Chapter 56: Return to Frost Valley

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Return to Frost Valley

The caravan slowly approached Frost Valley City.

Lorin had left this city barely a month ago. Seeing the familiar grayish-white stone walls and the two crooked watchtowers again, he felt an inexplicable and indescribable sense of unfamiliarity.

Pedestrians and porters lined up at the city gates. The entry inspections were stricter than when he was last here; surprisingly, Guards were actually stepping up to inspect the caravan’s cargo.

Four Guards clad in Cotton Armor surrounded the caravan. Their leader, a heavily bearded man with a face as round as a pancake, looked the group up and down. His gaze firmly landed on Anya, who was walking at the forefront.

Today, she had changed into a warm golden standard Priest robe of the Divine Hall. Her long hair was neatly coiled behind her head with silver ornaments, making her look like a perfectly Ordinary Priest of the Dawn Lord.

That was, of course, assuming one ignored her exquisitely beautiful face.

The bearded man reached out, leveling his Long Spear to block her horse’s path.

"Halt. Where are you from?"

"Shallow Beach Town." Anya brought her horse to a stop and answered in a calm tone.

"Shallow Beach Town?" The bearded man looked her up and down again, his eyes darting between the Church emblem on her chest and the caravan’s cargo. "What goods are you carrying?"

"Supplies for the Divine Hall, for the Spring Festival."

The bearded man snorted. He walked around to the handcart, flipped open the cover of a luggage bag, and peeked inside. It was full of bulging burlap sacks and oil-paper packages. He couldn’t tell exactly what they were, but they were clearly heavy.

"Open them up for inspection."

"You..."

"These are supplies for the Divine Hall. Are you sure you want to open them?" Anya reached out to stop Erin, who wanted to argue with the man, but a hint of coldness had crept into her own voice.

This was her first time encountering someone daring enough to disrespect the Dawn Lord. Even the Guards in the royal capital rarely inspected the Divine Hall’s supplies.

The bearded man hesitated. The words "Divine Hall" naturally carried immense weight. Although Viscount Herman was not particularly religious, he never provoked people from the Divine Hall.

However, his gaze returned to the luggage bags. Two handcarts and four packhorses—even if only half the contents were valuable, it would be enough to feed him for months.

"Even the Divine Hall’s supplies must be inspected." The bearded man straightened his back to embolden himself and spouted nonsense, "Things have been restless in the north lately. Who knows what you’re bringing into the city? What if you’re smuggling contraband?!"

Hearing this, the other three Guards greedily closed in. One of them even reached out to untie the ropes on a luggage bag.

Rain was riding closely behind Anya. He looked at this sorry lot with disdain and tugged at his reins. His horse cooperatively let out a loud snort.

Although he had forgone his intimidating Plate Armor in favor of traveling light, the Giant Sword slung across his back was no joke.

The bearded man jumped at the horse’s snort. He glanced at Rain’s expressionless face, the fat on his cheeks trembling. Gritting his teeth hard, he actually raised his voice even louder, "What? You want to fight? This is Frost Valley City, not your countryside backwaters! If I say we inspect, we..."

"If you say we inspect, we inspect?"

A steady, commanding voice echoed from behind the city gates. The Guards immediately froze in place. Cold sweat broke out on the forehead of the bearded man who had just been yelling.

CLACK, CLACK, CLACK.

A tall, black steed walked out from the gates. Its iron horseshoes struck the stone slabs at an unhurried pace, producing crisp, rhythmic clacks.

The rider wore polished steel Chest Armor covered by a surcoat embroidered with a three-icicle crest. One of his leather-gloved hands held tightly to the reins, while the other rested lightly on the hilt of the Longsword at his waist.

His grayish-white hair was cropped short, revealing his hard, chiseled facial features. With a short beard on his chin, he looked exactly like a powerful Warrior.

Viscount Herman, the Lord of Frost Valley City. Lorin had only seen his portrait on notice boards before; today was his first time seeing the man in the flesh.

Viscount Herman reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping coldly over the Guards’ faces. Like rats that had their tails stepped on, the Guards shrank their necks and retreated to the sides, looking as if they wished they could bury their heads in their chests.

The bearded man opened his mouth, just about to concoct an excuse, but Viscount Herman clearly had no intention of giving him the chance.

"City Defense Regulation, Article Three: Guards inspecting pedestrian cargo must have a valid reason and report to the duty officer." Herman looked at him indifferently and interrogated, "Where is your reason? Where is your report?"

The bearded man’s lips trembled as he stammered, "Their... their luggage..."

Herman turned to look at the handcarts and packhorses, then glanced at the sun-disk emblem on Anya’s chest. He asked coldly, "What about their luggage? Do you think there’s a problem... with the supplies of the Lord of Dawn Church?"

"I wouldn’t dare..."

"Then scram. Go receive your punishment."

"Yes... yes! Thank you, my Lord! Thank you, my Lord!"

The bearded man scrambled to the side, tripping over his own feet. The other three Guards parted in unison, like wheat blown over by the wind, clearing a path.

Viscount Herman didn’t spare them another glance. He carefully examined the members of the caravan, then gave a slight nod, as if confirming that they were merely a team of Ordinary personnel from the Divine Hall.

"The Divine Hall’s Spring Festival?" he asked.

"Yes," Anya bowed slightly.

Herman grunted in acknowledgment and asked no further questions. He urged his mount forward, and the black warhorse trotted away, leaving the city gates.

Lorin watched his ramrod-straight back; even on horseback, the man showed not the slightest hint of slacking. Lorin thought, "He is a seasoned veteran."

"Let’s go," Anya said.

They subsequently drove the caravan through the city gates.

The Divine Hall of the Dawn Lord was located on the high grounds of the Upper City District. Because Guards frequently patrolled the area, Lorin had never been here before.

It was a magnificent architectural complex constructed from pure white and rose-colored marble, featuring three giant towers that soared into the clouds. The spires were clad in gold, silver, and copper plating. They gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight, resembling three giant, blazing torches.

"Goddess above, Pip finally knows what kind of place you elders live in," the short fellow said, staring up in dumbfounded awe.

"Wait... this is the Divine Hall of the Dawn Lord. Is it really appropriate for you to say that here?!" Lorin hurriedly slapped him on the shoulder, interrupting his exclamation.

Anya turned her head and chuckled softly, "It’s fine. My Lord has a very good relationship with the Protector."

While they were chatting and laughing, a middle-aged man dressed in a red Priest’s robe walked over, taking Quick Steps. He greeted them warmly, "Good morning! Are you Sister Anya?"

Anya stopped in her tracks. Placing her right hand over the Holy Emblem on her chest, she responded in kind, "Good morning, I am."

"I am Elvin Morgan, the Steward Leader of the Divine Hall," he introduced himself with a smile. "A few days ago, the Divine Hall received news from Shallow Beach Town saying that a Dawn Messenger would be delivering supplies to assist in preparing for the Spring Festival. You must have had a hard journey."

"May the Dawn shine upon us! These are my companions. The supplies total two handcarts and four packhorses. The inventory list is here." Anya took a folded parchment from her sleeve and handed it over.