequently, the dragons valley shouldve been all right.


    The million-dor question was, Would the dragons still be living there? Although the dragons needed to trade or whatever with the vige, I figured theyd be able to survive without the meat. If they did need meat, the vige at the foot of mountain would probably trade with the dragons.


    I was cognizant of the fact that Dragon Mom was in a hurry at the moment, since we could find the dragons vige once we ascended the mountain. Mom grabbed my chest and twisted it. Her body shifted toward the mountain ahead of us. I was aware that she wanted to travel there alone, but she hesitated out of consideration for me.


    I was strongly against ascending the mountain. I didnt have night vision, after all. Additionally, I didnt know the situation on the mountain. It was scary to me. I was reluctant to go near snowy mountains, as I was once caught in an avnche despite meeting Ling Yue through an avnchest time. What, am I going to meet a cuter dragon if I go through another avnche? I felt Moms touch on my back. I didnt think Id meet a dragon cuter than Mom.


    Mom, you dont need to rush. Its dangerous to be active at night. Lets rest for tonight, and then well head up in the morning. I think the valley will be in sight by noon, so dont worry, Mom.


    I had to console Mom. It was highly probable that shed sneak up the mountain alone at night, otherwise.


    Mom nodded, but I felt that she was reluctant to wait. She was right at the door, yet she had to wait a night; that was just anxiety inducing. It took us approximately ten days to make our search there. Tonight, however, was the toughest night to get through for Mom. I took hold of her hand. She shouldve understood what I meant. She clung tighter to my back.


    The two of us arrived at the vige entrance. There were a few people with sharp spears at the entrance. They raised their spears upon sighting us. I exined to them the purpose of our visit in simple anthropoidnguage. I was amazed I could make the rumbling sounds with my voice.


    The anthropoids were surprised. They seemed to have never encountered people who came to them to ask for a ce to stay. They turned around to shout and got the nod of approval from behind.


    As we headed inside, a guard, who looked at me for a long time, asked, Are you an elf?


    I lingered for a moment. It was hard to tell I was an elf, because I didnt have their signature characteristics appearance wise; I didnt have elven ears. Normally, people considered me a human from my appearance. I never thought a viger would be able to discern that I was an elf.


    I nodded: Yes, is something the matter?


    The truth is our vige chief is also an elf. Long-story short, a good portion of our vigers has elven blood running through them. Therefore, we feel an odd sense of familiarity to you. You are not a pure elf, are you? But you do have an elven lineage, correct?


    The furry anthropoid sure surprised me. I didnt notice him having any traits simr to elves I thought, Is he really a hybrid elf? I, at least, have the slender physique of an elf, while this rough looking anthropoid doesnt resemble an elf whatsoever.


    Im a half-human and half-elf.


    Really? Nice, I guess. I say that, because pure-blooded elves tend to look down on us.


    Despite the guardughing with genuine joy, I perceived his smileugh to be somewhat savage He didnt seem to be hostile, though He led us up to a small house and said, There used to be people living in this house, but not anymore, so you can stay here. How many days will you be staying for?


    Just one night. Ill be ascending the mountain tomorrow.


    Ascending the mountain? asked the anthropoid, puzzled. The snowy mountain?


    Yes.


    Do you have some business there? There is nothing there. There used to be a vige there, but everybody there left already, for the ce was flooded.


    What?!


    I was shocked by the news. However, Dragon Mom, who was behind me, was a lot more emotional than I was. She pressed her hands onto the guards arms. She looked as though she was going to rip his arms off. She shouted, What did you say?! What did you say?! What do you mean its flooded?! What did you say?!


    Its exactly as I said! I said there was a flood after the ice and snow on the mountain melted. The flood passed by us and almost drowned us, too. The flood destroyed lots of homes. I think it flooded the entire vige. While you may see ice and snow on the mountain, it has actually condensed. It is the condensed water from the flood


    Dragon Moms expression looked extremely mncholic. I quickly grabbed Dragon Mom. With a smile, I said to the guard, Please take care of my steed. Oh, right, dont be too rude with it. Shes has quite the temper I have to head out. I dont think Ill be back until tomorrow morning Lets go, Mom.


    What are you nning?! The guard was bbergasted after hearing what I said.


    I pulled Mom out of the vige by her wrist.