Lucian casually dispersed the spectral forms of the Dragonking Soldiers that had appeared from nowhere, then dragged Rico reeking faintly of alcohol, out from beneath the snow.
The snow lay thick upon the ground; that single blow had not dealt him any serious harm. Besides, he seemed to possess some manner of defensive means himself.
Rico simply sat down in the snow and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Ah… my apologies, my apologies. As expected, drinking too much still isn't a good idea."
Though he said so, Rico produced yet another container of liquor, uncorked it, and took a drink.
Lucian was surprised to find that after swallowing that mouthful, Rico's injuries began to recover slowly, but visibly.
Noticing Lucian's curiosity toward the drink in his hand, Rico smiled faintly.
"Don't be fooled by how unreliable I may seem. I've walked a very long road on my own."
"For all kinds of unexpected situations, a variety of brews is essential."
Lucian nodded. In the Lands Between, having a skill or a specialty, greatly increased one's chances of survival.
After finishing the medicinal liquor, Rico carefully sealed the container and put it away.
He lifted his head and looked at Lucian again.
"Sigh… I had just said we might meet again by chance, and yet I've already ended up receiving your help."
"At this point, it would be rather unreasonable to keep my distance."
"This humble monk is called Rico, a devout cleric who has followed in the footsteps of Saint Trina, and thus arrived here."
"For now, I serve under Lord Miquella."
"I still don't know your name, and…"
"Tell me, were you also brought into this group by a woman named Leda?"
Hearing this, Lucian was slightly surprised. Rico's tone carried a distinct wariness when speaking of Leda.
"Lucian. As for your question… I suppose you could say so."
"Though I don't really know much about them."
Rico nodded, his expression revealing nothing in particular.
He rummaged through the pack on his back, eventually retrieving an object that had been carefully preserved, wrapped and protected layer upon layer.
As he unwrapped it, he spoke:
"That female knight carries herself with an air of upright brilliance, but I can't shake the feeling that she hides something… totally deep."
"Of course, everyone in this world has their secrets, but hers seem especially…"
"In any case, though we travel together for now, I remain quite wary of her."
It wasn't her strength that troubled him, but the incomparably dark secret hidden within her heart.
Rico, who so delighted in tasting secrets, could tell at a glance, Leda was not someone to be trifled with.
Lucian raised a brow.
"And you're just telling me this?"
"Aren't you worried I might be on her side?"
By then, Rico had removed the final seal. A small, delicate jar appeared before Lucian.
Within the palm-sized vessel, violet mist churned gently, releasing an intoxicating fragrance.
Merely breathing it in brought a sense of calm, as though one could drift into slumber at any moment.
Rico smiled.
"Don't underestimate this humble monk's eye for people, honed through years in the Lands Between."
"You're not one of them. That much is obvious."
Lucian neither confirmed nor denied it. Rico, for his part, did not press further, instead turning to explain the contents of the jar.
"This is no ordinary liquor. In ages past, only demigods were permitted to partake of this nectar, the Dreambrew."
"Age has caught up with me, and gathering the ingredients is no longer as easy as it once was, so I can only spare you a little."
Another small vial appeared in Rico's hand. He poured a portion of the dreambrew into it, barely enough for a sip or two.
He gave the vial a gentle shake, watching the liquid within slosh with a look of quiet intoxication.
"The Dreambrew is the finest liquor in all the Lands Between, worthy of being called the Nectar of the Gods."
"It's not merely the taste. This is a wondrous substance that brings true tranquility to the mind."
Rico handed the small vial to Lucian.
"And more than that… the Dreambrew reveals secrets."
"So, compared to fleeting pleasure, if what you truly desire is to uncover another's secrets, have them drink this."
"…Secrets are like aged wine, the older they are, the richer their fragrance."
"Understand that, and everything becomes yours to command."
"Friendship, domination, deception… all within reach."
Lucian accepted the vial. The pale violet liquid within was so clear that it stirred an inexplicable urge to drink it down in a single gulp.
Rico had already packed his belongings and risen to his feet, beginning to walk off into the distance.
"After this, we truly part until fate brings us together again."
"May you obtain what you seek on this journey as well."
—
Rico turned away, a smile appearing on his face, one no one else could see.
He had grown weary of this world, steadily marching toward ruin.
He was no steadfast or dutiful cleric. In truth, everything he did was for himself.
Whether it was seeking Saint Trina, following Lord Miquella, or using the Dreambrew to pry into the secrets buried deep within others.
He had already learned far too many secrets.
For instance, that St. Trina was, in truth, Lord Miquella.
And that Miquella and his followers were secretly plotting something of great importance.
Yet perhaps there was a difference between following St. Trina and following Miquella.
Maybe that was why he could never truly stand on the same side as Leda and the others.
Earlier, he had already helped them locate the portal, but beyond that, he had not been permitted to take part.
It was… strange.
Rico was certain there were still secrets hidden within, secrets that an outsider like him was not meant to know.
Unfortunately, Leda revealed no openings at all, and he had no desire to provoke her.
But it didn't matter. As long as he could achieve his goal, that was enough.
And now, perhaps, he had found another way to do so.
—
Torrent approached at a slow pace, carrying Melina upon his back.
Melina had been sitting side-saddle; with a light push of her hands, she dismounted.
"Well?"
At the sound of her voice, Lucian weighed the small, delicate container in his hand and allowed a faint smile to form.
"An unexpected gain. Not bad."
Though he still didn't know where this so-called Dreambrew might prove useful, it was undoubtedly something of great value.
Perhaps… he could find an opportunity to make that All-Knowing fellow drink it?
Of all the people Lucian had encountered, aside from Queen Marika and Miquella, that man was the most inscrutable.
His origins, his faction, and most importantly his true purpose and motives, remained completely concealed.
To say Lucian wasn't curious would be a lie.
But someone as cautious as the All-Knowing would never drink it so easily. Better to wait and see.
Lucian suddenly thought again of Leda.
As one of Miquella's most formidable champions, everything she did now was undoubtedly for Miquella, or at his command.
Since even Rico, who had previously interacted with Leda had spoken of her strangeness, Lucian knew he could no longer ignore it simply because of the favorable impression she had once left on him.
Perhaps he could find an opportunity to make her drink it… and see whether he could uncover secrets related to Miquella.
Making that loyal female knight drink a special brew and reveal her hidden truths…
…there was simply no way to resist such a temptation.
Lucian stowed away the Dreambrew, then mounted Torrent once more together with Melina, continuing forward along the guidance of Grace.
After some time, Torrent suddenly came to a halt.
Sensing something unusual, Melina leaned slightly, peering past Lucian toward Torrent.
"Torrent, what is it?"
Torrent snorted, then lowered his head and pointed toward the snow-covered ground ahead.
Lucian followed its gaze. It seemed Torrent was telling them, something lay beneath the snow.
"There's something there, isn't it?"
Lucian dismounted and stepped forward, drawing his newly forged Swordspear.
The massive weapon had been crafted from the horn of a glintstone dragon, its entire form resembling radiant, translucent glintstone crystal.
Yet unlike fragile crystal, this dragon horn possessed unimaginable hardness.
Gripping the weapon, Lucian swung it with force. In an instant, a violent gale erupted, overwhelming even the howling natural blizzard.
The surge of air easily blasted away the thick accumulation of snow.
As the scene beneath was revealed, Lucian narrowed his eyes slightly.
"This is…"
What lay before him was a field of corpses.
There were many; bodies torn apart, limbs scattered haphazardly, bearing clear signs of having been gnawed upon.
By now, they had long since frozen solid in the storm, preserved like icy sculptures.
Among them were Kaiden Sellswords, as well as their attendants.
Lucian stroked his chin.
This formation looked familiar, a standard escort caravan often seen throughout the Lands Between.
And on the Consecrated Snowfield, there had indeed been such a convoy. Whether this was the same one, however, remained uncertain.
Lucian lifted his gaze toward the distance. The blizzard had already begun to thicken again, obscuring visibility.
Melina and Torrent came up beside him, looking down at the corpses.
"Shall we investigate further?"
Lucian considered briefly, then decided to press on.
The condition of the bodies resembled the work of beasts.
If a carriage transporting something valuable had also been left behind, then whatever was inside was unlikely to have been carried off by beasts.
Lucian summoned the storm once more, dispersing the snow ahead.
Roughly a dozen meters in front of them, the snow rose in irregular mounds, clearly something was buried beneath.
Clearing it away, Lucian revealed an overturned walking mausoleum carriage, along with two mutilated troll corpses.
The larger the body, the clearer the wounds, and these were unmistakable.
"A Runebear."
After a brief glance, Lucian made his judgment.
Melina frowned slightly.
"The wounds do resemble those of one, but…"
She raised her hand, comparing the size of the bite marks.
"Are these truly something a Runebear could inflict?"
Her doubt was understandable. The two troll corpses before them had been heavily devoured, nearly half their bodies eaten away.
Such an appetite… if it truly was a Runebear, it would have to be several times larger than any ordinary one.
Lucian shrugged.
He found it hard to believe as well, but the wounds matched perfectly.
And in the Lands Between, even a Runebear mutating into something far larger was hardly impossible.
Stepping past the corpses, Lucian came to stand before the shattered mausoleum carriage.
The compartment had been torn apart, deep claw marks everywhere. Even the corpses within had not been spared.
However, toward the rear where items were stored, the structure had not been completely destroyed.
Lucian drove his Swordspear into the wooden panel, prying open a compartment that could no longer be accessed normally.
A metal rod fell out.
He caught it firmly and examined it in his hand.
It was a weapon known from the world itself, St. Trina's Torch.
A torch shaped like a candlestick, designed in the likeness of St. Trina. Yet the finished form carried an oddly mature aura, something unsettling, difficult to describe.
Lucian infused it with magic.
At once, a pale violet flame rose from the torch.
The flame was thin, almost insubstantial, more like mist than fire.
It appeared harmless, yet it possessed a dangerous property:
It could lull those who touched it into sleep.
After storing it away, Lucian and Melina resumed their journey, following the guidance of Grace and soon leaving the blizzard-shrouded region.
Once beyond the storm, the oppressive snow and wind vanished, and their field of vision opened wide at last.
The guiding light now pointed directly ahead, their destination was near.
In the distance, across the vast white expanse, stood a grove of ancient stone-like trees.
At the base of the nearest one lay another fragment of a great branch.
With the destination in sight, Torrent's speed became immediately apparent.
The vast distance was swiftly crossed.
Soon, Lucian and Melina stood beneath the ancient tree.
Unlike other places, strange crimson flowers grew at its roots.
They were delicate, pressed close against the ground to survive the harsh cold.
Yet because of that, their contrast against the white snow was striking, like splashes of fresh blood scattered across the field.
Melina crouched down, quietly admiring the rare burst of color upon the snowfield.
Lucian, meanwhile, walked toward a fallen section of the ancient tree, and found those waiting there.
Leda, Freyja, and Dane stood together, silently waiting. Upon seeing Lucian, they offered respectful greetings.
Leda spoke first.
"Your speed exceeds our expectations."
"Would you and your companion like to rest before we depart?"
Lucian shook his head. This distance was nothing to either him or Melina.
"If we're to rest, we can do so near the portal."
Leda nodded.
"Understood. We will guide you from here."
—
Following their unique markers, Leda and her group led Lucian and Melina across the snowfield.
As they passed a set of ruins ahead, Melina suddenly turned her head, staring intently in that direction.
Noticing this, Lucian also looked.
There, several trolls draped in massive cloaks stood motionless.
Their hands were raised beneath their hoods, and through the gaps between their fingers, one could see their eyes glowing with a bright, eerie light.
This was Yelough Anix Ruins.
A place believed to be where the madness of the Frenzied Flame first began to spread throughout the Lands Between.