Dragonspine.
Past the adventurers' camp, and beyond that, lay an endless expanse of glaciers.
Eula stopped in her tracks and glanced back, asking, "Is this really alright? The snowy mountain isn't exactly safe."
Not long ago, at a meeting convened by Jean, she had proposed accompanying Ye Xi to survey the terrain near Stone Gate, and making a patrol round of the snowy mountain along the way.
The original plan had been to first accompany Ye Xi to Stone Gate, then part ways—she would head up the mountain, and Ye Xi would return to the city.
Because patrolling the snowy mountain was quite time-consuming and full of danger, she naturally wouldn't bring Ye Xi along.
But Ye Xi felt that having her patrol the snowy mountain alone was too much of a waste of time.
Just the round-trip travel plus the patrol itself, and the sun would already be setting—by then she might well have to spend the night on the mountain.
He, however, had a convenient means of transport that could greatly shorten the time, which would even let him bring Eula back in time for dinner.
So he proposed accompanying Eula on her mountain patrol first.
Seeing Eula ask again, he nodded earnestly and said, "Perfect—I've wanted to visit the snowy mountain too. The meltwater here is very pure; I can bring some back."
"Uh... you really do know how to enjoy yourself."
Eula crossed her arms, wearing a 'you have good taste' expression, and praised, "Indeed, the mountain's meltwater tastes slightly sweet—cool and delicious."
"Besides, there are few people on the mountain, so the water source is clear and unpolluted. Back when I used to spend nights on the mountain, I'd drink some of the meltwater too."
"Since you've made up your mind, then let's go."
"Just don't go getting too cold to climb in a bit."
That's what she said, but in her heart she felt a slight tinge of regret.
Truthfully, she'd come up the mountain not just to patrol, but also to take a long-missed cold bath.
She loved frolicking in the mountain lakes—water so cold that ordinary people wouldn't dare set foot in it.
But with her Cryo Vision, she was more resistant to the cold and especially fond of cold water—and the mountain water was all the more refreshing.
These past days, she'd been soaking in hot springs inside the Serenitea Pot every single day, and she really wanted a dip in this kind of cold water for a change of pace.
But since she had to bring Ye Xi along this time, it seemed there was no hope for that.
She'd just have to wait until next time, when she came here alone, to sneak in a quiet soak.
With that thought, she walked ahead to lead the way.
The adventurers' camp sat at the foot of the snowy mountain, and it was also a rescue camp established by the Knights of Favonius.
If an accident occurred up on the mountain, the knights at the camp would form a search-and-rescue team and head up to save whoever was in trouble.
This spot was separated by a river flowing down from the mountain, and the two banks were as distinct as night and day.
On the camp side, there were still flowers, grass, and trees—though due to the bitter cold, their colors were dry and yellowish, not as verdant as the open fields.
On the opposite bank, however, the ground was already covered in frost.
Crossing the bridge counted as formally entering the snowy mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, a number of knights were on guard duty.
Seeing Eula arrive, the knights saluted one after another.
"Captain Eula, have you come to patrol the snowy mountain again?"
"Th-this is... are you bringing someone up the mountain with you?"
The Knights of Favonius had ten squads in all, and Dragonspine fell under the jurisdiction of the reconnaissance squad that Eula led.
So the knights stationed here were all members of the reconnaissance squad—Eula's subordinates.
Eula greeted her colleagues and nodded, "After this patrol is finished, I'll leave by way of the back of the mountain, so there's no need to worry."
"Yes, ma'am!"
A few of the knights stared at one another, dumbfounded, watching Eula and Ye Xi walk into the snowy mountain together and vanish into the snow-white ice.
Only after their figures had disappeared could the group not help but start muttering.
"Who's that guy? How come he's going up the mountain with Captain Eula?"
"So jealous! At this hour, once the patrol's done, they'll have to spend the night in the mountains, won't they!"
"Damn it! He doesn't look like a local. I heard from folks in the city that Captain Eula brought back a man—could it be this kid?"
"The brothers back in the city must know. When they return, we'll definitely have to grill them about it!"
Just as the knights were whispering among themselves, Ye Xi and Eula had already followed the mountain path to the first camp.
There were many camps on the snowy mountain—a safe zone set up at intervals along the route.
The Knights would stock supplies in the camps in advance, so that travelers who lost their bearings or got caught in a snowstorm on the mountain could take refuge in them.
The purpose of patrolling the mountain was precisely to replenish the supplies in these camps.
Things like long-lasting food, easily combustible fuel, drinking water, and warm clothing.
This task had originally been the reconnaissance squad's responsibility, but the environment in the mountains was extremely harsh.
In the event of a sudden emergency, the patrolling squad could run into danger themselves, so the knights didn't patrol very often.
Eula, however, was naturally unafraid of the bitter cold and more cold-resistant than ordinary people, so this task mostly fell upon her shoulders.
Eula placed some of the supplies from her backpack into the camp, then walked back over.
"Not much has been used up here. Seems few adventurers have come up lately—it's already restocked."
"Let's head to the second camp."
Ordinarily, Eula would be lugging bags large and small—an enormously heavy load.
This time, with Ye Xi around, she simply stored all those supplies in his portable space—very convenient indeed.
Ye Xi followed behind Eula, and watching her turn so serious, he couldn't help being drawn to her.
So it turned out this proud, cold-and-alluring girl gave off a certain feminine charm when she got serious.
The mountain path wasn't easy going—jagged rocks jutted everywhere, and with the ice and snow covering everything, some spots were nearly impassable.
In some places, the thick snowdrifts could bury a person past the knees.
Even through such grueling trekking, he and Eula managed to cover about four or five camps.
Because he had all sorts of abilities granted by the System, he felt neither cold nor tired—which was perfectly normal for him.
Eula, on the other hand, was getting a bit out of breath.
Seeing that the sun had already begun to dip, the time was now past four in the afternoon.
Ye Xi couldn't help asking, "How many more camps do we have to visit?"
"Not many left. We can make it back before nightfall—as long as we don't run into a blizzard."
"And what if we do run into a blizzard?"
At this, Eula froze for a moment and said instinctively, "Then we'd have to find a camp to spend the night..."
"Wait—what are you scheming?"
"You scoundrel, don't tell me you're planning to spend the night with me on the snowy mountain!"
Thinking of Ye Xi's omnipotent power, perhaps he really could summon a blizzard?
And if she really did end up spending the night on the mountain, together with Ye Xi...
Eula's face flushed ever so slightly.
"Hmph, I'll remember this grudge!"
Ye Xi cried out that he'd been wronged, "That's all in your own head—I didn't say a single thing!"
"Besides, a blizzard wouldn't come on this suddenly, would it?"
However, before Ye Xi's words had even faded, a fierce wind suddenly howled through the valley.
The small snowflakes that had been drifting in the sky abruptly grew larger.
As that cold wind swept past, even with the protection of her Cryo Vision, she felt waves of chill!
Eula turned her head, her gaze blazing as she stared over at him.
Ye Xi was instantly at a loss for words.
Now he really couldn't clear his name even if he jumped into the river.
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