Chapter 164 Journey To The North (17) The Foreseen Goal

After many days of hard travel, Lyan and his companions finally reached the winter cabin they had been seeking. It was a small, sturdy structure built of logs and stone, designed to withstand the harsh winter winds and heavy snowfall.

As they approached, Lyan couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. The journey had been grueling, and he was more than ready for a bit of rest and shelter. With his current body that is far different from his demonic body that could withstand the cold easily, he must maintain and monitor it well since it's dangerous to get sick in such a dangerous place.

Without the help of the summoned beasts, it will definitely be difficult to continue his journey to the north with his current strength. Not to mention that he's bringing Tesha as well. With the summoned beasts standing guard and giving them the leisure to no need to stand guard all the time in case of a sudden magic beast or monster attack, Lyan's body is maintained in a decent health because of enough rest.

Now, as they approached the winter cabin, the winter wolves seemed to sense their arrival and let out a chorus of soft howls. Lyan patted their heads, grateful for their help on the journey. Without them, it will definitely take longer for him to reach the current point.

He climbed down from the wagon and helped Tesha down as well. She was shivering despite her thick cloak, and Lyan knew they needed to get inside the cabin and start a fire to warm up.

He approached the door and gave it a tentative push. To his surprise, it swung open easily, revealing a small, cozy interior. There was a fireplace on one wall, already stocked with wood and kindling.

Lyan summoned a flame on the fireplace with a single snap of his fingers, while Tesha explored the rest of the cabin. It was sparsely furnished, but there was a small bed in one corner and a table and chairs in another.

"Looks like we'll be able to spend the night here," Lyan said as he coaxed the flames to life. "We'll be able to rest and warm up before continuing our journey tomorrow."

Tesha nodded, a relieved look on her face. "I'm glad," she said. "I don't think I could have taken another night out in the cold."

As the fire crackled and warmth began to fill the cabin, Lyan and Tesha settled in for the night. But Lyan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. It's not only now, but he has been feeling that they are being watched some hours after he subdued the winter wolves and continue his journey to the winter cabin.

(Is it just my imagination?) (Lyan)

"Hobu, sweep the perimeter. But don't get too far, this is a foreign region, meaning that there will be foreign dangers as well. Make sure to warn the Alpha and the others as well. You can leave the aggressive black horse, I doubt he will die even if he gets attacked anyway," Lyan conveyed his command towards Hobu, who replied with a small nod and went outside the cabin with the other goblin servants. He left two shadow hobgoblins to guard the door against the inside, and left while opening the door for only less than a second, trying his best to not let the cold air enter the cabin and disturb his master and his new follower.

(What an understanding fellow) (Lyan)

With a small smile on his face, he fell into a deep sleep, lulled by the warmth of the fire and the knowledge that they were finally safe and sound.

The next morning, Lyan woke to the sound of Tesha stirring. He sat up and stretched, feeling rested and refreshed after a good night's sleep.

"Feeling better?" he asked Tesha as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

She nodded, a small smile on her face. "Much better. I'm ready to continue our journey."

Lyan stood and began to pack up their supplies, preparing to leave the winter cabin behind. As he worked, he couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Would they find what they were searching for in the far north? Or would they be faced with even greater dangers and challenges?

Only time would tell, but Lyan was determined to see his quest through to the end. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it. He has the great high spirits and his strong summoned creatures that boost his confidence, and he has his long years of experience having a journey in a much more extreme terrain than this.

As they set out from the winter cabin, Lyan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He kept turning around, searching the snowy landscape for any sign of danger, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. When he asked Hobu that is standing with traces of snow on top of his shoulders and head because of searching around the perimeter, Hobu gives a short shake of his head, telling that there are no abnormalities in the surroundings.

(I see... Not even a single footstep, huh...? Is it just my feeling?) (Lyan)

Lyan had faced various types of danger in this world, but he managed to break through those dangers rather easily. But somehow, this feeling of getting watched is making him skeptical. Unknown things and feelings are always fearsome for everyone, after all.

Tesha noticed his unease and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "It's okay," she said softly. "We're safe now. The winter wolves and the others."

Lyan nodded, grateful for Tesha's words. He knew that the tamed winter wolves were a formidable force, and he was confident in his other summoned creatures as well. In case of emergencies, the high spirits will also lend a hand, and their strength is very formidable and reliable for him.

Despite his reassurances, Lyan couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had a sense that they were being followed, but he couldn't see anyone or anything. It was as if they were being watched by an unseen presence.

As the days passed, the feeling only grew stronger. Lyan began to have strange dreams at night, dreams of ancient, mythical creatures and mysterious, shadowy figures. He couldn't shake the feeling that these dreams were more than just the product of his imagination.

Despite his concerns, Lyan pressed on, driven by his desire to reach the far north and discover the secrets it held. He knew that he couldn't turn back now, not when he was so close to achieving his goal.

Finally, after many days of hard travel, they reached the edge of a vast, frozen lake. Lyan gazed out at the expanse of ice, his heart racing with excitement.

"We've made it," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is it. The heart of the frozen wasteland."

Tesha stood by his side, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice filled with awe.

Lyan nodded, his eyes taking in the stunning vista. The lake was surrounded by towering mountains, their peaks shrouded in clouds. The surface of the lake was smooth and still, as if it were a mirror reflecting the sky above.

As they approached the lake, Lyan couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness wash over him. He knew that this was the final leg of their journey, and he was unsure of what they would find.

He took a deep breath and stepped onto the ice, his boots crunching on the frozen surface. Tesha followed close behind, her hand clutching his arm tightly.

As they walked, Lyan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He turned around, searching the snowy landscape for any sign of danger, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Despite his unease, Lyan pressed on, determined to reach the center of the lake. He had a feeling that the answers he sought were close at hand, and he was determined to find them.

As they reached the center of the lake, Lyan stopped in his tracks. In front of him, rising out of the ice, was a massive, ancient stone temple. It was covered in intricate carvings and symbols, and Lyan could feel the ancient power radiating from its walls.

Without a word, he approached the temple and pushed open the heavy stone doors. As he stepped inside, he knew that this is the thing that he was searching for.

The remains of the dwarven era.

___________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Mythril-ranked Mercenary

Money: 3,797,710,950 Elnes / 3797 gold 71 big silver 9 big coppers 5 coppers

Weapon: Magic Glaive, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 1 (Decent) bow

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, Breastplate, 2 Health Potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, 3 Valkyrie, Shadow Goblin Lord (Lv. 5), Papilio Slime (Lv. 45), Galewing Butterfly (Lv. 45), Rock Golem (Lv. 50), Deadlight (Lv. 63), Moonlight Butterfly (Lv. 45), Ice Golem (Lv. 50), Acid Ant Queen (Lv. 9), Magma Bear (Lv. 1), Fey Mammoth (Lv. 1), Arcane Retriever (Lv. 1), Winter Wolf Alpha (Lv. 12)

Grimoire's Army: 6 Shadow Servants, 800 Skeleton Army